Reply to Norwood Middle School: What do you love? Not love?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think you have to decide on a school for yourself.  There are so many pros and cons of every school.  None are Mecca.   We are very happy at Norwood.  We have two children there, and they are very happy, well-adjusted, and are learning a lot in an environment that encourages learning.   I have kids that would probably be happy most places, however.  So why Norwood?  We love the differentiation at a young age, we love the arts and music programs, the facility is fantastic, the "feel" of the school is warm, the parents are people we like, they make an effort at diversity, they don't shy away from talking about character and values.   It's a great fit for us, but of course it may not be for everybody.

We come from strong education backgrounds, and find the academics very good.  Could there be improvements?  Sure.  But I am pretty certain I might feel that way anywhere.  
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PP, thanks for a thoughtful post.  I agree with some of what you said, although except for K-2 music, the music program needs improvement.  Yes, the kids have music class several times a week, but after 2nd grade the quality of teaching is not anything near what the K-2 music teacher brings to the program.  We know a number of families whose kids have been turned off to the music program since 3rd grade.  Re character and values, while the school may not shy away from talking about them, it shies away from doing anything about behavior that doesn't reflect the values being discussed (see other posts/threads re bullying).[/quote]

About the most competent teacher in K-2 is the music teacher, and maybe the art teachers, and I forgot, the PE teachers. Ahem. And that is what the school showcases, the parents assume that it must all carry over to the classrooms, that is, when the kids are in the classrooms and not trekking around the school with the disruptive transitions, which by the way are partly due to the famous ability grouping that is so important, only at this school, but not others. The school has good intentions, but...K,1,2,3 need lots of work, more in class time, fewer transitions, better teachers, perhaps fewer teachers...just wait till 7th or 8th? [/quote]

My child has thrived on the stimulation of transitioning between teachers and classrooms. We chose Norwood in part because at a different school, our older child was bored by being stuck in the same classroom with the same teacher with no ability grouping. If your child struggles with transitions, Norwood isn't a good place. I can't think why the above poster ever sent their child to Norwood in the first place if they didn't think they would do well with the transitions, but rather than try to change Norwood, why don't you move your child to another school that doesn't ability group?[/quote]

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