Gregory School of Math, Science, and Technology

I think the reviews should have a child's point of view. After all, a child is the one who attends the school. I really do miss the old Gregory. I started in year 2008. I had stayed in Gregory ever since Kindergarten. What I miss about the old days is that well students had a little more freedom. It was fun back then, very educational. I learned a lot. But now, in year 2013 I have learned pretty much nothing. I already know most of the things 4th graders have to learn. I think Gregory went downhill this year. And I mean like.. DOWNHILL. God, I miss the old Gregory. I wish 4th grade had advanced classes but we don't have AIG for 4th grade anymore. I was an AIG. But when we did had AIG we would do it M,W,F and only had 30 minutes. Last year, we didn't have AIG for 3rd grade AT ALL! Honestly, some of the good teachers are GONE. Sometimes, I feel that Gregory treats us like little kids. Sure we are kids, but the PBIS program is just a horrible excuse to let the kids at good and be a "Dynamic Dolphin" But what I have to say, other kids do get a valuable education. And I like how we get netbooks. This school can improve by getting more advance classes. But overall it a good school. :)

I am a suburban mom who drives my child to Gregory and I am very happy and satisfied with the school. Challenging academics, qualified, enthusiastic and hard-working teachers, positive discipline, diversity, and a great magnet program. I look forward to my younger child going here too!
—Submitted by a parent

I have been a Gregory parent for 5 years and have 2 children here. I am amazed at the quality education my child is getting. No other school in the county places as much focus on math and science as Gregory! My kids get an extra math and science class each week from mastered degreed teachers who are specialists in their discipline. These are no ordinary classes either- they are hands on and fun! And the technology just cannot be beat. The TV studio is very impressive and is exposing my kids to experiences that they cannot get anywhere else in the county. I love the teachers at Gregory, they are constantly assessing and challenging my children. The teachers here are some of the best and brightest. My children have excelled at Gregory Elementary!
—Submitted by a parent

Gregory is a wonderful school. We have been there for 6 years. My oldest is getting ready for middle school and I feel he is very well prepared. The teachers are keeping both my children academically challenged and are one of the reasons we love Gregory so much? The new pricipal has made a very positive impact this school year and we are looking forward to having her in the future.
—Submitted by a parent

My oldest attended Gregory and my youngest is there now. Great school and challenging academics. I am proud to be a parent.
—Submitted by a parent

Gregory is a great school. My son loves science and is excelling in his studies. I know this is because of the program here. There have been ups and downs. But, the school is still great and the changes being made are all for the best!
—Submitted by a parent

Gregory school has been transorming into a 21st century direction for our kids. I am pleased that we have a strong principal that has ideas that will improve the student learning. Sometimes parents don't see the need to make changes and want things done the same way they were 8-10 years ago. This makes us like everyone else. We have a school and administration with a vision for the future. I love working here.
—Submitted by a teacher

I've been a teacher for over 20 years, and I can say that Gregory School of Science, Mathematics, and Technology is one of the best experiences I 've ever had. The students are wonderful. The teachers, on the whole, work hard and are willing to try new things to make learning meaningful and interesting for their students. The adminstration encourages teachers to break out of the box and try new things, while keeping the staff focused on the end goal of improving the educational experience for students. In a time when arts and special programs are being cut back, we have a full time art teacher and a full time music teacher. We have a PE coach. We have Science, Math, Computer, AIG, and Reading specialists. Every student is challenged with instruction geared towards individual growth. Every classroom has technology resources. It is a great school.
—Submitted by a teacher

Gregory has seen alot of changes but changes for the better. I am very pleased that we have such a strong principle that cares so much about her students education. Mrs. Vickers wants the best for all her students and so do all the teachers. The teachers here at Gregory work very hard and are willing to make learning fun, meaningful, and interesting for their students. The teachers strive to achieve more in improving the educational experience for their students. Every student is challenged. I am a paraeducator at Gregory and also a parent with a child here. I can tell you that my child loves coming to Gregory and would rather be here than any other school in New Hanover County.
—Submitted by a teacher

