(OPINION) Gatewood Father Proud of His Children's School

Hi, My name is Matthew McNeil and I want to say how proud I am of my children’s school, .

Currently, two of my children attend Gatewood and a third will begin next year. The school has not only met my expectations in regards to a quality education, it has exceeded them, and it starts at the top with a great management team. The school features a strong faculty of teachers who deliver an exemplary education by bringing to the classroom proven quality educational techniques that address all of the students they teach, the newest in cutting edge educational tools to give the students an education that prepares them for the future, and a facility whose recent renovations have made it shine. Factoring these great elements together, Gatewood is on par with any public or private school in the metro.

It’s been five years since the “new” Gatewood district was formed after the closing of Kathrine Curren Elementary. The current Gatewood district brings in a vibrant student population furthering our children’s experience and creating something lost in many schools today, community. A few years ago, some expressed concerns about the new district, but as we are five years into the modern Gatewood, those concerns have proven to be false. On the contrary, Gatewood has moved in a new direction and in turn has become a jewel in the great Hopkins School District.

To be fair, the quality of any education rests as much on the shoulders of the parents of the district as it does the school. Being an involved parent is just as important as any of the supplies a child starts the school year with, but having such a quality educational foundation makes my job as a father a lot easier.

I encourage everyone to visit my kid’s school, Gatewood Elementary and see the quality I’m talking about. It makes me proud my kids are part of it.

Matthew McNeil

(Do you have an opinion to share with the community? Share your thoughts in the comment threads below every article or e-mail your letters to james.warden@patch.com.)