New Albany High School in Columbus, Ohio

“New Albany schools were brought into the 21st century by Dr. Ralph Johnson and Dr. Gary Sweitzer by providing all students with a well developed, comprehensive curriculum, learning environment and teachers who excel in their fields. Their mantra is that all students count. Expectations of New Albany Schools is to provide a superior education and they do this everyday.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Current high school senior at New Albany High School. Beyond the towering brick build buildings, and the highly eductaed, 'over paid' teachers, there is a school that is not as good as it may seem. Here are the positives. The school is beautiful, a very campus like feel. Its very safe. The lunches are very well put together. And overall, there hardly is any fighting ever. However, this school isnt perfect. The problem with New Albany is they throw so many facts out at you to make you believe its and unbelievable high school. They try to create this impecable reputation, however they fail to address the small things, because the staff is incapable of accepting it, and they ignore it. The seperation in this school is pathetic. Its like a car show in the student parking lot. Its all about who has what in this school. Andifyoudonthavethat, yullbe left out.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I rated NAHS above average due to the facilities and opportunities offered for a small high school. The curriculum could be more challenging for those students that don't wish (or can't due to scheduling conflicts) take the AP or Honors courses. The regular classes are not challenging enough. I would like to see more curriculum options especially in Foreign Language. This is a great school for Central Ohio, but there are much better high schools with more opportunities nationwide. The district administration does not seem to realize that our kids are competing with kids from other states and not just within Central Ohio. The claim that all students belong to a club is a joke since most of the clubs do not serve any purpose...there was a gaming club where they played Guitar Hero! There are not many opportunities for leadership roles outside of the few students in student government.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am stunned by some of the reviews here. We recently moved to this area from a tiny town in another state and I've been amazed by the one on one help my daughter has received. She has struggled with the adjustment and the school has made every effort to get her the extra academic help she needs in order to excel. They have remained in contact with me on where she is going wrong and arranged for her study hall to be more focused in order to assist her in catching up and adjust to the way this school teaches it's students. They have had patience and understanding and for a family stressed in these economic times, it's been a godsend. Last, the opportunities they offer at this school are outstanding. We are not a wealthy family, however she has fit in with the other kids with no issues.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The benefits of New Albany HS are the brick & mortar facilities, and some stand-out teachers and staff who are conscientious and committed. However, this school has chosen not to educate their staff on the legal and educational responsibilities of complying with IEPs and 504s, and many teachers view the accommodations on these plans as optional. It is a continual battle. I concur with other posts suggesting that the administration can be inflexible, and is most concerned with image-driven issues. Finally, as a relatively small school (~1000 students) scheduling conflicts can shut some students out of honors and specialty classes.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I tend to agree. This school system is primarily concerned with prestige and accomplishments. If you are a student who does have an IEP, an undiagnosed special need, or does not fit into the New Albany profile , (social status, minority status) you are considered an outcast, parents of same are labeled as pesky or difficult. New Albany students do not receive the beneficial exposure to ethnic and social diversity that they might receive in another school district. This elitist view will only handicap students as they graduate and move further into their academic careers and beyond. They may never become capable of understanding those unlike themselves, nor be able to empathize, nor socialize with others who share different view points, lifestyle choices, social status, or ethnic backgrounds. They will be limited by their early experiences and associate only with others considered acceptable. This is the true waste of potential.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“As a student who comes from a lower-middle class background, I must disagree with the post dates 30 March, 2008. Money is not an issue; the attitude and social skills of the student are of concern. Rather than complain about being 'poor' or flaunting my inexpensive clothes, I have become involved in several extra-curricular activities and have sought to excel in academics. In this way, I have gotten to meet incredible people and I have had the opportunity to succeed. The reason the school has such problems with parents is because the parents have nothing better to do than berate the school with petty concerns at every hour of the day. The school embraces people of all social backgrounds; not only the rich need attend this school. Money certainly doesn t govern the way in which one is treated.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I completely agree with the post dated 2/27. I have listened time & again to so many families sharing this same issue. If your child falls below the 'New Albany' expectations, you can forget it. We have a child who attends the school our child gets average grades. At our last meeting with the teacher we were told that our child meets the 'national' expectations but needed to meet 'New Albanys expectations.' Our child needless to say receives not an ounce of enthusiasm from his teacher. He has been labeled just as others who do not 'perform' accordingly have. We have an older child who has had to deal with 'not fitting in' b/c of where we live, the brands of clothing she chooses etc. After growing up in NA I am heartbroken at the lack of sensitivity & sickened at the way that money governs the treatment you receive.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“If you are academically talented and bring prestige to the school, life is great. Have any special needs or problems and those students are not provided any real help. Parents are treated in a condescending manner. IEP's are not written in any meaningful way. It is more rhetoric about providing for individual differences in learning than reality. No leadership in this area, just keep the kids and parents quiet.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school, in my opionion, is one of the best schools in america. The acedemics are amazing. The school resembles the University of Virginia. The only problem is that they are way too strict. Also more people need to be more excited about the sports in New albany. People will go to the games but some could care less who wins the games.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I feel that new albany seems to focus on and crack down on small issues such as wondering the halls during acidemic options instead of being greatful that is the worst problem we have. It seems to me that it's very easy to connect on a personal level with the Engish and History teacher at NAHS.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I have to disagree with the other review related to children who have learning challenges. We have a daughter who attends the Hish School and also attended the Middle School who is ADD and the staff (especially the Middle School Staff) were extremely helpful. They set regular meetings, addressed our concerns and even emailed us daily with homework assignments so we could follow-up with our child and check her progress. They made some allowances for late assignments and were extremely willing to work with her. In High School, we have not had as many opportunities to meet with the staff. They've been willing, but it hasn't seemed necessary just yet. As a sidenote, the Humanities course at the 9th grade level is challenging and well thought out. Wish the shool had more offerings like this one.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I graduated from this school, and I honestly loved it. The teachers were great on every level. It is a very safe school also. The only disadvantage is the lack of diversity. If you aren't well off, you tend to not fit in as well. However, if you can get past that, this school is the best in the Columbus area.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“ITs a great school the kids are friendly, never any fights or anything.”
This review was posted by a student.

