Norton Elementary School

I know of alot of post that have been submitted, but none seem to be posted. Unfortunately any truly negative ratings get lost or don't fit the criterior. If this site was set up to be an informative rate & review site then please let people see all the reviews regardless of someone in position of decision making not liking the review.
--Submitted by a parent

My son had a great experience at Norton. His teachers for 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade were excellent, and very supportive. My daughther had challenges and her K teacher did not respond with as much support. The teacher seemed set on a rigid path. A new prinicipal promises to give the school more accountability, and she has already improved communication. Parent involvement has improved with the new PTA leadership.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been going to that school since kindergarden and now she is in fifth grade. She is doing very well. The problem is with the parents. They don't get involved as much as they should. The principal is doing a great job.
--Submitted by a parent

My son is in his 4th year at Norton and I have seen a definite improvement. The trailers are gone and there is a new principal who seems dedicated to excellence, not just getting by. I recently went to the Awards Ceremony and was pleased to see a great deal of children who want to learn and feel pride when they do well. There are some teachers who focus too much on behavior and nit-pick every little thing, but my son's first and 3rd grade teachers were wonderful! Also, there is a new parent resource center that is run by a former Norton teacher who does a lot to involve parents in their children's education. I'm happier with Norton than I was before, and I'm hoping it will continue to improve under the new leadership.
--Submitted by a parent

In the 3 years that my son has been going to Norton, we have had one teacher who actually taught the kids instead of focusing on their behavior. I have been sorely disappointed with the support that the teachers receive and that the curriculum has shifted from education to passing the test.
--Submitted by a parent

I have to say that I am very much disappointed with Norton. I went to elementary school all my life and have never seen it as substandard until now. My daughter is in 1st grade.
--Submitted by a parent

I gave high ratings since the things we are disappointed with are much the same as pointed out by others, and not the fault of the school or its staff. There was a major expansion completed this past year, and the teachers our children have had there (3 kids through, and 1 still there) have been great in spite of the pressures of crowding. Keep up the good work teachers at Norton!
--Submitted by Randy, a parent

As a teacher at Norton, I too have seen Norton decline. My personal opinion is growth. We have approx. 2000 students in a facility designed for 1200. We feed lunch starting at 10:15 and service until after 1:30. The lunchroom was expanded a year ago, but the students are elbow to elbow. I am constantly amazed by the quality teaching that happens here amid all the distractions caused by the overcrowding. GCPS is building a relief school. (Rosebud opening fall 2008) It will not be much of a relief. I have heard that we will only lose 400 students. We have a septic system that you can smell, especially when it rains. I wonder if our demographics play into county decisions.
--Submitted by a teacher

I chose this county because everyone stated that it was one of the best school curriculums. My experience with them has not been good at all. For my son to hardly improve over a period of 5 months is just not good. The teacher has concentrated on just certain things. Very Disappointed!
--Submitted by a parent

This is the beginning of my daughters second year at Norton. She is currently in the 2nd grade. Over all academically we have been pleased with the teachers at Norton to date. The schools scores for last years CRCT test were 95% . The school appears to run in a very structured and orderly manner. This amazes me because of the sheer number of students attending Norton, currently approaching 2000 students, unbelievable remember this is an elementary school.
--Submitted by BusyFamily, a parent