11 Mark Smith Dr
Mandeville, LA 70471

We moved here for schools and originally started at a private school before hearing amazing things about Madisonville Elementary. When I tell you Principal Candace Hickman runs a tight (and loving) ship, I mean it!! The facilities are great and my daughter is so much happier at this school. Can’t wait for my son to attend next year! We have nothing but good things to say about MES!!

I'm an alumni, and I can tell you that my experience with the staff was by-and-large was awful. During my senior year, I was in numerous arguments with my guidance counselor about courses I needed/wanted to take. Example: I was a creative writer, and when I asked her if I could join the 6th hour Creative Writing Course, she advised me against it, saying I should just take the final two hours of the last semester off. When I told her that I really wanted to take the course, she kept giving me pushback. Then she said I would need to schedule a 5th hour in order to take the 6th hour course, and that there were no courses she would advise me taking. So I went to the teacher of the Creative Writing course, and asked her what I could do. She told me I could jump in as her assistant for 5th hour, and then could pop into the 6th hour writing course. I got written permission from the teacher, and brought it to the guidance counselor. She was furious. And for what? Because I took initiative and showed interest in my education? At some point, my mother asked to meet with the counselor, to which she told my mother "your son should consider a trade school because he isn't college material." Really. From a faculty member. At that point, when I tried to approach administration to get a new guidance counselor, they weren't helpful or forthcoming with that information. Luckily, my friend's mom was a guidance counselor there, and when my friend (whom was working in the guidance office as an assistant) heard some of the arguments, asked her mother she could be my new counselor. She agreed, and I got to take my creative writing class with no love lost. Flash forward: though I wasn't "college material", I went to college and graduated with a degree in English. And while in college, I made friends and mentors with the faculty and was invited to attend graduate school for free under a Graduate Assistantship, where I received my Master's in (guess what?) Creative Writing. In addition, there were a few teachers who weren't up to snuff, including a math teacher whom would get visibly frustrated when students asked questions because they didn't understand the material. We just stopped asking the teacher questions and instead would ask other students for help. It was ridiculous. I know the ratings for this school are high, but from what I've read, things have become worse. As a parent, I would take an active role in insuring my child was being properly guided at MHS.

I’ve substituted here quite a few times. My main job/ career has gotten busier so I haven’t been subbing as much now. However, I still am blown away by how welcoming this school is. The front office staff are always a joyful pleasure to speak to. The principal was also very kind and thankful. Every teacher I’ve crossed paths with here have all been so welcoming, thankful, and high spirited. I’ve never received so much appreciation and welcoming from any other school. I’ve received so many texts and thank you’s from teachers I’ve substituted for, for just leaving them good, detailed “sub notes”. The students were also a pleasure to teach here. This school is a gem! I can’t wait for my son to start here in 2027. The students here are supported by some wonderful, kind people.

Lots of teachers here are very rude and mean to substitutes and parent helpers. I’ve stopped subbing here for that reason. I’m a parent of a student here and I substitute on my free days off (I’m a nurse), out of the kindness of my heart to help out any way that I can (not for the money). I don’t understand it at all and I don’t think I ever will. I’m coming to help them out (on my days off) when they want to take a day off. Other schools are always so welcoming and thankful for that. They introduce themselves or atleast SMILE. Not here… I come in with kindness and a smile and the teachers look at me like I’m not wanted here or ignore me (mostly the 5th grade female teachers and 1 blonde exceptionalities teacher)… Strange because I thought we are all here for the same reason… the kids! We should all welcome each other and show a good example for them. Instead, they are rude and judge you. No smile, no “hi”, no “good morning”, just a disgusted look. Such a horrible example to set for our children at this school. We need to teach kindness and respect by giving it to each other, as the adult role models. Other than that, my child likes his school and we love his teacher he currently has. The teachers seem to treat the students with care and the principle is wonderful. I would recommend this school for a student. However, unfortunately, I would not recommend to work, substitute, or help here, due to how some teachers treat other adults.