Research West Park Lutheran Elementary School private Schools in Twinsburg, Ohio

“What do you think of WPLS? I believe that until this past year WP was the best school I could possibly imagine. My children and their cousins have all gone there for many years. I believe that WPLS made a horrible judgment call when they hired the principal that started this past year. It's sad to see how much damage one person could do in less than 1 year. She has absolutely destroyed a school that had so much going for it. What's even worse is how the school board has just placed blinders on there eyes and turned there heads the other way. They can deny it all they want but the truth still remains the same, they made a huge mistake and need to take responsibility for what they have done and what they have not done. Please take time out and talk to parents and Students whom left WPLS.”

“Teachers should make learning fun, exciting, and interesting. The school had a full staff for years they were willing to try new things for the benefit of the children and the school. If WPLS believes that enrollment dropped probably due to increased tuition I have some swamp land to sell to you! Think about it? Why would parents remove their children because tuition went up 50$? Some of the families that left are pretty well off, some own businesses. As for the rest most families recieve the voucher program, they only pay either 10 or 25% of that. A suggestion, the board should actually call parents/ families that left the school and actually question them why. I guarantee it will all end at the principal s office. Wake up and smell the coffee before it s too late! The principal is definitely not Aunt Bea, and we aren t in Mayberry. Best Wishes!”

“Mr. Kloha, former principal, left after the 2000-2001 school year. Mr. Hink, interim principal, stepped down during the 2002-2003 school year. How is that 4 years? I happen to personally know when serious 'issues' occurred time and time again, the board did nothing to help the students. They not only left these young children in an unbearable but also dreadful situation. What did the board do? What did you do to help them? Nothing! Also, the point you attempted to make about the lesson plans, do you actually expect any person with any common sense to believe that 5 teachers quit their job because they had to make out lesson plans? Get with it! Whose fault is it that WPLS sat on a grant for computers for a long time? No one is complaining about what the children will be learning or the new emphasis on English, math, science and reading.”

“Since hiring the new principal last year, the school has made several positive changes. The buildings have been reduced from 4 buildings to 2 buildings making it much more convenient for the parents. And, although several well respected teachers left the school, there is a good staff of teachers that is anxious to help the students achieve success.”

“My child began here 8 years ago. Since 2004 I've watched a steady decline in enrollment,parental involvement, teacher qualification and connitment, student pride, church involvement and academic instruction and a huge increase in teacher and student turnover. If you are looking for a Christian based education I doubt you'll find it here. I don't feel my child got any better of an education than a public school would have provided, maybe worse. As far as small class size, There were only four kids in the 8th grade class last year. That's too small...and should speak for itself.”

“This school treats all the same as children of God. I have seen children come to know christ. Is that not what it is all about. The school may lack all of the bells and whistles but it does offer a chance to learn about God. What more could we ask for.”

“My child was in kindergarten at WPLS, she struggled with what they said (fitting in), she came home crying almost ever afternoon per her school bus driver and when I asked her teacher why I wasn't notified, she expalained to me that she was gonna tell me but she tried blaming things on the after school care, I believe because they told me. But all in all the school was not very well rounded and does not supply adequate learning systems for struggling children. Also when they repeatedly told me the behavior problems was because they believed she didn't fit in, I tried transferring her to another school and they wanted the approval of the prvious school, WPLS wouldn't give their blessing and stated that they believe that she will do better at their school, which never happended.”

“Run! Don't walk the other way, Run!!!!! Just within the past 4 yrs we have been there WestPark has ran itself into the ground. What once was a terrifc school with well mannered children, is now a complete mockery of what was. One word descibes the school: mayhem. One word desribes most the students: undignified.”

“For those who continue to support and send their children to wpls, thank you west park does have its problems, and we continue to provide good christ centered education to the children.”

