Dr N H Jones Elementary School

This school is far and away the best I've seen. My daughter went to 4th and 5th grade here, and my son just started 2nd grade and has been going since kindergarten. They love the teachers, and you can really tell that the teachers genuinely do care about the success of your child. Every teacher is required to maintain their class web page and that helps parents tremendously to check up on grades, assignments, etc. It's no surprise to me that NHJ was ranked 4th in the state last year.
—Submitted by a parent

Oh my word, this school is phenomenal! My child is in KG and has had an amazing experience. His teacher is fantastic and he is happy and learning tons. High expectations and high quality of education. Mr. Raymond, the principal, is a highly visible and wise leader who challenges the entire community to work together toward focused outcomes. The school stresses character development and encourages and values parent involvement to the utmost. We have considered moving from Ocala but NHJ is my top reason for staying put. Super!
—Submitted by a parent

Having never gone to preschool, my son went here for kindergarten and did so well. Now he is in first grade this year and is blossoming already. I highly recommed this school--love the uniforms too. The principal, teachers, and staff really care about these children doing well. Parents really get involved as well.
—Submitted by a parent

My two kids have attended this school for many years. For a public elementary school, we feel that it is excellent. The teacher to student ratio is good and we have been happy with most of the teachers at each grade level. Overall, a great school.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful to work! Students are well behaved and well educated. Parents are involved and the staff does everything for these students. Great enviroment for students of science, math and technology!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is so awesome! We moved to Ocala from up north 3 years ago (from a private Catholic school) and my son just exploded from the education he has received at Dr.NH Jones! My son was in the FLAME program and completed 8th grade algebra in 5th grade!!! I found that the school here was more advanced than up north so it was very challenging for my gifted son and he wasn't bored. The school is very hands on and they learn so much by actually doing activities. They have a fantastic Meritorious Student program that rewards kids for great behavior. I am also thrilled to say that we have never had a bad teacher!! I felt that the school is completely fair at every level and the kids are rewarded for great grades and good behavior. I have never heard a parent complain about anything! Fantastic school!
—Submitted by a parent

I have worked in both the business and education communities. I believe some children will do better at one school than others, and that varies with children and schools. However, both of my sons, who are very different in terms of how they learn and areas they succeed in, do extremely well at Dr. NH Jones. It is one of the most loving environments I've seen for an elementary school, and the teachers are outstanding. As a magnet school, it is not comprised of neighborhood children alone, and this lends well to geographic diversity. At the same time, the school retains a 'family' feeling to it. The principal is extremely caring and fair to ALL children and parents, not just a few. I'm extremely grateful we have a school like Dr. NH Jones.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the most wonderful school my children has ever attended. Mr. Raymond is a great leader and they have wonderful teachers and staff. I will always support this school. Way to Go! Christy Mitchell
—Submitted by a parent

This school left us with very unpleasent memories. There is alot of unfairness given. Those who have connections get the perks. Those who aren't don't recieve any benefits. The Millennium is not based on scores but district status. The regular gifted is not given the same opportunites as the Millennium. The regular tract in the upper level lacks the media making opportunites that is afforded the lower levels and the Millennium tract.
—Submitted by a parent

I am soooo pleased with this school. My son was identified as highly gifted and this school provides a program, 'Millennium', for his level. Thank God! I had him a private school previously and kept asking for more instruction for him, but he never got it. Here, he can learn as fast as he wants. He loves it. The school specializes in Math, Science and Technology and they provide a way for the kids to learn the latest cool technology (within the public school's monetary constraints). The school is also great for the majority of students who are within the average level. I haven't met a parent yet with a complaint. Plus, the principal is very hands on and genuinely takes an interest in the children.
—Submitted by a parent

The school has some great teachers. The administration has poor communication skills and lack leadership skills. They tend to tout more than they actually do.
—Submitted by a parent

A great magnet school. They have great teachers. The parent involvement is high. The principal has done a great job.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a tremendously enriched learning atmosphere. The students always seem to be doing something interesting. All the teachers I have met are motivated and pleasant. Many parents volunteer countless hours.
—Submitted by a parent

When we were moving from a nearby county and out looking for schools this school was highly recommended by parents. I have a child in their Millenium classroom and a child in a regular classroom. I am extremely happy with the choice we have made by sending our children here. My children were attending a private school before we moved to this school and the standard here is much higher and the teaching and non-teaching staff very helpful. This is an academy for science, math, technology and media and very much lives up to its name. Students get exposed to the latest in computers, media production, music and art right from kindergarten. Parents at this school are very dedicated to keep the high standards at the school. The fall festival and other year end activities are very efficiently organized and led by volunteers.
—Submitted by a parent

Dr. NH Jones is wonderful! Mr. Raymond is a very accesible and caring principal. My children get treated fairly here and receive a great education!
—Submitted by Illona Berecz, a parent

Dr. NH Jones is a great school with a good principal and dedicated teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

I am considering Dr. NH Jones for my oldest child who is entering Kindergarten. My child has been educated through Montessori techniques for 4 years. We are accustomed to small classrooms with lots of personal attention. I am impressed with the emphasis Dr. NHJ ones seems to place on technical skills, but I am concerned that my child will become just another kid and get lost with the hundreds of other kids.
—Submitted by a parent

Our oldest son has attended Dr. NH Jones since kindergarten. His teachers have all been excellent. We now have 2 attending, both in the new Project CHILD classrooms, and feel that the school and this program goes even further in giving our children what they need, whether it is enrichment or remediation. Rotating classrooms has not been a problem, and most likely will benefit them as they progress into later grades. All teachers are involved in extracurricular activities. It is amazing the amount of after school time they put in to work on projects and festivals, etc. not to mention the great parent participation. It takes dedication on the part of the teachers, parents, and students and I think Dr. NH Jones excels in these areas.
—Submitted by a parent

We closely follow the educational process of our 9 year old grand nephew who is a 3rd grader at Dr. N.H. Jones. The attention given to his 'weak areas' and the creativeness outlined in his teacher's material is incredible. Never has this child loved school and applied himself as he does at Dr. N.H. Jones. It is obvious that the staffing of Dr. N.H. Jones is such that all children benefit. The quality simply shines through. Uncle Ron
—Submitted by Ron McAndrew

We are very satisified with the type of education that our son is receiving. The teachers are fantastic and well as the principal Mr. Raymond. He is always there for the kids and the kids love him. He really impressed me when we returned from a field trip he was always there to meet everyone when they returned. He gets really involved with all the activities that go on in the school.
—Submitted by William Austin, a parent