Irondale First Baptist Child Development Center

Overall we've had a good experience with this school. The teachers are amazing and there are a lot of opportunities for community building here. The main issue is that some of the parents need to parent their children better. Also there is a huge learning disparity across the board in the classroom ... I know this comes from ESL and children not being read to, etc ... so the challenge is always laid upon the teacher to teach to those who are so far behind while also trying to keep the higher achievers busy so they don't become bored and/or not learning what they need to learn.

The reviews for this school needs updating the front office support are amazing and made me and my kids feel welcomed. The principal goes over and beyond , she’s so sweet and cool. My kids love this school after transitioning from Georgia, they love the xtra care the teachers, principals, etc gives. I love this school.

My parent have had me enrolled here since pre-school to give me a Christian upbringing. This backfired, as the beliefs they teach make so little sense you're forced to question it, meaning I lost my faith in middle school. A few teachers are great, and teach a genuinely challenging and engaging curriculum, but most aren't required to be qualified to teach and it shows. The workloads are either painfully easy or near impossible to complete on time, with some teachers changing due dates or assignment guidelines on a whim. One English teacher in particular is so obnoxious and needlessly difficult that many students take a college level class to avoid them. Most of the staff are related, and got their jobs just for being so. They label themselves as a college prep school but do almost nothing to prepare you for college besides the extremely limited selection of Dual Enrollment classes. Religion is put above academics, as daily Bible class and morning chapel are mandatory. The idea that women are more objects than people is presented as factual, normal, and unquestionable. The English and Literature textbooks are religious for some reason. They also openly discriminate, as they once tried to ban a student from walking at homecoming and senior night because of their sexuality. The buildings are outdated, dilapidated, and in some cases are an active hazard. Tuition gets higher and higher every year, and even if it didn't, you're not getting what you pay for. It might be worth it if the fall festival, class field trips, and safe-to-consume lunches were still around. This school fails its students academically, intellectually, and even spiritually.

It is an outstanding school with phenomenal academics! The faculty and staff are very caring, and it is evident that they want to develop the whole child. Critical thinking skills and communication skills are developed.