New Albany High School

Great loc, centrally located bldgs, close to library. Lack good teachers. Straight out of college & have little exp or train. Don't really have the freedom to teach with effectiveness. Did you know... many of their high school grads drop out of college in the 1st year b/c they re not adequately prepared? National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence applies to plans & offerings not "results." Parent involvement is high but the school keeps an "arms length" attitude. They don't want us questioning anything. Worksheets are used vs. books so the parents can't help w/homework w/no book to reference. Your child may be put in a modified curriculum group w/o your knowledge. I m not a minority but I find the school ill-equipped to deal with diversity. Not enough diversity in teachers & admin staff. My teachings of tolerance to my kids are undermined by the school b/c they don't sincerely embrace diversity & it shows in their staff & curriculum. About the clique-ishness, gonna get that anywhere you go. About the hot issues on bullying these days, there is a policy & there have been presentations on it at board meetings but for the most part, they look the other way.
--Submitted by a parent

I have been extremely impressed by New Albany schools. We have one child, a son in Kindergarten. He had a very tough time at the beginning of the year and had some disciplinary problems. His teacher quickly initiated comunication with us to address the problems. His teacher also got a counselor involved and they put him on a special plan that now (second semester) has significantly improved his behavior and overall success in the classroom. He meets every week with the counselor and both she and his teacher have been wonderful - great communication, understanding, etc.
--Submitted by a parent

New Albany schools were brought into the 21st century by Dr. Ralph Johnson and Dr. Gary Sweitzer by providing all students with a well developed, comprehensive curriculum, learning environment and teachers who excel in their fields. Their mantra is that all students count. Expectations of New Albany Schools is to provide a superior education and they do this everyday.
--Submitted by a parent

Current high school senior at New Albany High School. Beyond the towering brick build buildings, and the highly eductaed, 'over paid' teachers, there is a school that is not as good as it may seem. Here are the positives. The school is beautiful, a very campus like feel. Its very safe. The lunches are very well put together. And overall, there hardly is any fighting ever. However, this school isnt perfect. The problem with New Albany is they throw so many facts out at you to make you believe its and unbelievable high school. They try to create this impecable reputation, however they fail to address the small things, because the staff is incapable of accepting it, and they ignore it. The seperation in this school is pathetic. Its like a car show in the student parking lot. Its all about who has what in this school. Andifyoudonthavethat, yullbe left out.
--Submitted by a student

I rated NAHS above average due to the facilities and opportunities offered for a small high school. The curriculum could be more challenging for those students that don't wish (or can't due to scheduling conflicts) take the AP or Honors courses. The regular classes are not challenging enough. I would like to see more curriculum options especially in Foreign Language. This is a great school for Central Ohio, but there are much better high schools with more opportunities nationwide. The district administration does not seem to realize that our kids are competing with kids from other states and not just within Central Ohio. The claim that all students belong to a club is a joke since most of the clubs do not serve any purpose...there was a gaming club where they played Guitar Hero! There are not many opportunities for leadership roles outside of the few students in student government.
--Submitted by a parent

I am stunned by some of the reviews here. We recently moved to this area from a tiny town in another state and I've been amazed by the one on one help my daughter has received. She has struggled with the adjustment and the school has made every effort to get her the extra academic help she needs in order to excel. They have remained in contact with me on where she is going wrong and arranged for her study hall to be more focused in order to assist her in catching up and adjust to the way this school teaches it's students. They have had patience and understanding and for a family stressed in these economic times, it's been a godsend. Last, the opportunities they offer at this school are outstanding. We are not a wealthy family, however she has fit in with the other kids with no issues.
--Submitted by a parent

The benefits of New Albany HS are the brick & mortar facilities, and some stand-out teachers and staff who are conscientious and committed. However, this school has chosen not to educate their staff on the legal and educational responsibilities of complying with IEPs and 504s, and many teachers view the accommodations on these plans as optional. It is a continual battle. I concur with other posts suggesting that the administration can be inflexible, and is most concerned with image-driven issues. Finally, as a relatively small school (~1000 students) scheduling conflicts can shut some students out of honors and specialty classes.
--Submitted by a parent

I tend to agree. This school system is primarily concerned with prestige and accomplishments. If you are a student who does have an IEP, an undiagnosed special need, or does not fit into the New Albany profile , (social status, minority status) you are considered an outcast, parents of same are labeled as pesky or difficult. New Albany students do not receive the beneficial exposure to ethnic and social diversity that they might receive in another school district. This elitist view will only handicap students as they graduate and move further into their academic careers and beyond. They may never become capable of understanding those unlike themselves, nor be able to empathize, nor socialize with others who share different view points, lifestyle choices, social status, or ethnic backgrounds. They will be limited by their early experiences and associate only with others considered acceptable. This is the true waste of potential.
--Submitted by a teacher

As a student who comes from a lower-middle class background, I must disagree with the post dates 30 March, 2008. Money is not an issue; the attitude and social skills of the student are of concern. Rather than complain about being 'poor' or flaunting my inexpensive clothes, I have become involved in several extra-curricular activities and have sought to excel in academics. In this way, I have gotten to meet incredible people and I have had the opportunity to succeed. The reason the school has such problems with parents is because the parents have nothing better to do than berate the school with petty concerns at every hour of the day. The school embraces people of all social backgrounds; not only the rich need attend this school. Money certainly doesn t govern the way in which one is treated.
--Submitted by a student

I completely agree with the post dated 2/27. I have listened time & again to so many families sharing this same issue. If your child falls below the 'New Albany' expectations, you can forget it. We have a child who attends the school our child gets average grades. At our last meeting with the teacher we were told that our child meets the 'national' expectations but needed to meet 'New Albanys expectations.' Our child needless to say receives not an ounce of enthusiasm from his teacher. He has been labeled just as others who do not 'perform' accordingly have. We have an older child who has had to deal with 'not fitting in' b/c of where we live, the brands of clothing she chooses etc. After growing up in NA I am heartbroken at the lack of sensitivity & sickened at the way that money governs the treatment you receive.
--Submitted by a parent