Madison Elementary School

We moved here last summer and chose Madison because everyone said the schools were better here than Huntsville. Boy were we fooled. The staff is awful -most of them have been working there too long and you can see it in their attitude. Parents are not given a chance to participate in their child's education, and when you show up you are treated by the office staff like a criminal. The PTA is a joke -they actually wanted us to pay to join? Um, no thanks. We already pay enough for every class party, field trip, etc. that the PTA is supposedly raising money for. The teachers our child had this year have been nice but don't give us information until the last minute - it's not uncommon to get emails at 10:30 at night. The curicculum is too packed, with no chance for kids who are struggling to stop and get help, and no music/art all year? Recess *might* be once a week unless there is a raindrop or substitute, then forget it. The kids don't like Principal and I don't blame them. He never smiles and is condescending. The AR program is a joke. Your kid can read 3 grades below his level so that he/she can get 100s in AR and that's ok? I can't wait to be rezoned out of here.
—Submitted by a parent

The Madison, Alabama area is a little know secret in that nation. It is a high technology area and home of the Redstone Arsenal. This creates a diverse population and an influx of students on a yearly bases. The Madison City Schools have only been independently their own since 1998, prior to that they were county run. In that time (15 years) the student population has gone from 3000+ to 9300+. In that time these schools have been state and nationally acclaimed. Our experience at Madison Elementary has been nothing but wonderful. The teachers are committed to teaching and helping their students. They are familiar with the stresses and changes that come with moving and really accommodate their students needs. The interaction we have had with the administration and office staff has been positive. Any issue that we have addressed has been discussed with attention and detail and not dismissed. My youngest daughter had an issue with a child in her class bullying her and the nurse (who discovered it) was amazing. Dr. Scott was very prompt in addressing the issue and making sure my daughter was comfortable. I would recommend this school based on my experiences.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had my children at 2 schools in the city of Madison and Madison Elementary is by far the best school in the city. The teachers are great, the principle, Dr. Scott, is wonderful, and the school is a great community. I fully believe that you get what you put in to the school. If you want to be involved you can be. We were rezoned a few years ago and it was THE BEST thing that could have happened! My kids and our family are much happier at this school than our previous one.
—Submitted by a parent

MES just might be the best kept secret in Madison! Here are a few of the things I love about it: excellent communication, small individualized learning environment, I am always greeted warmly when I enter the school, there are many opportunities for parental involvemnet, great opportunities for extracurricular activities (especially for 5th & 6th grades), and caring teachers. I could go on, but you get the picture.
—Submitted by a parent

Love, Love, Love Madison Elementary. The teachers are excellent and seem to actually know each of their students. The principle is very involved too. Our family has nothing but positive things to say about this school. We love the "smallness" of this school. It really is like family. If Madison does another rezoning, we will move just to stay at this school!
—Submitted by a parent

Greatest school in Madison. My kids previously went to a school that is touted by many as "the best" an that school isn't nearly as good as Madison Elementary. There is a big difference between a school with 550 kids than a school with 1000. It is very much like a family here. My kids have many of the same classmates year after year since there are only 3 classrooms per grade compared to 8 classrooms per grade at the bigger schools. The only complaint I have is that the kids weren't allowed to give out candy with their Valentine's day cards this year. I think one day per yer to share candy isn't a big deal. Otherwise I love this school and so do my children.
—Submitted by a parent

every since i have had my son @ madison elementary school i havenot had any problems. when i did i went to the principle and it was resloved immediately. all of his teachers have been great and always have communicated with very well. when we moved back here i looked to madison to live because i refused to put my kids in huntsville city schools. i would recommend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

