Northwood Elementary School

Northwood used to be wonderful until Mrs Ahuja became principal.She is totally out to Lunch.The Vacant look in her eyes when you ask her a question and the lack of concern has me very concerned for my children.The Vice Principal is just as bad.Mrs Ahuja has taken the magical experience of Northwood and now runs it like a gas station or a 7-11.There are 25 kids jammed into a class and there used to only have about 13 kids in a class.Its heartbreaking to watch.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a 5th grader at northwood and I have enjoyed this school right up to 4th grade. mrs. ahuja removed almost all of our beutiful murals, spent TONS of mony retiling the school, repainting the walls, making her able to cut HUGE portions off our music and arts programs. she also spent too much money on the special ed classes, and not spending any on TAG( witch I am in). They also take up WAY too much learning time to prepare for the CRCT.

I've had 2 children graduate from Northwood and 1 child currently enrolled. This school is great and I have no complaints. I've never experienced any problems with bullying and the staff is very professional.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has unfortunately gone down the tubes in the past couple of years with the change in administration. The parents (PTA) are the best part of Northwood. The current principal & VP are useless & unresponsive to problems that arise (ie bullying). We became so disatisfied with the quality overall environment we moved to a better district. I know many parents who have also pulled their children out...unless there is a change from the top, save your pennies & put them in private (or move).
—Submitted by a parent

I made the decision to move to N. Fulton County with my childrens educational interests in mind. I have read the reviews on Nwood, and for the most part I would agree- provided that your child never finds themselves on the administrations bad list. Since my children have gone through several years there, the adminstration has made recommendations that 1)my 5 year old be put on ADHD meds because the teacher could not control her class- she has since been promoted a grade and will finish elmentary school early, 2) that my oldest child (who is now in private school) was lying about being bullied, 3) that my husband and I were liars when we brought up issues to our district rep. regarding the administrations lack of interest in resolving bullying. Having two daughters is difficult, and unless you are a mother that can volunteer every day to sit at the school and be a part of the in-crowd of mothers, your child will not be treeated with respect, and neither will you. The current principal is condescending and only cares about protecting the other members of her administrators. The vp is worse. I am so glad that we are out of that school this year.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children at Northwood, 3rd and 5th grade,who have been there since kindergarten. We have been very pleased with their education. We chose our neighborhood based on the schools our kids would attend and we have not been disappointed. The TAG program is great and the teachers are quick to help in whatever way they can. Our principal, Mrs. Ahuja, is very helpful and always looking for ways to better our school in all areas. She's very responsive to our needs and seems genuinely interested in making our school the best it possibly can be. If you're looking for a great school with a great community and an awesome principal, you've found it.
—Submitted by a parent

I've got a 5th grader at Northwood who has been there since Kindergarten. I also have a first grader. Northwood used to be a great school. With 2 changes of principal since we arrived, it's not so great anymore. Current principal not receptive, assistant principal not experienced. Some of the teachers are fantastic, truly, but don't expect to get any problems solved from the top!! Class sizes have grown to ridiculous this year as well. Look elsewhere with your gifted child.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been so pleased with Northwood Elementary school. The teachers are wonderful to work with. I have a child going into first grade and a child who just finished fifth grade. They have/are excelling at Northwood. The parent involvment and school community is outstanding. I always know what is going on in all my kids classes and I feel welcome at the school. The parents have built a great network with each other. I would not choose a private school over Northwood for any reason including academics.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a really great school with excellent teachers. They communicate with the students and also the parents.
—Submitted by a parent

Northwood Elementary has some excellent teachers, however, the administration seems to be sub par. I feel 100% that with some strong leadership this school could be outstanding. Case in point, the funds recieved by the school could be put to much better use...i.e., spent on the kids. Much money is wasted with inefficiency and carelessness.
—Submitted by a parent

Since enrolling my children with Northwood, I have please announce that they are progressing. My daughter loves to read attributed to her teacher, Ms. Bennett. Also, my son has some special classes and with the direction of Mrs Carter and others he'll soon emerged into the regular population.
—Submitted by a parent

I am the parent of two very different children- personality and academically. Our family struggled with the decision of public vs. private schools before entering Northwood. Both of our children have had such positive experiences in this school- and we have benn VERY pleased with their academic acheivements. The communication between parents and adminsitration has improved tremendously over the last year- I truly feel like they always have an open door and open mind.
—Submitted by a parent

Everything we've experienced at this school has been positive. The teachers are fantastic, the children are disciplined, and our daughter has thrived as a result!
—Submitted by a parent

principal lacks leadership
—Submitted by a parent

The administration is terrible. The new principal Michael has brought this school down. I have never met someone that will go out of her way to keep from speaking to a parent. She treats her teachers terrible and has lost so many of our best teachers in one year. 19 new teachers this year alone. That speaks volumes.
—Submitted by a parent

My two sons have had an amazing experience at Northwood. My eldest wasn't a strong student, but Northwood emersed him in exciting projects helping him to learn. He scored high on the CRCT and it was all due to his excellent education. My youngest has CF and the nursing staff, teachers and administrators have been his advocate. They make him feel like the greatest kid in the school. I attended several schools in my youth as an Army brat and I can tell you there are very few schools that measure up to Northwood!
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in the 1st Grade at Northwood and I am so happy with my decision to purchase a home in the Northwood district, just so that he could attend this school. I have been extremely satisfied with everything so far. Hats off to Norhwood!
—Submitted by a parent

Northwood Elementary has been a great public school experience for the last 3 years. The teachers are great educators with a true passion for educating ALL of their students. Northwood strives for excellence and continues to impress me and my family with a strong PTA, fundraisers for educational tools, such as, interactive classroom ACTIV boards, SAR (above State requirements) and AR reading programs, TAG and a streamlined approach for introducing higher math, language arts and social studies curriculum. Not to mention excellent Art and Music departments. In addition, Northwood continues to focus on academics through PTA events that allow children to have great time which allows for less distractions during instructional class time. Keep up the great job Northwood!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a Northwood Parent. I am sorry to say, of my 18 years of having a child in public school, this one is by far the most incompetently administered, and uncaring of student needs. The teachers are relatively untrained and to all appearances unsupervised. Overall a bad scene.
—Submitted by a parent

Though there are quite a few great teachers at Northwood, leadership is lacking. My children have not been challenged at Northwood and there is very little interest in anything but the 'No Child Left Behind' and preparing for the CRCT. I have moved 1 child out of Northwood and will be moving the other one just as soon as possible. GA as a whole has a long way to go in figuring out how to equip a child for learning and the future!
—Submitted by a parent