“I was very much surprised by the negative rating of West Park Lutheran but I suppose it depends on what you are comparing it to (and when). If you are comparing it to a high-priced suburban school that is one thing. The school does not have the pricy equipment and new facilities that those places can afford. However, if you are looking for an affordable alternative to Cleveland public schools this place is great! Our child came from the Cleveland schools and was two years behind grade level in everything. The classes are small enough that she got the attention she needed and is now at or ahead of grade level in everything. And she now loves school something we could never say before. So maybe the place is not shiny, new and perfect but it has been perfect for us. And we do receive regular reports regarding her progress.”

“I was very much surprised by the negative rating of West Park Lutheran but I suppose it depends on what you are comparing it to (and when). If you are comparing it to a high-priced suburban school that is one thing. The school does not have the pricy equipment and new facilities that those places can afford. However, if you are looking for an affordable alternative to Cleveland public schools this place is great! Our child came from the Cleveland schools and was two years behind grade level in everything. The classes are small enough that she got the attention she needed and is now at or ahead of grade level in everything. And she now LOVES school ... something we could never say before. So maybe the place is not shiny, new and perfect but it has been perfect for us. And we DO receive regular reports regarding her progress.”

“there is minimal parental involvement. the princiPAL (ironic) is is a drill sergeant. minor crimes such as untucked shirts are regarded as major offenses while bullying and the real problems are remedied with lectures and nothing more. the children are behind in all of their subjects. extracurriculars are a joke. spanish class is for the chosen few. and racism, though people may say i am jumping to conclusions, is a major problem with the school board. the school looks like a dump with dirt covering everything. it is, in short, a correction facility and not an educational place. they preach conformity and frown on individuality. i would seriously consider an alternative school for your children.”

“I would be concerned about letting your child attend this school. some things are very wrong at the school.”

“Since 2003, my heart has been breaking to see the path of destruction WPLS has taken . For a school that had so much going for it, it has fallen to the wayside. I believe in order for the school to endure it needs fresh blood, FIRE EVERYONE starting with the chairman then the principal. WPLS needs to hire a janitor, Mt. Cal is filthy!!! Their spring program really stunk last year. Our wonder school no longer exist. The students are behind in math, they have to share books. Teachers do not keep parents informed on the progress their child is making. Students have no lockers or shelves to put their belongings, so their assignments, book bags, lunch boxes, supplies, and coats lay all over the floor in the hallway in a community dump pile. To sum up everything in a word: Pandemonium!”

“Spanish class, it is ONLY for the chosen students. JUDGING is for our Lord, not the pastors. Lunch is in the gym, your children get on their hands and knees to clean it after they have eaten. The floor is NEVER mopped. Any food not seen comes home on your child in their hair and clothing after having gym. As of today enrollment is 59 students for the entire school. 6th grade has the largest class with 14 students. 4th grade has 4 students, leaving 41 students in K, 1,2,3,5,7,8. Which is an average of 5 or 6 students in each class. What in the world is going on that we have had for 2 consecutive years a complete staff change over? The school is livng on an endowment fund! It's obvious the board doesn't care about its students, thanks to the board not taking teacher/student/parent complaints serious.”

“I spoke directly to the office to verify some info given. It was confirmed that there are currently 59 students enrolled. Also confirmed, there are 14 students in 6th grade and 4 in the 4th grade. I was informed that the school needs a very generous donor or at least 40 more students to survive until the end of the year let alone to reopen their doors next year.”

“My child spent two years at this school and I am so sad that I entrusted his education to this institution. I only hope that he gained enough of a foundation to catch up to where he should be as he begins at a new school. Fortunately he is bright and should be able, with a lot of extra work, get back on track. What a mess this school has become. Almost all the teachers have either left or have been fired. No one knows what is going on and everyone blames everyone else for this school's failure. Parents have been pulling students out in droves. It seems that no one is working to correct the problems. They have mostly a new staff this year and very few students, but the same principal remains. Hopefully a turnaround will occur but for those of us who left, we couldn't gamble anymore.”

