| Date | Who | Comments |
| 10/12/2012 | teacher | Naylor Road school is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Children aren't issued textbook.. they're given xerox copies of books. The middle school students are disrepectful...and threaten to have teachers fired all the time (because they know the principal will if they go and complain). This school has over 70% turnover of staff by the end of the first marking period. It is a revolving door of teachers. Teachers are given NO planning time.. and NO duty free lunch. They work 9hours a day for $25,00 per year. That comes out to $10.75 per hour. The middle school classes are self-contained, which means the students don't get properly instructed in all subjects. The teachers are not state certified and several don't have college degrees. It is obvious that the post deate 2/14 was written by the principal. SHe is the ONLY person at this school that has anything positive to say about it. The teachers call her faculty meeting b*** sessions.. because all they consist of is her telling teachers what they're doing wrong. Children forced to sit in the same seat for 9 and (and in some cases 12)hours per day. This is NOT the place you want to work.. or send your child |
| 9/6/2012 | teacher | I work at Naylor Road School. Let's clarify a few things. Ms. Ruggles asked for volunteers for the comuter room. A 4th grade parent DID volunteer, Ms. Ruggles never got back to her. The Spanish teacher left because they were cutting her hours and she couldn't afford to take the pay cut (teachers at Naylor Road only make $25,000 per year). Ms. Ruggles DIDNT LOOK for a Spanish teacher. She was given several referrals.. but decided that she could save the school $25,000 per year by NOT hiring a Spanish teacher. She gave the excuse that she wanted a person "with a lot of experienece". for $25,000? NOW THAT'S a joke. So teachers got ONE HOUR of planning time PER WEEK to: grade papers, write lesson plans, perform curriculum checks, meet with parents, tutor at risk students, etc. Last year.. 4 teachers WALKED OUT without even giving resignations because of the treatment by the administration. Ms. Ruggles talks to teachers like they're dirt. The principal doesn't even have a master's degree..and DOESN'T REMEMBER what it's like to be in a classroom. As soon as I pass my Praxis, I'm out of there. If you want to believe your child is learning here... believe what you want...Im just teach |
| 2/24/2012 | parent | First Ms. Ruggles has nothing to do with the tution at Naylor Road School. She used to be a teacher and understands what it is like to teach and also to teach at Naylor Road School as she did teach there. I find it funny that the parent said undersized classrooms, like they didn't know what the school looked like before they registered and the class sizes are so small there my kids class have 10 kids it. Yes Naylor Road does have an old fashoned philosophy towards learning but it works. Schools today are so concerned with modern day technology that our kids are not learning the basics in Math or in Reading. I applaud Naylor Road for it's low cost which oh yea includes beforecare and aftercare! They may not have much in resources but the students learn and isn't that the most important thing? Oh and maybe there would be more resources if parents would participate in the fundraisers and in the classrooms. I know Ms. Ruggles has asked parents to volunteer to teach computer class and no one volunteered. She has also been looking for a Spanish teacher, but no one has come forward to help with that either. For what we pay to attend Naylor Road you couldnt get any better elsewhere |
| 1/18/2012 | other | Do not work here. Do not send your kids here. Mrs. Ruggles, the principal, is most concerned with getting your tuition $$ and/or taking advantage of over-qualified teachers than she is providing acceptable leadership at Naylor Road. It is truly a disgraceful place with undersized classrooms, limited facilities and old-fashioned philosophy of education that serves only to make things easier, not more effective. |
| 5/10/2010 | parent | Naylor Road is great! It truly is the best school in the area for the money. I have a daughter who has attended Naylor Road for the past 2 years and now attending the 2009-2010 school year in first grade and her comprehension level, math skills and dynamic reading ability far exceeds that of a student of the same grade level attending a public school. It's well worth my money spent and I will continue her education there. The Principal, Mrs. Ruggles is supportive and attentive to the needs of the students, teachers and parents. Mrs. Jefferson and Mrs. Jones are outstanding educators at the school, which I've been fortunate enough to have my daughter attend their class. |
| 4/28/2010 | parent | Naylor Road is an outstanding school. My son is currently in the first grade, and has a collegiate spelling vocabulary. Most of the students in his class are reading at a second/third grade level. In addition, his first grade class is taught 2nd grade math. I'm extremely pleased with the school's educational curriculum, and highly recommend Naylor Road to parents who are seeking a great school that will promote academic achievement. |