Madison elementray is one of the worst schools our children have attended to date. We moved here from Texas and bought our house in Madison because we thought the schools were better. That was until we were rezoned to Madison. It's been a nighmare since then. For two years we've watched our children's enthusiasm fall. My son has nothing good to say, my daughers have nothing positive to say. We've seen little to NO Communication from the staff even when we ask them to keep us informed. The principal is NOT helpful, but is a problem in the middle of more problems. The principal is Hugh into special programs, and in fact pushes special ed programs versus Gifted programs. I guess that's where ever the money is. This has been an awful experience for us. Can't wait for another rezoning so we can move our kids to an environment where kids are a proiority versus money and teachers union. I would never recommend this school to anyone. In fact...not sure I'd recommend any of the madison city schools at this point.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved here from Texas four years ago. We were rezoned to Madison two years ago, and it's been a nighmare ever since. The principal is a problem in the middle of more problems. There is such a lack of communication between teachers and parents. We've asked to be kept in the loop with all of our children. That has not happened yet. My youngest wants to move to a new school because of the problems with the principal and teacher. My older children don't have much that's positive to say about the school, principal or staff. Their teaching methods are random, and their too quick to find fault with children. This causes an evern bigger divide. I will not recommend this school to anyone new to this area if they ask my opinion. In a nut shell. Worst experience we've had in 6 years.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had 2 children in Madison Elementary - daughter is now an 8th grader and son currently attends in 4th grade. This is one of the smallest of the elementary schools in Madison City and it has a very community feel to it. Based on reviews from past years, take into account these may have been related to the past principal who was at the school. Unfortunately her leadership may have lended to the reviews. There is currently a new principal - and he is great! There are great teachers at the school who care a great deal about the students. We have always found the teachers willing to meet and listen. No school is perfect and there may be some teachers that are not as enthusiastic, but overall have had a good experience at this school for 8 years!
—Submitted by a parent

I LOVE Madison Elementary. My daughter is in 1st grade and my son will be starting kindergarten next fall. My daughter has learned so much and continues to be challenged. She loves art and her art teacher pushes her to think outside of the box. Dr. Scott is one of the most personable people you will ever meet. It is nice to be in a small school that feels like everyone knows everyone and my children is not just another student number!
—Submitted by a parent

GREAT school...hands down! The teachers here are great. My daughter has learned a lot here, she is in Kindergarden.
—Submitted by a parent

All good things to say about Madison Elementary! Great school without a doubt!! My kids are really looking forward to starting the new year.
—Submitted by a parent

We recently moved to Madison from KY and our 6 year old attends this school.My husband and myself are very disappointed. Our son does not get homework he just comes home with drawings, things he did as a preschooler. Comments have been made that a child in kindergarten should play when they go home and not have to do homework(per the teacher) as parents we don't feel that our son is being challenged. At his old school in KY, he had spelling test every Friday, sight word contest. There's also a lack of communication until the last possible min. and twice we've been up to the school and nobody has asked us to produce an ID while we were there to visit our son. Hopefully next school yr is better, but I doubt it.
—Submitted by a parent

We are new to the area and have found that this school is so very warm and inviting. The staff is professional and kind. My son enjoys going to school each day and shows a remarkable difference in how he feels about this learning environment vs. the previous. I am very please on how much help he is receiving and on the personal attention that the teacher shows each child. I feel that her knowledge and experience is invaluable. I strongly recomend this school to anyone!
—Submitted by a parent

Our son and daughter attended this school for 2 years. The problems start with the principle and administration. They work very hard to break down cmmunication between the teachers and parents. Definately don't want or encourge parental involvement. Horrible experiences in a setting that should be child and family centered. Every day was a struggle in dealing with the school. Children are shown very little respect and are treated like criminals/prisoners. If you love your children find a different school than Madison Elementary to send them to.
—Submitted by a parent

To me, good teachers in a safe environment make the school. Yes, he is only in Kindy, but I've spent a lot of time with his teacher & at the school, and in both those areas it's 5 stars. His teacher is nationally certified, sends weekly & monthly newsletters, and responds to emails w/in a few hours. Recently she took 8 hours & apologized. At the beginning of the year my son was having some problems, but she met with my husband & me many times, gave advice (& I was a teacher!) and reassurance. He is now reading on almost a 2nd grade level and is doing GREAT! The small size of the school makes for a community-like atmosphere. There will be more parent invol. next year w/rezoning, I bet, although the current PTA is def. active. The school is diverse, yet his teacher is finding ways to challenge him.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school. The kids learn subjects that are above their grade level. This prepares them for the next grade as well.
—Submitted by a parent

Hello parents...I would like to say that we all care about our childrens education...we want the best for them. Our family just moved here from Georgia. The school my kids were going to was great then compare to here...sorry to say' My oldest would have recess everyday, music class and art class was every other day, but they dont have that here. I just recieved a letter from my sons teacher that this semester they will have music instead of art. Can they have both? Neddless to say...I have never seen a teacher leave her class in the middle of the school year and suddenly expect full ateention of the class with different subs. There is no communication with teachers and parents...
—Submitted by a parent

My children have attended Madison Elementary for the past 3 years and we have never experienced such poor communication and lack of concern regarding my children. There is a lack of communication between the teachers, parents, and administrators. Not all the teachers including the principal operate this poorly. My children have had awesome teachers in the past. We as parents have to make sure we hold the educators accountable for our children needs or our children will slip through the cracks.
—Submitted by a parent