Menaul School

301 Menaul Boulevard Northeast

Albuquerque, NM 87107

24 Reviews

School District
Grade

6-12
Type

private

Find Homes for Sale in this School Zone

Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 24, 2024

We have been associated with the school for six years, and this will officially be our last. Do your children and your family a favor and do not even consider Menaul School. We have invested our trust and finances in Menaul, while the administration and management have gotten worse every single year. As of this year, they no longer even meet basic language requirements for graduates to get into college. The math and science classes are overcrowded, like 25 kids to one teacher. They started hiring random people off the street with no experience who aren't even certified to be teachers! Yet they continue to collect the same tuition. Things have gotten even worse with the new head of school. The class offerings are limited and the class schedules are chaotic. What finally pushed us over the edge is getting an email from the school, practically begging us to ask our employers to donate large amounts of money to the school to help it stay open, because the usual donors aren't funding the school anymore. That should tell you something! What a mess! Stay away.
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2024

As a new parent, I couldn’t be more disappointed with Menaul School. We saw the bad reviews, but they advertise that the new School President made sweeping improvements. If this is an improvement, then I wonder how bad it was before. At orientation, the class schedules were in complete disarray and we had to make so many changes, which took hours. Then some of the classes were so overcrowded that they had to kick students out of them. Now students have free periods just sitting around. We wanted to come to Menaul because of the small class size and one to one interaction. That isn't possible when there are 25 and 30 kids in a class! STEM classes are the ones that are overcrowded, and STEM is one of the most important career fields in this day and age. There is little individualized attention because the teachers seem overwhelmed and overworked. Many of the teachers are new, so they are preoccupied with acclimating rather than focusing on engaging lessons. The teachers care, but you can tell that management doesn't give them enough support. The administration office is so disorganized. The principal does not respond to parents in a timely manner. The principal's secretary is rude and unprofessional. My child is already asking to leave and we aren't even half way through the year.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2024

Menaul has had a rough few years and as a parent I was really worried about whether this was still the right place for my child. This year they have a new head of school and administration; it's been a world of difference! I've seen a change in in the school but more importantly with my kid. I can't thank the teachers enough for how hard they work and the time they take with each student!
Submitted by parent on July 18, 2024

Menaul was a really good day school plus boarding school. Small class size, good teachers, a lot of pride on the campus. Good kids getting a good education. But in the last few years, directors and board officials have completely ran that place to the ground. They should be embarrassed to even show their faces. Great teachers leave or get fired because of the school money and management problems. Or they just hire a random teacher but they aren't qualified. Then every time teachers change (which is all the time) the curriculum has to be changed. So even the kids don't know what to even expect every year. Or they wonder what they can take to graduate. Last year, they had a substitute Spanish II teacher because of the true Spanish teacher getting fired. She wasn't even there for a whole year! And then the class got a substitute and didn't do anything but mess around the next semester. It's exactly the definition of what happens when decision makers just keep on getting promoted to their level of incompetance! The buildings are also run down. Almost every day at least half of the toilets are backed up and out of order. The girls dorm plumbing is always overflowing and it stinks. The coolers don't work in the summer and the heat doesn't work in the winter. The middle and high school years are challenging enough, without wondering if the school will even stay open. There are so many other good schools in the city. Ones where you don't have to worry about whether the school is going to stay open, or if the next bad decision an officer makes will close the school down. It isn't worth the hassle. They should get rid of all their top officials and start over completely, because they don't have any idea what they are doing. Parents beware!
Submitted by parent on July 10, 2024

Menaul doesn't have very supportive admin and treats teachers, volunteers and parents like dirt. When they need help, (which is all the time because they can't afford to pay enough staff to do the jobs they need) they are nicey nicey to the parents and ask everyone to volunteer and give money. And they expect the teachers to stay after or show up on days off and volunteer for all of their ideas and programs. But after all the parents give time and money, you don't get thanked or even recognized for doing their jobs for them. Then when you have a question or an idea or an issue with the school, they are so disrespectful and don't offer to listen or help your child. That's if you even get a response to a phone call or email. But then then they want something again, they make the teachers stay late and are asking you to show up to clean, or pay fpr something to get fixed, or show up to fix something, or be a chaperone, or donate more money. They keep asking for more and more money all the time. But then the school almost closed last year because they said they didn't have enough money! They have parents or alumni pretty much doing full time jobs at the school for free. And of course the teachers. We already pay enough money for our kids to go there. We shouldn't always have to do their jobs around the campus too. It is one thing to volunteer or be on a parent advisory committee, but Menaul expects volunteers to literally do the job of a paid employees for free. Then they act like you owe them that, or they treat you like you work there and you should do whatever they tell you, like the lowest employee or something. But just keep having deeper and deeper pockets and keep showing up to do their jobs for them.
Submitted by other on May 29, 2024