| 4/21/2010 | parent | Naylor Road School is a great school - they worry more about academics than tnhey do about extra curricular. Which is important to day as so many students in DCPS just get promoted. They care if the students can read and write, they care if they know their math facts ect. I behavior problems exist in all schools this school actually does expell students who stop other kids from learning! All schools do fundraisers and there is no policy that says you have to participate - but you should a it benefitsyour child! |
| 9/17/2009 | parent | The classes are no larger than 15 kids and my daughter has learned so much in the 8 yrs. she's attended. |
| 8/24/2009 | parent | Naylor Road has been played an important roll in how my child has developed into the student that he is today. I certainly appreciate the past 5 years that my child has had at Naylor Road but going into the 6th grade, I could not send my child back to Naylor Road. I know all children deserve an education better than DCPS can provide but when it s obvious that they are accepting children with behavioral problems and there are no consequences, that s when I have a problem. Naylor Road needs to be more selective when accepting students instead of focusing on the money that they are receiving from the voucher program and work on making the school more modern |
| 8/11/2009 | other | Every school has fundraisers. Every school has teachers who leave before completing the schoolyear. Naylor Road is a great school who worries about the students and wants to make sure each child gets the best education they can. The tuition is kept low so that working moms and dads can afford a private education or their child I personally resent comments that the school is only out for the money it makes off the parents. Check with other schools and who will see the tuition is much lower and a better education is given. |
| 6/15/2009 | parent | Our child attended this school for the past 4 years (K-3rd). Some of the teachers are excellent. We were fortunate to have the better teachers. We noticed a lot of teacher turnover in other classes. Parents were not happy about this (rightfully so). Foreign language and Physical education are weak (PE improved this year). We thought the material could be a little more challenging. The rooms could be remodeled to allow for better use of space. Communication from the office is inconsistent. The Spanish teacher was let go and parents were not informed. Traffic around the school is a concern (double parking, speeding); not sure what the school could do about that. Cost is reasonable. Fund raisers are annoying. Aftercare is okay. I would recommend Naylor for 3rd grade and under. Older kids need more room and challenges than what I see being offered. |
| 6/13/2009 | parent | My daughter just completed her first year at Naylor Road School. This is the third school she's attended since the age of 3 and I AM VERY PLEASED. So pleased that I've recommended Naylor Road School to everyone I've come into contact with. I've never seen teachers who really love and dedicate themselves to their profession as I've seen at Naylor Road. In the beginning, my daughter did struggle (she was use to taking naps, doing little to no classwork, etc.), however her teacher Mrs. Harper stuck it out with her and showed much patience (more than I could have given). There were times that I was ready to throw in the towel, but her teacher worked with her and even offered helpful suggestions to me. I would definitely recommend Naylor Road School to anyone looking to provide the best education for their child(ren). |
| 10/8/2008 | student | the best school i ever went to two thumbs up.... |
| 8/18/2008 | parent | This is sooooo true. It seems that since the voucher program was entered, along came a lot of discipline problems from DC public school |
| 8/18/2008 | parent | My daughter has attend Naylor Road School for the past two years. I like the small class size and open communication with the teacher and staff members. The curriculm is excellent, my daughter has excelled in reading, writing and math. The classrooms are small but I'd rather have a small learning environment than a big disruptive space. Overall the educational experience is good. |
| 6/6/2008 | other | Naylor Road school is a big law suit waiting to happen. The class sizes are small but my child complains of being in the same chair allllll day long. The teacher turnover rate is ridiculous. Unless you are used to a new teacher every three months or so ... if you truly value your child send them to a better school.Our people are not even represneted in the office, I do not know if it is school or a big fund raising effort to keep money rolling in their pockets? |
