Whitaker Elementary

2600 Buena Vista Road

School District

Winston Salem & Forsyth County
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:11
Type

public

School Map for Winston Salem & Forsyth County 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 October 24, 2017

My son has attended Whitaker for Kindergarten and is currently in first grade. His teachers have been outstanding. There is a strong focus on social skills as much as academic skills. The PTA is strong and very involved. I would highly recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2015

I was told not to teach my son so that it was easier for the teacher to handle the classroom. They also would not give him any more challenging math work even though he is at least a grade level above in math. Not impressed to be rated so high. His Kindergarten teacher was unprofessional and did not communicate well. The principal seems to be sharp and in control.
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2015

Our son attended first and second grade at Whitaker. His teachers were simply wonderful. They developed a great connection with the students and showed a clear commitment to providing the best educational experience possible. Our son found the school atmosphere to be fun, warm and supportive -- and academically challenging. The school as a whole is also run extremely well. Interactions with teachers and the school's administration were always positive and professional.
Submitted by other on January 09, 2013

I am a previous student of this school and my advice to you is do not send you child here if they have learning disabilities. 98% of the teachers do not care about your child only test scores. Also they do not understand learning disabilities I have ADHD and dyslexia, they said that I would never be above a C student and would never learn a language or play an instrument. After they told my mom this they gave up on me. I switched to one of the top private schools in NC and am proud to say that my GPA is a 3.9 and I play the violin and take Latin. If your child is a "normal" learner than it is good school for them
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2011

I had two children go through this school. I am also a teacher so I know both sides of the coin so to speak. The state sets the curriculum and the teachers/schools are required to follow it. I think it is interesting that the one parent mentioned teaching to the test. In actuality, the test is on the material that is taught. It is also important to remember that when you are looking for a "good" school most of the time you look at the state report card's evaluation of the school in question. A major part of the state evaluation is the test results that a school earns. I haven't met many parents who want to enroll their children in a school with low test scores. This school is a good one and the teachers do care. Every child won't love every teacher that they have in this school or any school that they attend-- nor will the parents. It is important to remember that that is life too. Part of the school experience is learning to adjust to all different situations as well as acquiring "book" knowledge. It's important we help our children learn this lesson as well as the standard course of study or core curriculum material.
Submitted by parent on March 04, 2011

Our experience at Whitaker school was a disaster!!!! The teachers only care about teaching to the test and are under a lot of pressure from the principal. There were many discipline problems in our class which were never handled. The teacher we had didn't want any parent involvement because she didn't want us to see "how the children really acted in class". The "card system" diminished self-esteem in the whole class. The so called "rigorous curriculum" that another poster mentioned is a joke. It is really mountains of busy work. I would certainly look elsewhere for a loving environment.
Submitted by parent on March 04, 2011

not impressed in the least. My daughter had low self-esteem due to teacher pressure . We moved to a different school that understands the whole child.
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2010

Having three kids go through Whitaker, I wouldn't choose another school. Some of the concerns were no naps in kindergarten and teaching to the test. What the public needs to know is that all elementary schools that have a rigorous curriculum have rigorous standards that are mandated from the state government. I found that the teachers there tried their best to be as creative and enthusiastic as possible. I have never seen a child unhappy or unloved at whitaker. My children were very well prepared to attend an academically challenging middle and high school because of the foundations made at Whitaker.
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2010

We'Ve been at Whitaker for 10 years and love it. No it's not perfect, no school is. The teachers make this school great. The PE and Music areas are exceptional. We feel so lucky and our kids have felt loved at Whitaker.