Jonathan Hager Elementary

Fountaindale has a lot of great attributes. Some negative community attitudes bleed through, though still better than many. One commenter stated smaller class size...while they report student teacher ratios of 15:1, it's really fuzzy math. Actual ratio is around twice that. But they average in specialists who give the teacher breaks or teach specific subjects. But at no time that I'm aware of, are the classes split up, or with two teachers present at one time, so that there might be an actual ratio of 15:1. All the schools and districts at least in Maryland appear to be using this fuzzy math, so they must not consider it unethical or a misrepresentation. Just mentioning it because someone new to Maryland might interpret the reported student teacher ratio to be actual.

I wish we had gone through reviews for this school before enrolling our kids. Most of their 5 star reviews are from the teachers. Those really should not count towards student or parent experience.Same as on their Facebook page. Those reviews should be limited to say glass door as work reviews. The teachers are okay but the administration is highly lacking even in simple follow through. If you have the option do not enroll your child here.

Amazing school, Amazing Staff and Teachers! They work closely with students and parents.

St. Mary’s is a second home to my children. They both love attending school. The teachers and administrators are very special, and genuinely want all kids attending this school to be successful and happy . This far selecting this school for my children’s private education has been the best decision.

There are genuinely so many things wrong with this school, but my biggest concern is the staff. I don't even know where to begin.The staff at Broadfording seem incredibly careless and often act more like friends with the students than the adults responsible for maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment. They did not adequately address the bullying my daughter and some of her classmates experienced, even though it happened in front of teachers and was reported to the administration multiple times.They also failed to address the way some students spoke about their classmates in hurtful and disrespectful, and sometimes disgusting ways, in different languages. Just because something isn't said in English doesn't mean it should be ignored.I don't even want to get started on the guidance counselor or student life director, or whatever he calls himself. You would think that someone with a title like that would be focused on supporting students, listening to their concerns, and helping resolve problems. This man would Instead, brush aside the bullying she faced, tell her that he'll handle it, and little meaningful action was taken. In my opinion, I think he can't do his job properly because he's too busy "talking" and joking around with the underaged girls at the school acting like a manchild. - words from my daughter whose seen it.My daughter also witnessed and experienced racist behavior from some international students, as well as from a few teachers. These incidents were either ignored or not taken seriously, despite being brought to the school's attention. A school should have zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind, and it was deeply upsetting to see such behavior go unaddressed.After everything my daughter experienced, I cannot recommend this school to other parents. We expected a school that would provide a safe, respectful, and genuinely supportive environment, but that was not our experience. While the school identifies itself as a Christian school, we did not see the compassion, accountability, or integrity that those values should reflect in the way my daughter was treated. I sincerely hope the administration takes these concerns seriously and makes meaningful changes, because no student should have to endure what my daughter experienced.