Indian Hill Elementary School

My children attended this school for many years. We decided to part ways with GSCM after a student made a threat to bring a gun to school and shoot students in the adolescent program. The initial reaction of administration was to do nothing and bring the student back to school after one day at home. Fortunately, several families escalated the situation to point that the school had to intervene. This is a fringe, Catholic school. It is not governed by the Diocese of Cincinnati. Therefore, the principal and school board are at liberty to make decisions that may not be in the best interest of students. Several decisions made in the past years protected board members and their children, despite them engaging in bad behaviors. One board member posted a letter that contained racist and conspiracy theorist-laden information and was not removed from his position on the board. I am saddened by the deterioration of this school since the founder, Dan Teller, retired. He was a stand-up guy ,who at one time created a sweet, nurturing Montessori. That is not the case anymore.

The Cincinnati country Day School is amazing. The teachers are very dedicated to the students. My children really enjoy learning. The school provides an environment the fosters true learning.

SUMMARY - This school is NOT for minorities or a diverse population - the principal, counselor nor 1st grade teacher handle diversity appropriately.1 PRO - Secretary and 2 of the recess helpers/aids were a joy!4 CONS - 1) School principal and the school counselor have shown us to not know how to interact with African American parents/students. Principal confused me with another black parent & then tried to apologize saying we both had on similar tops. Profusely she apologized knowing she was confusing 2 minority parents by our color. Counselor has unfortunately treated us rudely in her talk and interactions with us.2) School/parents are very clique-ish, especially apart from minorities. For 3 years I've been involved & volunteering. I volunteered for recess duty for months & suddenly was dropped off so that the scheduler’s friends could have "their" preferred days.3) 1st grade teacher (had our 3rd grader & now our 1st grader), did not treat our minority children with respect. Our 1st grade daughter has African American hair that enamors the other children. Her hair accessory fell out & another child had it. The 1st grade teacher threw it in the trash at her own admission because it was a distraction to another child. Why not save it for the parent instead of destroying personal property?4) Principal never replied to my e-mail regarding a mishandled situation of a computer screening, taking 1 child's word against ours. Our African American child was interrogated and his computer was screened 3 times. Our child was found to be WRONGLY accused. There was no punishment for the child who falsely accused. 5) There were bullying incidents on our child with with 2 separate children. However, all teachers that our son interacted with told me how mannerable, polite and helpful he always is. However they did NOT appropriately deal with the bullies who harassed him.WE TRIED FOR 3 YEARS TO HOPE FOR IMPROVEMENT. The school failed in this effort to treat our children fairly. As things have gotten worse they show to not provide a secure environment for our children.

My son was enrolled in the 2- day preschool program. During snack time he choked on a bit of apple. The instructor had to perform back blows and life saving measures. I was not called. My husband was not called. And only after my son told me did I find out about the incident. The teacher brushed it off. It was only later after multiple biting incidents that I was informed of how serious the choking incident was. No incident report had been filed until insisted they file one. She did not even send my son to the nurse to get checked out. The biting incidents and the choking incidents were never reported to the administration. The school is unsafe. I would not send my child there. We removed him after these issues.