Abbot School

2670 Sequoia Parkway

School District

Ann Arbor Public Schools
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

GreatSchools Rating

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on July 18, 2022

My children attended Abbot Kindergarten through fifth grade graduation. Many of the teachers that most helped our family and other families in needs were let go in favor of teachers who were more focused on test scores. While volunteering, I once witnessed a white teacher drag a black second grader out of the class by his collar to reprimand him. I frequently witnessed other teachers use shame and threats in order to control student behavior. The school has a PBIS system that publicly shames students who lack self-regulation skills. Most families at Abbot are affluent however there are many low income students who have many stresses and developmental delays due to instability in the house, who are wrongly punished. My youngest son has poor hearing in one ear which was documented through many audiologist visits. Although the school was frequently made aware, he was regularly disciplined for not listening. My youngest is a sensitive so he would often come home crying because he would miss instruction due to louder students around him. I sent multiple emails and meet with teachers to explain why he was not following directions and to provide documents, but I would not see any change. Abbot teachers have little patient for any misbehavior and very little supports for students with challenges. My children also experienced many incidences of bullying. My oldest once came home with a large abrasion on his forehead because a student slammed his head against a brick wall. My other child had many experiences where other students had thrown his entire lunch in the trash. The teachers when notified where unaware leaving me to think they were not well supervised. When my children were in Kindergarten, I separated from my children's father due to his physical abuse towards me. At the beginning of the school year, I had taken emergency custody of my children, and I was living in a motel in hiding. Only one staff member expressed any concern or kindness for our safety and she was later let go. She now works in a Head Start program where I am sure she is valued. While going through legal proceedings my children's father was making false allegations that I was mentally unfit. I asked my children's teachers to be a witness to my character and only one staff member (the one previously mentioned) agreed. I then received an email stating that the district did not want teachers to become involved. I found this statement devasting and I felt alienated from the community.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2020

I currently have two children at Abbot and it has been a great experience for both.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2016

This school is the most welcoming school in Ann Arbor and it's frequently referred to as the "best kept secret". An earlier comment mentioned a problem with bullying and students not getting in trouble. This is absolutely untrue. If students are discipline, it's a private matter only discussed with the student and parents. The staff of this school is a very caring group of people and the teachers know all students. They support one another and are always available to families. The principal is present and welcoming to everyone. I would recommend this school to anyone, including anyone new to the area.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2016

Do NOT choose this school if your child has not grown up with children that already attend this school. Yes, this school is seemingly "close nit" for those that are already "included" BUT far from welcoming to those that are new to the school. When my child attended Abbot ( 4 long months) he was bullied daily. The apparent Abbot approach to addressing bullying is to ignore it and ~maybe~ it will go away. The children that were named specifically received no discipline for their behavior. They were allowed to continue going to school pulling more students in on the bullying and the problem increasingly grew. I pulled my son from going to school there. For "newbies" to the area, it was an awful experience!!
Submitted by other on April 25, 2016

Two of our three children have attended young fives at Abbot. We absolutely love the young fives program. Overall, the school has a great atmosphere. The students seem happy, engaged, and well behaved. The principal is friendly and approachable, and the office staff is welcoming.
Submitted by parent on April 06, 2015

My son's kindergarten experience has been fantastic at Abbot. From Kindergarten Round-Up on, the staff has been organized, communicated well, and met his academic and social needs. My son is above grade level in math and reading, with lots of credit going to the Abbot staff. He is also enrolled in School Age Child Care, and loves it. He always looks forward to the days that he gets to stay and play with his friends.
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2012

Abbot is an extraordinary, close-knit community of teachers and parents. Also, the adjacent woods and natural habitat maintained by students on the school grounds, makes it a wonderful place to grow and learn. My daughter entered Abbot in 2011-12 for Young 5's and had a great experience. She was in a class of nine and the hands on instruction she received from the teacher and small group dynamic really boosted her self confidance. The 1/2 day young 5's program was a good pace and good introduction to the school environement including rotation among speciality classes (art, gym, music and library) and participation in special school programs. She was well prepared to begin full day Kindergarten this year and was excited to begin the school year. We know many families at Abbot from other activities in which we are involved in the Ann Arbor community, and the PTO is really a dedicated group of parents involved throughout the year. Abbot is really an AAPS gem.