Alhambra Traditional School

I have 2 students at ATS. My oldest has attended for 7 years. My youngest for 5 years. The teachers are very good and I am amazed at all they are able to teach in any given year. The principal is easy to talk to and knows my kids by name. ATS has a small school feel - only about 600 students. My boys both can memorize long poems easily because this started with a short poem in Kindergarten and grew as the years went on. They love reading and math. They do not feel that they cannot be kids there as others have reviewed. They don't like the dress code, but they don't complain about it much. It is better than uniforms. My younger son is ADD and ATS has handled it great. The teachers work with me to come up with solutions that work. I love ATS and staff!
—Submitted by S L, a parent

The only difference from Ats to their other schools is that students are now doing both State req. and Ats Requirements. Overload! Uncooperative Principle and Dist. Superintendent.. Don't send your kids here!
—Submitted by a parent

My child began ATS this school year as a second grader. The difference in the rigor and quality of education was tremendous. The expectation that all children are capable of learning at a high level is pervasive and interwoven throughout the academics and the extracurricular activities. The principal knows all of my children by name and greats parents openly. This school is an opportunity for children and families to focus on their education and a place where kids love learning. I look forward to all of my children having the opportunity to be part of the ATS family in the coming years.
—Submitted by Janie P., a parent

I am a parent of 2 going to ats. The teachers are very uncooperative and don't teach very well.
—Submitted by Tits Mcgee, a parent

Hi I am a student at this school and I am in the seventh grade. The new principal is not as good as the old one, but I do think that she is trying, and I give her credit for that. My parents also agree that sometimes she is uncooperative but with students she is great with being fun and energetic( as long as you aren't in trouble). I would definetly say that this is an amazing school and the teachers are teriffic! I have attended this school for 7/8 possible years, and I have tried other schools, but they were awful! At alhambra traditional your children will get the best (free) education that their is, and they deffinetly can be children!
—Submitted by a student

My 2 kids attended this school since kindergarden.I truly loved this school however new principal not very cooperative with parents. Teachers are great, education is great. However I decided to pull my kids due to the school administrators negative attitudes and thinking they control my children's future. Great education however kids are over loaded and have no extra activates. Kids need to be kids and they can't at this school. Send them if you want an awesome education. Things are changing @ this school and not for the best.
—Submitted by D, a former student

I went to this school starting in 2nd Grade when we had one of the best principles. New Principle came in not as good as I might have thought, however teachers are great. I would say this was a great school until the last year with new principle didn't care about students so much, sorry to say that just a kids perspective.
—Submitted by a former student

So far my 4th grade child has done great at this school. He has made many friends, and really enjoys his play time. His grades have been outstanding. The teachers we have had each have different personalities, but all have been open to questions, and suggestions. Some of my friends whose children don't attend ATS, are struggling with things important, such as reading. ATS understands teaching children while young, and sponge like, is the best approach. Spaulding has worked very well for our child. ATS' Principal in my opinion is doing a very fine job. In a society where gangsters rule and lazy parents accept this, she has a challenging job, and does it well. More is expected from the child and the Parent. If you are not going to work hard, this is not the school for you. Go Eagles! G. Slaughter
—Submitted by Gina Slaughter, a parent

My two children where in ATS for two years. They received an excellent education and we took them out because we moved overseas. During the time we where in the school my experience was that the rules overcame everything and exeptions where not made even in the extreme case. My kids had wonderful teachers and excelled while making great friends. The day I transferred them out I asked the front desk if they could say goodbye to their teachers and friends and we where denied. The rule states that since they no longer where students in the school and I had signed the papers they could not even step foot in the grounds to even say farewell. I left very disappointed and sad for my kids because I felt that an exeptions should have been made. Excellent school but very disheartening for my kids in light of their circumstances.
—Submitted by J Jones, a parent

I went to this school from kindergarten through 8th grade. I received a high quality education and also learned how to take tests, study, take notes, etc., which many students entering high school cannot do. I also started high school with a huge ego, thinking I would be smarter and significantly ahead of everybody else. ATS carves this idea into you brain; make sure you humble your kid before high school. Any decent school and parent involvement can produce the same result as ATS, only it would be more fun, more lax dress code and better extra-curricular activities. ATS concentrates more on academics than anything else. Don't expect good sports, field trips or arts.
—Submitted by Joel H, a former student

I feel as if this school is too strickly structured. If you are looking for that, this is it.
—Submitted by a parent

I was a student here from kindergarden-8th grade. This school does not allow a kid to be a kid! I urge you to continue your school search and not choose this school for your children! Please!
—Submitted by Adam Falk, a former student

I like this school because of the challenge that provides to my 3rd grade child, there is one warning that I would like to give to the parents, please request a class room policy from your child's teacher otherwise he or she will be spending and receiving 0's and detention when he or she should not have.
—Submitted by a parent

this is one of the best schools for excelling kids. it teaches kids how to plan for the future and strives for exclance
—Submitted by a parent

Great school! Excellent parent involvement.
—Submitted by a parent

Alhambra Traditional School has good curriculum and extremely strict. Parent involvement is almost overwhelming.
—Submitted by a parent

Beautiful campus, wonderful staff, excellent reading program
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent education for my child. Very organized school. Principal always greets and talks to parents.
—Submitted by a parent

Enrolling my children at ATS was the best thing I've ever done. The Spaulding program is the best reading and writing program! My boys are writing reports in 3rd and 5th grade that I didn't do til high school! They can recite long pieces of poetry from memorization. The school has 600 students and it has that smaller school feel. The students know all the teachers in the school. I feel my kids are getting the best possible education they could get and I feel like they are cared about while they are at school. Because this is a traditional school, the focus is on academics - not extracurricular activities, but they do have art, pe and music classes. There is also a before school band program. If you enroll your child at ATS, be prepared to be involved. Parents are strongly encouraged to take part in their child's education.
—Submitted by a parent

One year ago, we moved to central Ohio. My children had attended ATS. The move really brought home to me how much my children learned at ATS. Their writing and reading skills were improving very nicely. Reading lists at ATS included wonderful, classic literature. The time at school was spent learning. We are currently at a school in Ohio that rates 'excellent,' but the difference in the level of education is like night and day. Too much school time is used in 'feel good' activities and assemblies. The entire last week of school was spent going on local field trips to McDonalds and Dairy Queen. The teachers seem to expect the students to learn good writing skills simply through reading books. Our children need the guided teaching provided at schools such as ATS. Cynthia Vermillion
—Submitted by Cynthia Vermillion, a parent