Forest Avenue Elementary School

I'm not quite sure how to rate the school overall. Honestly, our experience here was pretty terrible, but I do not think the school is bad. My child was here for 4 years, and I would say that 3 out of 10 teachers were right for this school. I understand that the curriculum is harder than average schools, but that doesn't mean that the teachers can just stop teaching and expect the child to understand everything. They should be challenged and taught above grade level, but not expected to already KNOW above grade level information. If you're a working family then go ahead and count yourself as an "outsider" for school functions. All stay at home moms volunteer every opportunity and when you find one that you can help with, it is just awkward. Very unwelcoming since you aren't part of their group. Now, Mrs. Hill (principal) is fantastic. I think that she does have what it takes to run this school and I don't fault her for some of the teachers. My child enjoyed this school and her friends, but I was less than impressed with the teachers. I will not attempt testing for my other children at Forest Avenue when they are old enough for elementary school. We will most likely try Bear.
—Submitted by a parent

When the school year began, I was a little concerned. The academic rigors were fine but the conduct requirements seemed a little over the top. After an entire year at this school, I am more than pleased with the entire school, and curriculum. FAAM is not for those who expect it to be easy. There are tremendous expectations on the children in academics and conduct. If you're looking for an easy school, this is not the one for you. If you're looking for a challenge, you have found it. The teachers and administration are wonderful, and have the children's best interest at heart. The only negative that I have is that I don't feel the children are given enough outside time. There were days and weeks where my child was not outside at all. Other than that, the school is FANTASTIC. The parents at this school are also quite wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent

FAAM has earned so many awards, and deserves every single one of them. My daughter is in 3rd grade now, and has been at Forest Ave since K. You cannot find a better school anywhere!! The teachers and administration are absolutely the tops! The kids come first no matter what, and communication between parents and teachers is open and available - whether its extra explanation with work assignments or a book-keeping question, the teachers respond as soon as they have a moment to read their emails. This is truly a first class education! Do not let the work load rumors frighten you! Kids need homework to remember the lesson, and projects are a part of growing up. A wonderful school that I would recommend to anyone looking for the best for their children!
—Submitted by a parent

The work load can be hard. I do think there tend to be a lot of clique amongst the parents and PTA which can be discouraging to parents who would like to participate. My child gets an eduction that tops what any other school in the state offers. And we have had wonderful teachers so despite some social issues I still think FA is the BEST school in Alabama.
—Submitted by a parent

FAAM is a wonderful school. My child started this year in 4th grade after four years of private school. Imagine my shock to find that we were "behind" and had to catch up to a public school! While there can be a great deal of homework and projects, my child has learned so much this year and it's completely due to the amazing teaching staff and leadership at Forest Avenue. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful magnet school in Montgomery, AL.
—Submitted by a parent

We love, love LOVE Forest Avenue! It is the ONLY school that meets my highly gifted daughter's advanced needs. At FAAM, my fiver year old can work on a first/second grade level, read on a 3rd grade level and be NORMAL. Love the diversity of the classes and caring teachers. For us, it was Forest Avenue or homeschooling. So glad we got in!
—Submitted by a parent

Forest Avenue Academic Magnet Elementary School is the very best school in the zip code, the city, the county, the state, almost the entire U.S.! Parents, please enroll your children to this school. It is absolutely awesome in academics! The staff are awesome and love the kids! I should know because I am a fourth grader at this school. There is lots of parent/teacher involvement with the PTA programs. I have brilliant, useful knowledge thanks to all the wonderful people at Forest Avenue Academic Magnet Elementary School. In fact, I will say this right now: THANK YOU FOREST AVENUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My daughter is entering the 4th grade at this wonderful school. She has truly gotten the best education possible in our city. I am thankful that she's had the opportunity to attend Forest Avenue and loves it so much. Many thanks to the dedicated teachers and support staff. Forest Avenue is an A+ school!
—Submitted by a parent

This is a magnet school that really works hard at doing everything possible for the kids. The PTA is the best I have ever seen. Everyone is involved and it is very impressive.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in first grade at this school. He loves it and is excelling in all of his subjects. Nearly every single child is on the A or A/B honor roll. All won the good conduct award. The teachers are caring and nice. The test scores for the students are off the charts. My son easily completes the 2nd grade curriculum in the 1st grade. Only negative is that because it is a large public school, parent involvement is difficult, even though they request it. Kind of like system overload. It's not quite as personal as a smaller private academic school is. But my son loves his teachers and the school.
—Submitted by a parent

