Woodhome Elementary/Middle School

My son attended Woodhome Elementary/Middle for PreK - but I will be doing everything I can to make sure he is not attending Kindergarten there. I wanted to give my neighborhood school a chance before automatically looking into charters and private schools. Unfortunately all of my fears came true. The new principal of this school is very condescending, cold and uncaring. Students were getting expelled from PreK......these are 4 year old children! The school would rather 'get rid' of kids then work WITH them and their parents to help them. There are some fantastic teachers - but they seem to be stifled under the current administration. The school building itself is in disrepair and in awful condition. Until Woodhome gets new, caring and respectful leaders - I would caution against sending your child here.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a graduate from Woodhome, went from 4th to 8th grade. Woodhome is a very unique school in terms of having a diverse student population and a small student population. The small population of students allows for the school to truly be a community, and I can say most teachers will be very approachable to you and help you out with any issues you may be having, academic or personal. Woodhome's problem when I went there was it's overall lack of organization, a building in need of many repairs, and a FAILING middle school math teacher. Woodhome consistently performs poorly on the math MSA because they refuse to get a math teacher who can actually instruct the class. They've gotten bettter by adding another math teacher, but until they get rid of the one incapable of teaching, it will always be a problem. Woodhome has great potential: a FANTASTIC English department, stationed in a great community, generally good teacher involvement, and kids who actually WANT to learn. Woodhome is a good school, but is far from being the best, but I hope positive changes will be made since the school has entirely new administration starting this year (2011-2012 school year)

The school interest is provided special education services to black children whom do not need it. They are in need of better teachers whom are culturely diverse and are not quick to fail the child and thiswill make things better. The school could use a makeover and the transportation is very poor. I just hope the school system gets better soon and to promote continue sucess to all children.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended Woodhome from Kindergarten to Eighth Grade. This year I started high school. I thought it would be alot different but honestly at Woodhome things are run alot alike. Maybe a little more leaniency but its a decent school. There are alot of very good teachers that know what they're doing. I miss Woodhome, but in my heart it will always be a good School. Also Ms. Ski and Ms. Ringgold are great Princpals. They know what they are doing and I will always appreciate them.
—Submitted by a student

Woodhome is a great school which exceeds my expectations by far for a Baltimore city public school. This is my 3rd year. My experience with the teachers and staff for grades pre-k to 1st have been great. The teachers make themselves very easy to reach whether it would be face to face,emails,personal cell phone #'s. All of them have given us parents no excuse not to reach them and make it easy to get involved. The PTA is great and always are doing different activities to raise money than just your normal candy bars. I think this school is like great little community school. I went to private school all my life and I would have thought that a Baltimore city public school would be so so much different. Not at all the case-except the noisy lunchroom.The environment provided for these children are loving,safe and challenging.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is very out of order.There are only a few good teachers.Also the school dose'nt have vaguely any after school activities
—Submitted by a student

The orincipal at this elementary school rises above all expectations you can have from a principal. She CARES about all her students and strives for the best. Parenting needs to be a strong home base for any school to acheive greatness.

I grew up in Woodhome. Pre-K all the way through 8th grade and I can honestly say this school is the reason behind so many great memories I'll always hold dear. The teachers and other staff are what make the school one of the best; two teachers in particular, but I won't mention any names. They made learning fun and easy while still making sure you got everything. I think I remember more from my middle school years there then I do from my last year of high school. I know I'm ranting so I'll finish this review by saying, Woodhome 'is' the best.

The problem with this school is that the current principal does not value gifted children. Children are thrown together in classes without any regard to the range of ability levels in a class. This requires teachers to do triple the amount of work to try to teach all levels in one class. Discipline is not applied consistently. If you have a high achieving, motivated, gifted child, send them to one of the middle schools that have citywide programs!
—Submitted by a parent

I have children who attend the school now. I have a son going to the 1st Grade and another son going to the 5th Grade. I believe the school is trying to make strides to improve the scores and it is apparent by the increase in some of the grades listed. I do believe that it could be a little better. We all, not just the school, have to work with our children to ensure they are prepared for middle school, high school, college and life. I do believe that the Baltimore City School System should equip the schools with up to date materials (i.e. books, computers, art materials, etc.) to assist in preparing the children for the future.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended woodhome for 5 years. (kindergarten - 4th grade) and I must say it was a good school. There I made friends that I can honestly say I still have today. My teachers challenged me but still made sure I had fun while learning. They had after school activities like the teddy bear daycare which I went to in the third grade. They also held outside school activities and fundraisers like skateland or jeepers night. This is why I think woodhome is currently one of the better schools in Baltimore City.
—Submitted by a former student