Manito Elementary School

I have two children currently enrolled at Manito school, and have been extremely happy with the attentiveness of the teachers. Each time I raised an issue I thought my child was having (3 times!), the teacher agreed, knew about it, and told me what she was doing about it already. The principal makes a point of knowing each child and greeting them by name. I feel the curriculum is up to date and the children are learning at an excellent rate. The special area teachers have been exceptional with caring for my special needs child.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at Manito for the past three years. Manito is a very caring environment with an absolutely wonderful staff of teachers. The teachers and specialists are highly skilled and they care about each and every child. The curriculum is challenging, yet developmentally-appropriate and tailored for each child's strengths and interests. The parent community is friendly and involved, and also down-to-earth at the same time (which is a tough combination to find in this area of Bergen County!). My child is very happy here and I look forward to my second child attending next year.
—Submitted by a parent

I thought I would write a review, since the latest one written was from 2009 and I believe it does not accurately depict my experience here. I have found this school to be a warm and inviting place for my daughter which is also providing her with a challenging academic curriculum (even with her being advanced). The teachers and principal are very involved and concerned with individual progress, and the character education program (which encourages the development of the whole child rather than just test scores) has been wonderful. My daughter is very happy here, and I feel confident that she is receiving the best education possible.
—Submitted by a parent

4 out of 5 One of my children still attends Manito. My other child is now in middle school. Having 25 years experience of clincal observation of teachers, is my professional opinion that Manito School has a highly skilled faculty. My daughter was more than prepared when she entered Valley Middle School and my son is receiving an exceptional education by the Manito 5th grade staff.
—Submitted by a parent

2 of my daughters went to Manito school and I was happy they had good teachers and a great principal. I like the family-like environment and parents involvement. My youngest one was sent to a gifted and talanted workshop (along with 3 kids from her class) and to an advanced art class
—Submitted by a parent

Manito is a fine school. The teachers are very warm and encouraging, and my child loves to go to school there. However, I do wish Manito offered more hands on learning projects- special subject fairs such as science, art, etc.. There are no seasonal plays or concerts that each class prepares for. Many parents are involved at in the PTO and volunteer or work in the school as well.
—Submitted by a parent

very bad schoool. children are wild. teachers are horrible.
—Submitted by a parent

What an incredible school environment this staff, along with so many parents, have created for our children! not only are all students consistently held to very high standards at all times, but it is done in such a loving and supportive manner - not an easy task to balance! any manito child with whom i've ever come in contact looks so forward to getting to school each day -- it is truly their home away from home! we couldn't be happier with the curriculum, the learning, and especially the dedicated teachers and staff members who all work so hard for the benefit of our children!
—Submitted by a parent

I feel that this school and the administration need so much improvment. The school is a scary inviroment for children.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel the principal of Manito School and the faculity can do a better job with the children's education as far as caring more for the childrens welfare.
—Submitted by a parent

The school lacked any meaningful instruction in the arts. Talented vocal musicians were not encouraged and choruses only practiced during recess so that many kids would not participate. There were no performances in which all students participated except in one grade when there was a substitute music teacher. As a result only those willing to give up recess learned the joy of performing. There were no art shows to inspire pride in art activities.
—Submitted by Linda Stinson, a parent

The children are not prepared for Middle School. The other area grammar schools, seem to have more dicipline and enforce their zero tolerance policy. Teachers did not seem to have a handle on childrens weaknesses, which were not discovered and addressed until middle school and that is just too long of a time for help not to be offered.
—Submitted by Lisa Blatz, a parent