Manor View Elementary School in Baltimore, Maryland

“Great school with a wonderful principal and teachers that really care!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Manor View is a great school with great teachers. I don't disagree with some of negative comments about the principal--she does often seem aloof and disinterested in anything that parents think. But the parents are actually a bigger problem. Parental involvement at this school is very weak. Hopefully that will change. If I had to choose between replacing the principal or geting a dozen gung ho moms parents to volunteer some time every week, I would certainly choose the latter.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“MVES has 640 kids. So why can't it get parents to volunteer their time? The current PTA board members will be leaving this year and they don't have replacements. Really?--not 4 parents out of 640 kids are willing to be on the PTA board or assist as an additional PTA member? Even if people think the principal isn't parent-friendly, there are others in the school that would love your help--our kids (& teachers)! Bad attitudes seem to run both ways. School's supposed to be the center of the community--but the community isn't pulling its weight either (not that there aren't exceptions--especially those who take time to read Greatschools.org ). Kids with involved parents are better behaved & higher achievers. If more parents got involved in a positive way (or encouraged others to help), the reviews might be better--and maybe it wouldn't matter if the administration wasn't top-notch.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“It is very important that you contact the School Liason for Fort Meade (that's if your a military or civilian) to help you decide whether or not this is the school for your child. If I had known what I know now, I would not have enrolled my children in this school. The principal is not parent friendly, she's aggressive, rude, definetly not what I call a top notch principal. She has a really bad attitude. Whatever happened inthe past to cause such a bad taste in her mouth does not need to be displayed at School. The tone of voice that she uses with some parents and children are not what parents want their children to be exposed to. If you're a parent who wants to apart of your child's school curriculum , THIS IS NOT THE SCHOOL! Until this principal is removed, don't do it!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am extremely disappointed in the administrations lack of 'help' in getting the 5th grade class sizes reduced this year. My child is in a class with 30 other students. This would not be as big of a deal, except Manor View is a POD style environment. Thus making the total number of 5th graders in the small open-environment style space to be 93. Not to mention the special education classes are also held in this pod! I was recently made aware that at the beginning of the school year 5th grade had 4 teachers, which if kept would make the class sizes to be around 23 student each. The fourth fifth grade teacher was moved to teach 4th grade because their numbers were also high. The AACPS area director for Manor View must not have concern for high numbers in 5th grade!!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Another year to go at Manor View. The 5th grade classes of which there are only 3 of currently have 31 students. There's no room for the kids to move around in class. Now the kids are separated for recess by class so they don't get to play with their friends in the other classes. The teachers are doing the best they can and get no help or support from the administration once again. All they (administration)worry about are their MSA scores and standings. Anne Arundel county doesn't seem phased by the high numbers in the classrooms and have said so to a number of parents calling with concerns. The other elementary schools on Ft Meade have low numbers due to the moving of families into new housing on post thus putting them into the Manor View district. Something needs to be done, it is very unfair to the students/teachers”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Three years at this school and we haven't seen or heard of any improvements. The administration simply does not care to engage the parents on any level. While other schools on post (we had a pre-schooler in one last year) get high marks, this school continues to lose experienced teachers to other schools in the county. Virtually the entire staff is brand new. That said, we love our teachers and will do whatever it takes to help them succeed. But the leadership of this school is so out of touch! They over react and under react. Awful. Awful. Awful”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We have moved off base in order for our children to get a better education in a more positive (and cleaner) environment. The Pod classes are an issue for children ( not just sensitive ones, but not all children. Some of the teachers however, speaking...yelling at the children the way they have is totally unacceptable. The everyday cirriculum needs to improve not the MSA scores”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have had children at Manor View for 7 years now. The Pod setup may be unusual for parents to get accustomed to, but really has no negative impact on the child. I happen to have a learning disabled child who is sensitive to noise, and if she can flourish in this environment, then perhaps it is the parents preventing the other children from enjoying it. The staff is caring and competent. A first year teacher is definitely not a bad thing! It means they are the most up to date and capable, and the least set in their ways! and for those complaining of young teachers, you will find that the teachers grow older as the children do, and the white haired teachers will be found in high schools, not elementary schools. At no time were the children not allowed to play on the playground or outside. Silly alarmists.