The principal has tried to create some version of 'equality' by defining down academic standards for all the kids. Then she boasts about her high numbers on her honor roll. Some parents don't value empty titles--or any titles--and just want true accomplishment and quality academics for their children. This principal is doing to Gregory what a principal--who had to be replaced--recently did at the neighboring middle school. I am a 6-year Gregory parent but am pulling out my youngest.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a long time supporter of Gregory and am very upset by the decline in the education provided at this school. Reading programs have been dropped, math is taught to the the EOG, computer labs have been replaced by math specialist teaching math on the lowest level, Itinerate teachers are truly uninspired, spelling words are dumbed down a couple of grade levels, other subjects are 'so boring I can't stand it' testing testing testing, many discipline problems - Gregory is a shell of the school it once was...There are few bright spots here in teachers, families and staff I hope they all can stick it out! I will still give this school a 3 star rating because sadly I feel like this is the average in New Hanover County.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at Gregory for 2 years now. We have been very pleased with our daughters learning and her teachers. She will be returning next year for 2nd grade. I think the new spelling program 'Words Their Way' is going to be a good way of learning and because of the Math Specialist the kids are getting an extra 45 mins of 'fun' math each week above the normal class math each day. We realized that the Math specialist is there because of the schools test scores but I feel that it's benefited us. We think that Mrs. Stanford seem to be do a good job but change doesn't happen overnight. She just announced that she hired 2 part time math teachers for the 3,4 and 5th graders that will be working with the middle level kids trying to push them up to the next level.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my family's 8th year at Gregory and although my child is only in 3rd grade, it will be our last year at Gregory. My 1st child(now in M.S.) got a superior education under principal, Emma Jackson. But the school has declined so rapidly since her departure. Our current principal micro-manages the teachers and leaves them no time to actually teach. High academic standards have been abandoned in order to teach to the test. It truly is a fallen school and it had once, not so long ago, been a shining star.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a Gregory parent for 8 years now and this will be the last year. They have dumbed down the circumulum so much that I will be surprised if anyone passes the EOG's. Technology is being wasted and teachers micromanaged to the point that they can't individualize studies to the students academic level. I remember when Emma Jackson was principle. She expected just as much from the inner city children as she did the middle and upper class children. And the inner city children rose to her challenge. They excelled and were proud. The current principle is doing an injustice to those same children. Its like telling them 'you aren't smart enough'. The principle flat out said she was catering to the students that will be left when the everyone pulls out. She states she knows parents are pulling their children and apparently does not care. What a shame.
—Submitted by a parent

I also am a long time parent who remembers the excellence that once characterized Gregory. It is now characterized by declining standards and declining scores. Heartbreaking.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a five-year Gregory parent and remember its excellence. Under the current leadership, Gregory is quickly becoming an academic backwater. The current leadership is authoritarian, oppressive to the smartest teachers, and brutal towards anyone having the temerity to disagree with teaching to lowered standards on a micromanaged schedule. Parents who are long-term volunteers and who helped the school secure abundant technology no longer feel welcome on campus--often feeling resented, rather than valued. The media center and much of the technology lies fallow under leadership that doesn't allow teachers the flexibility to take advantage of it. A school that once had high standards for all is becoming a model of special ed. methods and low expectations for all. Parents who fought hard for years to bring better things to this inner-city magnet school are pulling their children out. This once-diverse, wonderful school must have new leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

Gregory school of science offers an outstanding science and computer lab. The teachers are excellent. They commumicate with the parents and are very involved in assuring your child excels to their learning potential. Students are well prepared for the next grade level. I love the uniform requirements. It's one of the best schools in New Hanover County. My child loves this school!
—Submitted by a parent

My children have been coming to Gregory for 5 years now, and this year was probably their worst year yet. The new principal that they got should not be in this type school. She has no abilitiy in being a good leader in Gregory. She ignores the parent's requests and concerns. If she does listen, she will bold face lie to you. Not a good thing to have when entrusting your children to a school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is going downhill fast. I am not at all impressed with teachers or the admistration. The EOG's have dropped, bullying and stealing have been an ongoing problem and not much is being done about it.
—Submitted by a parent

Gregory challenges all students regardless of academic level. Students are well prepared for the next grade level. I love that they have separate teachers for science and computer lab. The parent involvement is wonderful. Even though the school is downtown, the staff keep it safe.
—Submitted by a parent