Normal Park Museum Magnet School

My children have been in both Normal Park schools for five years now. They are THRIVING. My children are both straight A students, with one being in the advanced studies group (and being VERY challenged). From my experience and as an active parent at the school, I have noticed that the parents who are unhappy are the ones who have children that are disruptive in class. I have seen a few of them come to Normal Park from other schools hoping that they will have better luck here. Not every parent and personality is going to get along with every teacher/principal at any school. It's not possible. Any negative comments you read about Normal Park are coming from someone who has behavior problems they are dealing with from their child. Just like any other school, there is always the less desired teacher. It's unavoidable. At Normal Park, my children have never woken up asking to miss school; they jump out of bed excited to go to school. The work they do that is magnet related really blows us away. They are super proud to show us their work on the school's exhibit nights. Normal Park is a great community! Don't hesitate to send your kids to this wonderful school.
—Submitted by a teacher

Our daughter is in kindergarten at NPMM. We have been SO impressed with the school and faculty so far. They are truly amazing and really care about the kids. The principal knows me and even attended my daughter's IEP meeting. Now THAT is a dedicated principal!! We really love it that parents are required to do volunteer work and we actually enjoy it. We are so blessed for our daughter to be attending sucha wonderful school!
—Submitted by a parent

I LOVE NORMAL PARK.......I LUV THE STAFF,THEY R SO GREAT WITH OUR KIDS.......I LOVE THAT THEY HAVE ORDER IN THAT SCHOOL,AND I DONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MY CHILD SAFETY.....EDUCATION WISE,THEY R GREAT,THEY HAVE A WAY OF TEACHING KIDS,AND THEY WANT THE BEST 4 EACH CHILD IN THAT SCHOOL......THEY PUSH PARENTS TO HAVE COMMUNICATION WITH THEIR KIDS,AND FACULTY......ITS A FAMILY ENVIROMENT......I LUV IT,AND MY SON DOES TOO....
—Submitted by a parent

NPMM isn't 100% DAP for ECE, but it is the closest thing you'll find. Kids are allowed to be active learners. Weekly visits to museums, the aquarium, the zoo. Kids participate fully. Curriculum addresses the whole child, not a narrow focus - there is a spanish teacher, an art teacher, a music teacher, a science teacher, a PE teacher at the lower school. With so many schools bombarded with budget cuts, it is rare to find There is also continuity - e.g., children start doing "writers workshop" in kindergarten and continue across the grades. There is a thematic strand - students work together on projects based on a "unit" theme. Every nine weeks an "exhibit night" invites parents, relatives, neighbors in to see the projects the children have made. Teachers communicate well, parents are involved, admin is wonderful. Children are clearly always the first priority. THANKS NMPMM.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been in other schools and have worked with other teachers and administrators. There is not another school that I know of that has harder working faulty and admin than Normal Park. We put in 80 hour weeks because we care about the students and have pride in ourselves as educators. We are constantly looking to improve and never do the exact same thing twice. We adapt; we innovate; and our students reap the benefits through engaging and innovative lessons. This is the hardest job that I've ever had, but the reward is worth all of the sleepless nights. I am blessed to have two children that attend the Lower School, and they come home daily with excited faces, ready to share the wonderful things that they learned. The curriculum is set by the State; there is no other school that does more with what they are given.
—Submitted by a teacher

Normal Park Museum Magnet School is focused on the well being and education of the child. They go to great lengths to make sure learning is fun and effective; they know how your child is functioning in school and do whatever it takes to help each child expand their potential and ability to learn.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been very blessed with the excellent work of the teachers and parents of the school. I must said that some of our neighborhood families were promised a position in their neighborhood school, but were turned away and issue was voted down . What happen to 'no child left behind'.

I am a 6th grade student at Normal Park, and love it!! All of the teachers Make learning fun! Every body at the school welcomes you, teachers and students. I deeply feel that if I were to go to a very expensive private school, I would either get the same or worse education.
—Submitted by a student

I do like the curriculum of the school and their learning expeditions. However, little to no communication from my son's teacher. Others in the school are much better at communicating which is backwards in my mind. Also, if your child doesn't fit into a certain 'box', expect for them to come up with something wrong with your child, i.e. ADHD, autism, etc. Sorry but schools have no business 'creating' and labeling children with medical diseases and disorders. That's what doctors are for.
—Submitted by a parent

There is great parent involvement in this school, which goes to waste. The curriculum is very lacking compared nationally, but about the same as the other local public schools here in chattanooga. They don't have many advanced classes or programs for kids that are at a higher level. Look carefully at their curriculum closely before choosing this school and see if it fits your child. Also, homes in the normal Park area usually tend to be much older and can be run down. Hope this helps.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a kindergartner who attends this school and loves it. I am also very pleased with the school. The entire building is stimulating with its decor, the staff is friendly as well as professional and they have great after school programs to join. I'm not sure how the parent involvement goes to waste....And the curriculum is not the same for all. I just had a teacher conference and was pleased to see all of the extra work that was being put forth to challenge my child. My husband initially thought the school was nothing too special until he went to other public schools in the area. I am very happy that my children can walk to school every morning in our quaint neighborhood.
—Submitted by a parent

Normal Park utilizes its museum partners in order to strengthen the lessons being taught in the classrooms. The teachers and administrative staff are fantastic and give each child the attention they need in order to learn and thrive in this wonderful environment.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school. My daughter has just started her second year here and loves it. The only eception is the snooty parents. Not all of them are this way but if you dont make as much money as then alot tend to ignore you or act superior. But they are prett easy to ignore. Wonderful school.
—Submitted by a parent

The Normal Park Schools are the exception, not the rule for public schools in Hamilton County. These are truely amazing schools, parents, and people. The took leamons and made leamonade.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a 8th grade student at NPMM Upper school and it is by far the best school I have ever went to! I love the atmosphere and how it doesn't matter what grade you are in you can still be friends! I also went to Chattanooga MIddle it was an okay school but this is so much better...so if your thinking about putting your kid in this school I advise you to do so! He or she will learn more here than any other school. The teachers are wonderful even if you are not in their grade they know your name which is a lot better than being called 'Hey you' like I was all the time last year by teachers I had every day.
—Submitted by a student

My son has been a student @ NPMM since the 3rd grade and it is by far the best school in this entire city, and now he attends the upper school, and I count it a priviledge to have my son at this school, there aren't enough good things I can say about the teachers and the principle of NPMM I just love it!!! And so does Malik
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter started in 2005 after visiting 3 schools (right after NPMM won best magnet school in the country) and it exeeded whatever our expectations were. Tremendous support from community.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel blessed that my children attend school at Normal Park Museum Magnet. My six year old begins many of his conversations with me with the words, 'I wonder... ?' NPMM has already taught him to think critically and to wonder about things that are new to him. My daughter picked up a book on the ocean just yesterday because she knows that her class will be learning about the ocean when she returns. Check out the school website at www.normalparkmuseummagnet.com It's worth the time!
—Submitted by a parent

Great schools show excellence in leadership, staff, curriculum, and community. Normal Park sets the standard in Chattanooga for all of these.
—Submitted by a parent

I do not feel fortunate to have my child at this school. I am sure that there are some people out there who got excited about this school winning an award. Did you know that this school does not even meet TN State averages in education? TN is also ranked in the bottom 1/3 of all the states in terms of education. How would a school like that get an award? I am a parent who has attempted to be very active in my child's education. So far, the teachers can't even return my phone calls or emails. As a parent, I do what I can to make up for the less than average education my child is receiving at this school.
—Submitted by a parent