Bethany School

555 ALBION AVE

Cincinnati, OH 45246

16 Reviews

School District
Grade

1-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 20, 2024

Just finished our first year here and couldn’t be more pleased in finding such a warm, inviting and organized environment for our kindergartner. Teachers and staff are kind, eager to help, listen and know my child by name. Super small classes mean my child can work at her level while others work at theirs. A kindergarten class has different levels of readers and whether a child needed extra help or extra challenge, they provided both depending on the student. We’re super excited to continue our Bethany journey next year and plan to send our second child in a couple of years. Hidden GEM!
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2024

We came to Bethany after leaving another prominent Christian school in Cincinnati. Although we had been at that school for 4 years, they refused to admit my incoming kindergartner for unclear reasons. Bethany welcomed my son with open arms and he has been THRIVING. My 6th grader loves Bethany and has from her first day this year. I appreciate the diversity, the willingness to question & have an open mind, and the dedicated faculty.In short, Bethany is a place where all students and their families are LOVED and VALUED. My only complaint has been some teacher turnover this year that was a little disruptive to the learning environment. However, I understand things happen and I doubt Bethany is the only place with this challenge.
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2024

Our experience with Bethany School changed dramatically from beginning to end. For three years, our first child had a wonderful experience there. The school truly lived up to its claim of promoting academic excellence in a Christian environment. Academics were solid; beautiful traditions, both old and new, were maintained; teachers were professional, and the classroom environment was nearly always positive. When we raised issues with teachers, they were addressed promptly and effectively. Unfortunately, once the Board of Trustees was formed, the school went downhill, first incrementally and then precipitously. The first year our second child attended, we could already see the difference. Many families had already withdrawn their children from the school. The emphasis on character education and Christian formation was all but gone. Bullying was on the increase, and disruptive classroom behavior was not taken seriously. Meanwhile, the Head of School was touting the diversity consultant they had brought in for a three-day visit. The year after that – our last – was nearly intolerable, with our children complaining every day about how miserable the classroom environment had become. A teacher made inappropriate, disparaging comments about the president and nearly got away with it. Another teacher, about to retire, told us, in a guarded manner, that teachers were being threatened by litigious parents and had all but lost their ability to enforce discipline. It became clear that true diversity was a mark of the old Bethany School but not the new one. After we left, our children's friends remained there, so we got reports of the continuing deterioration. It's sad, truly sad, that what was once a wonderful, vibrant school has been reduced to a shadow of itself. Of the twenty-eight children who entered kindergarten along with our first child, only twelve graduated from Bethany. Perhaps that statistic casts light on why their student to teacher ratio is as low as it is. Academic excellence in a Christian environment is still on their website, but appears well after platitudes about respect, responsibility, and appreciation for diversity. I hope – before it's too late – that Bethany School recovers its Christian identity so that it can once more become a joyful place for children of all backgrounds to learn. Until then, I can't recommend this school to anybody, especially to those who hold traditional or conservative views.
Submitted by other on February 12, 2024

I am a newer staff member at Bethany School. The school has gone through a lot of change the past two years, including hiring a new head of school and administration team. I saw the positive changes and team that cared, and decided to send my son here. Some of the positive changes have been hiring a school counselor, Dean of Academics (who oversees teachers and curriculum), and a Dean of Students (who focuses on the student life, behavior, and auxillary programs). The school is also going through a process to be accredited as an independent school, creating new guidelines and accountability that will make this community even stronger. As a parent, is our first year at Bethany School, and we have had a great experience. My son has made friends, participated in the extra-curricular opportunities (they have a lot to choose from for being a small school), and connected well with most of his teachers. They have an amazing school counselor when then the kids need support. When we toured, we were amazed by the beautiful campus and facilities, but will be staying for the community. The classes are 15 students or less, so kids are seen and receive individual attention. My kid is known, and that makes a world of difference.
Submitted by teacher on September 05, 2023

I'm so impressed with this sweet, beautiful school. The arts programs are amazing, the tech for each child is incredible, and the teachers are deeply committed to an excellent education for each child. Because the classrooms are capped at 15, the faculty is able to truly connect with each student. There are excellent materials in every classroom and a high level of training provided for teachers with any new curriculum. You just don't see this every day. And, the school is net zero - it's one of the greenest elementary/middle schools in the country. Episcopals are open-minded and open-hearted, and you can feel that in the relationships between faculty and students.
Submitted by other on May 29, 2022

