Washington Elementary Magnet School

"As a parent of a child with disabilities and trauma-related needs, I want to share my experience with Washington Elementary to help other families make an informed decision. On paper, Washington Elementary might seem like an average school with decent academic performance. However, the reality for children who require special education services or trauma-informed support is very different. Under the leadership of Principal Dr. Vernicka Murray, our family has faced serious challenges with the school’s handling of disability accommodations and mental health needs. Despite having a valid 504 Plan designed to protect our child’s rights, the school repeatedly failed to provide necessary supports. Our concerns about our child’s emotional and behavioral health were often dismissed or minimized, and communication from administration was poor and sometimes defensive. Instead of providing trauma-informed care, the school often punished our child for behaviors stemming from trauma, which only worsened her experience and mental well-being. The school claims to support all students, but in our case, the experience was exclusionary and discriminatory. The school environment felt unsafe and unsupportive for children with special needs. This is especially concerning given the public emphasis on Mental Health Awareness and Trauma-Informed Care Month, which felt disconnected from the reality we experienced. I urge any parent, especially those with children who have IEPs, 504 Plans, or other mental health challenges, to visit the school personally and ask direct questions about how they support vulnerable students. Don’t rely solely on statistics or online ratings that don’t reflect the lived experiences of all families. Washington Elementary needs serious improvement in supporting disabled and trauma-affected children. Until that happens, I cannot recommend this school to families seeking a nurturing and inclusive environment for their kids."

"Thank you for the help with my granddaughter"

"As a parent of a child with disabilities and trauma-related needs, I want to share my experience with Washington Elementary to help other families make an informed decision. On paper, Washington Elementary might seem like an average school with decent academic performance. However, the reality for children who require special education services or trauma-informed support is very different. Under the leadership of Principal Dr. Vernicka Murray, our family has faced serious challenges with the school’s handling of disability accommodations and mental health needs. Despite having a valid 504 Plan designed to protect our child’s rights, the school repeatedly failed to provide necessary supports. Our concerns about our child’s emotional and behavioral health were often dismissed or minimized, and communication from administration was poor and sometimes defensive. Instead of providing trauma-informed care, the school often punished our child for behaviors stemming from trauma, which only worsened her experience and mental well-being. The school claims to support all students, but in our case, the experience was exclusionary and discriminatory. The school environment felt unsafe and unsupportive for children with special needs. This is especially concerning given the public emphasis on Mental Health Awareness and Trauma-Informed Care Month, which felt disconnected from the reality we experienced. I urge any parent, especially those with children who have IEPs, 504 Plans, or other mental health challenges, to visit the school personally and ask direct questions about how they support vulnerable students. Don’t rely solely on statistics or online ratings that don’t reflect the lived experiences of all families. Washington Elementary needs serious improvement in supporting disabled and trauma-affected children. Until that happens, I cannot recommend this school to families seeking a nurturing and inclusive environment for their kids."

"Thank you for the help with my granddaughter"