Barclay Elementary/Middle School

I am very impressed with the school and my daughters teacher, Ms. Mundie. She tells me whenever anything is going on with my daughter, and works hard to make sure that she is learning not just at school but also at home. They get recess every day, and have art and computer class ever week as well. The classroom feels so friendly and the kids are all very well behaved (for 4 year olds). My daughter loves her school and her class, and I do too!
—Submitted by a parent

In my time at Barclay, I have witnessed an incredibly strong sense of community at the school. Teachers, staff, and community members recognize the importance of coming together to support the students here, and that manifests itself in a variety of forms. Barclay's excellent after school programs (everything from cooking, theatre & dance, to art and gardening) offer extra support to students. This school also provides free vision and dental screenings to students every year, and operates a food pantry for any families who volunteer at the school or need a little extra help. With a new PBL curriculum, students are also being challenged in new ways, and learning valuable hands-on lessons that are integrated and aligned with the mandated curriculum. This provides students with an opportunity to learn in a more creative way, and also helpes them to retain this information. Overall, Barclay is a true Community School that provides an enriching and nurturing environment for all students and families, and anyone who comes to visit will realize how close-knit this community is.

One of Barclay's unique strengths is the commitment people feel to the school. We have teachers, administrators, families and volunteers who have been part of this school community for decades. This dedicated group doesn't hinder change at the school, but provides a wise sounding board. I have found Barclay to be a school that knows and respects its past while welcoming new perspectives and ideas.
—Submitted by a teacher

When I first came to Barclay to volunteer I could tell immediately that Barclay was a very special place. From my experiences with the older students, it is clear that Barclay provides a rigorous academic environment. My time in the class with younger students proved this. The students are challenged, and are provided interesting extra curricular activities. Yet Barclay is very special not only through it's excellent staff and academics; the school is truly a community. My time volunteering has not only taught me a great deal, but I was welcomed into a community.

Barclay provides a safe and fun learning environment and community for its students. The children are polite and smart and always willing to lend a hand. The staff is supportive and invested in student's success. Overall Barclay is a great school.
—Submitted by a teacher

My daughter just finished her first year at Barclay and it has been an overwhelmingly positive experience. The school puts a lot of emphasis on instilling its students with a real enthusiasm for learning. They use a Project Based Learning approach, which I think makes students feel more invested in the work they do. This is reflected in the school environment--the students seem happy and at home in the school. This probably also has something to do with the fact that Barclay is a Community School that takes a real interest in students' lives beyond the classroom. It offers great after-school programs and is always looking for new ways to be of service to, and improve, the surrounding neighborhood. It has strong partnerships with other community organizations, including Johns Hopkins University, so it is very easy to feel my child is a part of a larger mission to do good--and I think she feels it to.
—Submitted by a parent

Barclay is a school that works hard to ensure that all children get a solid education. The school offers an array of programs to engage the children - a creative new project based curriculum, arts programming, gardening, dance, etc. This school is worth a look.

A real community school that helps children learn

I agree with the parent who had complaints about the treatment of minority children.My daughter went there last year and was treated very poorly by students and some of the staff.She graduated from there and after paying $75 for graduation,her name was left off of the t-shirt and misspelled in the (cheaply made) yearbook.I have yet to get satifaction from the school despite numerous calls and visits.If you have a white child I suggest you find another school for them unless you want them to be a very sad child.
—Submitted by a parent

Barclay remains one of the best public schools in Baltimore. In fact, it may be the very best both academically and professionally. Mrs.Horne strives to meet the needs of students and teachers. The students are well above average for a public school. The Calverton system was a blessing for this school for many years, and even without it the excellence continues. The school has never had a problem being elementary / middle school unlike a few schools that had trouble combining the two. The atmosphere in and around the building is positive.
—Submitted by a parent

Very leavled and wishes to skill childern not school them.
—Submitted by Parnell Boyd-Kelley, a parent

I have had mixed feelings about the school my child is a minority there and has been treated like one by many of the students over the past few years. This is his first 'good' year so far. I think the teachers and the staff try their best, but alot of the parents are not involved and just seem to be worried about other things more then their children. I have had meetings with parents {the ones that could get themselves out of bed} about the way their children behave and it seems to do no good. My child was not raised to treat someone different because of race but it seems that alot of the kids there have not been raised the same, which is sad, because if it was my child doing it to theirs it would be a big deal, but it gets brushed off since it's the other way around.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent school. Mrs. Williams is an ideal principal. The teachers are excellent. And the food was (in my time there)- the pizza, the burgers, and especially...the chocolate milk- absolutely fantastic. I pray that one day i can meet the teachers (Mr. David Clapp namely) and Mrs. Williams again someday to thank them for what they gave me. Overall, a fantastic school.
—Submitted by Ashish Pradhan, a former student