Research Piper Elementary School East Public Schools in Kansas City, Missouri

“If you don't think the Principal rocks... looks at those test scores. He motivated that staff... and students and look at those scores. Every one of them showed tremendous improvement. Rock on!”

“Piper East has a new principal this year. As with all schools, output is only as good as the input. The curriculum is sound, the facilities appropriate, and the staff highly qualified. The students and parents seem, for the most part, dedicated to success. The community is growing rapidly, and the entrenched locals are not willing to spend for necessary improvements to all grades' facilities. Us 'newbies' have invested considerably and are hoping the district will not decline as the years unfold.”

“Piper Elementary School EAST is lacking in leadership and communication from their Principal. However, the teachers are wonderful and most of them honestly express care and concern for their students. The Parents are deeply involved and volunteer in record numbers for any, if not all, events. Even so, I feel that more attention and energy is geared toward the children with extreme disabilities and high IQs, thus LEAVING BEHIND the average child to struggle helplessly. Piper Schools in general can t even be found on the 1,000 TOP U.S. Schools provided by Newsweek. *(www.msnbc.msn.com./id/7723397/site/newsweek). I find the test scores unacceptably low in Math and Reading compared to the STATE average. *(http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/achievement/ks/1015). Their attempt in offering after school tutoring and summer school opportunities have not proven to be successful. They have yet to compensate for the increased enrollment creating a student/teacher ratio of 25/1 (They report 17/1). I am sorely disappointed.”

“The atmosphere is very non-friendly toward parents! Little info is sent home. The 3rd-5th graders are treated as though already in jr. high with a 'militaristic' atmosphere.”