Research Ivy Leaf Lower School private Schools in Washington, District of Columbia

“I am saddened by some of the comments written about such a long standing and honorable institution. I have been in close proximety with Ivy Leaf since my mother began teaching there in 1978 and over the years I have seen utter excellence, mediocrity and beneath mediocre churned out from Ivy Leaf- it happens. I had the 1st hand experience in recent years of sending my daughter to Ivy Leaf and I must say that she excelled quite well by both the school standard grading process and national testing standards. I also have 2 nephews that are products of Ivy leaf that spent their scholastic experience in academic excellence and were able to go on to select the high schools of the choice. I find it quite interesting that while parents have the time to 'blog' negative information, they apparently did not make the effort to help and improve the school.”

“I have only been a teacher here at the Ivy Leaf schools for 2 years... I am very upset about the news that we are closing. When they told the teachers that we were closing... they did it without even blinking and went about their way. We were left wondering... where will we work next? Nn answers!!! This school honestly should have stepped it up a long time ago... you cant teach students 1975 material in the year 2008. That is exactly what is happening.”

“When I first started my child at this school it was wonderful. The children learn to read and write at a very early age. Now, this school has lost it's nurturing and concern for the children. The children are behind in Reading and Math. The teachers do not help the students if they need help and the curriculum is 40 years old. I will not return to this school in September. This school is so in debt that they can't afford some of the basic amenities needed to run the school like workbooks. Instead of using the material fees paid in tuition to buy workbooks, they purchase one workbook and make a copy for each child. They claim to teach a 1-1/2 grades above the public schools, however check the test scores. The kids are behind in the basic skills. Take my advice, do not send your children to this school.h”

“My son has attended Ivy Leaf since kindergarten and now 3rd. The early foundation of learning was immaculate. My son was reading at age 5 and cursive writing by age 6. Slowly , I have watched this school become less interested in the value of education and their commitment to children and more greed prevail. This will be my son's last year here. Ivy leaf needs to get back to the basics or the lower school will follow its middle schools fate which is closing this June.”

“I'm truly disappointed in the School Board of Directors and the Administration - the lack of respect for the power of the parents is amazing to me! The school has truly failed the students and have not prepared them fully for their High School experience. It's simply unexpectable that in the year 2008 a school will not offer extra-curriculum activities , a second language beginning in the 3rd grade or a comprehensive science/math program. As an parent why do you expect me to accept less and pay for it???”

“Ivy Leaf administration act as if I am bothering them when I contact the school for any reason. They also act as if I owe them something. The school has the family pay for everything that the child participates in such as a holiday concert. My child is singing why should I need to pay $7.00 for my child to sing at the event? A trip to the ice skating show was $10.00 for the ticket. Why did I pay $25.00 for myself and another $25.00 for my child to attend? I don't see the money that is paid going into improvements in the school building which is outdated, dark, dirty, and damp. What is happening Ivy Leaf?”

“As a parent who recieved his daughter to raise for her high school career, I must say that Ivy Leaf did a poor job in preparing her for high school. We live in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA and when we were enrolling her for courses at the high school, she realized what I already knew: Ivy Leaf did not prepare her. She was very weak in math, english, history, and sciences. She did not have on full year of Algebra which I told her she should have had before we even got there. Because of this short fall, my child had to buckle down. We have edline here where you can monitor your child's progress all year and it is awesome. My child is now doing well and we are awaiting acceptance from colleges as she graduates in May. I refuse to give any credit to Ivy Leaf School.”

“I attended Ivy Leaf and I know from first hand experience that this school is truly over rated. Plus, the schooling was more about discipline and not school work. There are barely any class trips (which are essential for hands on experience) and no extracurricular activities. I can name on one hand how many of my fellow classmates became successful.”

“I am very satifsfied with the education my daughter is receiving at Ivy Leaf. She learned to read at the age of four by learning phonics. By five, she was reading on a 2nd grade level. The school provides an Afro-centered curriculum which instills pride in its students. Although extracurricular activities aren't readily available, I'm still pleased with the overall education and nurturing environment that Ivy Leaf provides for my daughter.”

“I have been affiliated with Ivy Leaf School since the late 1990's. Two of my children graduated and one is now at the middle school. Ivy Leaf offers a quality education and truly prepares African American children for the future.”

“This school is so overrated. The teacher quality is so poor. The tuition is high for the quality of education the children are receiving. The children are given too much homework. The school appearance is dirty, old and damp.”