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school is no more strict than any other elemantary school I have had children attend. There are many extracurricular activities, and at the last band/strings/chorus concert, the gym was completely full with freinds and family. PTA has regular meetings, and the staff is always available for a meeting or quick chat. It's good to see an institution that cares about the child more than the numbers. I'm fighting to keep my child there next year.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is not a school I would recommend.My children now seriously dislike school.They feel some of the teachers are unkind and disrespectful and the curriculum remedial.I have heard teachers raise their voices to students in a very unprofessional and hurtful manner.The school while possibly 'maintained', is unclean and my children keep getting sick.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is my child's third year at Manor View. I have been aware of the negative ratings about this school for a while and have wanted to respond for some time. Overall, I have been very pleased with the educational experience my children have received. All of my children's teachers have been competent, caring, and hard working. Contrary to what other parents have said, this is a very clean school -- in fact, the school just received an award from the county (which only 4-5 other school received) for how well-maintained it is. There are a variety of activities available to children, including band, chorus, peer helper groups, multi-cultural events, PTA-related fun events, book fairs, positive rewards for the children, etc. etc. I've also only had a positive experience with the principal. The school can't do everything, and we must do our part as a partner with their teachers.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is my son's second year...I have to say the two teachers my son had were very involved teachers . When my son was having problem his teacher brought it to my attention (like they are suppose too) and it's me as a parent to react or not to react. I not the type of parents who sits around and prays and hopes that the teacher will resolve the issue my child is having. So, for the parents who are complaining about this and that...what have you done to make it better. Did you confront the teacher and/or spoken with the principal? Have you ever attended a PTA? Stop complaining and do something about it. Don't forget this is you child and his/her future is in your hands. In most case it's not the school...it's who your child involves him or herself with”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is my Daughter's 2nd yr and my stepson's 1st at Manor View. They both love it and are on the Principal's list for grades. They love their teacher's and communication is never an issue when I have questions or concerns. The school has had two occassions this year where parent's could sit in the class and observe and I thought both teacher's did great with student involvement and teaching. My daughter's teacher is known for being very strict, but my daughter absolutely loves her and I am glad that she makes the kids cooperate and listen. Both of the teacher's take time to help the student's when needed. The school is clean and the staff is very friendly. My only concern is that the parking lot needs to be expanded and parent's need to drive slower. They also drive too carelessly when dropping/picking kids up in front of the school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am a first year teacher at this school. That doesn't mean I am not competent to teach students. Most teachers, and yes I will say most, not all, in this school stay late and work very hard to teach these children. But that is something the teachers really have no say in. So if you're a parent and want to see improvement in leadership, please do something about it. If you're having a problem with a teacher, talk to them...most of us are very open and willing to talk to you about your child. Funds are very low to our school and we do the best we can..”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“My daughter has the best teacher than she has ever had before. The office staff is a little rude, but the teachers are right on track. The lunches are a little short, but not much [more] than any other school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My son spent half of his Kindergarten year til 2nd grade in this school. Prior we were in Howard County School. I have to say this school is Decent, defintly not worthy of 1 stars. It is a good school, and they do encourage a lot of Parental involvement. The PTA is definatly doing their best. You must have parental involvement with your child and teacher. Many activities focusing on deployed families which is helpful as well. POD setting is not the fault of the school, but the county is working on implementing walls. I give them 3 stars”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We haven't been here very long, so I am not sure about the academics. My children are in 2nd and in K and so far are above the learning curve. However, I am worried about the Kiss and Goodbye lane. Also, the short lunch is horrid! Telling a 5 y/o to eat in that amount of time is unheard of. My daughter never gets a balanced meal at school because there isn't enough time!!! I am a bit wary of the pod setting. Small children should be able to talk quietly during their center time. How can you have a play-kitchen and not talk to your classmates because it disturbs the next classroom?”