| Date | Who | Comments |
| 10/11/2012 | parent | This is my second child and second year at MC. I have to say I love it. Kindergarten is a big step in a child's and mothers life. The staff at MC is amazing! The communication with the teacher (Ms Berkheim) surpassed my expectation. They have created a comfortable, warm welcoming, and safe atmosphere. As a volunteer, I truly enjoy being a part of this community! The entire staff seems dedicated to a safe, BULLY FREE, educational school! Go Jets! |
| 10/4/2012 | parent | I can't say enough good things about Murphy Creek. Both of my children atttend and are doing very well. Ms Varner is an excellent teacher. I love that she sends home weekly e-mails to the parents. This is very helpful since I am divorced and it keeps my ex and I on the same page. Communication has been great and my kids love their teachers. |
| 9/4/2012 | other | The test results for this school say it all. It is below average. Too bad they bus in the problem children from around aurora to ruin this school. |
| 6/17/2012 | parent | Moved out of the neighborhood and school after two years of nothing but pure chaos and turmoil. No rules or supervision, lots of bullying and no team effort from staff or teachers. This school was a huge disappointment and a waste of resources, not to mention a lack of any education in a class size of 32+ students. Testing is a joke, the lunchroom is a mad house, and there is no separation of students based on what is elementary vs. what is middle school age appropriate. No parent involvement, PTO meetings are a waste of time, and there is no authority, period. If you want to throw your child into the wolves...send them to Murphy Creek. |
| 6/1/2012 | parent | Left the school due to lack of ownership. The teacher would rather talk about behavior than education. She didn't do anything to challenge our child and then wondered why he was bored and disruptive. Parents are discouraged from observing class. If there's nothing to hide, a parent should not only be allowed to observe, but encouraged. Also, nothing done about bullying, other than to threaten our child for defending themself. Pathetic school, pathetic teacher, lack of leadership. |
| 8/11/2011 | teacher | I'm impressed with how organized everyone is and that this first week of school has been so smooth. |
| 7/23/2011 | parent | 1. I had a bully issue at this school, brought it to the attention of the teacher, counselor and principal. It was dealt with quickly, respectfully, and we had no other issues. I'm am totally pleased with this school and the way they handle things. My children feel safe and now know they can speak to the adults who WILL and DO handle issues brought to their attention. 2. Remember that CSAP is one test one time a year and is not what I use to really measure my child's learning. I talk to the teachers and am very involved. As a result, my child is making great strides at Murphy Creek as assessed using DRA2, MONDO, Quarterly Assessments, benchmark assessments, etc. The teachers care A LOT. My child has taken CSAP many times. It's amazing how scores vary from year to year...one test...one day. 3. Get involved. The staff wants positive, involved parents. I'm glad I am involved and my child is better for it. 4. It's a good school. I'm sorry some people who have written on Great Schools had one issue, one incident, and bad mouth the school. And I'm sorry Great Schools is an open sounding board for anything and everything. Sad. Get involved and check for yourself. |
| 5/10/2011 | parent | Actually I just reviewed the Murphy Creek overall CSAP scores and was not shocked to see that the student population goes from 50-60 percentile in 3rd grade and then drastically drops to 30-40 percentile in the 8th grade. This is very alarming to me and I would think should be very alarming to other parents that actually want your kid to learn something and become educated. Who really cares where your school ranks if 1 out of 2 kids is failing in reading, writing and math going into high school! I looked up other schools in run down/depressed areas of Aurora and was even more shocked that these schools scores actually increased by 10-20 percent. Our scores unfortunately do nothing but drastically drop. I urge you to click on the test scores tab on individual schools, but the scores are what they are. The Murphy Creek scores are not pleasing. |
| 5/10/2011 | parent | I am frustrated with this school. There is no policy enforced for bullying and there never seems to be any communication as to what is happening with these "problem" students that continually harass and bully kids. Why are students that are beating up kids in locker rooms, using vulgar language non-stop, and not respecting the premises or the staff still permitted. My kids DO NOT feel safe and feel threatened with the overall atmosphere at Murphy Creek. I have been at basketball games where students are "grinding" each other in plain view of staff and they ignore it! What a shame to see such a great school decline due to the bullies, and to see students have no respect for themselves, the staff or the premises. I am tired and fed up of having my middle school students come home in tears because of the harsh environment. |
