Let's start by putting some facts out there... Superintendent Roby makes over $279,000 a year and…read morewas awarded a recent 3% raise for a school district that is failing miserably. Despite being called "effective" in her role, I don't see the evidence to support it. But then again, it was the School Board that gave her this distinction of performance, not any parent group, focus group or state evaluation. The average salary for a school superintendent is around $160,000 in most of the country. Why is her salary so much higher? One word: IMAGE. For whatever reason, Grand Rapids feels as if they owe her this and wants to make some sort of statement and overpays in doing so. Data directly from Education Recovery Scorecard shows the math skills performance for grades 3 to 8 at an incredibly low level and far below the national average. This is directly from Education Recovery's data reporting: "Grand Rapids Public Schools, 24% of elementary students tested at or above the proficient level for reading, and 14% tested at or above that level for math. Also, 32% of middle school students tested at or above the proficient level for reading, and 20% tested at or above that level for math. And 39% of high school students tested at or above the proficient level for reading, and 17% tested at or above that level for math." These are absolutely terrible results. FAILING GRADES. To give you an idea of the type of student attending, U.S. News and World Report provides the following: "Grand Rapids Public Schools contains 51 schools and 13,787 students. The district's minority enrollment is 70%. Also, 62.5% of students are economically disadvantaged." THIS MEANS THEY MOST LIKELY ARE NOT HOMEOWNERS WHO PAY FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S BUDGET. Basically, my taxes are not paid to educate. I'm paying to house and feed a bunch of kids who cannot read or do math for eight hours a day. ("At schools in Grand Rapids Public Schools, 62.5% of students are eligible to participate in the federal free and reduced price meal.") Lots of people not doing their jobs and it's been this way for decades. They call themselves "educators," and they cannot even meet the definition of their job description. It's time to fire every one of them.

My daughter goes to Southwest Community School. The location is at 801 Oakland Ave SW, Grand…read moreRapids, MI 49503. The school is not very open to teaching european americans the spanish language. They make european americans feel very uncomfortable with their smirks, and evil stares. Teachers show favoritism to the students, that are of latino origin. This school does not accept different cultures. Madrigal Dessouassi is a horrible teacher teacher, and does not grades fairly, and favors students. I would recommend if you are an American, avoid taking your kids here. Bullying is acceptable at this school. Also there are no adults supervising young children on the playground. I received many calls from the main office saying my daughter was injured on the playground. The equipment on the playground is very hazardous.

This is the address for East Oakview Elementary…read more One of several elementary schools in the Northview Public Schools district. Nice, but older, building with a very good staff.

Greatest elementary and church in West Michiganread more

I've chosen Rugrats as my daycare provider for over 10 years now. I don't know what the other…read morereview was referring to in terms of race, as Rugrats has had a diverse group of both students in staff through the entire time we've gone there. Yes, it's hard to get into a daycare center. It's hard to get into any daycare center. Rugrats has been flexible with our ever-changing schedules, have done my daughter's hair better than I could, pretty much potty trained both my children, and have taught my children lifelong lessons. Some of my greatest friendships have come from that center! I love them dearly!

Yeah! I was unable to get my child into the daycare. I tried for a long time. They finally got back…read moreto me only to tell me that the positions for my children are full. It lead me to believe that they don't take children of my kind. I knew someone else who have been trying to get their child into the daycare for years often visiting, still no response. I guess they don't take black kids!