Northwest School of the Arts

I also have a sixth grader at this school and so far I have been nothing but impressed. The audition process was very easy and smooth. The open house we attended over the summer was very informative and I was very impressed with the sixth grade team. The communication has been fantastic and I feel like they are really helping my daughter get a great start to middle school. My daughter really enjoys her classes and the teachers are willing to go the extra mile to make sure she succeeds. I have no doubt that she will succeed academically and artistically. Yes the commute is long on the bus but I have had no problem dropping her off in the morning.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 6th grader in this school and I find the school quite disappointing! we heard so many good things about the school but I find this school opposite of what we heard. I think most of the problem is the district running out of money to fund a lot of the programs. And many teachers have left due to same reasons. The school is very disorganized and the communication needs desperate improvement. Also there is lack in strong leadership. We just have not been impressed at all with the school. Long commute also make things very difficult.
—Submitted by a parent

I love reading all the good feed backs on how great the school is. I'm currently moving from up north to the south this summer. Looking for a great school for my 13 yr old. She loves to dance and this is what we are looking for. Something to keep her on the right path for her education. Looking forward to meeting everyone!
—Submitted by a parent

I love RMS because every since I've been there I have been getting good grades like AB honor roll and the teachers there offer tutoring if they think you need it or if you ask. RMS cares.

NWSA has a strong theater program. The school has gone through a lot of change. The band program has had three directors in three years. It is a wonderfully accepting place and has great diversity in both the students and faculty. However the organization and communication could be improved.
—Submitted by a parent

The school provides an arts education with accomplished arts professionals, and also is strong in academics. It is a quirky, fun, creative, wonderful place. The teachers come up with all kinds of great, creative ways to mix arts and academics. Since it is a middle and high school, and the only arts school, it is unique. It is also very small and approachable, unlike many of the mega-schools in our area.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a senior at NWSA and I've been there since 6th grade. I guess you could say I've seen all sorts of things. Northwest has made me who I am as an individual and an artist. I've gotten many opportunities from teachers doing everything they can for your experience in the real world. I'll admit my senior year is going to be tough because some of our best teachers have either quit or were fired. I know why these people have left but as a student and friend of these teachers I will not say Why. I've heard many rumors NW will close in 2012 but until then I hpoe people can realize that even though NW is not as it used to be, its still a magical place:)

My 8th grader at NW hasnt had a math teacher for 3/4 of the year.......all subs.....8th grade is a critical year with EOG and EOC.....I have had to hire a tutor at my own expense to make sure that my daughter meets the NC expectations.....the school has not showed any concern around this matter.......Let's watch and see the results
—Submitted by a parent

The high school is undergoing changes with the loss of outstanding, dedicated and talented teachers. The 'new' principal lacks leadership. Teacher morale is low. With the loss of these talented teachers, the AP courses will suffer.
—Submitted by a parent

Northwest School of the Arts is the best because you not only have to be smart, but very talented to get in. They really impress on their students just how important education is.
—Submitted by a parent

I am an eight grader at nwsa and it is a pretty good school. I was there since the sixth grade and had a excellent drama teacher. But over the years the drama department has really gone down. We need help!
—Submitted by a student

We have been at NWSA as a family for the past three years. My daughter just started this year and my son is starting his third year of high school. It has been a wonderful experience. This year we have a new principal with an exceptional music background, Dr. Barry Bowe. My son is able to take AP classes, including music theory and calculus,and is focusing on individual performance on his instrument. I am impressed with many of his professors, some with Ph.D.s. I am excited about the focus on increasing excellence in the Music department to match the Choral, Visual Arts and Musical Theatre departments. The school only has about 1200 students in its middle school and high school; it has had no security incidents and it boasts 96% attendance daily. Its SAT and AP scores are among the top in the district. We love Northwest.
—Submitted by a parent

I went to this school last year and it is the best! The orchestra here is amazing! The teachers are willing to help you if you need anything. They will actually push you the way that teachers are supposed to

My son has attended NWSA for three of his four years of high school. (He tried his neighborhood high school for 11th grade but didn't like it.) The teaching staff at NWSA is generally very good. My biggest complaint with NWSA is the lack of administrative of support for instrumental music. The band and orchestra programs have struggled for years, and the decline seems to be getting worse. There aren't enough students for full instrumentation and the music is not challenging. My daughter attends a neighborhood high school and the instrumental program is much stronger there. I wish the band and orchestra program at NWSA was a strong as the choral program, musical theatre program and visual arts program.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is now in the 8th grade and started at Northwest School of the Arts in the 6th grade. I am pleased with the school's academic focus as well as the opportunity for her to focus on her special talents and interests. The staff has been very responsive to concerns and provide continuous updates on my child's performance. I was concerned with the older grades, however, I have not had any issues with her being surrounded by older kids. Being able to focus on her special talents has increased her self esteem and confidence tremendously.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter, a rising junior, came to Northwest as a 7th grader. At Northwest she found the place where her talents and educational needs could be met by a talented, caring staff. Academic programs are of high quality, often with small class size which allows for more individualized attention. Arts classes in visual and performing arts allow students to explore talents that they might not have had an opportunity to otherwise. Staff is talented and caring, often staying after school for tutoring, and always available by email or phone. What I truly appreciate about them is their ability to instill in our children a love for lifelong learning. Administration is always available and willing to help in any way they can. Student population is diverse and my interaction with them has always been positive. One area I think we could improve is parental involvement. We need to find new ways to reach out.
—Submitted by a parent

NorthWest is a wonderful school that offers many unique classes. Departments like Dance,Chorus,Art,Drama,and Piano offer serious students the chance to enjoy themsleves, explore their talents and passions, as well as learning new things everyday.Also, there are departments like Photo, drawing,band/orchestra,fashion design,computer,jewlery, and sculpture. The academics are great to- the english department in particular is terrific. There is no sports team, but the arts sufice nicly.
—Submitted by a student

We were so excited to have our 7th grader start at NWSA in 2005 & she initially was delighted to attend. She still loves the school and we as her parents appreciate the academics and opportunities here, but she does not want to go here next year. I'm sad to say that there is a huge lack of moral support for one who may be considered 'conservative'. Our daughter previosly attended Alexander Middle, likes NWSA better as far as the school goes, but struggles with the student body at NWSA vs. Alexander. She sees more fights at NWSA and has been bullied concerning 'racial' issues.
—Submitted by a parent

This school ranks high in teacher availability for parent and for students. Tutoring is available every day. Teachers have email which they check more than once a day and even respond! they use the schoolnotes.Com page to keep everyone updated on homework and events. There is a group that keeps all parents informed of entire school events and needs. The principal is always available and is seen in the hallways. The school is kept clean. No problems except the front office staff which is unprofessional and non-helpful. I have kids at north meck and the ones at nwsa are far better off educationally, socially, etc.
—Submitted by a parent

I am the proud grandparent of 2 N.W. students. They are both very talented, one in music, the other in art. The teachers and principal are supportive, and encourage the students to make the best use of their talents. One thing I noticed: the kids are supportive of each other, and admire each others' talents and achivements. Everyone seems to get along. I rate this school 5 stars.
—Submitted by Elizabeth Winters, a parent