| 5/4/2011 | parent | The school is ill-equipped to deal with behavior issues, particularly with middle-school students. They contact parents for the smallest things (talking back, texting in class - things that do not warrant a call home, in my opinion) and suspend kids for minor infractions. My son and his friends friends have come home from school in tears, feeling unfairly treated and that they have no voice whatsoever. My youngest son was having behavior issues, and his teacher was fantastic, but she received very little support from the administration. Neither of my children, both diagnosed with ADHD have received any kind of services or even an IEP. In fact, their teachers had no idea they even had the disorder until I mentioned in conferences, which indicates a communication breakdown between the administrators and the teachers. As a result, we now homeschool. |
| 4/22/2011 | parent | Dear Parent: Your shoddy remarks are WAY out of line. The Murphy Creek K-8 P.E. teacher is very professional and actively involved with kids. He adheres to a mandated curriculum encompassing age-appropriate exercise and game activities. Did you ever consider that your child might have their own issues following his direction? Making degrading public online comments about a teacher is not cool, nor is it appropriate adult behavior. Do the grown-up thing and visit his class. Request a private consultation with the teacher and school administrators. Your problems with him or any teacher will be actively addressed. I know this from personal experience. If your issues aren't addressed to your satisfaction, contact APS. Slamming a teacher in this forum doesn't reflect well on you on your parenting skills at all and brings your own behavior into question. |
| 4/6/2011 | parent | Most amazing office staff and great teachers. My children love going there , I couldnt be more pleased. Its in a great neighborhood. I would recommend . Anyone who puts a bad review most have some personal issues. |
| 2/14/2011 | parent | There are just a few good teachers at this school . No authority or leadership , teachers expect the students to learn themselves . I would not reccomend this school to anyone !! |
| 2/13/2011 | parent | No authority or leadership, and the students are expected to teach themselves. A huge lack of adult supervision! The entire school atmosphere is nothing but chaos, how do you expect kids to learn if there is no control. And the curriculum is a waste. It is not age appropriate, no phonics, and the teachers move through the materials so quickly there is no chance the students can actually absorb anything. |
| 1/25/2011 | other | This is not a great school. I am a student at murphy creek and the school is racially divided. I would not reccomend this school to anyone. The teachers talk and expect the students to learn without help. It is a bad school. |
| 5/13/2010 | parent | Murphy Creek makes all children feel welcomed. We are a community of learners. |
| 4/27/2010 | parent | I love Murphy Creek although the second half of this school year things have changed. There seems to be less communication amoung 7th grade teachers and staff. But I still think they have a lot of great teachers. |
| 4/16/2010 | parent | Great school, great staff, my son loves his school. |
| 4/16/2010 | parent | The teachers are wonderful and very caring. They are completely involved with the students and if there is some sort of problem, they will notify you right away and do everything they can to help solve it. |
| 11/7/2009 | parent | Murphy Crreek school has some of the most fantastic teachers in the Denver Metro Area my kids Love it. |
| 11/6/2009 | parent | I love the school this is my sons second year. He have met alot of new friends and the teachers are spectacular not to mention the fact that my son have been putting alot more effort in learning. Another thing is that there's alot of the military kids that attend this school which makes me and my son feel very comfortable because i work at a Dental Clinic with Military and their families! |
| 7/11/2009 | parent | My children are in 6th and 7th grade; the staff is unprofessional, lack of communication, chaotic, supervision is questionable. Both of my children felt threatened/intimidated at this school by the staff and students, they expected to deal with it. This is unacceptable, my children will not return to this school. I strongly suggest surprise visits... |
| 4/26/2009 | parent | My children are in the 4th and 7th grades and have been attending Murphy Creek K-8 since it has opened, 2005. I could not say enough about the caring staff, open communication, sports teams, teachers, etc. Murphy Creek staff, ALL of the staff, are kind, caring and have the best interest of all the children at hand first. What a wonderful school community.... |
