500 Almond Ave
Baltimore, MD 21221

Learning: While my child was excited to go to school to learn, the school lacks good teachers. The classrooms are over crowded, having 1 teacher and maybe 1 assistant when available with 25-30 students per class with students who have learning disabilities and are learning English as their second language as well as students with behavior issues from being home due to the pandemic, how is it realistic that, that teacher can effectively teach that many students?Teaching: Many of the teachers at this school are relatively new to the teaching world. Many seem to not have experience with children of different needs and backgrounds. When bringing up concerns, teachers quickly become defensive stating that they are overwhelmed by the number of children and are doing their best. Which maybe they are, but that isn't the student's fault, that's the school's fault.Social-emotional support: In no way shape or form does this school provide students with mental health and emotional well being. They allow bullying to occur, tell students to just deal with it and really provide no counseling at all for students who have emotional issues. Their answer is, go to the school nurse.Special Education: That's a joke. The IEP chair doesn't take into consideration at all what a child with special needs really needs. They just assume all children are the same so therefore the same plan works for every child, wrong. They don't take into consideration of what the parents have to say for input, they constantly talk over you and then numerous time I received the comment, oh you came to the IEP meeting? Most parents don't care to come. Oh I'm sorry, I advocate for my child. Which then turns into retaliation from the school. I had to constantly stay onto of the IEP chair about when the next IEP meeting was because the communication was non-existent. Safety: That's a laughable yet very sad topic. The principal is scared of her student's to the point where she runs to her car after school each day. There have been numerous threats and vandalism in and to the school. Cops are constantly at the school. Family Engagement: What family engagement? The only way the school involves parents is if you are on the PTA. And good luck, that's an episode of mean girls/housewives. So pathetic. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this school to anyone. It's horrible, I withdrew my child for as they deserve way better education than what Essex Elementary could ever provide!

it is the best school I have ever went to

I am and continue to be surprised everyday of the effort and passion that this school brings to its students. The principal, assistant principals, and staff right down to the lunch ladies have all been wonderful. My daughter attends a special needs program within the school and the mentoring she receives from other students is compassionate and helpful. Virtual learning has been successful under the circumstances and extra activities like Wednesday’s school news provides an opportunity for students to share fun videos, keep up with teachers, and learn/ share fun activities. Not to mention the school is now a middle school IB program. When you can walk through a hallway between classes and every student you encounter smiles, says or hello, or even offers to help you find something then you know that this school is a safe haven for many that have less than perfect home lives amd a place that will provide your child many learning opportunities that the surrounding schools can’t do.