Wandell Elementary School

I cannot understand how this principal remains in his position. In my opinion, he should have been fired, sued or worse long ago. In our experience, the principal's ego is the most important priority at this school. I have witnessed him yelling at parents and have been yelled at more than once myself. With our child, who has learning and emotional health struggles, we have had to fight tooth and nail to get any kind of support. In discussing this with other parents, there seems to be a trend of them pushing therapy with a thinly-veiled goal of getting kids medicated so they are "easier to manage". Meetings with this principal are nothing short of parent-bullying sessions where any and all concerns are downplayed and parents are treated as nuisances to be dealt with. Although we have had some good experiences with teachers, we have also had experiences with teachers who are just extensions of the principal's ego- with concerns being met with dismissiveness and annoyance. A school should not care more about the staff reputation than the students they are meant to serve.The classwork and homework are stuck in the past- uninspiring, task-based, and without any understanding of children's need for creative thinking. Children are encouraged to "eat quietly" and recess is so short!! Not to mention that in the school handbook both lunch and recess are called "privileges" that can be taken away at any time. This happens to be against NJ law! I am surprised they continue to get away with it.We have also witnessed very concerning behavior by the principal around the young girls at the school as well as had discussions with multiple fellow parents who have been uncomfortable with how he acts around their daughters. I have personally witnessed him petting girls on the head, patting them on the back, giving them unsolicited hugs, holding their hands and more. I have not seen him do any of this with the boys in the school. He also tends to single out non-white students in a negative manner. As mentioned in previous reviews on this site, minorities at this school are consistently treated with a lack of respect. Again, I am surprised this principal has not been fired as he clearly has no business working with or around children.

i have 2 kids, older has graduated and younger still a student. Both started in pre-k. I think that the teachers for the most part are great and really care about the kids. I think that it's an advantage to have phd's as teachers but also think there are too many admins.I do not agree that the school is geared towards underperformers

The education, environment and community couldn't be a better fit for our daughter and family. Supportive staff, dedicated teachers and terrific parents all support our child's educational and social successes. I can't say enough.

My daughter has excelled at this school. She has totally transformed academically and personally from her private school days to coming to this school. We could not be more impressed!