Clinton Elementary School

Clinton School was a great environment for us as a new to New Jersey family and for our daughter as a Kindergartener. The principle is an amazing woman who really cares about the students and the school. Our daughter's teacher was wonderful and nurturing. We think that the PTA provides great support and resources to the school and helps parents become more involved in their child's education. One of Clinton's greatest strengths is it's international student population as the English as a Second Language magnet school for all South Orange and Maplewood Elementary School students a multitude of languages and cultures are shared. As the ESL school obviously standardized testing scores do not reflect the true value of the Clinton experience so don't let them dissuade you from joining this great community.
--Submitted by a parent

Clinton is a nurturing, child-centered, and professionally run elementary school. My kids have both had amazing experiences during their time at Clinton. In addition to an incredibly awesome and pro-active principal and assistant to the principal, the teachers are outstanding and the school community is exceptionally dedicated, creative, and passionate about their school. Contrary to what the poster below has said, I have found a no-tolerance policy for any kind of bullying and have seen situations dealt with directly and successfully. The PTA is also one of the most active you will ever find. The events and programs the PTA has created are amazing and the parent involvement is huge.
--Submitted by a parent

Clinton offers a kind, nurturing environment for all the kids. The principal, asst. principal, and all the teachers really care about each child and their success. It is a neighborhood school which brings the community together for wonderful events. And best of all: my children don't complain about going to school. I am very saddened to read the review on 4/5. I hope that you and your child find a good fit in your new place.
--Submitted by a parent

Since her first day of 5th grade my daughter was confronted by children within her grade who decided that she was the perfect target for daily threats and bullying. As school became more and more terrifying for her I repeatedly tried to no avail to have action taken by the school staff. One girl in particular made my daughter so terrified that she would not use the bathroom for fear of being attacked while alone. The male guidance counselor I was referred to said this sort of bullying behavior is 'usual school-age stuff...and that we should prepare ourselves for it to get worse in middle school.' Finally when my daughter was thrown into a wall in front of a lunch aid and no action was taken I withdrew her from Clinton and we've now moved out of state in hopes of finding the safe learning environment she deserves.
--Submitted by a parent

My experience at Clinton has been and continues to be very positive. People may be misled by the test scores which tend to be skewed by the high number of ESL students. Interestingly enough, at Clinton, our take on this is never negative. I am impressed by the way the staff, administration and parent community embrace the diversity at our school and incorporate it into the learning experience as much as possible. There is a tremendous amount of school spirit which accounts for how happy my kids have been there, and overall, I find the teachers to be engaging, motivating and caring. The PTA is very active and has provided funds for incredibly enriching programs that my children might not have gotten elsewhere.
--Submitted by a parent

Clinton Elementary is a wonderful school and has a very active PTA. Don't judge a school by test scores alone! Clinton is the ESL magnet school for the district, meaning if English is not your native language, regardless of what school you are zoned for, your child will attend Clinton. All students are given the same standardized tests (in English only) and while the ESL students may skew the results downward, they enrich the school in a variety of other ways. Clinton is the most multi-cultural elementary school in the district. Luckily many people who move to Maplewood/South Orange (a lot from NYC/Brooklyn) value that.
--Submitted by a parent

I love Clinton elementary, it has made a great place to learn for my children and i went there and it is still amazing to this day
--Submitted by a parent

Clinton is a wonderfully warm neighborhood school with an incredibly involved parent population. Clinton also hosts the districts ESL program which provides a true international atmosphere to the school.
--Submitted by a parent