The good side of Menaul is the teachers who care and go the extra mile. It is small so everyone knows everyone. The classes are good for the most part. They offer regular and advanced, A/P courses, and they have extra support classes for struggling students in different subjects. There are students and teachers from around the world. It's safe and there is not a lot of drugs or bullying. They also have community service and mission week, where the students learn the value of volunteering in the community. The bad side is the extracurricular isn't great, like sports or organizations. As with any little school, theres some pretty strong nepotism and old ways of thinking too. There are some families that have connections through the church or the school, so they get more say in decisions. Parents that have alot of money so have more pull. It is bound to happen any where, but it's still unacceptable. The kids are mostly friendly and the teachers do care, but there are still kids who it seems like no one cares about. That's also one of the down sides. It' so small that every kid should be noticed, but there are some kids that still fall through the cracks. Maybe they are on a spectrum, or they are anxious or shy, or maybe have problems at home. The school could do better by just taking time to bring those students out of their shell. It seems like the school counselor doesn't do enough to stop that.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2024

Menaul has changed alot, and not for the better. I wouldn't describe it as even really college preparatory anymore. The academic quality decreased. The new math program that the principal picked is a disaster. The average math test score, for an entire grade class, for the year was a D. That speaks volumes! They brought many new teachers and offered new classes and electives, but halfway through the year they realized they couldn't afford it. So by the end of the year they had to remove the programs and teachers. The students who wanted to pursue those programs are out of luck, I guess. The school just doesn't think decisions through before it's too late to negatively effect everyone. Most of the teachers are good, but there is no consistency or rigor because they don't properly support the teachers, or pick the right curriculum. This effects the quality of education. The college counseling leaves alot to be desired, too. They just give the kids web sites and don't really work with the students and families on actual college planning. Parents pick Menaul for the small size, thinking they will get that 1-1 attention for college planning. The counselor isn't even qualified to provide college guidance. The school obviously isn't making the right decisions about leadership, with finances or curriculum, and therefore the students aren't being really prepared. Our kids and family have gone through Menaul and I'm actually looking forward to be finally moving on from there now. Unless something changes, the best years are behind it.
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2024

Menaul is not worth the price they charge! You can pay almost the same amount as Academy and get half the education at Menaul. The academics are just ok. Not better than any public school, though. Most teachers are good and they work hard and they care. There are some teachers that are terrible, that shouldn't even be allowed to teach. For the price, every teacher should be good at their job. Administration is inexperienced but ok. The sports and extracurriculars are awful. The coaches don't really invest in the kids. Some of them aren't even real actual coaches, either. They have some random teachers and even the chaplain as a coach, which is a joke. And they don't know how to coach at all or help the athletes get better. The clubs are not funded well, and there aren't that many clubs anyway. The music and drama program is embarassing. The lunches are cheap and small. The campus is really nice to look at, but the buildings are old, and run down. They also try constantly to brainwash your kids into what they believe. They try to force kids what to believe and put pressure on them to believe their politics and religious views especially. They are just like all the other extremely political and religious schools when it comes to forcing their beliefs. It is so ignorant and annoying. They only want to force your kids to have beliefs that they have. They do not offer anything for special education at all. It has some racially diverse students, though. There are kids from other countries that live in the dorms, and that gives a unique experience for everyone. But that still doesn't make it worth the amount they charge! They should be charging around $6,000 for tuition for what they offer. There is no way this school can compete education-wise, arts-wise or sports-wise with other expensive schools, like Bosque or Sandia Prep, or Academy. But they charge the same amount.
Submitted by parent on September 12, 2023

Just such a great school! Challenges students academically but all of the teachers work hard to ensure the kids are grasping everything.
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2022

Our kids are students at Menaul, and they have greatly grown both personally and academically. Menaul is a unique college preparatory school with a beautiful campus and dedicated staff. Because of its boarding program there are students from over 20 countries and due to generous donations, the school offers substantial financial aid bringing in students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Menaul's “no cut” sports program and PE classes are another big plus. It gets kids in shape and is a great way for them to build lasting friendships. Finally, their management through CoVid was superior! They were open and in person (with an online option) nearly the entire time by working hard to keep everyone safe and finding reasonable solutions to requirements such as classroom density. If you are looking for a school that provides solid college-prep academics with a wide lens on the world in a safe and caring environment, then this is the right school for your family.
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2022

Menaul is a top tier school. I can attest that being a part of the school and community has been one of the best decisions I could have made for myself and my family! The teachers care to watch each student succeed. I built relationships with teachers that I still keep in touch with years after graduating. I would highly recommend looking into Menaul before making a final choice on what is the best fit for you and your family!
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2022

My twin boys started at Menaul School in 6th grade. They started during the pandemic when Menaul was the only school during in person learning. They both fell in love with Menaul. They participate in every sport offered at the school. One of my sons is taking Chinese, and I do not think that he would have gotten this opportunity at another school. The community is very kind and nurturing. It feels like family. They are challenged and loved. I highly recommend the school.
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2022

We are new to Menaul school. The admissions process demonstrated to us the student-centered and supportive culture of the school. So far, our student has been warmly welcomed by the school community and we feel the strong support of his teachers. He has already gone on a hike in the Sandias with the rest of the high school and he is growing cucumbers while learning botany in his greenhouse class! There is a clear sense of community and eagerness to embrace new families.
Submitted by parent on March 29, 2022

