Blue Mountain SDA Elementary School

45 Woodland Terrace

Hamburg, PA 19526

16 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 26, 2017

I love BME! It has been a blessing for my children as we transitioned from homeschooling to private school. The teachers and staff really care about the kids. They involve different aspects to learning like hands on activities and ministry opportunities in addition to standard learning methods. The focus on character development and having a personal relationship with God is what I value most! I cannot say enough good things about BME. I am thankful to have my children here!
Submitted by parent on June 03, 2016

Best kept secret in Berks County! If you are looking for a private Elementary School for your child, you will not find a better school anywhere! Great learning environment full of kind, caring teachers, staff and students that offers so many opportunities to learn, grow and challenge spiritually and socially! My daughter loves BME and we love that we found the perfect school for her, that was right under our noses all these years and we never realized it. Even better, is the tuition is half of what most other private schools charge, so it's more affordable for children to attend to get a high quality, private school, Christian Education!
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2014

My daughter has attended this school for 3 years and we LOVE it. I have seen them not only challenge the students academically but also teach the whole child (Mind, Body & Spirit). The teachers are wonderful I have seen them go the extra mile for students who need extra help. My daughter is currently reading 2 grade levels higher than her grade.
Submitted by parent on June 29, 2012

The problem with the school is they are trying to be something they are not. it is a cute school with nice teachers and secretary. But, it absolutely does not provide a well rounded education. When educating the standard should be that of Daniel - BME falls so short of that. This is proven in the fact that enrollment continues to decline year after year. Previous reviewer are either in denial or have a low education standard.
Submitted by other on June 29, 2012

I was a student at BME and thought it was good until my parents transferred me to a real school. The school I go to now has 10 times as many kids and is way more organized. My new school is also Christian and has a higher expectation for learning - kinda like Daniel. I was behind in Math coming from BME and had to spend the summer catching up. That made me feel bad.
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2011

Both of my children attended and graduated from BME and really enjoyed their educational experience here. Both were well prepared for high school as well as being balanced in their social, physical and spiritual development. In addition the emphasis on Christian principles has contributed to their being well grounded spiritually even in to young adulthood.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2011

I wholeheartedly agree with the previous review. In the 2011/12 school year, BME is blessed with a fantastic faculty and has already clearly demonstrated how it can (and does) offer a much more comprehensive learning environment than is possible in the public school setting. I and my wife are highly educated, my wife even being an educator, and we can attest that our son is excelling rapidly in all levels. The comprehensive education offered by BME goes well beyond the limited focus of public school, and any claims of being below grade level do not take this into consideration...comparing apples and oranges. Historically, Adventist Education consistently out performs all public education in standardized testing...but standardized tests don't include the full spectrum of Adventist Education. These extremely negative reviews are generated by two or three highly negative people. I seriously doubt they will be content with any school setting. They make unsubstantiated claims, but claims that the school treated with utmost sincerity and made adjustments for in the current school year. For truth, check it out yourself...reacting to their negative claims, BME is now stronger than ever.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2011

I'm mystified by the negative comments posted by some people. I've just enrolled my children at BME after having them in public school. The education they are receiving is nothing short of wonderful. My kids are happier and exhibit more inspiration in desiring to learn than they did in public school. If these negative people are speaking truth, it must be something from the past. But speaking from experience with people, I suspect the real problem lies with the naysayers. I would never have felt the need to write this review, but I cannot allow such bold-faced untruth to be spread about what is obviously a fantastic school.
Submitted by teacher on September 06, 2011

This school is a God oriented small school. Because it is small, the student/teacher ratio is far superior to public school allowing students to get the individual attention that might be needed. Not sure what "organized hot lunch" means. But it is volunteer and the lunches are healthy and vegetarian. There is a real team effort put forth by the faculty. The school did experience a wrinkle, but it's all but ironed out now. Don't hesitate to stop in and talk to anyone there!
Submitted by other on September 05, 2011

Students that have graduated from this school have demonstrated strong skills in leadership, study habits, and have done well when compared to students taking the Iowa test of Basic Skills. Unfortunately this school has had a core of parents that wanted to control all facets of the program which caused great disruption. With experienced staff, a smaller, less agenda driven board, and this core of disgruntled parents gone, BME is once again able to focus on impacting the lives of its students.
Submitted by parent on August 07, 2011

We know of several families, from BME, that have had their children transferred to public school in the Hamburg School District. These children were/are educationally below their grade level when tested.
Submitted by parent on August 06, 2011

Our experience with Blue Mountain Seventh-Day Adventist Elementary School was less than desirable, and we are making a decision to select another school for our child/children's education. There are several concerns we have, and they are as follows: Recent teacher/principal high turn-over rate, poor teacher-parent communication, very "main-stream" curriculum (no gifted or Special Ed accomadations) questionable grading system, ie: report card grades do not reflect scores on the Achievement Test scores. Art, technology, math, science, and reading programs are weak, and do not compete with other educational institutions. School board members, especially the board chairman have not been intrumental in dealing with numerous parental concerns and complaints. There is disorganization, confusion, lack of consistant Handbook Policy enforcement. Due to the above mentioned concerns, and the negative school issues, enrollment is seriously low, the school quality is very poor, finances are low, and there is concern about the future of the school, I /we would not recommend BME for a school choice.
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2011

I had two children attend BME and they both loved it! Our experience was the best a small school could offer. The teachers knew the child's needs and provided ways to challenge and inspire the student to learn. The small school atmosphere promoted a family like feeling where all the students learned to work together. Academics are top notch matched with an importance to show the students Jesus in all areas of learning. BME is a great school with excellent teachers, strong leadership, and challenging academic programs!
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2011

For a small school, BME accomplishes so much. Involving teachers, volunteers, and parents, BME offers excellence in education (consistently outperforming public schools), music education (general music, choir, handbells, and band), physical education, and education in nature. Beginning with the 2011/12 school season, BME is adding education in robotics to the science and technology curriculum. The School Board and professional staff are always looking for ways to further improve the overall education of the students at BME. This school is planning and growing for the future.
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2011

Do not send your child. This school is a bit of a mess. They need a good leader to give it vision and direction. It does have a spiritual atmosphere; however, I had a problem with some of the behavior being allowed in the classroom and since have been treated unkindly by some of the staff. It's like if your christian you're not supposed to have concerns!??? God is a God of order and discipline as well as longsuffering - not one or the other.
Submitted by parent on January 20, 2011

Our child's ITBS scores decreased considerably when we joined this school. The school lacks a clearly defined discipline policy. Although, there is a spiritual atmosphere.