| 5/24/2008 | parent | My daughter is a 3rd year student. I have the greatest respect for the school and faculty. The teachers split their schedule to provide aftercare, so your child gets extra tutoring if needed homework help, and the classes are so small, no child is 'really' left behind. The tuition is affordable for both single parents and married couples. My daughter had experiences this year, I've never had. We met DC's Congresswoman, she interviewed her personally and a member of her staff and we saw a play in ASL at the Kennedy Center. All the parents know eachother, care for eachother's children and respect the authority of the educators. Mrs. Ward, the director is a beautiful soul, and the school's open door policy provides relief for the working, but involved parent. The school's teachers are unrivaled in education and character. |
| 4/13/2008 | parent | At first my husband and I were so hopeful regarding this school. We sign the agreement and was excited about what our son would be learning. As soon as school began the Director was let go..then followed by the lost of 1 teacher and 2 aids. My son was crushed because he didnt understand the change. No meeting was held for the parents. Just some note that was given in each parents box. My son complained of the teachers yelling a lot and by April 1 we decided to keep him at home. Too much drama and change. Spanish was dissappointing. I taught my son more on my own free time. I would not recommend this school to anyone. It has been a huge dissappointment. Seems like the focus is always on money and fundraising and not focused on the children's education. My son will not be returning next year. |
| 2/4/2008 | parent | My daughter is in the K3 program at Naylor Road Annex. As other parents have stated, the school is reasonably priced and in an convenient location. The academic curriculum is pretty good. My daughter knows all the letter sounds, can write her name, recite the months of the year and can do beginning sign language. The biggest issue I have had at the school is the teacher turnover. There has been a 90% turnover with teachers this year. The school has has some excellent teachers. My daughter has had 3 teachers so far this year. Although, I am pleased with the academic portion of the school, I am researching other programs for next year due to all the turnover we have experienced this year. |
| 1/10/2008 | parent | My son loves the school, so that alone makes the tuition acceptable. Be aware the tuition is fair compared to other schools but Naylor Road will issue fund raisers every month with threats that the tuition will be raised if you dont participate. After we did participate we were still charged another fee at the end of the school year. The eduction is pretty good, although the foreign language course is pointless. My son takes spanish and hasnt learned anything, I can remember more from Highschool (12 years ago) then he has learned from Naylor road. I have a 2nd child, will I enroll them into naylor road, chances are I will not! |
| 11/14/2007 | parent | I love this school. I have checked with the other private schools in the area, and this is one of the best. Most of the really expensive private schools in DC have a large student to teacher ratio. My son is in kindergarten and he loves the school. I feel there academic program for kindergarten is much better than some of the other private schools. I am so glad I found this school. |
| 9/24/2007 | parent | At first I was not impressed with Naylor Road School Annex especially when the Teacher quit...was really dissappointed and felt stuck. However I started to remember all of the parents that raved about the school through the years that I spoke with. Then I thought to myself...my 3 1/2 year old son is learning how to write his name..in PreK3! I dont know of any program that offers that...he is also safe and their policy on bullying is expulsion from school permanetaly. I like that frankly. Their respect for folks of other faith is good too. I have to stop focusing on what I dont like and look at all the benifits my child does have. My son has made friends and his classroom size is small. Would I sent my child back next year? Yes. |
| 8/17/2007 | former student | the school is trashy dirty and poor. the classrooms are small and hot. I have been going to naylor road since kindergarten and now I am in the seventh grade. To me it is torture to be at naylor road. I would rather go to hart middle school. I am laving naylor road. The teachers are great, but because of the principle the teachers can not be creative to make the classes more interesting. the classes are boring and you learn nothing the after school activities there are none and thanks to ms. Sherrie ruggles the school is much more torn apart. I hope it gets better this year, but that school should be shut down. |
| 7/27/2007 | parent | I am not sure why anyone still sends their kids to this school! The high tuition is not worth it! It is small, cramped, and the facilities are lacking. The curriculum is sub-par and the teachers are not allowed to be creative. The classes are very long and not taught in an interesting manner, which means the kids don't learn as well. My child was very unprepared for other schools after leaving NRS. |
