North Topsail Elementary School

I currently have two children attending their first year at NTES. They both have special needs (asperger's and anxiety disorders) and are in regular classes. NTES has been outstanding. We could not have asked for better teachers and administration. My oldest son was bullied and it was taken care of immediately, before I ever had to even get involved. My second grader is challenged to work to his full potential and at the same time nurtured and loved through his tougher emotional days. We have been very impressed. I would highly recommend this school to anyone moving to the area.
--Submitted by a parent

My children attend North Topsail Elemenary. I am very pleased with the school and my children's teachers, so far. Don't care for the way some teachers talk down to the students in the hallways. I've heard this more than once. Also,I have been 'talked down' to as a volunteering parents by the same teachers roaming the halls, who don't know me.
--Submitted by a parent

I have to say that there are some fine teachers at NT, but after reading the review of a parent from January 8th, I agree that the school is in need of some 'solid leadership'. Overall, teachers and staff seem only 'slighty' concerned about things going on around them. On many occasions visiting the main office I was greeted with a very cold may I help you, or was unnoticed until a staff member happened to look up and see me. Also speaking to parents I have found out that fighting at recess and in the hallways goes on quite frequently and it's usually caused by a couple of kids and punishment is either light or not administered. I have also attended PTA meetings and I am again not impressed by leadership of this school. I am a life long resident of NC and disappointed.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a teacher and so I am very reluctant to make negative comments about the school system. But I also believe that parents who are looking at this site are doing so because they value their childrens education as much as I do. It is January and I have already moved my child to a private school. I do not believe that NTES is a bad school but, it is really in need of good solid leadership. My child did not have academic needs met and there were a lot of social issues as well. From my understanding, this is good for North Carolina. However, we are new to the area and it is not good enough for us. I expect more from my tax dollars.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a student so far so good love the teacher mrs cline
--Submitted by a parent

I am proud to say that my daughter goes to North Topsail. She is currently enrolled in the first grade, but has been tested to be reading on a fifth grade level. I am overwhelmed by the support and encouragement given to my daughter, and how her teachers work so hard to keep her challenged at her level. The staff and teachers have been dealt a real blow with the increase in student population in the last few years and you wouldn't be able to tell from looking in a classroom. The teachers work so well at grouping the children according to their needs and making sure that everyone can succeed. I have volunteered my time in the classroom as often as I could and am happy to say that I'm fully pleased with the parent and teacher involvement with the students.
--Submitted by Mya Randle-Lamay, a parent

I was very happy with my daughters education and experience at NTES during her kindergarten year. I thought her teachers were great, they were supposrtive, encouraging, and handled their students calmly and respectfully. (I thought) they were able to work with all the students academic levels, and those students who were progressing faster were encouraged to help their classmates which I thought was great. The only real disappoinments i had were the lack of an art room, a music room and computer labs due to overcrowding.
--Submitted by Andrea C., a parent

I have a special needs child at NTES, It has been a very long a tuff year. The teachers at the school are very unclear on what a IEP is and what part they play in helping the child a success. When you have a teacher that doesn't want to take the time to help the child because she is over worked in the class. There is a problem. The PTA board needs new memebers. Not just people in the intercircle. The meetings need to more professonal and informative. As far as safety at the school that is a big issue. When you are letting your child off at the car drop off and there is no teacher and children fighting and hold the door where others can't get in. In front of the school there are 3 or 4 teacher just standing there. There are major concerns.
--Submitted by a parent

I was student there and it is a really great school and they have the best teachers. the only problem it is VERY crowded right now.
--Submitted by a former student

I have 2 children attending NTES and could not be happier. Their teachers are fantastic and do an excellent job. I have been very pleased with the amount of individual attention the children receive from these dedicated teachers, particularly as class size has increased. A situation the county is working to rectify. The school is a very close community with the entire staff encouraging and nurturing our children as they move through the grades. They make a point to remember and recognize them each day. As parents, we have always been welcome and encouraged to be in the school, resulting in a closer relationship with teachers and the administration. I do wish there were more funds available for a full-time art teacher and a computer teacher, but praise the teachers for incorporating the missing elements into their lessons. Our children are receiving an excellent education and a wonderful experience.
--Submitted by a parent