I have two children at Cordero and have been at the school for four years now. My children are thriving and I?ve found the academics to be fairly rigorous. Cordero has many high quality teachers including an amazing art teacher. It?s also a nurturing environment with many wonderful families. The academics do need more focus but as noted by others the overall ?grade? of the school is due in part to the junior high performance and students with IEPs. Don?t get me started on judging a school by test scores without accounting for a number of variables! Some of the building and other items noted are district-wide issues that need to be addressed.

Right or wrong, Mr. Strynar put the children first, then the teachers and last the parents. We didn?t always agree but he was very supportive of an after school enrichment program that I helped run and he most definitely earned my respect. He was always out in front of the school at drop off and pick up. He knew all the children by name and fostered a community feeling that I understand is rare for a JCPS. After 47 years of dedicated service as principal of Cordero, he deserves honor and respect.

My two children go to Cordero and we are very happy there. They are thriving and I love being part of such a diverse community. Cordero has always been a fairly solid school with highly regarded teachers. Its rating is simply reflective of its student body, which is more diverse than the neighborhood given the charter school hysteria. If you?re zoned for Cordero, I suggest you take a tour and speak with parents.

I highly recommend Growing Tree II on 5th/Grove. We were there roughly four years until my youngest "graduated" last year. Its a very warm and loving environment and the staff are wonderful. The baby room in particular has a great reputation.

http://www.thegrowingtreejc.com/

I encourage anyone looking for a parish to visit St Michael's at 252 Ninth St across from Hamilton Park. The parish was previously part of Parish of the Resurrection but is now stand-alone with a wonderful new pastor Fr. Tom. I can't say enough great things about Fr. Tom who is an incredibly warm person, loves children and gives great homilies. Mass is held Saturday at 4:00 pm, Sunday at 10:30 am and Sunday evening at 6:30 pm.