I've been repeatedly disappointed by leadership of Menaul School's middle school program. The Administrator of the middle school is kind and friendly, but she repeatedly shows that she is unqualified for the position. She is easily swayed by the politics and pressures of the school's more "prized" families, and it shows in her treatment of students and families that are not deemed high on the pecking order. She is unprofessional in her dealings with students and parents. She has been outright dishonest with parents and the community on a few occasions.A handful of the middle school teachers are not experienced in working with middle school students and repeatedly have fallen short in keeping control and interest in their classrooms, even with an average teacher student ratio of 9-1. Teachers are inexperienced and lack the skill necessary to manage typical adolescent behavior. Rather than take the time to involve parents in their student's issues, provide adequate discipline and consequences to students, and provide leadership and training to her teachers so they can better handle adolescent behavior, the administrator's response to the ineptitude of herself and her staff was to surprise a few students by completely rearranging their class schedules without notice or explanation, and send an email to the community stating that this was necessary because "students weren't getting along." The middle school administrator and a few of the middle school teachers run together like an immature pack of high school girls. It is an embarrassment. They spend time on their phones in the classroom during class time. They make and post ridiculous personal Tiktoks on campus even during class time. Sometimes their tiktoks include students. They have a heavy presence on social media for the school as well, but regularly post images of themselves and those they deem to be "popular" students. In many ways, it is like having a middle school run by an immature teen babysitter and her friends.For the size of classes, there is very little personal attention and communication between teachers and families.Many teachers do not have command of the Canvas classroom application. The favored students always receive the electives they select. Unfavored students are placed in whatever electives are left over afterward.There is a spirit of retaliation against students whose parents who challenge or question or raise concerns about decisions made by administration.
Submitted by other on February 03, 2022

Menaul School promises a “Word Smart” education. They do not prepare their students for tomorrow, much less the future. The teachers at the middle school are mostly under the age of 30 with less than 5- years experience. Three of these teachers are in their first year of teaching with no mentorship or training. The “boss” of the middle school only has one year experience outside of Menaul, and only 4 years at Menaul and absolutely NO training in administration, not one class. She does not know what she does not know, which is a bad situation for a school desperately in need of leadership. She trained two of the other teachers, both of whom went to Menaul. These two take off days and are constantly leaving early. There is no rigorous student learning or teacher accountability and the “boss” lets it all go unnoticed. She lives on campus, as do many, and therefore there is a community that supports this behavior. The head of school is busy with business ventures outside of the school. He’s been there 16-years and he doesn’t show care for the nuances that need to be addressed in a school on a daily basis. He could be a leader, but he has given up and as a result many have given up as well. The high school head has no certification and less experience. This tight-knit administration has driven off the experienced teachers, 4 teachers and the Chaplain since October 2021, because once they question the lack of rigor, the non-existent standards and the flawed processes that the school follows, they are fired from their “at will” contracts. Experienced teachers remaining all have children at the school and are trapped. The lack of administrative leadership has created a situation where certain students bully others and create a very hostile culture at the school. This is not a result of Covid, it is because the administration does not respond to simple situations, thus empowering students. It does not have to be this way, as children rise to expectations and when they were required to, they did. The expectations at Menaul are low-low-low. The school recruits from overseas, financing most of their yearly budget with rich families, absent parents and foreign students. There is no accountability, no rigor, no homework, and teachers would much rather take the day off or play outside with the students than provide academics and focus. Parents looking to prepare their children for a positive future should avoid Menaul School.
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2021

I highly recommend Menaul School. It has been a wonderful place for my childs growth in education . The teachers really care about the children and want them to succeed not only in school but in life. This school is a place that I feel my child is safe and care for. The class sizes are wonderful! I know my child will not be over looked. Menaul is a community that strives to do its best in educating the children of our future.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2021

Our sons have had a wonderful experience at Menaul School. They are prepared for college and received great instruction from teachers that one of my sons described as "being talked to rather than talked down to. " Menaul School feels like family with Christian values seen throughout the staff and campus. Everyone at Menaul is easily accessible for concerns and questions. We feel Menaul instills great leadership, problem solving and community service skills in all who attend there. The boys received wonderful experiences in athletics music and of course the rigorous academic college preparatory curriculum. We would highly recommend Menaul School.
Submitted by parent on June 03, 2021

Menaul has been the perfect choice for our granddaughter. Small classes, caring and challenging teachers and an excellent curriculum.
Submitted by parent on January 17, 2017

We are so pleased with our decision to send our daughter to Menaul. The environment is one of a family. Students are given the best opportunity to excel with their small class sizes and attention given to every student's needs by caring and vested teachers and staff. This community was the perfect fit for our family and we are so lucky to attend such a great school.
Submitted by other on November 29, 2016

We love Menaul school. It has a great welcoming environment and staff involvement. Perfect place for students to excel in education.