Mason Intermediate Elementary School

If you have a special needs student DO NOT believe the hype and move into this district. If you are moving into Cincinnati being transferred, etc, look at Sycamore. You will get a smaller, older house, but you will get MUCH better services. We have received horrible, horrible services at this school and that is the last thing a special need parent wants. We are moving at a great expense to us. Go to Sycamore.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter's teachers, up to the 6th grade, were okay. In 6th grade, she got lemons. She's always maintained an A or B in subjects. In a couple subjects, she's sunk down to C+ (okay, she can focus and work a little harder to pull up the grade) However, in one of her classes, she went from a B to a D+. This teacher has written my daughter up for lame reasons, and when my daughter tries to clarify or ask this teacher questions, she gets snotty "I went over that" responses. This is a SCHOOL, not a job training or prison. The students ask questions to LEARN and the teacher's responsibility is to TEACH--not give kids snotty responses. It's not the students' fault that the teachers are busy. Then, there's this pizza party only for children with few writeups. This ostracism is really cold. These are 6th graders--kids!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a student at Mason Intermediate. I am also a teacher there. It is a school that creates an environment that is warm, friendly, approachable. One that instills in its students the desire to excel and take academic risks that grow them as learners. The administration is made up of professionals who truly put the students first. They bring on board parents, teachers, and students as the team to insure success in the lives of the students.
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers, great parents and administrators! We've had wonderful experiences at Mason schools, and nothing to complain about. My kids learn many things that I never thought they would be taught at their age! I really think this will prepare them for their futures! Thanks!
—Submitted by a parent

Mason Intermediate School does a great job of getting the kids prepared for Junior High and beyond. School is large, but class sizes are reasonable. Mason ranks 4th in Ohio Educational system for a Public School. Have very talented teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

Wow I am glad others have good things to say. We moved in this summer and had a rough start. They just seemed to think that we knew the system-and they have a stystem. But being new to the district we did not know how things ran. I miss our small neighborhood school. Where the principals knew each student by name. We seem to have a lot of stress on test score-but that seems to be the wave in education. I hope they are teaching the students to be critical life thinkers-not just good achievemnt test takers.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school. My son's teachers are wonderful, and really seem to enjoy what they do everyday. They have made my son enjoy learning! The school is WAY to BIG, and the class sizes ARE WAY TO BIG, but the teachers seem to do just fine. As far as the administration.....I haven't seen any of them since the first day, but they were very nice! For a great education....MECC has great teachers....but you have to be able to look over your child going to a school that seems to be as big as a community college!
—Submitted by a parent

I like the enviroment, teachers and staff at Mason Intermediate. My only dislike is that a child can become stagnate in a academic subject b/c they schools focuses on state scores. My child is not challenged here but the atmosphere is great. I will probably have my child attend a private school for junoir high.
—Submitted by a parent

Our family absolutely loves the school district. My child is in 5th grade and we have been very pleased with our experience. The school is quite large but the staff seems to be able to manage that. Administrators at the school are wonderful and I would recommend Mason to anyone looking to move into the area.
—Submitted by a parent

Great experience. I have a child with special needs and the school works very hard to accommodate.
—Submitted by a parent

Teacher's not 'allowed' to offer advice for teacher or classroom placement for following year, leading to a dart throwing exercise to select a teacher who will best fit your child's learning style. School is not at all accomodating for working / single parents. Schools will fee you to death even though they wastefully exhaust all monies the community keeps providing by voting through tax increases. Most teachers I have been involved with are caring and excellent teachers. You do run into a few who seem to spend every spare moment discussing in-depth details of their personal lives with their students.
—Submitted by a parent

large number of students and rather random way in which classes are assigned leads to some alienation year to year. Have to meet all new kids and establish relationships every August. Probably would work better in a house or neighborhood system. Having said that, academics are great. My child is learning and enjoying it. Some bullying issues still prevail, but that's typical. Not sure if my child has ever even spoken to an administrator. No idea their effectiveness. After school 'homework club' tremendous for working parents. Lack of formal foreign language program a minus. internet access to class progress a wonderful tool. With size it is hard to pick the right teacher for one's kid. Not enough info available.
—Submitted by a parent

Mason Intermediate School is a beautiful, overcrowded school, with great teachers, and a principal that could use a lesson in leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

The leadership at this school is outstanding. The schools have too many children in the classes but for a large district they are very well run. We have been very happy with the teachers and the parental involvement at the school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school houses the districts 4,5 & 6th graders. Parent involvement is tremendous and often it seems that there are too many volunteers. Teachers we have had have been very accessible, with excellent communication. The students have a strong sense of community pride. There are a few free afterschool activities such as chorus and a wide array of fee-based activities ranging from Spanish to Babysitting class to Dodgeball. Band is optional beginning in 6th grade. All of the teachers are very much in tune with each other. The school has a consistent grading policy for all and similar homework for everyone in that grade. The school is a fairly new building and is beautiful inside and out.
—Submitted by a parent