Traverse Heights Elementary School

933 Rose Street

School District

Traverse City Area Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:11
Type

public

School Map for Traverse City Area Public Schools

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 16, 2023

This is truly the best school in TCAPS. It is by FAR the most diverse in every way. They have highly skilled teachers that are great at challenging students that need it and providing support when needed. They have two wonderful social workers on staff that my kids and I feel safe with. The teachers are some of the best and most experienced in the district. We had our oldest kid at Central Grade for awhile, which is generally considered a "better" school and wish we had made the switch to our neighborhood school of Traverse Heights sooner. They provide free after school activities with a meal frequently and my kids adore them! The playground is fantastic! I have been so impressed by the responsiveness of the staff and teachers. I have had a kid with an IEP, a 504 and a high achiever and the teachers and staff are highly equipped for every child. I would open enroll at this school if we ever had to move!
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2023

We could not be happier with our time at Traverse Heights, how lucky are we that the neighborhood school is so incredible! The support is unending, the entire staff truly does everything they can to make sure that every students feels loved and safe. There is SUCH school pride, and an amazing "House" system, similar to the Harry Potter books ( but no Slytherins!). Everyone at the school, from pre K to the lunch ladies are apart of a house and it has helped create relationships that go beyond the classroom. I know that my son is being prepared for the the future and not just academically, although the accommodations for both advanced learners and those that take their time is there. They truly look at the whole person and use tools and tricks to ready our tiny humans to be empathetic, caring, curious individuals. Go Roadrunners!
Submitted by parent on December 20, 2014

This school is primarily low income, with most coming from broken homes. The principle and secretary are both terrible at interacting with parents and children alike....forcing sick children to attend, the latest exposing the student body to whooping cough. Lice is a guarantee your child will have at least once per year....with state funding based on students in seats, expect if your child is 30 seconds late to be marked tardy until truancy...then expect false police reports and harrassment....DO NOT ENROLL YOUR CHILD HERE!
Submitted by parent on October 13, 2014

Traverse Heights is by far not the best school to send your kids to. My son started in the ECP preschool and I had high hopes as his teacher was AMAZING! I couldn't have asked for a better teacher to start him off in school... but then he went to kindergarten and the teacher was still great, but lacked communication skills. My son started having anger issues and lashing out. Now he is in first grade and his teacher is awful. She doesn't seem to understand he has apraxia, adhd and spd or how to deal with it. I can only do so much from home. I feel like I'm teaching him everything he needs to know myself. They never give homework and I feel like this school is well behind the other schools in what they teach and how they teach. I am looking into transferring him even though it's mid year.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2014

Traverse Heights is not the best school. The teachers are great, as is the principle however, it is a "low income" type of school. You get what you pay for. It is a somewhat "rough" neighborhood so you can guess the types of kids that go to this school. I switched my son to a different school mid-year and he is actually behind now, while at Traverse Heights, he was ahead. They are learning things at this new school that hadn't even been brought up at TH. Also, there is NO parental involvement at TH!! NONE!! It was very sad. I am so glad that I switched my son into a better school!!!!
Submitted by parent on September 03, 2013

Traverse Hieghts teachers and staff are amazing. They are so willing to go the extra mile for all their students. I highly recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on April 16, 2013

Traverse Heights Elementary has been trouble since my son started Kindergarten. He started half the school year ok but things escalated to violence, yelling and parent phone calls. He has been suspended so many times. Third grade has been a blessing. His teacher is understanding and he is finally getting along with other students and staff. Now his sister is going down the same path as he did!! There is no clear communication on what actually went on, or what the consequence will be. They gave my daughter a lunch buddy after she threw a fit that she wanted one. Her behaviour at that school still hasn't changed; she is still being disrespecful. I know of several people (a couple of whom are very close family friends) who have attended this school and they have experienced the same thing as we have. After they left for different schools, their children have soared. There seems to be no education towards technology. My children is in the first and third grades and their math is horrible. When asked how much time do they spend a day on math they told me not a whole lot. It is mostly reading, reading, reading. Both my children are above average in reading, below average in math.