The Gordon School of Beth David Congregation

My experience with this school has been deeply disappointing and concerning. Instead of being a supportive and nurturing educational environment, the school has become a place where many children—especially those with academic difficulties—are made to feel overwhelmed, insecure, and discouraged rather than supported and helped.There is a noticeable lack of empathy and patience among a large portion of the teaching staff. Several teachers display poor attitudes, little understanding, and a harsh approach that intimidates students and negatively impacts their self-esteem. Rather than motivating children to grow and learn, they are made to feel incapable and constantly pressured.This culture appears to stem from the school’s leadership. Beginning with the principal Barbara Martin, the school’s methodology seems to support a rigid and emotionally insensitive approach, where academic pressure outweighs students’ emotional well-being and individual needs.Additionally, there is clear evidence of favoritism. Certain students—particularly children of teachers or school staff—receive preferential treatment, leadership roles, and opportunities that are not equally available to other students. This creates an unfair, exclusionary, and discouraging environment for the rest of the student body.The overall school climate is negative and unhealthy: poor communication with families, lack of emotional support, minimal inclusivity, and an absence of genuine concern for students’ mental and emotional health. As a parent, it is extremely troubling to witness how this environment damages children’s confidence and their relationship with learning.I would not recommend this school to families seeking a safe, equitable, and compassionate educational environment for their children.

We absolutely love Southside Elementary! Our experience has been wonderful. The teachers are caring, dedicated, and truly invested in the children’s education and well-being. My kids are happy to go to school, feel safe and supported, and have grown so much academically and socially. The school has a welcoming sense of community, and we are very grateful to be part of it. I highly recommend Southside Elementary to other families!

We are finally out of this school and I write this with mixed emotion. Teachers, for the most part, were really good, aside from a few. Major gaslighting by admin. They do not handle bullying effectively at all. Some of the teachers kids are the bully so they try to sweep it under the rug. They attack the victim if bullying instead of handling said bully. Bullying is out if control here. They like to use witnesses so if bully has friends, they gang up on the victim. If you are not good at languages, run. They dont teach foundation and verb subject conjugation. If you value mental health, run. If you want your kid to be happy and thriving, probably should look elsewhere because this school emphasizes insane amounts of homework, valuing FAST test scores and not letting kids do sports and be kids. While I made some of the best friends here as did my child, and had some fantastic teachers, it was a very difficult time here and was not a good fit. Counselors arent the best and they dont know what they are doing regarding testing accommodations. I feel the school rating isnt accurate and is severely inflated.

Our family has been part of Gordon for several years, and what has stood out most is how deeply the teachers and staff know each child. Gordon has a special sense of community — families show up for one another, and children feel seen, supported, and cared for.We have also experienced strong partnership from the school academically. When our daughter needed extra support, her teachers and administrators worked closely with us, checked in often, and helped her make meaningful progress while building her confidence.What makes Gordon special is the combination of warmth, strong values, and a school community that truly wants each child to succeed.

Terrible principal. So many people have left because of her. It’s so sad what this school has become.

Great school, teachers very attentive.Excellent communication with the parents,my baby has been under their care since she was 3 months old and she loves them like family.I have nothing but great things to say about this daycare. The director, Ismaray,she is a great leader and she really knows how to deal with parents. I strongly recommend this daycare.