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Still unsafe kiss and good-bye, still dingy and dirty school, still not parent friendly and the POD environment, still a major issue. The school needs updating, the entire staff needs training to be more understanding and open to parents concerns and to be more welcoming, friendlier.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I had a 1st grader from 06-07. His teacher was absolutely great. My child is well more advanced than their curriculum. Unfortunately they we're not prepared in the least. It took 6mo to test him, then an additional 2-3mo to get the extra activities started. I agree, the kiss and goodbye is very unsafe. And locking the parents out is not considered safer. The principle seems to care nothing beyond test scores. After asking twice for a meeting, we we're disregarded, even when all she had to do was show up for a parent/teacher conference. I had a child attending the other on-base school and I will say the same thing...if this is how our militaries children are treated, I am ashamed.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Many of the teachers at this school are great. I have found that they are creative and willing to help. I have a fourth grade daughter and a 1 grade son at the school. My daughters teacher has been nothing but helpful in encouraging her to excel!! The pod setting is disappointing however. The times I have been in the classroom while the students are there is very noisy. SO if your child has attention issues you may want to reconsider MV. The administration has much to be desired for. I have already heard the stir about the state test coming up from the principal. It seems like that is all they care about.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Manor View has proved to be a bit of a diappointment. The teachers here have all been great. They seem to be very capable of thier positions. Scores are up I think in part for the teachers and not necessarily the curriculum. I find that the students are bored with the Open Court reading programs as well as Saxon math. However, I have found the my childrens teachers (2nd and 4th grade) do an excellent job of supplementing. I have found that the administration could care less what the students need to know...unless it will make them do good on MSA. THat is all I ever hear or recieve from the adminstration is MSA . That great , but there is more to learning than MSA. In short teachers are great, front office and adminstration could use some Customer Service training.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I think people are being quick to judge this school. We have been here three years and couldn't be happier. While I agree witht the concerns about the pods and the playground, I couldn't disagree more concerning the curriculum. My third grader went from well below reading level to on reading level in five months in the first grade, and then was above reading level by the third grade. All of the teachers, first year or not have been wonderful and concerned about our children's education.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is a poor school setting. There are cubicles seperating each class. NOISY! There is no playground or play area due to methane gas concerns.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I really didn't like having the children in a pod setting. I think it is very disruptive to have some many children in one room. Even though the class were divided in the room, you could still hear everything that was going on in each class. This is not a bery good learning enviroment. The academic program seem to focus on passing the Maryland Assessment tests. This seem to be the main goal. Having moved my children to a private school, I see how much they were missing. There is something to be said about individual classrooms. It is a far better learning enviroment.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have a 3rd grader and kindergartener who go to this school and am sooo disappointed! My third grader was doing so good in Texas and in an awesome reading program...here, my daughter was on her own. Now she can read but not comprehend..hmm. My kindergartener comes home every other day with a craft kite and says she didn't learn anything almost everyday. The kindergarten teachers send things home to the parents that I feel they should be doing in school. Basically you'll be teaching your kids. The kids have 1 fifteen minute outside break right after they have to scarf down lunch, and to top it off they have no playground because of this newly found landfill the school is on. The classrooms are a joke! I can't wait to put my kids somewhere else. Unfortunately being military you have to settle.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am disappointed with this school. Moving here from Texas, I feel like my kids have taken a step back. The office personel are not friendly and both of my kids have first year teachers. This would not be a problem if me boys were not being held back, while the other kids catch up. Hopefully we will be moving soon before the kids are too far behind. My boys are Kindergarten and second grade and neither class has had a field trip. The school is also lacking a proper playground for the kids to play on. Overall, this school is poor.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school was constructed in a 'pod' format. Basically all the first-grade classes (4-5 of them) are in one big room' all the second graders are in one big room, etc. If you have a child that is easily distracted or sensitive to noise, this is a school to avoid.”
This review was posted by a parent.