Ada Merritt K-8 Center

All in all school is very good. Is there a school where parent do not have complains at all? Private are sometimes not worth the money because you do not get what you are paying, public have their issues and we go from there....this school has good teacher, again we can always complain, after care is not great but at least they offer after care until 7 and is not bad, you can not pretend much for an after care in a public school, let's be honest. Lastly, academically is what it is, the scores show this not the parents comments.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is impossible to get into. I don't understand why they even request applications when 9/10'th of the students will not get in. They are at max capacity. Children with siblings, spanish nationals and a zillion other preferences have priority whereas my american born only son WHO LIVES ACROSS THE STREET has been denied access to a better education. Ive spoken to the adminitration, to the school board, to everyone under the sun, and apparently my son's education only matters to me. My only option now is to blast them online to see if their prejudice "lottery" that really isn't a lottery because other factors play into their "preferences", gets publicized. My son is now forced to go to the neighborhood school that the highest grade obtained in the last 4 years has been a "C". But of course, the adminitration's students, won the "random selection", everyone comes out winning except people like me in these "lotteries"...

Attention parents of children in the Portuguese program be aware of Shark Tutors. They charge somewhat between 20 or 25 dollars an hour BUT they have 4 or more kids at the same time. On top of that they usually tutor in the cafeteria or library when other children from after care are using the computers so imagine on top of being tutored 4 children at the same time, the noise and distractions are unbearable. Most of the tutors are just mom that help with the homework none of them have any type of certificate and of course are unwilling to really teach the children to learn the language. They limit themselves to do homework. Come on parents dont feed the shark tutors and ask for your kid to be tutored by himself or herself.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in 8th Grade....Once thing that concerns me is that all the teachers should not be allowed to use the cellular and texting while giving classes....students constantly complain that the teachers do not dedicated themselves 100% because they were more concern in texting...however the student are scare to complain :(....Also they Portuguese students complain that many teachers don't like them...I am very disappointed with the middle school program. Also the coordinator for the MYP never response e-mails.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school overall! Teachers really care about their students. Staff is very nice. Never had a problem.
—Submitted by a parent

The school if amazing my son loves it and he has an 4.0 GPA. All the teachers are great and friendly.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has gone down hill every year. I love the second language opportunity but they are mostly focused on what the school looks like to others than the students I do not recommend this school I have two daughters and it used to be better but they raised prices in everything and took out all student activities!!!
—Submitted by a parent

FOCUS - BILINGUAL - ALL ACADEMICS The teachers here are wonderful,the students are well behaved and no real problems to deal with.The teachers and staff are the role models.
—Submitted by a parent

Ada Merritt is an excellent school. I had my 2 daughters (one from kinder to 7th grade) and the experience was superb. I had to move back to Argentina and my kids were advanced up to 2yrs from the local curricula and the american school in Argentina as well. From an academic point of view, Ada Merritt is an excellent school. It is true that kids have a lot of extra work at home but it is worth the effort. I would recommend the school to any parent willing to give the best education to his children. I wish my kids were back at Ada Merritt.
—Submitted by a parent

I was an ada merritt graduate an. you do not know how happy i was to leave this school it may have been great in the past but from what i experienced it was terrible

Still an excellent school. I agree with some constructive criticisms, ie the fact that the school has become less parent-friendly, especially the library, which does not adequately meet the needs of the Kinder and first grade students. I also agree that the administration does not warmly embrace the IB curriculum, esp its interdisciplinary focus, The failure to display student artwork throughout the school is a lost opportunty and creates a stuffiniess that is downright Un-IB as is the lack of musical performances. Additionally, many hardworking teachers seem to be underappreciated for their extraordinary efforts. However, ALL-IN-ALL, it is an excellent school and one where I am proud to send my chldren.
—Submitted by a parent

Check it they spend a whole lot of money remodeling the entire school for a visit yet they tell students there inst enough money for new books or learning supplies which is what is needed not buffed floors or new grass i have head many complaints with the security staff , they do not do any thing but stand around and talk to each other when two people get in a fight nothing is done either also agree that the principle is not around most of the time and she is not very good at her job i miss the old Ada Merritt when they had the other principle and the better teachers some of the teachers are good now but they can be better the staff is also not very welcoming parents literally run this school.
—Submitted by a parent

a lot of propaganda, inexistent administration, no communication, principal is another kid, parents and kids run the school, go anywhere else
—Submitted by a parent

Teachers are great and the kids learn a ton. The principal is very nice, but the rest of administrative staff could use a better attitude - especially in the after-care office. They can be downright rude. After school options/teachers are excellent, though: karate, yoga, Spanish, guitar, soccer, etc. My kid is very happy there, and we are very pleased with his progress.
—Submitted by a parent

Ada Merritt has slipped to become a lackluster excuse for an IB program. The teachers have a large ego and bitter attitude. The sense of entitlement from the staff make them impossible to work with. I am already looking for options else where due to unfair treatment and belittling in the class room. (7 Years experience with the school and two kids there) Oh, I do most of the teaching at home with about 4 hours a night of work, while wondering why the don't do anything in class.
—Submitted by a parent

Ada Merritt no longer lives up to its reputation. Some of their best teachers are gone, they do not recognize or treat bullying, security is questionable and parents no longer feel welcome. Administration is very unhelpful and has the rudest, most antagonist and prejudiced office staff. Frequent Lice outbreaks and no paper towel or liquid soap in the bathrooms are out of their control. It has turned into an average school with no consideration for the students and no response to parents concerns. It is still a good school for parents looking to do the teaching, students do not learn in class anyways.
—Submitted by a parent

II love this school and its diverse and international community. I feel like we won the lottery getting our son in this school.
—Submitted by a parent

My child came from a private school before Ada Merritt. She received an excellent education there, but nothing like what she is getting now. Please don't tell anyone about Ada Merritt so that we can keep class sizes down!
—Submitted by a parent

Reception staff are very rude, Principal does not care about the kids, all in all by far one of the worst schools I have ever seen.
—Submitted by a parent

Why do you love Ada Merritt K-8 Center? Excellent academically and great language program.
—Submitted by a parent