Northmont Elementary School

I have a daughter who has attended Northmont since Kinder and she is now in 3rd grade. She has loved every second and so have I. I'm happy to say she's had some of the best teachers! Their involvement with the students is so incredible. This year she has Ms Konarska who, I must say, has been amazing in my daughters development. She is dedicated to making sure the children are well rounded and that they are exposed to other cultures in the world. I LOVE the fact that my 3rd grader comes home and can teach me a few things. Good job!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children currently attending Northmont and I love this school! Their teachers have been so attentive, caring, sweet, loving, and warm. Mrs Smith is a fantastic Kindergarden teacher, Mrs. Wilson is the pre-k teacher and is the best you'll find anywhere. We currently live outside the district but I commute each way because my kids are so happy there. Mrs. Belcher, the school principal, is very involved. You can see her outside making sure the kids are safe after school and during lunch times. I agree with the previous post about the office staff. They could afford to be a little more friendly.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers that we have encountered have been very attentive, caring and firm when needed, to ensure that our child receives a great education. The only concern that I have is around the administrative office staff, they often come across as inconvenienced by questions and unfriendly. I believe that additional direction from Ms. Belcher would remedy this.
—Submitted by a parent

From top to bottom this school is great!!! Teachers and staff care about what they are doing for our children.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in Mrs. Smiths. Mrs Smith is so caring of all her students. My daughter loves school and her teacher. Mrs. Smith makes sure that my daughter does not fall behind and always tells me her concerns so I could help. I am very pleased with how Mrs. Smith teaches her students!
—Submitted by a parent

I am not please with the school principle Mrs. Belcher due to the fact when I needed assistance she did not listen to any of my concerns. Very unprofessional in matters of personal issues. However I am very pleased with the teachers my daughter has had.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are great. I have found that there is a gap in instruction from Kindergarden to first. Their is also no play ground equipment for the kids thanks to someone sueing the school. They did finally raise some money for a tiny play gound. But it didn't pass inspection. So the kids are really bored at recess. There is also a new principle who is very lax with discipline.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had two kids at Northmont for three years, spanning grades 1-5. There are some great teachers at this school. Music, art and PE are virtually non-existent in the curriculum. Parent involvement is pretty good. GATE program is minimal, but better than nothing.
—Submitted by L. Lampton, a parent

Northmont is a great school.I have two kids in there one is on first grade and the other one in preschool and they have been improve a lot my daughter is great at spelling and my son is learning how to talk and communicate with other. I love this school and first of all thanks to all the great teacher. Angela Martinez
—Submitted by Angela martinez, a parent

My daughter is in kindergarten and I simply cannot say enough good things about Northmont. Parent involvement is engouraged and abundant. Her teacher is top-flight and my daughter is thoroughly benefitting from all these things.
—Submitted by Matthew Asbury, a parent

The teachers are great, and the parent involvement is wonderful, although more is always needed.
—Submitted by Amy Whitney, a parent

As a parent, I am extremely impressed with the ESS program at Northmont. My son had transferred there from a private school for his 5th grade year and intially I had been very skeptical. After the Christmas school break I noticed many changes in his reading, writing and test taking skills. My son is also in Gate and is always challenged. Very challenging math problems. And this from a child who came in doing 6th grade level math while in a private school. Great 5th grade teachers!
—Submitted by Gay Farace-Mann, a parent

Wonderful school and great staff. The office staff is very helpful.
—Submitted by a former student

My child attended this school from Kindergarten through 5th grade. We had many good teachers that were hardworking and dedicated. We had the unfortunate luck to have a teacher that was, let's just say, not so dedicated. Contact with the principal was frustrating. I felt like I was just getting lip service -- nothing was done about my concerns, and it was an extremely stressful year dealing with this teacher. It would have helped to have the principal be more responsive to the problems, but instead she just swept them under the rug to forget about them. I would say that Northmont is a good school if you don't have any issues like mine. I would hate for anyone to think poorly of the many great teachers at that school. However, when the going got tough, I felt unsupported by the administration.
—Submitted by a parent

Parental involvement is necessary to support your child in the programs as so much has changed regarding curriculum and priorities. Because of the academic standing of this school, children who are less than stellar may be intimidated as the teachers are very much pressured to produced high test scores. A lot of emphasis on compliance.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children in this school, one in 5th grade and one in 2nd. Both are in their second year here. I think this is an excellent school, with caring teachers, a high academic standard, and a principle who knows what she is doing and seems to have everything under control. As for most California schools, extarcurricular activities are always hard to keep because of budget considerations, but because of an excellent PTA, many programs are possible that might otherwise be cancelled. All-in-all, parents seem to be very involved, and it shows in the school and its programs.
—Submitted by a parent

Northmont Elementary is a wonderful school. The teachers are exceptional. Thank you for being such wonderful, caring, awesome teachers. You do an exceptional job.
—Submitted by a parent

Northmont is a great school. The teachers are the best thing about it. Each teacher taught me more in one year than I have learned these past three. I found myself adequately prepared to further my education; when I moved on to middle school I found myself bored at their sluggish pace. Although I found their extracurricular activities minimal, it did not subtract from my overall experience. Linda Ashley was an exceptional principal; she did her job well (my grade for principal is for the current principal, Jackie Chagala, whom I have heard about from my younger sister). The only bad thing about it was that it made my transition from Northmont to Parkway difficult, because Northmont is such a superior school.
—Submitted by a former student