24 Handler Ct
Belle Mead, NJ 08502

Good memories from this school. Teachers are 98% amazing, and courses are not too harsh. I think this school did the best job providing several options of afterschool activities up until the highschool. I had the most amazing teachers there, who are still my favorite teachers years later. I really enjoyed being here, and I loved the values brought out in the school. Principal is nice, and as I said, most of the teachers are very good. Coming from Orchard this school is 99 times better.

I believe this school has not yet grasped what it means to be neuro-inclusive and is stuck in the past. There is a heavy emphasis on academics and competition but not on supporting the needs of all students and creating a healthy environment. For example, there is significant pressure to take advanced math classes (whether or not that class is appropriate for a child of that age) but not to create a supportive environment for all children to learn and achieve their potential. If your child is severely impacted by learning disabilities, the district is generally good at accommodating them. But if your child is less obviously affected, the school will make you jump through hoops to prove "educational impact" in order to get the most basic accommodation. What if it is not about their grades (educational impact) but about their mental health? Kids can get decent grades while also struggling with the undue pressure the environment creates.

This is an average elementary school. Students do well in this district because the parents are wealthy and pay for outside tutoring (see the FB group), therapy services, music lessons, etc. - even in elementary school. Students are given an evaluation at the beginning of the school year and their progresses is compared to that for the whole year (not against national standards). For example, if your student is the worst in the whole grade level at something, as long as they show continued improvement they will have a good parent/teacher conference, top marks on their report card, and no additional help or services offered from the school. There is no homework, so it is very hard to know what your child should be working on or where they might be struggling. No field trips- except to the woods behind the school. Once a month there is a day of play, where you send your child in with a non-electronic toy to play with. Teachers communicate via email, and often do not respond to them.

All the Monty schools are great and help prepare kids well.

I am very happy with Montgomery Lower Middle School. Mrs. Romano and Mr. Pachuta are excellent leaders that set the example for all, which explains why all the staff are so competent, kind, and caring, in my experience. Any time I have concerns, they are very responsive and professional. Besides providing a top-notch education, they foster an environment of kindness and compassion. They are really working to develop well-rounded kids who are not only sharp academically, but ready for the real world. There are also so many fun activities and events for the kids so they get to enjoy their childhood. I am proud I get to send my child to Montgomery Lower Middle School and highly recommend it.