“New Albany is a school where if you dont fit in, like if you have a disorder that interferes with your learning abilitys, Then NA isn't a place for you. The teachers only help the ones who dont have any problems, I went to this this school and I hated it, the discrimnation is very high, towards skateboarders, and people who live to hard music, which isn't the point, because none of things deals with anything bad, people just discrimate against them, on they way they dress, and maybe if they wouldn't discrimnate them, then they wouldn't have such a 'bad attitude' which none of them do.”
This review was posted by a student.

“This school is the best public school i ahve ever seen. Their teachers and programs are just as good as their private school competitor. Outstanding sports and extra cirricular programs, a must see school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My children have attended several other schools, both private and public, in several states. Never have I been more impressed with a school than New Albany High School. The teachers are outstanding, enthusiastic, and very knowledgable about their subject matter. It is the most academically challenging school attended by any of my children. If a student wants to succeed, this is the school to attend. There is a wide variety of courses, including AP and honors. The classes are relatively small for a public school, and the facility cannot be matched. The school strives to be best in not only academics but athletics and extra-curricular. I only wish all my children could have attended New Albany. I can say that my present student will be far better prepared for college than his siblings.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I graduated from New Albany High School and felt it was the greatest thing for me. I loved the small classes and the opportunity to get to know my classmates. I was also very impressed with the amount of care the teachers exhibited for their students. They made sure we were all exceeding to the best of our abilities and truly wanted to see us succeed. I am now currently in the teaching profession and have had the opportunity to work in many public schools both in the Midwest and in the Southeast, and can honestly say the New Albany school district is the finest I've ever seen, and I hope to one day move back to there to teach.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“I have 3 children 17,15,and 14 in the school. The older 2 (boys)are gifted but add.The school has been completely unresponsive.They are elitist who care only about the scoring system to achieve awards(Blue Ribbon,etc.)and are paid for this. Unfortunately if your child doesn't fit the profile i.e.perfect they don't have a chance.Very frustrating.”
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