| 5/5/2007 | parent | I am overall pleased with my childrens experiences at the NRS. Although they do have som problems hiring and keeping new teachers, the teachers that have been with them for years are great. My son first started at the NRSA in pre-k4, then went on to kindergarden. His first teacher left after about one week in pre-k and the second teacher lift after about three weeks in kindergarden. My son was then switched to Mrs. Harpers kindergarden class. She has been with the school for over ten years and is a wonderful and patient teacher. My son has excelled under her direction and I am very pleased witht he cirruculum. If the school could get and hire more teachers like Mrs. Harper, it would deninately be a better place. |
| 4/18/2007 | parent | My daughter has been enrolled in this school since pre-k. She is now in the 4th grade. Two of those years she started with a new teacher and after only 2 weeks or so the teacher left and she got a new teacher. I now find out that her 4th grade teacher is leaving (2 months before school lets out). This is becoming really annoying. Naylor Road has had some really good teachers but after only 1 year end up leaving. I'm now beginning to believe it's not the teachers but the principle that is the problem. |
| 12/5/2006 | parent | We are overall pleased with the school. Our son has been in The Naylor Road School for two years now. His teacher is very pleasant and welcomes us daily, even the times when we pop in to check on his progress we are always welcomed with a smile. The office staff has been nothing but friendly to me. Though, we are a little disappointed about the limited sports, such as football. I know last year they did have soccer but my son wants to play football badly and it would be very convenient if they atleast, had it as a part of an after-school program. We would very highly recommend the school to others because of the classroom sizes, work-load and the one-on-one attention. Yes, the grading scale is more expecting of students than public schools, but I think that's a plus because it challenges them more. Mr. & Mrs. Hairston |
| 9/21/2006 | parent | My daughter has been attending Naylor Road since PK-3 and I think it is an excellent school. I have always maintained an excellent relationship with her teachers and that helps a lot with her development. The school has limited extracurricular activities but my daughter is involved with many outside activities so in that area she is fine. I would definitely recommend the school. |
| 2/28/2006 | parent | My son attends Naylor Road and I am very pleased with the curriculum. The grading system is more difficult than in the public school system. Parents are required to sign their children in/out. discipline does not seem to be an issue other than typical kids stuff. They do have specials like art,music,spanish and p.e. No sports though as the set up of the school does not permit that. Overall I am very pleased with the education my child is receiving. |
| 12/20/2005 | parent | My Child attends Naylor Road School and has for years. I find the curriculum very intense, in a good way. My son is well above where the public schools children are. No, the school does not have extra curricular acticities, it is an academic school. The students have art, music, spanish, P.E., recess, aftercare, beforecare ect... The staff and administration have always been very helpful and willing to listen to suggestions. The school is small and so are the class sizes. Yes, the school may not have facilities that some other schools have, but they do alot of great things academically. Things like Model UN,there is a student Council,Science Fair and this year a Social Studies Fair. |
| 12/5/2005 | parent | My son just started attending NRS this year, and I am not sure if he will continue at this school next year. He attends pre-k,at the annex. Although he is already on his second teacher, because the first teached was let go a week after school started, he seems to be adjusting well. I just have a problem with the office staff and their lever of unprofessionalism. They are rude and snappy when you ask questions and are just in my opinion not people that should be working with or around children. |
| 10/31/2005 | parent | Naylor Road has been a great school for many years. With the advent of school vouchers in D.C., students that parents were hoping to avoid are now changing the chemistry of the school. The school takes children at any grade, which is a disservice to the other children, new children to the system add more dicipline problems,especially coming from D.C. public schools! |
| 7/27/2005 | parent | My daughter attend NR for her 1st grade year. I was not sure about the school at first when I saw the three houses. The teacher my child had was great. Althought there was one teacher that left in middle of the school year. I love the curiculum, but I did not like the b4 and after care. My child was release to an unauthorized person and he was not asked for his ID. I asked could there be a sign in sign out policy for extended care and parents were complaining they did not have time to get out and sign their child in/out. Safety is a big concern for me and when I went to the principle she did not address my concerns. No PTA when I was there. I have been to quite a few private schools in the area, and I give it a fair overall. |
