New Albany Elementary School 4-5

We also just moved here from CA Bay Area a couple months before end of 2011/2012 school year ( a very diverse population.) The hugely abundant New Albany staff (compared to CA schools) is very welcoming and accommodating. Gifted program seems very comprehensive, and staff spent lots of time testing and retesting my daughter, struggling a bit with the move. They also were very accommodating to my son struggling with the move. Both my kids are very very happy and successful this new school year, and a lot is due to the staff's attention and care. As far as diversity ( or lack of) I feel it is simply a product of this Midwest environment and it's low diversity population. I don't think it's fair to judge a lack of diversity in this context. I will say that the district sure asks for a lot of money! maybe the cost of a good public education in this economy.
—Submitted by a parent

Our family relocated here 2 years ago & it is, by far, the best public school my sons have attended. The staff is amazing & they are well equipped to handle gifted students. My oldest loves going there & participates in their unique IMPACT & Ymca clubs. I feel fortunate every day to send my kids there.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended New Albany for the past 3 years and we are extremely sstisfied. There is not as much diversity within the administration but there is huge diversity in the classrooms. The teachers have always communicated with us and at times have gone above and beyond to help in areas where our son was lacking. They have programs for kids that are excelling and for kids that are struggling. We would recommend this school to friends and family. Great teachers, great students, great community!
—Submitted by a parent

We had the same experience with our daughter, but unlike there situation they were very understanding sat down at great lengths and talked to us whenever we felt it was neccesary. They even went above and beyond and called us on there off day. They only wants what is best for their kids you could tell they wer extremly concerned for our daughter. I never had to wait for any returned phone calls they called back with in minutes and even had us page them thru the secretary. My 2 other children also attend and we have nothing but great things to say about the schools. Even my 4th grade boy who hates school says it is OK which is huge for him.
—Submitted by a parent

We tried to get our child in early enrollment, 1st Grade. After going through a battery of tests, we were told that he was gifted but they would not grant us early enrollment. The process that they put us through excruciatingly painful. The school is highly unresponsive, we had to make atleast 10 phone calls. Since New Albany public schools don't have enough enrollment and have a budget surplus, they refused early enrollment for our child once they knew we were not admitting him this year. If not for the Montessori requesting a certificate from the public school, we would not have bothered to contact the public school. BTW, I am a resident of New Albany and would not want my child in a school system that doesn't pay attention to the child and want to meet their own selfish need.
—Submitted by a parent

Parents are required to pay for membership into the PTO. I do not understand, though I am an educator myself, why parents are required to pay fees to be a member of the PTO. This is the only school I know of that requires parents to pay membership fees. Moreover, I would like to see some kind of diversity in the teaching staff in the benefit of both mainstream Americans and minority students.
—Submitted by a parent

I find this school, as a public school, to be top notch. I also find many complaints to be diversity issues which is not something that can be forced upon a school as the current public system is setup. There is plenty of multicultural education as my kids have come home with lots of information they have learned in regards to minorities and the accomplishments. I am of moderate income (60k) and am not shunned or looked down upon based on my income. Everyone seems to be really nice regardless of your background.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is not interested in diversity or multicultural education, hiring, or community issues. The school is very large. The teachers are average, many are in their first year and have had no classroom experience. The PTO is exclusive and like a clique. The principal is not a good leader nor does what is best for the students. If I had to do it all over again, I would move to Bexley.
—Submitted by a parent

Diversity is an issue. The campus is beautiful the facilities are top notch, but the district really needs to tend to this area.
—Submitted by a parent

Diversity is an issue. When you attend curriculum night take a good look at the teachers. I like the academic rigor, but it would be nice if my son could see someone that looks like him as a teacher.
—Submitted by a parent

Too much parent envolvement, not enough quality time in the classroom but the overwhelming large number of students in one building is why we are considering a move. There are simply too many kids in under one roof and it is very hard on children to feel like they are a new student year after year. I have not noticed a lack of diversity in the school though in fact I feel it is very diverse.
—Submitted by a parent