“My child has been part of WPLS for a few years and YES. This year is different and I don't mean that necessarily in a bad way. The middle-school grades are actually being treated like a middle-school. That will better prepare them for high school. Is everything perfect? No, but the principal and teachers are making adjustments, all in the best interest of the children. The pastors of the two participating churches are now teaching religion, what a great idea, this is no longer being delegated to the teachers, nice improvement WP. As for the new teachers, they are settling in, I actually saw a couple at this evening's girls' volleyball game. That means alot to the kids. I will reserve judgement on the result of the changes but I do give the princpal and school an 'A' for effort”

“From experience, the more you volunteer, and the more you are involved with WP; the more you are aware what exactly is going on (both openly and behind the scenes). Parents that are aware of the 'happenings' do not choose to volunteer just to 'watch' their child, the teachers, nor the administration, but it happens. You learn the politics of WP. Only one member of the school board have actually chosen to be actively involved with WP, not just the once a month SB meeting. As for the parents that volunteer once a year if you parents actually volunteered more you'd would see for yourselves that the other comments written below are in fact true, not false accusations. I wish the students of WPLS the best of luck in everything they do.”

“My son really likes the changes at WPLS this year. The computer lab at the MC campus is up and working (never did before) and likes the changing of classes because he is not with just one teacher all day. He also likes the fact that they will be starting a Spanish class for those who are interested. Lunch is now in one centralized place (the gym) and not using the classrooms anymore. The consolidated campuses was a very good move WPLS, the children will get to know more students this way and the school will be more united. Clarification, WPLS enrollment did not drop 90 students, enrollment last year was +-150, it is 126 today, that leaves a difference of 24. Please do not post false information, thank-you. Anyway, to the parents that have chosen not to return, good-luck and God Bless. Just as you have moved on so has the school.”

“My daughter is having a good time this year. She was a little nervous about having to change classes but really likes it now that they have tried it. She also likes the (working!)computers and learning center. She says school is not as boring anymore. They also had tryouts for instruments with a local music store and she is going to get to play flute this year, she is exited about that. The school is also now offering a Spanish language class, something new to WPLS. The principal will be teaching it which will allow her to get to know the students and them to know her. She is a very nice person once you get to know her, everything she does(or wants to do)is in the best interest of the children and school. Oh did I forget to mention that volleyball is starting soon. The kids will surely be kept busy!”

“The new principal acts as if she is a drill sargent to the kids and teachers. She just came into the school, and she goes and turns everything around. And not for the better, but for the worse. She came into WPLS when we needed help and support, but now we need more than that. We lost about 20 enrollments, and our school has hardly any kids.”

“This school became a big disappointment when the new principal came 2003-04 school year. I have always taught my children to never pick on another child and never to let any of her classmates belittle another child either. When a child began to bully my child, I took the matter to the principal. I visited her office not once, twice, or three times, but four regarding this situation. Not once did the child get more than a lecture. In fact, I contacted the parents of the child. They knew nothing about it. I have also personally heard the principal degrade the teachers. On more than 1 occassion I over heard her talking to the staff as if they were 4 yr old children, speaking to them with such rudeness. To me this principal is not a good example of a 'role model'. I highly oppose enrolling your child(ren) into this school.”

“To those that have bad things to say, it looks like you may be missing out on what may be an exciting year at West Park Lutheran School. The initial feedback to the changes have been positive. I know my child likes what she is seeing and doing and has had nothing but good things to say. Yes, it is early, and minor details need to be worked out but the changes seem to be working out and my daughter is excited about what is going on. They have access to working computer labs, the new teachers are making their mark and the music program is continuing in a positive direction. Rules are being inforced, dress codes are being inforced and, at least at the upper grades, they are being prepared for what high school will require. Keep up the good work WPLS!”

“Since the new principal came in 2003-2004, our school did go straight to the dump! How can any member of the board say it was the teachers fault? Did any of them actually ever sit in a class all day and observe the instruction the teachers gave? The answer is no! 6 teachers are gone thanks to the principal and the board not taking teacher complaints serious. The school is basically dead! It's obvious the board doesn't care about 90 students, yes 90, not 20, that will not be returning next year, nor the fact that all of these very well respected teachers are gone. I speak from experience when I say the principal has 'issues'. We had awesome teachers: 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, and 8th graders learned alot!”