North Avondale Montessori Elementary School

At first thought this school was perfect for both my sons to attend. However I have been shown otherwise. The teachers within this school only care and take time out for students who are considered the"elite". The school who job is to be a support to the students and parents turn around and discriminate against certain groups of children. I Hate NAM and the teachers and new principal Roger Lewis.
—Submitted by a parent

We went from another public school, and I thought i was just going to have to move out of the city, This school is great and now my son is more into school than ever;
—Submitted by a parent

This school is AMAZING!! Mr. Lewis is a fantastic principal and leader (so much so that we followed him from Schiel PSAE to NAM), my oldest daughters teacher is the most caring, wonderful and warm person you could ever hope to have teaching your children, and my youngest daughters teacher is also very caring, involved and concerned with her students. I don't know what it is exactly that defines "Montessori" education, but my children are surrounded by people who are dedicated to giving them the best educational experience available.....beyond that, I don't know what more you could want. The school has an abundance of very bright, exceptional kids....they offer loads of before and after school programs, the curriculum is moderately challenging. I honestly can't say enough about this school. HIghly recommended!!
—Submitted by a parent

Nothing at all about this school is Montessori, with the exception of grouping the grades/grade levels. Input from parents (an important part of the parent-teacher-child triangle/development model) is not supported by the current administration. I'd strongly advise touring AND observing before you believe the hype.
—Submitted by a parent

My child just move to NAM and his 2nd week in class. The crossing guard is perporming his best service by making sure the kids are in safe crossing the road. This morning, I was surprised to see the principle greeting his students as they arrived. So far I'm having a great impression on him especially when he was standing in this cold weather to greet his studends by the crossing road. It's a amazing. PS: Thanks to Mr. Luis for doing his outstanding job to serve NAM.
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my children attend this school and we love it! Note that the address above (876 Glenwood) is incorrect We recently moved into a our new building at 615 Clinton Springs. It's a fantastic facility. I would encourage any interested parents to call and take a tour.
—Submitted by a parent

The principal is a great leader, incredibly hard working, warm, and passionate. Her only fault is an innocent one: trying so hard to please different parties that she can get into promises that prove hard to deliver. She has had to deal with a tough situation in a non-ideal Swing Space during construction of a new building, but they move to the new building next year. My youngest graduates this year, but both boys had many years of great education and experiences.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is going through some growing pains. Because they are is a swing building it is easy to blame the problems on that but it is more then that it is a lack of leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is on the turnaround thanks to the new principal. Spirits are high and the school is doing much better than in the period 2004-2007. We've had a very good experience. New building will start construction in 2008 and be ready for use in 2010. The temporary location for the school shows fair from the outside, but is excellent on the inside (even better than the current, permanent building). Parental involvement is on the rise again due to the energy and vision that the new principal is bringing.
—Submitted by a parent

My children both attend North Avondale and love it. The best qualities of the school are (1) our new principal, who puts immense energy and passion into her job, (2) the Montessori teachers and program, and (3) the diversity. If you are looking for a diverse, Montessori education for your children, this is it!
—Submitted by a parent

My child attended North Avondale for only one year. He was bullied the very first week and it continued the entire school year. The students weren't accepting of new kids. The no bully policy was not enforced by the principal or teacher. The curriculum did not encourage independent learning. I had do do a lot of home schooling to keep my son at the academic level that I knew he could achieve. Just my observation, the current method of teaching is not good for boys. The test scores are descent because the parents teach the kids extra things at home. If you notice the test scores for boys drop by the time they get to the 6th grade. Just like many parents I have given up on Cincinnati Public Schools and have transferred my child to a private school. NAM was suppose to be the premier elementary school,it was big disappointment!
—Submitted by a parent

I believe that NAM may function at a higher level than other public schools in the area but it is a Montessori school in name only. The curriculum is determined by NCLB testing and when this was enacted many teachers and those parents that could afford private schools, left. We are currently suffering through some extremely exhausted and/or authoritarian teachers. I had experiences with a teacher here that are echoed in another post. The principal seems interested only in maintaining 'order' and discipline. I am extremely dissatisfied with our principle. The children seem to have become a product and I feel that many of them are not valued or treated with respect. They are not receiving a quality education nor are they encouraged to think or create. Some of my unhappiness rests with the district and NCLB but the school seems to be drifting far from most educational ideals.
—Submitted by a parent

NAM's uniqueness is its ability to provide Montessori education in a public school system setting. While no school is perfect, I believe NAM to be doing a good job of staying as true to the Montessori philosophy as it can given the restraints set by the NCLB Act as well as standards set by CPS. The current principal and assistant principal are a good team- complimenting each others strengths and combined with parent organizations that want to make NAM a better place for ALL students is powerful. While it is true that the past few years have been rough for various reasons, I see NAM as being on a different and better course and is on the up and up.
—Submitted by a parent

I have all of my children attend NAM, and I am an alumnus of NAM also. I believe NAM does offer excellent opportunities in the extra-curricular areas. One teacher recomended we hold our daughter back a year. She tested in the gifted range on all of her statewide exams, so this makes we wonder why this teacher would recomend such an act. However, compared to other Cincinnati public schools it is probably in the top three academically.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are difficult to work with. Not following 'true' montessori practices.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has the perfect outlook but things that are far from perfect aren't always apparent to those who mold with this organization like a hand-in-glove. This school is a magnet school, made available to students not in the immediate area so they too can have an opportunity to participate in the wealth of stimulation, activities and programs NAM has to offer. There is a problem though..NAM functions with an elitist attitude...'We are the 'HAVE's' and 'HAVE MORE's' and if you can't be that or act like that, you need to leave.' Most parents here probably won't believe that but when they started picking on my daughter, I videotaped them. I let them know I did so and I had no other problems from the teacher or staff. This is a great place to learn if you're child is 'perfect'. The reality is no person & no organization is perfect.
—Submitted by a parent

Ideally, the Montessori method is excellent but I believe NAM uses the name for clout rather than its true purpose. I dealt with this school a few yrs ago when it had a different principal and VP who both had horrific leadership skills. This school has a lot of $$ thanks to parent fundraising. NAM also has many great after-school activities but they also have a great cost to participate. Parents make this school all it is. I give very little credit to the teachers. I had many problems w/NAM. After speaking w/another parent who too had problems, I came to the conclusion that if they felt your child was not going to help get their Ohio Proficiency Test scores up they were willing to 'build a case against your child' and force him/her out of NAM instead of helping the child make it w/the many resources they have..a shame.
—Submitted by a parent

NAM is a great place to learn. I am alumni, former intern and a current parent. The teaching staff is the best. My child has had three excellent teachers, who have helped me to raise a very intelligent young lady. The Montessori curriculum expose my child to diversity of information and experiences. I can't think of a better education place for my daughter.
—Submitted by a parent