Swallow Elementary School

I have had 3 children at this school, two of which have required special education services. The school has failed to provide FAPE repeatedly. They have been caught manufacturing IEP data, they continue to take a punitive approach vs. providing evidence based positive reinforcement (particularly grades 5 and up), they have failed to communicate changes in special education staff to both parents and students leaving students completely unsupported in navigating change, and are resistant to common evidence based accommodations that require staff to provide individualized supports, and (just as the cherry on top) a staff member (and part of the IEP team) stated that my son had a "Rain Main mentality," I finally made the choice to pull my daughter from the school after fighting for my son for nearly 5 years because I have grown tired of fighting the administration at every turn for what my child is legally entitled to. Administration is unhelpful at best and dishonest and damaging at worst.

I attended Merton for many years. This school may seem appealing based on the academic numbers, but that often coincides with an environment that values power, status, and appearances. When you value fairness, trust, and empathy, you get punished for being "different." At Merton, I learned that sensitivity and honesty made you a problem, while cruelty went unchecked and even admired. I wasn’t the only one who felt this way. Over the years, multiple parents pulled their children out for similar reasons. I even recently reconnected with a former classmate who shared the same experiences of isolation and mistreatment. Administrators and teachers frequently did not practice what they preached when bullying was happening right in front of them.Through therapy, I learned I was never the problem. In fact, I would have been a model child and friend in a healthy environment. All the kids and even teachers who bullied me were part of a larger broken ecosystem that rewarded power and image over integrity and kindness. Today, I have a good life that I made for myself. I'm an advocate for many causes and a voice for the voiceless. I turned my trauma into action.I’m sharing this in hopes that Merton will look deeper than test scores and PR campaigns. True excellence is measured in compassion, not status. I hope one day, students like I was will finally be seen, believed, and cared for like children are supposed to be.

The current principal, Chad, is ruining the school. He is a relic full of ego and just looking to bolster himself. He doesn’t care about the students nor the teachers. He doesn’t engage with students nor listen to parent concerns. He speaks poorly of the teachers and treats them inappropriately. He seems to be actively trying to dismantle arts programs and any special events for the kids. Hopefully he gets the next job he interviews for since he’s already been trying to leave.

I have sent several children to Zion and love Zion more than ever! The teachers truly care and work very hard to reach every student. I count my whole family SO blessed to be part of Zion!

I know my children are in great hands!

Ultra progressive indoctrination. Poor scores on AP and college exams without significant outside tutoring as HS focuses only on activism. Many “heads” of upper school in last few years, high turnover of students. Preparing kids to advocate for socialism begins in lower school. Confusing gender doctrines.