Babler Elementary School

1955 SHEPARD RD

School District

Rockwood R-Vi
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

School Map for Rockwood R-Vi 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 July 16, 2023

This is school is fantastic! Dr. Lockwoo(Principal) leads by example a team of dedicated, competent and team caring teachers and staff.We had special needs with our daughter and received all support we needed from teachers, nurse, counseler and the principal.The academic rigor is challenging but supporting kids to learn and develop at their individual needs.
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2019

Absolutely horrible! The hierarchy structure within this school protects tenured teachers at the expense of the safety and well-being of the children. Legitimate concerns that are voiced to the authorities at Babler are repeatedly ignored. Bullying is tolerated, safety concerns are ignored, the best interests of the children are not upheld if they conflict with the teachers in power here. If you love your children send them elsewhere. Different school, private school, homeschool, anywhere but here. Until this toxic environment can be cleaned up this is not a safe place for children.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2019

We love Babler! Our kids have been at this school for years and the teachers are fantastic! The problem is that this year we have a new principal and she is showing us all that she is not the right leader for this school. Many parents are complaining and upset. Some parents are trying to decide the best way to help our kids because they see the problem too and are very upset too. Some children are out of control and being bullies to other kids and being so disrespectful to the teachers my daughter has seen them cry. I have been to school for lunch and seen this happen myself. I know several friends who have complained to the principal that there are no consequences and they felt she had defended the kids who are behaving this way and blamed the kids who are being picked on. We hope the superintendent will replace her with someone who knows how to handle misbehavior and discipline. Maybe this isn't the right school for her. We are very sad because Babler really was a terrific school with Mr. Buss needs to get back to the way it was.
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2018

Babler has always supported my daughters and found ways for them to overcome their learning challenges.
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2017

Fantastic! What a turn-around. New principal in 2015 has completely changed the dynamic here! The school has become a true community. Everything from academics to discipline and reward systems has been overhauled. Wonderful, caring, character-building respectful environment.
Submitted by teacher on November 13, 2013

Babler is a terrific school! We do what is best for kids and work hard to make sure they are achieving. All our staff members really care about each other and the students. I am very proud of our school!!
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2013

I am a new parent in the district, as our family moved to the area this summer. At first, I was hesitant to even purchase a home in the Babler district, given the reviews on this website. However, after having had a very long phone conversation with Dr. Metz and several conversations with random parents in the neighborhood, we decided to proceed with buying our home. Fortunately, my first grade son loves Babler and his teachers. The admin responded quickly to my request to accelerate him in math, as my son was very bored in K at his last school. His teacher, Mrs. Tremper, is incredibly responsive, very organized, and genuinely caring. Babler has hosted two events to help new parents become better acquainted with the school. Overall, I am very pleased. I feel sorry for the teacher(s) who is (are) having a difficult time with admin, but I'm very thankful for the sweet and helpful staff I have encountered (especially Darlene Henke, Mrs. Tremper, and Mr. Cole). I truly hope that all internal issues are resolved amicably soon.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2013

Reading these reviews, I cannot even believe we are talking about that same school. Our kids have been going here for 3 years now and we are very please with ALL the staff. I have had some discipline issues with one of my kids and everyone seemed great with it...the counselor, principal and teacher. I would definitely recommend this school. If there is principal issues, I haven't seen it. & no, no one asked me to post a positive comment. lol
Submitted by parent on June 17, 2013

Babler is a great school because of the staff. The teachers are wonderful and the support staff is outstanding. My child loves going to school at Babler and the teachers go above and beyond to meet his every need. He is truly learning at this school. I know that the staff in the buidling really do care about the students. I have read the posts on here about administration and must say that I have witnessed a few of these things myself. The teachers slap a smile on to make things appear like everything is well, but teachers are not being supported, as most can see by the lack of discipline. I have seen teachers give ideas and get shot down in a very disrespectful way by the principal. Most teachers tell me they love coming to work because of the students. They really try to make Babler a great place for kids.
Submitted by teacher on June 10, 2013

Babler is a wonderful school! I enjoy working there and I think most other teachers do too. The administration is helpful and very supportive. We work together to be sure each child is successful. The students are the number one priority. They get an excellent education at Babler Elementary!
Submitted by teacher on April 20, 2013

Great teachers who really care for the students. Marvelous PTO, who really makes it a point to take care of teachers. Principal is concerned about how she looks on paper. Assistant principal is in over her head. Teachers are not allowed to discipline (and are rarely supported when misbehaviors are brought to the office) and very seldomly does administration discipline. Students are out of control and it is allowed. Student learning is difficult to achieve in some classes because of other students misbehaving and teachers not being allowed to discipline.
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2013

Babler is an amazing elementary school. I am so thankful my child gets to attend what I feel is a superior public school experience. There is a real sense of community between staff, teachers, students and parents. The comments on the website concern me regarding the principal as I had no idea there is such a rift with her leadership. I have yet to see an issue, I have seen her involved with PTO and also very concerned about families personally...just what I have encountered. Each family has their own perception and experience, ours has been wonderful!
Submitted by parent on January 21, 2013

AVERAGE teachers, HORRIBLE school discipline, TERRIBLE administration. This place is a train wreck and no one cares.
Submitted by parent on July 23, 2012

My husband and I have thought long and hard about removing our son from Babler. The teachers care a lot but the principal and assistant principal are both terrible. Either central office doesn't see this problem or just don't care.
Submitted by parent on June 21, 2012

The school is a former middle school, so the layout is a little bit different. The students are not pushed to perform their best. The children get almost no homework, no larger projects etc. but that seems to be the tradition at all schools here in Missouri (compared with several different staes that we have lived in before). Thank goodness for the school districts gifted and talented program. Without that we would have taken our children out of the public school system a long time ago. And as someone else mentioned there is almost no student discipline in or outside of the classroom.
Submitted by other on January 29, 2012

The school is old, but has been updated in areas. Technology is high, the library is average, and the physical education program is nationally recognized. There is no student discipline in or outside of the classroom. The administration is a combination of an inept principle and a new assistant principal ( former counselor) who is in over her head.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2012

My son is in full-day kindergarten at Babler, and I couldn't be more pleased. His teacher goes the extra mile to meet the individual needs of the students, while still challenging them to be their best. My son has participated in various afterschool activity programs, both educational and entertaining, and he looks forward to going to school every day. I'm a very satisfied parent.
Submitted by teacher on August 25, 2011

The teachers are nice enough. 4th grade took a beating in Math in 2010 but still above the state average. Technology is strong in the classrooms, the library is run well. Principal leadership is weak. Parent involvement is always welcome The Character Education program isn't working. The P.E. program is state of the art. The curriculum is well written. Teacher in-service is strong. Another year for a new assistant principal, it's time for a new principal.
Submitted by teacher on July 31, 2011

Great teachers, great PTO, horrible Principal! The school has good technology for students. The counselor is fantastic. The building is old but updated.
Submitted by parent on July 26, 2011

I'm disappointed at how the student discipline at Babler has declined over that past two years for our child. The teachers have no ability to enforce discipline, the halls are noisy when classes are moving to specials and the entire "School of Character" program is a running joke. The school board needs to investigate this zoo!