Engineering - Science University Magnet School

The school is great, the teachers let you know what is going in the classrooms and the my son enjoys the teachers and his friends. My son is not bored in his classrooms but he is taught how to think out of the box, which I really like. The school keeps you well informed of activities that are having, I enjoy the PTO meeting along with the community meetings.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children at ESUMS, and my daughter loves it even more than my son does. She has found a community of girls who are supportive, interested in academics, responsible and fun. The advanced classes are terrific, the teachers and staff are wonderful, the field trips have been great, and there seem to be many opportunities ahead (classes at UNH for example). The criticisms of the school's organization have a grain of truth: it is a fairly loose environment, but that makes it feel friendly and cooperative. The school has a commitment to "non-violent communication." If you're used to a more authoritarian model, it might take some getting used to, but everything academic is handled very, very well.
—Submitted by a parent

Terrible Organization. I had to pull my child out. Principal needs to prepare for these students..
—Submitted by a parent

ESUMS is a great school that is only going to get better. Right now they are in a somewhat difficult position of having the lower grades in one school with the higher grades in another. Once the new building is completed I know it will be a wonderful place. The teachers here are excellent. This is a tough academic environment that values creative thinking and hard work. Kids that aren't willing to give 100% will not succeed here. It is also an engineering and science based school, if a child is not interested in these areas they won't be happy. Many of the students here are from gifted programs in other suburban schools and it shows. That said, this is a school in transition which means there will be issues associated with that. As the school changes and grows parents have a lot of input into what the school is going to look like in the future. Parents that are involved can get a lot of out that, parents that are looking for a completely stable environment may find it difficult. We intend to send both of our younger sons to this school as well for the excellent academics. I can't recommend it enough if academics are your focus.
—Submitted by a parent

We could not be happier than with our choice to pull our son out of. Op suburban school system and enroll him at ESUMS. Our son has always been a straight A student who never had to work for his grades and was never truly challenged but bored with school. At ESUMS he is challenged in each class. He participates in many labs and hand on assignments that excite him and make him want to learn. He is doing pre-algebra in 6th grade and to be honest, after helping him with his homework, it looks more like algebra 1 to me. The teachers are so motivated to help these kids excel. They are very willing to work with parents, and most respond to parents emails the same day. The staff are doing wonderful things for these kids, and the cirriculum challenges and teaches the kids to be innovated and think for themselves...not just to study for a test. If your child has an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering or math) and is willing to do a good deal of homework to have MANY doors opened for them, then ESUMS is the school for them.
—Submitted by a parent

ESUMS is a great school. Yes, they currently have the lower middle grades in one school and the higher grades in another while they build a state of the art school to house them all. And yes, this is not a perfect scenario. However, every single teacher and administrator I have met has been wonderful. They are very caring and focused on the mission of the school. The kids are excited and the program is fantastic. As the parent of a gifted child my son was floundering in the regular school system. Now he has a specialized curriculum and is actually happy to go to school. He is very excited that he can stay here all the way through 12th grade. Really, I can't stress enough how good this school has been for him.
—Submitted by a parent

WE LOVE LOVE LOVE ESUMS!!! As the parent of a 6th grader who was bullied throughout elementary school, I am thrilled that my son has found a place where he not only loves going to school- he can excel! He looks forward to school every day and has a great team of teachers helping ease him into the middle school environment. They help to keep him organized, provide a schedule for his days, and hwlp in hundreds of little ways. I am incredibly impressed with this school and have seen this child blossom with confidence and knowledge. ESUMS is by far the best choice I think I've made as a parent.
—Submitted by a parent

ESUMS is in need of help from the board of education. This is a new school with no structure and no staff support. I sent my child there as he loved math and science. The school is in utter chaos. Each year they are adding a grade to go thru high school and right now they do not have enough staff to help the children they currently have. The school is based in two different places they do not even have a permanent school yet. I had to pull my son out of the school as it became an unsafe and unstructured environment. I would hope that in a few years from now the school will be a better learning envirnoment for the children once they are in their own space and have all the grades completed. Right now I would not recommend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

ESUMS is a first class school with an outstanding curriculum. If you are looking for a school that will provide a good foundation for higher learning, this is the one. Bright kids are not put in a corner while the rest of the class catches up, they are embraced and allowed to soar.
—Submitted by a parent

We have a son in the 6th grade and he too loves going to school. During the weekend he actually says that he "can't wait to go back to school." The teachers are absolutely amazing, and the curriculum far surpasses what he was doing in his other (top) New Haven Public School. ESUMS teaches children how to think and how to problem solve. It also pushes students far beyond the standard levels of achievement.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a fantastic program and the staff and principal are excellent. My son has absolutely flourished here. This school has the potential to be the best in New Haven. It is still a very new school with some kinks to work out, but we don't regret moving our son out of Amity ( which is a great school district too) into ESUMS. It was the best move we ever made. What we really need to reach the top is more parents getting involved and making education a priority for their youngsters. Good behavior starts at home.
—Submitted by a parent

Fantastic curriculum, terrific teachers and administrator, amazing hands on activities. My son looks forward to going to school- how many parents of teens can say that? I love the open lines of communication, the before and after school tutoring, the after school programs and the MANY opportunities offered to these students. The staff all work tirelessly to make sure students get a great education. The school philosophy emphasizes experience over rote learning and application over memorization (though at times they employ those as well as part of a larger lesson), which makes for a more meaningful and long lasting educational experience. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

True, excellent teachers and program. The school is in its second year and the test scores are very good. Has the potential to be the best high school in the district and will likely be just that. I see an improvement in the behavior of the upper classmen which I hope will continue.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent teachers and program. Lack of discipline in the classroom is the biggest problem. In my opinion, it would be the best school in the district if they could get the students under control. Until then, I wouldn't recommend it.
—Submitted by a parent