South Mountain E.S./Annex

A great school if your child is already motivated academically. If they need extra attention or assistance they can get lost in the shuffle. The teachers are mostly good. Communication with the principal's office is pretty bad (they often just don't return calls) and the disciplinary approach of the principal is inconsistent.
--Submitted by a parent

This elementary school is wonderful. My son had a terrific experience and the teachers were kind and nurturing. He has made leaps and bounds in both language arts and math.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter loves the school... we love the principal and teachers. All of our children will go to the Annex if we can help it.
--Submitted by a parent

Both my daughter and I have loved all her teachers at South Mountain, particularly her second grade teacher. She is a very good student, and when I've worried she wasn't being challenged enough, each of her teachers have worked with me to find additional, more advanced work for her. In addition to that, I've seen various ways in which they teach to the individual child's level, whether it's varying difficulty of spelling words or books to read, or being able to pick when they are ready to take a math test on multiplication tables. This year she is in an inclusion class (meaning there are special needs kids in her class). That has been a bit of a challenge because she is a good student and quiet, so I was worried she would be overlooked. I couldn't have been more wrong. Her teachers are very tuned in to all the students, and, while I'm not sure I would choose that structure again for her, I think it's been a real learning experience in how to deal with many different learning styles. Nothing is perfect, of course, but she is learning and excelling in ways I couldn't have predicted. I'm very happy she is there.
--Submitted by a parent

This school basically failed my son. He's a challenging kid--bright and curious but likes to learn in his own way--self-directed and independent. They don't know how to deal with that. He got into trouble a lot because he was bored and ended up hating school and feeling bad about himself. They talk a lot about "teaching to the child" but it doesn't happen. One of the worst days was when, during a lockdown drill, he made noise and was told in front of the entire class that he could have gotten everyone killed. If your child learns the way most people do s/he will be fine, otherwise probably not the best choice.
--Submitted by a parent

My sons both went to South Mountain Elementary and it is the one school that has left the most impact on them. The teachers were their teachers,friends and parents all in one with their guidance and effort.
--Submitted by a parent

The school has become the most magical and most wonderful place for growing children. The new principal is absolutely wonderful and the new teachers are just fantastic! I am so happy my child has the experience of learning and growing in such a warm, friendly risk free environment. As a teacher myself, I couldn't be happier with this school.
--Submitted by a parent

I am extremely happy with the South Mountain elementary school. The principal is very involved and knows how to manage the school; all of my daughters' classmates come from grounded and open minded homes. I'm very happy with the type of education my child is getting.
--Submitted by a parent

Our new principal is wonderful - very caring, always approachable, and very experienced. My 1st and 3rd grader are getting an excellent eduation, and have lots of fun too. The music, arts and phys ed are really well done. Great local school with lots of involved parents.
--Submitted by a parent

Lacks leadership. Interim principal to take reins soon. Parents are concerned over this. Safe school but misdirected.
--Submitted by a parent