Thomas Wharton El School

I’m at a loss with how many stars to rate it tbh. There are some good things but when you have conflict with staff and you try to follow protocol as far as the chain of command for trying to address issues, things just basically get swept under the rug. Staff just seems to stick together and teachers treat your kids any way they please. My son told me about his art teacher the other day and was visibly uncomfortable going to the class. I communicated these things to the teacher and got absolutely nowhere because he lied. My son’s story was consistent. My daughter confirmed how rude this teacher is saying he yells at the class. There are some nice things but I just do not understand why they allow teachers to be nasty to the children. This isn’t the first time this happened either. Another teacher was known for being really mean yet when I complained about it and stood up for my daughter, I was treated like I was the problem.

I must say that 3 yrs ago when my daughter started attending this school I was constantly concern about safety, teaching strategies, communication with staff, and almost every aspect necessary for a school...however, I am very pleased to see that despite of their VERY LIMITED funds, I have seen improvements since 2014 up until now. Even the new principal seems to be doing exceptionally. Understand this school is in the midst of our lowest income area of the city but it gives peace of mind to see their efforts to improve despite their limitations. My daughter loves this school and the staff are dedicated to help. Teachers volunteer often and even cover out of their own pockets for field trips for the children. That's something you wont find in other schools.

New School Montessori prides itself on the sense of community that it creates all while creating an open and creative learning environment that follows the child. However, this does not necessarily work when the treatment of teachers is different from class to class due to unfair favoritism throughout the school. Some teachers do their best with what they are given while others at the same level face zero obstacles and can get whatever they want. The administration has clear favorites and uses them as the examples for representing the schools image, for a reason, to create the illusion of perfection. In the same sense the administration is so focused on increasing enrollment and ensuring that their business model stays afloat, even if that means students are not receiving an adequate education for the ever increasing tuition. Tuition money that is meant to support learning but seemingly disappears when needed most. The same tuition money that does not pay their staff well enough or give them raises for the ever worsening inflation we face. However, every year the head of the school seems to get a hefty raise, when her own employees do not. The education factor can pass when it comes to meeting the needs of students at a primary level, but at what point should one be concerned that the increasing tuition is not showing results when children reach the elementary level and they can’t read or write correctly at their level? When is it an issue to have learning difficulties swept under the rug and unaddressed? Surely for the price it’s the bare minimum. Teachers do a good job of including families into the classroom environment. However, with certain events the family liaison has shown a lack of professionalism on multiple occasions to the point of making things uncomfortable. For example, the aggression and the way she yells at children, making her all the more unapproachable.Additionally, the lack of communication from the school whether it’s teachers or administrators. The cover ups for illness in different classrooms, that should be notifying parents of what their children are at risk for. The obvious use of AI in many communications is something else in itself. Lastly, the issue of being understaffed, which goes along with the lack of communications on illness. Children will get sick, it is a given, however when these things are not communicated and there’s no respect for the health policy and staff it reflects negatively on how they are treated.

RCS feels like a family. My child has made lifelong friends, and is treated with respect by the students and staff. The student body is also incredibly diverse! A delightful, small, very affordable private education in Lancaster city.