Mountain Brook Elementary School

This may be the best elementary school in the country. The teachers and staff are amazing, the pupils are amazing children, and the community spirit is like none I’ve ever seen. Living in Crestline is very expensive but it is worthwhile for my three children to enjoy being at Crestline.

I’m puzzled by the rating Great Schools has given this school, as it is so far removed from the reality and the rising state report card grades. My children have attended Avondale since the wonderful First Class Pre-K program. The teachers, administrators, and community partners are all phenomenal. The beautiful building, teaching farm and tennis courts on site, slate of after-school clubs, and active parent community all make it a special place.

Terrible school. I would wholeheartedly not recommend this place to anyone. The administration is unfair and openly discriminatory, and students with special needs are treated horribly. Instead of providing support and proper education, they damage students’ confidence and negatively affect them long term. Favoritism is a serious issue here, and students are not treated equally or based on merit. The school prioritizes certain groups over others rather than creating a fair and respectful environment for everyone. Please warn others to avoid this school. Their treatment of students, lack of proper support, and poor educational environment show they do not deserve to enroll more students.

We have loved CMS! Both of our children have attended to date, from toddler to lower elementary. We were at a former montessori school before CMS and they were loving and kind, but didn't have the experience and gentle boundary setting and ability to give mental/emotional safety in the way the CMS teachers have really intuitively been able to do, which has been consistent across teachers. We are so thankful for this school, and their intentionality with making it a kind, caring, loving place that stimluates learning at the child's pace!