| 6/17/2005 | parent | My daughter has attended NRS since Pre-K3. She is now going to 3rd grade and I am very pleased with the school. No, they do not have extracurricular activities, but that's what the weekends are for. Overall, I have been very pleased with the school. To the parent who made the comment about the fundraiser -- they didn't charge you $100 they charged $50.00, so please get your facts straight. |
| 6/17/2005 | parent | My son came to Naylor Rd in Kindergarten and remained there until the end of this year. I have to admit that not all of my experiences were pleasant but my son had a wonderful and rewarding experience at Naylor Road. He prospered from day one. Starting with the first year, the teachers helped us guide and nurture him. The parents who were involved with the PTA set goals and accomplished them. My sons teachers and I had a good relationship. There is plenty of classwork and homework. The student teacher ratio is good and I was able to speak with the teacher whenever I needed to do so. If you have a child and you are looking for a good school, Naylor Road could be the school for you. And remember the teachers can't do it all we as parents must do our part. June 2005 |
| 5/2/2005 | parent | I was pleased with Naylor Rd. This is my childs first year and he is in Kindergarten. He has a fair amount of homework and is excelling really well. He has 6-8 spelling words a week and can read very well. They don't have a high level of extracurricular activities I agree. However, student to teacher ratio is great, he gets the the individual attention he needs and the price is right. I have compared Naylor Road schools curriculum with popular christian curriculums and the programs in my opinion are comparable. |
| 4/21/2005 | parent | First, a complaint about the consistency: I was told my daughter couldn't wear some black shoes with contrasting threading because people might think they were brown shoes. But, there are children coming to school in the wrong uniform every single day, plus I've seen other children with shoes like my daughters. Secondly, there is too much homework given. I tell my daughter 'do what you can' or sometimes 'you don't have to do it'. Thirdly, if you don't participate in fundraisers, they charge you $100 yearly. Finally, the classrooms are extremely small and filled to capacity with students/desks. Staff within the office are extremely nice. There aren't extracurricular activites. Overall, this used to be an excellent school, but now it is horribly mediocre. |
| 2/17/2005 | parent | Unfortunately, I did not have the same experience as the other raters. I would not recommend this school. I did not think the school owners or administrative staff had or wanted a relationship with the parents. The teachers were nice but not creative. The school does not offer constructive activities for before and after care. The school does not have a strong PTA. Students do not receive one on one attention from teachers. Teachers and parents did not have frequent discussions about child's progress. Teachers talk to parents only at mandated conference times or when there are problems. The school has no diversity. The school doors were unlocked at all times. |
| 12/27/2004 | parent | This is my daughter's second year at Naylor Road and I am very much pleased with her level of comprehension. Her teacher provides her with the individual attention children need to succeed and she is not 'babied'. I am definitely satisfied with the quality of work she performs. |
| 12/3/2004 | parent | My daughter attended NRS for K3 for the 2003-2004 school year. She had an outstanding teacher, warm, caring, and completing on point. I was so pleased with what my daughter learned in such a short time. My daughter still attends Naylor Road for K4. |
| 8/31/2004 | parent | My child 1st attended NRS Annex PK-4 in 2003-2004 and we had nothing but a wonderful educational experience. Her teacher was warm and caring to both the students and parents. My child learned so much for being just 3/4 years old. She now attends the main school and seems to have a very good teacher. I belive that this year we will get the same educational growth and stimulation as the annex. We are looking forward to another promising year. Karen Upson |
| 5/4/2004 | parent | I found out about the school by experiencing a terrible situation in DC Public Schools when my son was attached. I went to Naylor Road and they took my son immediately. The Director and teachers were wonderful and caring. They didn't treat us as a dollar sign. They really cared about teaching the students and making sure they succeed. My son graduated from there and is in high school now. I miss the warmth this school displayed. I would recommend the school to anyone. |
