Jackson Park Elementary School

7400 Balson Avenue

School District

University City
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:10
Type

public

School Map for University City School District

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 May 05, 2024

School is amazing and cares deeply about students , Emotionally, and mentally. My kids are personally thriving here and getting an excellent education experience. Teachers and administration genuinely love their jobs and kids can feel that enthusiasmI highly recommend the school to anyone in the area.
Submitted by parent on August 04, 2020

I have had nothing but quality experiences at Jackson Park for the last 6 years. I have multiple children who attend/or have attended JP. Dr. O'Connell is warm and loving, approachable, is a listener, is always thinking about the JP community, and is fair. I appreciate her, she leads Jackson Park and advocates for her families. The kids love her and parents too. She knows them ALL, and hugs and loves on all of em. The teachers go above and beyond with care and expectations. Kids know they can count on JP, and parents too. The pandemic and school closing has been weird, but the JP staff never lost connection with our family and made sure we had what we needed, even when our life and school schedule was crazy. Jackson Park only gets better each year. Parents need to be supportive of the school and their own children. There is no reason to hate.
Submitted by parent on July 18, 2020

It's a shame that this is such a terrible school considering the tax dollars that come through U City. I'm not sure where it all goes. Take your kid elsewhere if you can. There are some really caring teachers and staff here, but that's the extent of it. The principal is snooty and stand-offish. Organization and communication is lacking. There are few to no activities/sports offered here. The building itself is old and needs updating. Student body isn't very diverse, and many of them are mean and bully the others. Parents don't care. Distance learning during the pandemic was a joke. Academics are behind other districts. I can only imagine what the middle school is like...
Submitted by parent on July 19, 2017

Jackson Park Elementary is a place where people put their heart into everything they do. My son will be in 1st grade this fall. His year of kindergarten was fantastic. He truly enjoyed his time and did well. I mean, he learned how to read! His teacher, Mrs. Rice, was amazing -- smart, funny, in-control, empathetic -- so I have high hopes for his second year at JP. I wish PE was offered every day; young kids NEED to burn off energy! I also wish events at the school had better organization and arrangements (seating, audio quality, signs). It is a shame that U City's incredibly diverse population does not reflect in its schools. Because of the lack of support residents have for this district, the schools' reputations suffer. This has been the trend though, where families choose to pay for private schools rather than back public ones or even move out of the district altogether. Take it from someone who considered the other options. But I'm glad I didn't give into the fearmongering. There are no fights, there are no screaming matches between kids and teachers, there is no bullying or dangers we've experienced. JP is a school that is just as excellent as any other.
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2013

My daughter went to JP for 5 years and it has very good teachers and has some teachers who need to retired and let new blood come into the building; however, they are doing a very good job academically. I believe they still need to work on improving good behaviors. In conclusion it was a good experience for my daughter it has a variety of everything.
Submitted by parent on March 16, 2012

My son is also in 3rd grade at JP. Never have heard one story of fights happening at school. Maybe the woman's daughter has a different definition of what constitutes a 'fight'? The one issue I'd say exists is that the school district administration continually removes fantastic educators from JP and places them at Brittany Woods or UCHS. They've been replaced with teachers who are, according to the students, old, crabby, and not nice at all. Gym class and art should be creative and exciting experiences, not classes where children are made to sit on the floor and "Shut it!" because their teacher can't handle their youthful energy. Pathetic, really. On a high note, the new music teacher is much beloved. Let's get all of the faculty to that level now.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2012

This school is a victim of to many children and the teachers not knowing how to handle all of them. We recently moved to MO from OH where we were going to a great public school there. We have had nothing but problems at Jackson Park. The teachers are ok and the principal is just ok. Everyday my daughter is telling me about fights and students yelling at teachers and throwing things at teachers. The principal and teachers are more than willing to try and make things better after complaining, but they still are not good enough for us to stay there another year. I am sorry to say but my daughter will attending another school for her 4th grade year.
Submitted by other on November 15, 2011

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE Jackson Park! I was so happy to be there from my first day of kindergarden until 6th grade promotion. I am in my sophmore year at UCHS across the street and i find myself glancing out the window thinking of all the memories i've had there. JP has so much pride and has so many activities for students to look forward to all year put together by such a fantastic staff ! - Miquella : )
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2011

My daughter is in first grade this year, kindergarten last year. There is nothing about this school that I do not love: the faculty, the administration, the curriculum, the available outside activities, and especially this year, the new facilities. The brand new library is absolutely amazing, and from what I have seen of the almost-completed gym and cafeteria, they are state-of-the-art, spacious, and inviting. My family feels so fortunate to live in the Jackson Park district and, as U City taxpayers, to be able to take advantage of everything that the elementary school offers. My 6-yr. old daughter cannot wait to get up in the morning, give her teacher a hug, and learn & play with her classmates. Thank you, Jackson Park.