| 3/23/2009 | parent | My 6th grader started here in the fall and is doing well. The staff is caring and let me know what I need to know when I need to know it. We have 2 other children in nearby Vassar elementary that will hopefully be attending Murphy Creek for up coming year. I can't believe the vast difference in schools all within the same district. At their current school you never hear anything good or bad and often feel unwelcome when visiting. The staff seems very put out by parents. This is NOT the case at Murphy Creek. My son is for the first time ever interested in learning and I give all the credit for that to teachers that make him want to learn. |
| 2/21/2009 | parent | This school is very overrated. I'd do my research before choosing this school. |
| 2/17/2009 | parent | Beautiful new school. Warm and inviting environment. My children are learing a lot and love going to school. |
| 2/17/2009 | parent | Beautiful new building in a new subdivision. My child is learing a lot and loves school. |
| 9/25/2008 | parent | This is a beautiful building, with a great sense of community. They have storng teachers and a welcoming enviorment. I am very glad to have a my children going there |
| 9/2/2008 | parent | I think Murphy Creek is still going through some growing pains. The administration isn't nearly as organized as they should be. The students get away with a lot. The older students have way to much freedom and contact with the younger students. |
| 9/24/2007 | parent | I think Murphy Creek K-8 is a great environment for learning! As a parent I would encourage other parents to be more involved to insure the kids have the best learning experience possible. |
| 9/23/2007 | parent | My child is in first grade and I, too, was skeptical about the grade combining. But I've been volunteering at the school and observing different classrooms and I think it's a great idea. My son is learning more now on a daily basis than he did in the private and expensive kindergarten we sent him to. Five stars to you, Murphy Creek! |
| 9/22/2007 | student | I am a student at murphy creek and I've been here from 6th to 8th grade. I feel that combining grades is a good idea and that the teachers do well accomodating our idividual needs. My math class is in the 10th grade level and we are getting high school crredits. All the staff is really great too. |
| 8/24/2007 | parent | My son began kindergarten here 3 years ago when it was 1st built. He is now in the 2nd grade. I was also mixed about the combining grades, but not anymore. It is a way to accommodate the huge variety of learning levels in each class room and each grade. Maybe I'll feel differently as he gets older but so far this concept has been pretty effective. I have an older son in APS as well and we ve had our share of issues with 2 schools in the Aurora district - one was bad enough that I removed him from the school and put him elsewhere. Our family has had a positive experience with the staff and the parents involved with this community. I am very picky, and Murphy Creek is the best school we have found in this city for our children. |
| 8/21/2007 | parent | I feel that the test scores for the school are low. I think this is due to the class sizes. There are 30 + children in the most of the classes. How can one teacher and one assistant teach 30 children? I feel that mixing the grades are good for the younger one's in the class but not for the older children in those classes. The classes should be seperated not combined. If the school keeps going the way it is our child will not be attending anymore. |
| 5/22/2007 | parent | I have two children attending Murphy Creek K8 and so far I have been happy with the school and teachers. The only concern I have is that the standards in Aurora and Colorado in general aren't high enough. My kids learned far more in out of state schools than they have here in Colorado. The after school activities and inclusion of music and PE classes is sufficient especially considering this school is newly built and will likely continue to add activities as they become more established. There was an after school meeting for the 2nd grade parents to discuss the new ways to teach children math and I found it very informative. I think more parents should have attended because without it I couldn't properly help with homework. |
| 4/30/2007 | parent | This school has great potential. They have the most up to date equipment, plenty of instruments for music learning etc... I do have to say that it concerns me greatly that our CSAP scores are so low compared to the state average. With all the things this school has going for it, it seems they should be better. I hope to see some improvement next year or I may have to seriously think about where my kids are going to school. |
| 11/14/2006 | parent | My kid's kindergarten class is going great! The teacher encourages parent involvement, and is involved in all activities herself. If you are looking to take an active role in your child's education, this is a good school to start at. --A foreign language program would be a nice addition in reference to the previous feedback. |