We were lucky to have gotten our child into this school. She was tested for Kindergarten and as one of 80 accepted students out of over 600 tested we feel blessed. There is diversity with kids of every race and orgin, challenges for her overactive mind, and she may not want to go to school in the morning, but she doesn't want to leave it when it is over. Now in first grade, she has very powerful math, reading, and writing skills that I myself didn't develop until the third and fourth grades. Additionally you will not find a more active PTA anywhere in the country. the sole purpose the parents and the teachers feel is to make sure are kids get the biggest headstart we can provide whether it is $5000 Smartboards or creating academic playdates for our kids. Great school, designed for motivated parents with intelligent, high energy kids.
—Submitted by a parent

My child attended Forest Avenue for K & 1st grade. We absolutely loved the school and the foundation that he received while there, was the best you could get in Montgomery (including even the best private schools, way...overrated). We have since moved out of state, and have missed the structure and emphasis on academics. The program is not for all kids, but for those that excel and enjoy being challenged it is the perfect mix. I can not say enough about the program and the school overall. Lots of parental involvement and a true family feel. We miss FAAM!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Great school. I have one child at Baldwin and one at Forest. I was paying 10K a year per child for the best private education in Montgomery. My children are happy here and they learn more vs comparing whose car and house is bigger. We have taken the 20K we were spending for both children per year and now they have paid off their College Education IRA's (PACT). My spouse went back to one job vs two and we are financially much happier than our peers.
—Submitted by a parent

As an academic magnet school, Forest Avenue is amazing. Students are challenged to excel and encouraged to succeed. I have never had to do any teaching at home, and my children love their school. The specialty classes (Music, Spanish, Science lab, and Computers) provide an enriched learning experience. Parental involvment at Forest Avenue is unparalleled, and is very well received by the faculty and staff. Forest Avenue Academic Magnet is not a school, it is a FAMily!I have been a Forest Avenue Parent for 10 years, and will be there for four more years. I wouldn't dream of sending my children to any other school!
—Submitted by M Hettiaratchi, a parent

When we moved to Montgomery, we had high hopes for the magnet program. We hoped for a racially and economically diverse enviornment for our children that is not found in the private schools while still providing our children with the academic rigor they deserve and require. We hoped for a school filled with teachers who felt blessed by interacting with gifted children and their involved parents. Instead, our children have been pressured and demoralized.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is designed for parents who desire to homeschool. Most work is sent home for the parents to do.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is tough, but the experience is also the best thing that ever happened to my child. The world has changed a lot since we were kids, and the demands on our children both as students and future adults have increased. They need this jump start to ease and support their experiences in high school and college. It's about readiness, and Forest Avenue not only educates students with 'what' they need to learn, but the school teaches students 'how' to learn. My child and I both bog down with the volume of work, so I get tired, too. But, my child is worth the investment.
—Submitted by Magnet School Mom, a parent

Forest Avenue is a fine school.We have been there for four years now,and it is exactly what my son needed. It is not for all children. People have to understand that.It is an accelerated program from day one.Only one of my son's was geared for this type of program.I had to do what was best for my other son according to his skills.It's not a hard school.It's a challenging school that takes a special type of kid.We love it and we love Mrs.Judy and Mrs.Hill!
—Submitted by J. Jones, a parent

While I was a little nervous about my kindergartener's readiness for this school, it has turned out to be a great opportunity for all of us to see how much potential she has. Since this school is an academic magnet school we were prepared for the extra work it would take to keep her current in her class. What we didn't anticipate was how much she would love her school. It has been a blessing for our daughter to see just what she can accomplish. The school has high expectations for parental involvement and that definitely adds to the quality of the education. A great school!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in third grade and joined Forest Avenue this year. She loves school and has had a wonderful experience, both academically and socially. The teachers are wonderful and encouraging and we are especially enjoying the extra programs offerred here -- music, spanish, etc. (There is lots of homework, however, and I personally have re-learned many of the 3rd grade subjects -- ha ha!) I think this is the best and toughest school academically in Montgomery.
—Submitted by Linda T, a parent