Mount Vernon Elementary School

As a former parent - my experience with this school has been disheartening. A very cold disrespectful and uninviting climate exists at the door. The administrators were virtually invisible to parents & if surveyed you will find, the upper grades are never engaged by them. The older students feel neglected overall. I'm reminded of this year's 8th grade graduation; besides students at the auditorium door passing out programs, there was no hospitality extended to parents by an administrator or staff member. At the close of the commencement a random announcement was made to "wait for your child at the front of the school-they must pick up their diploma in the library" Thank you for coming. No administrator or staff member greeted the parents- in fact, the administrators immediately returned to their respective offices as if there weren't 50-60 parents standing in the 95 degree heat on the front stairs. Theres a very cold, disconnected and uninviting climate that exists here for students and parents alike. This shouldn't be. Manners are free.

I attended Mt. Vernon from the 2nd Grade to the 8th. The school in general is ok. Many of the teachers I had, were good and they had a zeal for teaching. I'm a sophomore in high school now and as I attend other schools, Mt.Vernon really need to step up. Personally, I wouldn't recommend anyone to go to Mt. Vernon. Many of the good teachers left the school and many of the functions that go on are unorganized. You would think that when you go to the main office, the clerks would be friendly and helpful, they are rude and do not address needs. Mt. Vernon is in need of a change. Like I said, I went to this school and passed all my classes with the honor roll, but I just don't like the way things are run here. A good principal, Ms. Malloy is at another school.

THIS SCHOOOL IS AWESOME I LOVE BECAUSE I WENT TO THE SCHOOL i HAD A GREAT TIME ATTENDING IT AND LEARNING VARIABLE LESSONS ALSO THEY HAVE A GREAT EDUCATION SYSTEM

I would like to know if this year preperation for the 2011 grduation is going to be different from last year. I feel that you did not start earley enough preparing for all the thing that go into graduation. I hope you don't do what you did for last year graduation. As a parent that have to put out the money I think we ned more than a week notice for pictures, rings, and wait less than three month of the school year to prepare a yearbook they have not receive. I came over to the school in January to offer my help. Now I offering my help again to start looking for these things they will need . There are a lot of people out of work , lets think about them.
—Submitted by a parent

My school years at Mount Vernon have been some of the most disagreeable in my academic career. Incompetent leaders, administrators, and teachers feed negativity into the educational environment by arguing with one another and often venting their feelings of personal frustration on students with condescending remarks. This debases the character of the educational process which is meant to cultivate individuals who should feel comfortable to ask questions and express their ideas and concerns. It also adds hostility into an area that should focus on learning. I found financial priorities out of balance as the school received two automated employee attendance tracking machines while students lacked the sufficient number of science books to accommodate the number of students in the grade. Programs are underfunded, classes are overcrowded, the curriculum teaches below the standard of nation wide schools, and it is nearly impossible to speak with the leader positions of the school.

I am a parent of a pupil in kindergarten at Mount Vernon in Newark, NJ. When I first enroll my child in that school, I have to say that there was anxiety on my part... I love my daughter's teacher, she is very involve and care about the academic progress of my child; she would tell me about her misbehavior and her progress regularly. However, sometimes I can see a lack of organization on the part of the administration staff. For instance they canceled the photo day at the beginning of the year and waited about the day before to let us know about the new date for the next photo shoot!!!! My daughter had a trip, in New York and they waited the day before to let the parents know about it (they had to dress nice with dressy clothing).
—Submitted by a parent

This school is not active enough with their students teachers or staff...one day of observation made me realise that my child would be leaving
—Submitted by a parent

mt vernon school is a great school. i love the teachers. the administrators office is alot to be desired, the front office does not make you feel welcome at all. be ready to stand in the office before someone acknowledges you and ask if they can help you. the school prinicipal ms dyer is not the friendliest person but she does i have to admit has control of the school. i want to personnal thank the teachers at mt vernon you deserve high honors, you do show you care about the children. thank you
—Submitted by a parent

I like the school it's Principal and Teachers continue the super job all of you are doing.

Mt Vernon Elementary School in Newark,NJ has good homeroom teachers. Gym teachers are good. But some of the other special teachers need more training and supervision. Overall academics are good. I liked the writing program. However, the principal leaves a lot to be desired. She does not relate well to parents. Ms. Pinkney is the best (vice principal). If it were not for her the ship would sink. Safety is questionable in cafeteria and definitely on the playground because security guards have been seen on cell phones and not on the job. Playground has too many fights. In the classroom children are well educated but who wants to risk the safety of their child on an unsupervised playground. But you won't get an appointment with the principal because her secretary (body guard) does not allow it. She avoids answering to parents when things go wrong. Shame shame shame!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Mount Vernon is an awesome school; apart from its lack of violin classes, needed for mathematics. As there has not been a violin class/after school activity in the past five years. As a parent, the school is not as cordial as it could be; but academics are high. The principal, Mrs. Dyer, although I often disagree with her methods of dealing with parents verbally/on paper, is a phenomenal administrator for our children. She has given Mt. Vernon, for so many years, a phenomenal academic structure for success. All of my sons have attended Mt. Vernon, with one left; and, academically, I couldn't be happier with their progress. The teachers, and the administrators really do care about our children; but, equally as important, as parents, we too must care about what it is we want for our children, academically speaking, as well. And the bottom line is we want a solid foundation.
—Submitted by a parent

A very great school for kids. Good Teachers,Great extra curricular activites.Great Basketball program
—Submitted by a parent

This is my child's first year at Mount Vernon (Kindergarten). So far so good. She loves her cafeteria, her Spanish teacher, her art class, and gym class. Her teacher Mrs. Guinta is so wonderful! I'm glad she ended up being her teacher for the year. The only thing I didn't like was the fact that they re-opened school after the holidays (January 2nd) and there were hardly no teachers present. If I had known this was going to be the case, I would have kept my daughter home and sent her back to school on the 3rd. But other than that, I love the school. No real problems have occured and I hope it stays this way.
—Submitted by a parent