I'd like to echo the comments made by another former employee. I worked here for many years and up until recently. I escaped. I got out. I am in a much better place. But I’m also angry. I’m angry because I survived the sinking of what was once a good, if not great, school. When I first started, Bethany School had a community and an identity. While our school “may not be famous,” it was loving, accepting and a joy to work at. The Sisters were a part of the daily fabric of the school. It was connected to the Village of Glendale. It was known for being a school of diversity. Students of multiple colors filled the bleachers. They were, quite literally, a rainbow. In the years I have worked there, I have seen a new set of state of the art buildings go up. That’s the only positive. It’s all been down hill since. And, as other reviewers have noted, the pandemic is not to blame for this spiraling decline. Speaking from my own personal experience, I’ve endured the creation of a Board of Trustees that created a seismic rift between the Society of the Transfiguration and the school, the elevation of inexperienced and unprepared administrators, and the hiring of additional inept teaching staff as a result. This school has not only lost its identity, it has succumbed to a radicalized vision of itself that needs a billboard to justify its own existence. It is NOT diverse. Essentially, it is a private school for African Americans. The majority of the staff are liberal white females and either atheistic or agnostic at best. This was a religious school. There is no discipline plan, no structure or communication amongst teachers (unless you count them getting together to have a beer as a part of the “BREW Crew”). With cronyism rampant, the administration even plays favorites amongst students. Since rejecting EdChoice students, the mentality of the school has shifted in a direction of teaching only those who can afford the over-priced tuition. It is a school where the intern (not to be confused with an actual “Interim”) Head of School actually promotes failing. Yes, you heard it right folks. She’ll tell you that kids should FAIL. And then try to provide an acronym to explain. Look, mistakes are a part of the learning process. That’s a fair comparison. But to put the notion that failure is somehow acceptable, under any euphemism, in the young minds of students, is deplorable. Don’t make the mistake of sending your child to this school to fail. I won't.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2022

After reading some of the past reviews that have been posted.. I have to agree with those who have made mention of the BULLYING ISSUE. My child has been and continues to face BULLYING. Teachers/Staff clearly see and hear what is happening and does not address the situation until the child who receives the bullying, comes to the teacher to crying. Teachers/Staff do nothing. At this point I have literally told my child to start defending themselves. Even if that means getting physical!! If the Teachers/Staff won’t stand up to the BULLY.. at least mine WILL! …Other than that.. and so far 2 Current Teachers being a LITTLE TOO AGGRESSIVE to the Children…………. Bethany is great! LOL :)
Submitted by other on January 04, 2022

I worked here. It is toxic and chaotic and one of the most dysfunctional places I have ever worked. The staff that is still there is either stuck there or part of the problem. Avoid this school or at least ask the tough questions. Ask about enrollment decline since 2017 and do not accept that it is because of Covid. Private and parochial schools are seeing record enrollment because of covid while this school has seen dramatic and ongoing decline. Talk to folks who have been here. Do not accept a single thing the current staff tells you. Even the data on this site is grossly false. Do your homework and look into this place before sending your kids here.
Submitted by parent on October 04, 2021

We came to Bethany after a terrible experience in the Lakota Local Schools. The difference between the schools is night and day. I've never heard of a bullying situation. We've been here two years so far and of yet to experience a difficult situation with behaviors or bullying.
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2019

We are very thankful we found Bethany for our child. The families, teachers, and administrators are incredible.
Submitted by parent on August 13, 2019

Terrible. I regret the day I enrolled my daughter in this school. Much of the staff is incompetent and dishonest. I witnessed multiple times trying to convince my child that her injuries were sustained by accident. I'm not sure that a child throwing at her and hitting her on the back of the head was an accident. I'll definitely be following up with who ever I can. The principle was extremely uncooperative when I tried to have my daughter moved to a different school. He refused to have her records released.
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2018

For the first three years, it was pretty much peaceful......but the last year the bullying started, and for some reason the school is in denial. Be careful if you decide to send your child to this school. Because they are all show, but inside, when you get to know what's happening. You will understand that you make a mistake and that school doesn't serve the Lord.
Submitted by other on October 24, 2017

I love this school. The grounds are gorgeous. The parents all care about each other and in crisis pull together to help. The administration is so kind and works well with parents and children. The children are all also so polite and kind. It sometimes feels like I am stepping back in time. The school is also very Diverse. They even offer HSPT during class time for the 8th graders. I is a well oiled machine and the kids have fun. It is a beautiful day ...oh lets go have class outside. I mean what a great place. The teachers are very hands-on and keep you informed of the progress your child is making. The classroom size is about 15-16 kids per class. You have to see the new renovation being done it is amazing! I love this school and highly recommend it to anyone who wants your child to excel. They also offer support for those who can't quite afford the tuition. Hope this helps.
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2013

We moved my daughter to Bethany as a fifth grader and it was the best move we ever made. She received a superior education with challenging academics. Her teachers were caring and dedicated. The small class sizes made individual attention realistic. There were also excellent opportunities for extracurricular involvement, from athletics to Power of the Pen to Model UN and much more. As she graduated from Bethany, the high school choices were vast. All spoke of Bethany students as well prepared and responsible. Our only regret is not having made the move to Bethany earlier. It truly made a difference for not only our daughter, but our whole family.
Submitted by parent on December 21, 2012

No values, ran like a dictatorship, what is right is wrong and what is wrong is right. Do yourself a favor and keep your kids away from this place, wish I had. Nuns do not get involved and unfortunately the principal runs amok, literally fostering rumors acting irrationally because she can and because she is in charge. Very weird, very unchristian, and way over priced. Don't say I did not warn you, stay far away from this place.
Submitted by parent on September 12, 2012

Bethany School is a wonderfully diverse academically superior school in Cincinnati. The class sizes are small. This allows the teachers and administrators to truly know the students and encourage them to reach their full potential. Bethany grads consistently go to top high schools in the area. The grounds of Bethany are another strength. The students walk in between buildings for their classes. This allows them to get fresh air and exercise which further promotes learning. The administration is open to feedback and is constantly working to improve Bethany. The teachers, administrators, students and parents make a wonderful community and we will be sad when our children reach eighth grade and we have to leave Bethany School.