Mater Gardens Academy

This school used to be excellent. Now it has become a BUSINESS. The class rooms are over crowded. The Office is extremely disorganized. Looking to change schools. Very disappointed. Needs a new principal. The after care program is over rated. Charging an arm and a leg!
—Submitted by a parent

Good school only for the teachers. The Principal it's always late and never answer a questions or e-mails. She only cares about money!! Disorganized office . The Mater Gardens Academy needs a new principal to be a great school!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

"A great school has excellent teachers" but this one does not have that many great teachers, only the occasional educator seeking for a line in their resume. "Strong principal/leadership" is what is lacking at this place. It is normal to see seven or eight 12 year olds as a source of cheap/free labor at the main office. The few adults available expect you to trust minors with private information about your children. Academics is dull, plain, boring board-to-notebook approach. Phys. Ed. is overcrowded. Music class is a farse. The name of the principal appears on paper as the music teacher for some classes and some students don't even know her. At this place they intimidate parents to register children early because later there will be no place in middle or high school. In January 2012 they were looking for students at the high school, meaning elementary students do not transition to high school once parents find out about their mediocre approach. They are there just to make money and do not care about pedagogy. The principal is not available and is often late, speeding through the residential neighborhood. Parents are the ones keeping up appearances!
—Submitted by a parent

28-30 kids per classroom,disorganized office, unsupervised office and teachers. Teachers have as many breaks during classes as they want, poor academic content. The principal do not care about the students at all, the leadership of the school principal is very unsatisfactory, parents will find it is almost impossible to communicate and get time from the principal. Trying to get an email response may be difficult, but much easier than a face-to-face meeting. No communication with the parents even if you scheduled a conference with her, no one call you. Very disappointed.
—Submitted by a parent

We have had our children in both Private schools as well as other public schools, and this school is amazing. First off the culture that is breed there is exactly what most organizations should strive for. The teachers are happy and all are aware of what is required of them. The children excel because the standards are high, but they know what is required and they get the support from the school, their teachers and other students. Most of the parents that have their kids there want them there, and know that it is not a right. They can get kicked out, and the problems usually are. AMAZING. This is what the educational system should look like.
—Submitted by a parent

The school has excellent student teacher ratios which enhance the learning atmosphere. Gifted Program coming soon.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in this school for 5 years, is a wonderful school, teachers, address, local. Just have a problem with this school ... its parking
—Submitted by a parent

I have had my son at this school for 3 years it has been a great experience. All start with the leadership of the principal and also the teaching of all the teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers really care about my child's education and provide lots of feedback to the parents. They encourage parents to participate in the child's learning.
—Submitted by a parent

They have the best teachers and faculty personal in any school. The tachers do a great job in teaching the students. Great job!!!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been attending Mater Gardens since the 2006-07 school year and I am very proud to say that this school has helped further her education. Above all, I do believe that it all starts from the administration personnel level and streams all the way up to the highly qualified group of teachers that they have working for them. My daughter has performed to her highest potential and it is all thanks to her teachers. I highly recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

i have 2 children at this school for the past 3 years and its an excellent school!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Teachers at Matter Gerdens Academy deserve a lot of credit for making this a great academic institution. However, the leadership of the school principal is very unsatisfactory. Rather than having an open-door policy, parents will find it is almost impossible to communicate and get time from the principal. The principal's style is very hands-off when it comes to interacting with parents and listening to them. Trying to get an email response may be difficult, but much easier than a face-to-face meeting.
—Submitted by a parent

That's the 3 year of my son at school, for my experience as a parent, you have to be on top of your child...last year was a disaster, my son was completely lost, we have a lot of problems with that teacher.....But thanks God this year change 360g. so, the good teachers are important part on your child education. The principal, I think she is doing much much better involve on childrens issues ( Believe me, I saw her look into a situation).
—Submitted by a parent

This is the second year my son will be attending this school. Last year he attended their first pre-k class available and it was wonderful! The teachers and staff were the best. Parent involvement is excellent at this school. He is now in kindergarten. He has learned a lot in the past year and even began to read at the age of 4! I love this school and don't plan on chaging him any time soon.
—Submitted by a parent

So you thing sending your child to a charter school means less students in the classroom but this is not the case at Mater Garden This year a total of 55 students were put into my child music class and not enough seats for all students surprise surprise . Sad but true poor leadership on the principal part.
—Submitted by a parent

The principals have no leadership. They do not care about the students at all !!! No communication with the parents. Your child is only cared for, if you work for the school. The teachers have horrible judgement. P.E. is a joke. Very very disappointed.
—Submitted by a parent

Teachers should have more time for kids who don't understand the subject. Aftercare should have more activies for the kids.
—Submitted by a parent

The principals have very poor leadership skill. Looking for money, not interested in your child.
—Submitted by a parent

This school offers very few extracurricular activites; and when programs are offered they are very costly. There is no support staff for children with disabilities.
—Submitted by a teacher