J Larry Newton School

I'm on this website researching schools in another state since we may be relocating, but thought I'd chime in the school my daughter is currently attending. If it's rated a '9', I'm a little scared at other schools that are below a 9! Don't get me wrong, it's okay, but I wouldn't call it a top notch school. First of all, my oldest is in kindergarten, so perhaps I have high standards and prior experience. Her teacher is fine...not outstanding, fine. We get very limited information about their class/progress/etc, but it's almost the end of school and she's reading incredibly well when I know other K's are not reading at all! So that counts for something. We just don't get much information from the school, or our teacher. That's my biggest gripe. I never know what is going on. I have a baby, which prohibits me from getting too involved. For instance, check out the website. I bet it's not up to date, nor does it have info about upcoming events. I like that is small, my child knows much of the staff and they know her. With the economy, I know such programs as art & music have been cut at most schools, which disappointments me. Again, the school is fine, but it's just average, IMO.
--Submitted by a parent

I have two children attending this school, I love the school. This school is probably the hidden gem within baldwin county. Coach Perez was the national coach of the year in 2006. All the teachers and staff really care about my children's sucess.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a parent at J. Larry Newton and I have 2 children that attend. I would like to say that out of all the employees I have encountered at the school the office staff is actually the most outstanding. I absolutely adore them. They are wonderful, helpful and have never made me feel as though the questions I ask about the school and my children's activities are in any way a bother. I am always met with a smile and it makes me feel better knowing that someone besides my children's teachers will be helpful if something comes up. I hope as my children get older they will encounter better teachers with better attitudes
--Submitted by a parent

I have found that most of the teachers and employees of Newton are a bit reserved when approached with general questions however in getting to know individual people there it becomes easier to aquire information. I state this because I felt and sometimes still feel that usefull information for parents is not always openly availabele. I am sure some teachers will disagree with me but until recently I wasn't receiveing any direct communication from my youngest child's teacher. She was sent home with an entire workbook with homework written on the cover. I had to do a little digging to find out when it was due, how much was to be done and so on. Overall, any parent of Newton needs to know that they should not sit and wait to be contacted.
--Submitted by a parent

I attended this school since the first year it was open up to my 7th grade year. I have to say that I absolutely loved it! It was awesome! Love it keep doing it! -Hannah
--Submitted by a student

The atmosphere of the school is terrific for the community. The people are wonderful, and a 'family' atmosphere is present. My only disappointment with the school is one regarding teaching gifted children. My child is in Kindergarten and was recommended by her counselor for early placement in a gifted program in order to prevent boredom. I was told by the principal and teachers that a gifted program is not available until second grade. The curriculum my daughter is working on is the same information she has been doing since she was 3 years old (at her preschool). I feel the school strongly needs to improve on teaching children on different levels and be more flexible in varying the curriculum to meet all of the children's needs. I am considering changing to a private school for this reason alone.
--Submitted by a parent