Meredith William M School

I want to thank the facility and principal of Meredith for the immediate action which resolved an incident that occurred this morning (3/1/2013) in the school yard between me and a student. The incident is not worth detailing however what followed must. After a teacher settled the student(s) down she asked if I would speak with the principal, which I did. The principal wrote down my explanation and had the student detail his version. After a few minutes I received a call asking that I meet with the principal, the student, and his father, which I did. The outcome, for me, was an apology from the student and his father. *The incident occurred approximately at 8:30 am. It was resolved by 9:30 am. Once again, thank you. Jim Ross

I think that Meredith is a terrific school. I moved to Philadelphia this year and I didn't know the area too well, but the one gleaming thing that I did hear was about Meredith. After school started, I felt my child was in good hands. I was so happy to go to the events and see the principal there. The principal is a very classy, down to earth lady who strives to make the school a great place for the kids. She is active and takes the time to make a nightly call. She is doing a fine job. What I am finding around Philadelphia is that the problem with the children who are getting into trouble lies within the parenting or lack thereof. I see kids out of control and the parents are oblivious. WAKE UP, PARENTS. Remember, your child is a representative of how they are being raised. Do a better job with your child and they won't be in detention. Obviously they are not acting right or they would not end up there in the first place. Behavior has absolutely nothing to do with skin color and everything to do with being taught how to respect people and act like a decent human being.
—Submitted by a parent

A good school if you removed the principal who is cold to students, parents and teachers alike. Good programs, strong parental involvement, but no better than other Philadelphia district schools. Meredith aims to protect its reputation above all else, including unreported physical incidents, ignoring reports of bullying, labeling children, and operates in a realm of righteousness. Most notable is its lack of acceptance to the individual student, as Meredith s administration has its idea of what "its students look like." On many levels this attitude is problematic. The support system is driven by the expectation that the children should live up to the needs of the school. Meredith operates to maintain a reputation of a good school at all costs. You likely won t find a problem with the school as long as your child doesn t have a problem within the school (academic, peer issues etc). If you re looking for a school that supports children's individual needs and responds to its students and their parents' concerns (whenever they may arise), beware. At Meredith your voice is much smaller in comparison to their need and drive to maintain its image and facade.
—Submitted by a parent

The previous principal of Meredith has worked hard to make this an excellent school. The school has a wonderful sense of community from parents who lend great support. Teachers are kind and care about their students and would probably do more to help students if it were not for the school's deteriorated administration. Its reputation for excellence is now tarnished by the self aggrandizing and controlling current principal who cares more about her school's image than the kids. If your child doesn't fit her cookie cutter image of what she thinks "represents 90% of the students at Meredith" your child's well being will suffer at her hands in maintaining the school's image. If a child is having a problem, she'll go out of her way to prove he's the problem than work to resolve the issue. There needs to be more oversight of this school's administration by the school district to meet the needs of all students with less emphasis from the principal's obsession with her school's image.
—Submitted by a parent

Meredith is a wonderful school. My child has been in attendance at Meredith since the third grade, and will enter the 8th grade this school year. Here you find excellent teachers, parent involvement and a focus on the arts. My child has had the pleasure of receiving a well-rounded education just as good or better than private school education. I would recommend Meredith again, and again. Mrs. Farlino has come in and helped Meredith maintain it's prestigious place in the world of elementary education. The annual holiday and end of the year plays are not to be missed. The whole school comes together and puts on wonderful productions. Definitely a place for young artists to thrive and learn.
—Submitted by a parent

I am the parent who wrote the prior review. Unfortunately, I can no longer recommend this school. I wish I had my wits about me (detention for a first grader? really???) at the time. This, along with lack of communication among parents, teachers, staff and administration has led us to withdraw.
—Submitted by a parent

Racial profiling is a given at Meredith. All the children sitting at the detention table are children of color. It is a rarity that you find non colored children in detention. If you have an active child of color prepare yourself for daily calls. I took my child out of Meredith, there are other fine schools in the area that focus just as much on academics and less on color.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a wonderful school with a great new principal that is encouraging continued success of this school for our children. They offer rigorous academics along with an in depth arts and music program which is like finding gold in the city of Philadelphia. They are a community and parent supported school that is able to flourish because of parent involvement. My son is attending his second year at Meredith and looks forward to graduating 8th grade from there. It has changed his attitude towards school, encouraged his learning and offered us an opportunity to be a part of his education. If you are able to attend this school I highly recommend it.
—Submitted by a parent

There is good parent involvement and the location is great. I have a huge concern that the needs of special education students are not being meet. If you have a special needs child you may want to consider other schools in philadelphia.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel very blessed to have my children attend this school. The teachers and staff are great. I couldn't be happier.
—Submitted by a parent

I am so happy to be giving the opportunity to talk about such a wonderful school. My oldest daughter is in the 4th grade and my younger child in kindergarten. The mentally gifted program is excellent, the school performances they do every year are fantastic. I love the way everyone, parents,teachers, and non instructional staff work together. Meredith is truly the best elementary public school in the city.
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated from Meredith in 2005. It is in my opinion one of the best elementary schools throughout the Philadelphia area. There is not much of a better comparison. The teachers care about the students, and have high expectations for them. Academically, the school is an excellent place for any child to be . If I were staying in the Philadelphia area, I would allow my children to go. But if any parent is looking for a great school for their child, Meredith will meet the needs of the child, I recommend Meredith as your best bet. You won't be sorry.
—Submitted by a student

I graduated from meredith in 2003. I would recommend meredith to any parent looking for a great school for the child(ren). Meredith not only helped me academically but it helped me in areas such as socially and emotionally. The teachers there are excellent and their willing even when your child may feel he or she wants to give up!!i absolutely love this school and would enroll my children if i had any.

This school is easily the best public elementary school in Philadelphia. They have an excellent Mentally Gifted program for high achieving students, and the teachers, principal and staff are top notch. I couldn't hope for better, even if I payed $15k for a good private school.
—Submitted by a parent

Meredith school is wonderful, the teachers are great ,the principal is very involved,and the quality of education can't be beat.It has a homey feeling were just about everybody knows everybody no matter what the grade
—Submitted by a parent

Meredith is an ideal school for any school age child. The principal is very involved, knowing the names and families of most students. The teachers are caring as well as the rest of the school's staff. Great public school.
—Submitted by a parent

Meredith is a dream when it comes to public schools. The teachers are great, the community is friendly and my son loves going to school. They have wonderful music , performing arts and mentally gifted programs. Last year, a nearby community art center had a partnership program with the kindergarten class, and each year the students get to go to several Walnut Street Theater productions as part of our partnership with that organization. I couldn't choose a better place to send my young children.
—Submitted by a parent

Meredith is a top notch public school that is as fine as any private school in or around Phila. I have two grandchildren (girls), one has just graduated and now attends an excellent public high school nearby, the other is in fifth grade. Both girls have attended since kindergarten. Meredith has a creative and performing arts focus, an excellent principal who is completely child centered, a very active parent association, and it is a very, very safe environment. It's a terrific school!
—Submitted by bonita cohen, a parent