Emerson Elementary School

I currently have 2 children at Emerson and I can't begin to express just how wonderful the entire school is. They had to attend our home school for kindergarten, and I found there to be a lack of parent involvement and a lack of community. I've been so thrilled that we have been able to take advantage of the magnet school program. The principal is very involved, in fact, she is usually outdoors every day directing the parent traffic. When the teachers ask for parent volunteers, they always have way more than they need. The kids are NICE KIDS, even to kids with differences. After having had a child there for 2.5 years now, I can say that when I go to school functions, I know so many parents, it's like visiting with your friends. And the teachers work hard to challenge the students, even the really bright kids are met with challenging work. The only bad things are the parking (there is only street parking), the before & after school traffic jams (you have to wait until all the busses leave, or you have to park & walk up to the school). The school has no gym, so they hold school functions at other schools, and are bussed for gym class. The good far outweighs the bad!
--Submitted by a parent

I am also baffled at the review about the first grade teachers being classified as "the very popluler one" and "the one that nobody wanted"! My 2 children attend Emerson and one of them had one first grade teacher and the other child had the other. Both were fabulous! My son still goes in every morning and hugs the teacher he had in first grade! We love Emerson--especially the level of parental involvement and the way the teachers embrace it and appreciate it.
--Submitted by a parent

I am sad that the previous reviewer had a painful experience with this school. I honestly do not know what they were referring to regarding the good vs. bad teacher. My son's first grade teacher was wonderful, and I heard nothing but praise for the other. I have had two children go through Emerson, and from our experience it has been a caring, inclusive environment with creative teachers and staff who meet children where they are and build upon their strengths. As far as the facilities go, that is part of the magic of the magnets: they achieve amazing results even without state of the art facilities, which goes to show that people matter more than the building. Although, I don't know, I'm sort of partial to a beautiful 1890's building that looks like a castle!
--Submitted by a parent

Emerson is a school with many involved families. These families seem to have a lot of influence over decisions. For instance, when my son went to first grade at Emerson, he was placed the the teacher no body wanted. All the kids with older siblings in the school were in the very popular teacher's class. We struggled enormously with getting a point across to this teacher, her communication skills were at best unhelpful and probably unprofessional. We were very unhappy with this school. Watch out for the hype involved with Westerville Magnet schools. The class sizes are very large and facilities are poor. If you want your kid to get bussed to gym class, attend a local church for assemblies and eat in a tiny room instead of a cafeteria, Emerson might be for you. We have never regretted our decision to attend our attendance area school.
--Submitted by a parent

Emerson is a jewel of a school. How fortunate we have been to have our two children attend Emerson. There is an emphasis on student growth no matter where they are academically. They meet the child where they are and move them forward. The global focus is really what every school needs right now to get our kids ready for the larger world. Emerson is wonderful and a terrific investment in our school system.
--Submitted by a parent

Emerson is an amazing school that focuses on the whole child. The children are taught to think outside of themselves and about the global community, while still achieving academic excellence. They even hold fundraising activities which benefit those less fortunate. The principal and teachers are very open to new ideas and embrace parent involvement at the school. Our child learns at an accelerated level and that need was quickly recognized and met within the classroom.
--Submitted by a parent

Emerson is a truly outstanding school. My daughter has attended for three years and we have found the instruction as well as the parent involvement to be exemplary.
--Submitted by a parent

My son went to another Westerville school and was tested to 'skip a grade' of which he passed with flying colors. However, the principle did not allow him to move. He said that despite his obvious academic ability, he thought that it would not benefit him 'socially' to be with older students. My husband and I immediately took him out of that school and took him to Emerson and we couldn't be happier. He is challenged, happy, and working w/peers of his calibur and accomplishments. Emerson is a wonderful school that allows kids to work to their potential and does not stagnante his/her growth.
--Submitted by a parent

I would consider Emerson Magnet to be a below average school. Educationally, it's not any better or worse than other Westerville elementaries. That said, the facilities are horrible. Okay, so it's a historic building, but is it really worth all the upkeep costs when we're having to pay operating levies? Students are bused for gym, bused for Able & Talented, lunches are brought in ... need I go on. The magnet schools are a gaint waste of taxpayer dollars!
--Submitted by a parent

My child has been at Emerson now for four years and it has gone very, very well. She excells in all areas and I give alot of that credit to her teachers who do care about each and every child. Sending your child to Emerson would be very beneficial for their education needs and the ability to make good friends.
--Submitted by T M, a parent