New Albany Elementary School

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