“The school is dimly lit, and the schoold need a good cleaning,(Washington Land & Broad Street locations). The teachers are not accessible to meet. The tuition for the level of education your childd receives is not worth the trip. My children were removed from this school and are doing much better academically, involved in extracurriclar activities, in a clean environment, and the tuition I now pay is worth the trip and the commute”

“i know a lot of parents think different but to be honest im not impressed. for the fee that is charged. there is no cafertia available not even a milk machine. the computer lab is a joke if and when they can use it. classroms are very small cold in the winter and hot in the summer. my daughter 2nd year at school and i never heard from any parent group about meetings its mid december and they still are reviewing last year work ask for meeting with teacher was told she could only meet between 8-8:30 no after school meetings for the xmas play the school had was required to buy a ticked for myself and student who was in the play. you get nickled and dimed for everything. no gym so bowling and swimming is offered 70.00 for 6 weeks”

“My 3rd grade son has been a student since kindergarten.My 8th grade sister was also a long-time student.The teachers are truly committed to learning and each child's personal development. The classrooms are small,but the child/teacher ratio seems to be balanced.Extra curricular activities are lacking; but a well involved parent organization keeps them informed of athletic and music services in the area.”

“Ivy Leaf School is committed to academic excellence.The school provides a caring and supportive environment. The students who graduate from Ivy Leaf are well prepared for the challenges they meet in high school.”

“I presently have two children at this school (grades 4th & 8th) (the 8th grader is President of Student Council at the middle school) The teachers are nurturing and the environment is academically stimulating from Nursery to 8th grade There is a high level of parent participation. Currently the sports are leave little to the imagination and the music/art program is weak/non-existant.”

“Great Academic curriculum especially reading, children learn to read at a very young age usually at the kindergarten level. I think they could definitely stand to expand the amount of extracurricular activities. There is no physical education component at all! I think the parents are very interested and involved in their children's education. Not many parents participate in parent council, but that's because it serves as only a fund raising arm to the school, it addresses absolutely no academic issues. I think the facilities are sub-par and if they hired a competent custodian the facilities would be better. Overall the education and introduction to a sense of one's self as an African American child makes this school a recommended choice.”

“Ivy leaf has been the school I ben going to for kidergardent up until now my 8th grade year. Unfortuanilly they dont have an ivy leaf high. Ivy leaf creates a fun learning envoirment for sudents teachers and staff. When I looked at kids last year crying because they had to leave I thought it was stupid. Now I see why at ivy leaf everyone is like family and how would you feel if you had to leave your family. So I think ivy leaf is the right choice 4 any child”

“This is my son's second year at Ivy Leaf. I like the retention rate of students and teachers. I like the fact that some of the teachers have been there for several years and their children attend the school. I would like to see more extra curricular activities including but not exclusive to athlectics. Activities like dance, arts, music instruction and more would be nice exposure for the children. I would like fluency in a second language to be a goal of the school. In addition, I would like to see a focus on community activism. Overall, however, I believe that the faculty and administrators are committed to educating our children. I have been impressed with their academic standards.”

“Extremely excellent school! There academic standards, teachers knowledge, kindness and concern for there students overall stability and performance driven standards, gave a well-rounded education for my child. She loved it. The cost was a little over my budget, but it was well worth it in the end. The ONLY advice that I could give to make the learning experience a little better is to open the door and consider those single parents striving to get the BEST education for there child BY lowering the tuition. God knows we all need a break every now and then.”

“Ivy Leaf is the only school I have ever been too. The teachers and staff realy care about us. If a student has a problem they are going to try and help, not just send you away. I'm now in the eighth grade and I am so thankful to be in such a wonderful School. Thank you Ivy Leaf! '”

“I have been pleased with my daughters growth since entering Ivy Leaf . Not only do they stress academics , but extra curriculum activities are stressed as well. They also teach my daughter to behave as a young lady should. This is her second year at Ivy Leaf, and I am impressed with the learning my daughter has experienced. I would highly recommend this school to any of my friends.”

“Ivy Leaf is the only school I have ever been too. The teachers and staff realy care about us. If a student has a problem they are going to try and help, not just send you away. I'm now in the seventh grade and I am so thankful to be in such a wonderful School. Thank you Ivy Leaf!”

“My son has attended Ivy Leaf since the age of 4 and will be graduating May 2004. I find that the school is excellent for the elementary level but is severely lacking at the Middle School level. My child has been an Honor Roll student since he has recieved numerical grading. I was extremely floored when the results of an entrance exam for a very highly regarded prep school revealed an extremely poor performance. I contrasted this with his Terranova scores, which were very high, and I was left with the belief that the kids at Ivy Leaf, although competetive with their Public school peers, are very much behind their prep school peers. Additionally, the lack of a sports program is problematic. Sports build character, interpersonal skills and enhance physical development. Thus the student is not as well rounded as he/she should be. Math and Science programs need to be upgraded; an honors program should be established and the academic curriculum should be geared towards the kids performing well on the SSAT, not just the Terranova. My next child will not be attending Ivy Leaf.”

“my daughter attended ivy leaf for kindergarden and now for first grade. i was told my daughter would be reading before she completed kindergarden and she was. the teachers and the the administrative staff are very accessible to the parents and students.”