The facilities are top notch, and my experience with the teachers have been above average. My kids have learned much culture and diversity, which is great.
—Submitted by a parent

My son, who attended New Albany Elementary from grades 1-3, absolutely flourished at this school. Every teacher he has had has been enthusiastic and ready to go out of their way to help my son. This includes, but is not limited to, an OT, speech, reading, and writing teachers, besides his regular classroom teacher. All have been ready to adjust to whatever strategies were most beneficial to helping my son cope with Asperger's Syndrome and ADHD. In short, this is a school whose excellence extends not only to children with 'normal' academic needs, but also to those with challenges in a school setting. I truly regret that my other younger 'normal' children will not be able to attend as we are moving to a new state.
—Submitted by a parent

The campus here is unparalleled. However, we are disappointed with the diversity of the student population and the fact that there is not one minority teacher in the district. We feel diversity of teaching staff should match the student population. Likewise, we are disappointed that foreign language is not offered in the earlier grades. We've had a child in each bldg and feel the Middle School and High School are good (ecspecially the Middle), but the K-1 Admin staff (namely the Principal) leave much to be desired. Parental involvement is very high if not cultish. In general, I believe the education is one of the better ones in the area, but they need to address the diversity issue. It would be nice if there weren't so much materialism here, but it's to be expected in a district heavily populated by wealthy people.
—Submitted by a parent

I am shocked at some of these negative reports for NAES. I have a daughter that has attended the past 5 years in the district and have found everyone from the counselors, her teachers, and her 'specials' teachers absolutely wonderful. I agree that there is no diversoty within the administration, but I have found diversity within her classroom each year. With the number of classrooms per grade it is difficult for her to keep friendships from prior years but at the same time she get's to meet new freinds and has had no difficulty as one might think. The school counselors follow her progress each year and she has been tested in the gifted programs and has been given more challenging curriculum so she is never bored. I am very happy to be in this school district and would highly recommend this district to other families.
—Submitted by a parent

New Albany elementary has provided our children an environment that is rich with encouragement, stimulating learning experiences and skilled teachers. We love the school and opportunities that it has provided our children, our one concern is the size of the school. There are approx. 14 classes at each grade level which means that each year when they are assigned a new teacher they are in a class with the majority of children they do not know. This makes the atmosphere seem like you are a new child each year. It seems easier when you are in the younger grades but as they get older it is proving to be harder.
—Submitted by a teacher

the new albany public school system is unparalleled in the columbus area. Teachers are outstanding and the facilities are unrivaled. It is worth the move just to attend the school district.
—Submitted by Chris Ankrim, a parent

I like the school overall, however, I am considering moving to another district because of the lack of diversity among the staff and the lack of school's ability or willingness to address the concerns of the parents. It is important to me that my children become accustomed to diversity because we are communicating more and with people from different countries and cultures. My other concern is the way the principle has handled some of the concerns of the parents. In my experience in attending 'Curriculum Night' and 'Meet & Greet night' for the past five years, parents have voiced their concerns and opinions that have not been addressed by the school. As I realize things take time, I still hear the same issues every year. Also, I would caution anyone to be dilligent with the priciples as they have been less than attentive.
—Submitted by a parent

The school's enrollment is very big. We feel like a number. Very hard to get to know families.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved to New Albany with the intention of sending our two girls to the schools. The oldest is school age next year and after researching the K-1 we found the building is beautiful, most of the teachers are pretty nice (though no minority teachers which seemed a little weird, their all white). After interviewing the principal we're severely disappointed. Not sure how to describe her but we've met her about 11 times now and she doesn't remember us still. Also every time she's been a different person, a few times nice but fake, a few times completely awful and grumpy. Needless to say we're moving out of the District this summer. Hopefully with a new superintendent he/she can shape the district up. Right now in the K-1 and the admin office we've been less than impressed with anything that resembles leadership.
—Submitted by a parent