Glencoe Elementary School 825 Southeast 51st Avenue, Portland, OR 97215

"I've been here from 3rd to 5th and loved it and made some life long friends."

"Attended from 1963 to 1966. Received a good education here, and was recommended for Benson Polytechnic High School."

"Our child attended 2013-15. There are dedicated teachers and others who need to retire or redirect careers. Community involvement is admirable but has been increasingly limited and discouraged by leadership at Glencoe and Portland Public. Teachers have been running the school for years due to poor leadership. Some were abusive to children whose only crime was parents who chose to (legally) opt out of standardized tests, or express concern and advocate for special needs. Glencoe is a hostile environment and a terrible placement for a child with learning disabilities or special needs. There is a special ed teacher and our child's 1st grade teacher boasted an MA in special ed, yet when there were learning problems they didn't even recognize dyslexia. Our daughter endured months of self-esteem crushing humiliation by her classroom teacher such as asking for help and being told by the teacher she "didnt have time, stop complaining, go back to your seat and just do it, " was repeatedly sent to the office and made an example in front of peers when she couldn't do the work, and came home crying day after day. Received lip service from principal/district. Wasn't allowed in classroom to help or observe. No aides in 1st grade. Class reassignment denied. Our child suffered for months, making no academic progress, and became so anxious we sought therapy where learning disabilities were seen right away. Requested school to test in Dec with repeated delays through year end. Paid over $1000 for private assessment revealing learning disabilities teacher, school, and district ignored. ETA for IEP and implementation was March 2016. Reasons: "only one special ed teacher" and "lack of funding," as they were approved for another admin full timer. After a year of trying to work cooperatively, therapist we sought out to help with school anxiety advised new school rather than risk more damage. Glencoe taught our child school and learning are unpleasant, unsafe, no one cared, learning challenges are punishable and were her fault. Her innocence, sunny personality, and self confidence were destroyed. Our child was literally punished and humiliated for having learning disabities and had to be treated for school anxiety at age 6 when she should have been learning ...to love learning and enjoy her friends. Another family shared they'd been fighting 3 years for services. Others transferred to private schools or moved...as Glencoe also used technicalities to cover thier professional neglect and liability for breaking the law. Here's why I can write this with confidence: Just 8 weeks into the year she's already thriving in a new public school in a district nearby. When presented the same test results shared with Glencoe, they implemented a modified curriculum with 100% positive approach from the get-go and had an IEP done in 15 days... with no more funding or staff than Glencoe. They didnt make excuses, they simply made the child's needs a priority, which is their job and legal obligation. Our daughter is now 'detoxing' from a terrible experience Glencoe, is able to complete her class and home work, and is learning to feel good about learning and herself again. What happened in that particular 1st grade classroom at Glencoe was unconscionable. We were not the first to express concerns about that tenured teacher who was more focused on her own angst than the well being of the children entrusted to her care. No teacher has the right to abuse and humiliate any child, period, and when admin covers up, they're also committing abuse. The only way change will happen is if enough speak up. In doing so, it is our hope others will be spared the pain and disrespect we faced at Glencoe Ekementary and Portland Public Schools . We are the only voice our children have and they deserve far better."

"We relocated mid-school year. The transition into the school for my kids has been very smooth. The office staff is helpful & compassionate, the PE coach is exuberant, and the teachers have been welcoming & attentive. My children have been happy that their new classmates have been receptive & inclusive. BTW - My kids say that the school lunch knocks-the-socks off of their previous school."

"My son attended Glencoe Elementary School from 1978 until 1984. He enjoyed grade school and was thrilled when he got to be a crossing guard during 6th grade. I liked his teachers, felt that they cared about their students and were involved with their learning process. Even though I was a single parent and worked full time, I tried to take off from work for special events, including the train ride the kids took up the Columbia Gorge. A number of parents drove up and met the train to bring students back to the school. I especially loved the assemblies and attended when I could, camera in tow. My son is now 42 yrs. old, but I still live in the neighborhood and smile whenever I drive by the school, remembering good times and memories of a great staff who really cared about each and every student."