Ross Elementary -- views and thoughts

[Anonymous]

We're finalizing our OOB lottery choices and I wanted to get some final views on Ross from parents and others with first hand experiences, both pro and con. In particular, can any of you offer opinions on how good the school would be for middle-class kids. (Anyone who objects to my classist phrasing please trash me in a separate thread). A few specific questions I had are:
(1) to what extent the school is focused on testing and test scores and weather that's an issue;
(2) the principal, Amanda Alexander, is supposed to be great -- do you think the school holds up if she leaves or is promoted
(3) how does the school handle more advanced kids?
(4) are there any discipline or safety issues.

I know this has been touched on in past, so forgive any repetition. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Sorry I'm only seeing this after the lottery has closed, but I have a kid at Ross and one more who will be there in the fall. (We are actually in boundary.) I can't say enough good things about the school. Amanda Alexander is indeed awesome and she is pretty fluent in the performance/needs of virtually every single child in the school in a way that has really impressed me. She is a big believer in differentiated learning so is working hard with teachers to make sure every kid is challenged. The school also has a great science teacher and takes advantage of the Fillmore Arts center for art, music, drama, dance, etc. There is a growing group of very committed parents at Ross who are keeping on the pressure to make sure the school has very high standards for all the kids, and the test scores are reflecting that.

Not sure if that helps, but I am very comfortable having my kids at Ross.