Marengo Elementary School

Coming from a school that parents have little involvement in their childrens' education to Marengo is simply a blessing. It is evident that the children here are successful because the parents care about their success. Also, the principal is very involved, she even started a book club to help parents improve their relationship with their children. If every school in the US had as much parent involvement as they do here there would be no need for private schools.
—Submitted by a parent

My child attends the pre K program and it has been a great experience. Caring teachers that want your child to succeed.
—Submitted by a parent

Best for your kid. Nuf said. Teachers care. Kids get attention. You will be surprised by the progress your kid will make. Public school that would beat most private ones. Very-very recommended.
—Submitted by a parent

Marengo has a beautiful campus, caring parents that help in most all classrooms each day and a caring, sensitive and devoted staff and teachers that help each child to fulfill their educational dreams.
—Submitted by a parent

Great diversity of bright, and energetic kids; supported by interested and interesting parents and the progressive community of South Pas
—Submitted by a parent

The parents at the school are very involved. The Current principal was a teacher for years and is doing a great job because she really knows kids, and her experience as a educator is helping her work with the teaching staff equally well. The fiscal cuts from the past few years have been elegantly dealt with and both the administration and the PTA have filled in many blanks left by the cuts. The children genuinely like going to school and have fun.
—Submitted by a parent

Perfect combination of small-town warmth and big-city forwardness! And everyone there loves the children!
—Submitted by a parent

School gardens, excellent children's musical instrument instruction, dedicated & caring teachers, motivated parents, small town feel but big city opportunities and outlook.
—Submitted by a parent

Outstanding school and faculty! Marengo is a joy to be a part of.
—Submitted by a parent

The Principal has done an outstanding job with the PTA and SPEF and with the teachers and all other collaborators. We are really happy that our son can have the opportunity to learn in this school. We couldn't have done a better choice.
—Submitted by a parent

We transferred our kindergartener mid year from a private school to Marengo and could not be happier. We selected the private school because our son is highly gifted and somewhat sensitive, and we believed that a smaller school would be more socially manageable and able to adapt curriculum more easily than a larger, public school. We could not have been more wrong. Within the first week, the K teachers were contacting me with comments about his abilities and suggestions on how to adapt the homework to his level. This never happened even once after over 6 months at the private school. The students in the class are so nice, there are so many extra events and activities that make the school fun. Our son routinely asks me why I didn't change his school earlier, like 'on day 2'!. The district office & school however, seem to lack clarity on enrollment procedures.
—Submitted by a parent

This year Marengo got a new Principal that seems to be much better than the last, so that is encouraging! My son is in the 1st grade and has an outstanding teacher which makes all the difference in the world. He now loves school which is so nice to see.
—Submitted by a parent

I loved the fourth grade team-teaching. Each teacher is an expert on their subject and really good with each child.
—Submitted by a parent

The school was great until forth grade where there are multiple teachers who refer to the students by number. My daugher is scared to speak up in class and the warmth and individual attention the kids used to get is now gone. The new principal has not earned the support of the teachers or parents. The prior principal did an outstanding job.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a fifth grader and a third grader, both of whom were late readers and one of whom has special needs. My experience is that Marengo excels at helping lower grade students get the help they need. When my younger daughter had a hard time learning to read she was invited to join reading lab. By the end of the year she was reading at grade level. That kind of attention to underperforming students is what makes Marengo wonderful. The upper grades are iffier, in most parts because the classes are so much bigger and quiet, struggling kids sometimes get left behind. Most of the teachers are outstanding and kind. Staff is sometimes mean and unhelpful to students and parents. The principal, who is fairly new, lacks strong leadership skills, but the school seems to be doing well anyway.
—Submitted by a parent

Both my children have gone to ANLC since they were 5 years old. ANLC is a school where the children come first. Each child is encouraged to do their personal best without being labeled as the smart or dumb kids. The teachers are highly skilled and work hard to bring out the best in each child. The principal is kind and knows each child by name. She is a great example of a leader and I will miss seeing her everyday as my daughter graduates this year. Thank you ANLC for bringing out the best in my children and giving them the encouragement and confidence they need to go out into the world!
—Submitted by a parent

We really like Marengo. The teachers are really dedicated and know the students. There are a lot of parent volunteers and an active pta. The 3 local elementary schools share a music teacher and pe teacher so my kindergartner has music once a week. He is actually learning to read music. I was impressed. Since its kindergarten there is a lot of art in the class but schoolwide they have quarterly art projects that are led by parent volunteers. I believe he has pe twice a week. There are usually 2 teachers in the class so I think the students get a lot of individual attention. There were a couple of safety involved incidents at the school like a non parent coming onto the campus but the school addressed it immediately to ensure the safety of the students. I am happy that they act on things promptly and keep parents notified.
—Submitted by a parent

This is truly a wonderful school. We had a little rocky start in Kindergarten but my son just loves his 1st grade teacher. All the teachers are very involved. Great PTA. Lots of amazing programs with art and music run through the PTA. Huge parental involvement also. Highly recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

School needs to focus more on writing. My daughter is in 5th grade and can barely write a grammatical correct report. Good level of parent involvement. Needs more art and music.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a school where the teachers could care less and student behavior is totally unregulated--in other words, a shcool for the kids who get kicked out of private schools. A complete disappointment, an academic joke, what a mistake.
—Submitted by a parent