Northeast Elementary School

425 Winthrop Drive

School District

Ithaca City
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:8
Type

public

School Map for Ithaca City School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on August 28, 2023

The first parent teacher conference we had with my son's first grade teacher was the teacher just showing us apps for almost every subject that he and his classmates were using. Having kids who went through NE years ago, I can compare that the conferences we used to have with teachers were about curriculum, behavior, my child's progress, etc. It was so weird to be shown screen after screen of apps. I have definitely noticed that my son's attention span has worsened since starting at NE, and we don't do tech at home.
Submitted by parent on April 01, 2023

No parental ability to opt out of tech during the younger elementary years. Kids playing "slime store" app, going on YouTube to watch videos, teacher putting on cartoons (Gabby's Dollhouse, Grizzy and the Lemmings). The "opt out" option they give is for the kid to color in the back of the class during cartoons (but the kid is in the room and hears the cartoon, and they only have to look up to see it). I talked to teachers and principal. Nothing changed.
Submitted by parent on December 15, 2021

I am an educator and I had to pull my children out of this school. As other negative reviews have stated, this school is highly focused on students with IEPs, and advanced learners are not challenged or given an opportunity to reach their full potential. There are MANY students with IEPs and teachers seem overwhelmed addressing those learning needs without any idea how to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of ALL learners in the classroom.In Addition, the teachers are highly dependent on technology in the classroom, to the point where I was getting emails that my kindergartener was getting on YouTube in class. How could she even have the opportunity to do that? Why isn't YouTube blocked for students? Also, why wasn't my child engaged enough that she even had the opportunity to do that? Learning apps abound at Northeast Elementary. As a matter of fact, they're used in place of teaching concepts much of the time. And when they're not on the tablets, they're given many, many worksheets. Homework is non-existent and I received very little communication from the teacher. It was difficult for me to determine what concepts were being worked on in class or how I could assist my child in the learning process.Finally, one of my children was assigned a teacher that was not only highly incompetent, but also unkempt and rude. She was a horrible example and role model for students to look up to. With the huge political movement going on in the school district right now, she was a blind follower. To the point where she removed all Christmas books from the classroom because there was one Jewish student, and then added Jewish books to the library. Why not expose students to all religions/holidays/beliefs without making the mainstream students feel like they've done something wrong? Students we not even able to talk about the Christmas holiday in class. I could go on and on with shocking stories about this teacher, but I digress. Please refrain from sending your child to this school. Avoid the school district entirely if you are able to! I recommend Lansing schools or finding a suitable private school for your child.
Submitted by parent on July 02, 2018

Our daughter just finished 4th grade in Mr. Goodman's class, and she was wonderfully supported and academically challenged over the whole year. Her homework included prep work for the State exams but also had a significant project-based element, and the balance of in-class work and homework was excellent. Moreover, the PTA is highly involved and has lots of creative activities and events, the parents regularly pack the auditorium for concerts and other events, and the music program must be one of the best in the state! The administration doesn't send too many emails but also stays in good touch with the parents and students. All in all, while our daughter was worried about moving to a new school this year, she is now confident, has mastered her subjects, and loves her school -- what more could you want than that?
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2014

We are proud parents of two kids who went to Northeast K-5. Their experience socially and academically was very positive. Our kids' teachers were experienced and clearly loved working with their classes. Northeast Elementary benefits from having students from many different places. The friendships formed during the years are long lasting. The level of parent involvement is high - both with the PTA, Enrichment Programs, school events and classroom volunteers. It is also the only one of the few National Blue Ribbon Schools in New York State. Thank you to the whole staff for making our time at Northeast a special time for our kids!
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2013

My kids go to Northeast and have had a great experience so far-dedicated teachers, and many motivated students along with a PTA that does a lot of extra things for the kids.
Submitted by parent on September 12, 2013

We also had a *major* problem with bullying at this school. The teacher, principal, and social worker were unresponsive. The school is mainly focused on ESL and ignores the needs of accelerated students. This is a minor issues, but the school also does not send home children who have active lice and the school does not notify the parents that there are lice in the classroom. It's repulsive.
Submitted by parent on July 11, 2013

My child just finished K at Northeast. The teacher did not teach reading skills or phonics, just drilled sight words into the children's heads. There was no creative learning, just worksheets. My child learned to pretend to not know material to get out of doing work. I am now reteaching kindergarten material and praying we can be transferred out of town to prevent further damage.
Submitted by parent on June 28, 2013

NE elementary school represents a diversity of ethnic, cultural and religious origins. School programs harness the diversity to unravel the unique beauties that distinct each group, while providing at the same time an infrastructure for students and families from all over the world to share unforgettable experiences that bond them as part of one whole community. The ESL program is GREAT- Mrs Krakow has a direct, open approach to the children and people in general, and she connects and creates trust and respect from the beginning with students and families - this is to our opinion a very important feature, as acquiring a new language lies in a greater context of adjusting to new environment and culture. Kindergarden and 1st grade aducators were welcoming, engaged in student's life and interests and are motivating to achieve and do best in school and outside, as well as enjoy the process of achieving goals. There are programs to improve reading skills - we were so impressed by how school in general, and the reading aid teacher specifically were able to convey assistance to students without having a negative attribute to the student's confidence.
Submitted by parent on February 01, 2013

Excuse me but what are you talking about? I have never seen any bullying at the school and my son loves Northeast and has had no problems. He started in 2nd grade and has enjoyed all the teachers at the school. He also enjoys all the additional activities the school has to offer.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2013

NE Elementary school is horrible. There is a culture of bullying in the school. Many of the teachers are low quality and the classroom aids are constantly yelling at the children. The Principal is non-confrontational and is in denial of all of the issues. Also, the school building is not secure. Anyone can just walk in the doors without signing in. Some teachers are bullies. Avoid this school at all costs.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2013

Don't send your child to this school if he/she is advanced. The curriculum is dry and worksheet-based. The third grade teacher was just plain mean to her students. The Principal is nice, but a poor leader. I live across the street and have observed lots of bullying behavior on the playground--Teachers don't intervene! Better enroll you kid in karate before sending them to NE Elementary.
Submitted by other on May 13, 2012

Whoa, whoa! Who says northeast is bad?It's a great school, + It's fun! It's worksheets are fun while educating and challenging the minds and brains.It helps you when in trouble, and the principal is fun! So what are you saying about northeast?
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2012

If this is the best that Ithaca has to offer then we are in trouble! The kindergarten teacher is rigid, cold, uninspiring, and perfunctory. The work sheets are basic, repetitive, and unchallenging. If the intent is to focus on social emotional development versus academics, then they should at least do some singing, dancing, storytelling, exploring of their environment, etc. All the attention goes to the ESL or special ed children and the more advanced children are ignored. We know other families feel this way and wish they would speak up instead of just protecting their property values. Parents are involved here because they have to be-- otherwise their children would fall behind!