Madison Traditional Academy

925 East Maryland Avenue

School District

Madison Elementary District
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:24
Type

public

School Map for Madison Elementary 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 January 30, 2025

I am writing this review with a heavy heart after my experience with the special education program. As a parent, I had high hopes that my child would receive the support and understanding they needed to thrive. Unfortunately, that was not the case. From the very beginning, it was clear that the staff lacked the necessary training and resources to adequately address my child's specific needs. Communication was often poor, and I found myself having to advocate repeatedly for my child's rights. Despite numerous meetings, it felt like my concerns fell on deaf ears. There were several instances where my child was treated dismissively, and I believe this has had a lasting impact on their confidence and well-being. The lack of individualized attention and tailored strategies made it difficult for them to engage with the curriculum, and it seemed as though their unique challenges were not fully understood or addressed. I also witnessed a troubling lack of empathy from some staff members. It’s heartbreaking to see your child struggle and not feel supported by those who are supposed to help them. Instead of fostering a nurturing environment, the program often felt punitive and isolating. Overall, I am deeply disappointed in the special education program and the way my child was treated. Every child deserves an equal opportunity to learn and grow in a supportive environment, and I hope changes will be made to avoid such negative experiences for others in the future.
Submitted by other on August 21, 2024

School was fine but had issues at other parts. Overall a good place for my kids
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2022

I was previously a student here, and graduated in 8th grade in 2022. I made some great friends here, and most teachers are very cool and teach well. The best teacher I have ever seen in the 3 different schools I have went to is John Williams who is the 7th and 8th grade social studies teacher. He is funny, and teaches very well. The reason I didn't rate it as 5 stars is because of the schedule. I went there from 6-8th grade, and the classes are 1hour 25 minutes long (core classes). The thing that sucks is that they split up science and social studies. I got social studies for one semester, and then got science for the second one. I really don't get that. and I think that they should shorten class lengths so that students can get a whole years worth of social studies and science, instead of just half a year. Also, the school doesn't have any language classes to choose from, which I really hated. There aren't that many extracurricular classes, the only ones I know of being sports. Other than those 2 reasons, I loved this school.
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2022

MTA is an absolutely fabulous school! This is our 4th year at the school & we have two kids who attend. Yes, the curriculum is advanced & rigorous. Yes, they have high expectations academically & behaviorally. It is not a good fit for every child- that’s why it’s a school of choice & not a neighborhood school. The teachers are great and all go above and beyond because they want to see their students succeed. Parents are heavily involved & it makes a difference. I feel my children are truly getting a top notch education & will be more than ready for high school when the time comes!
Submitted by parent on July 23, 2021

We are almost 3 years out from our leaving MTA and we are still recovering trauma from my now 8 year old’s experience there. The place has no understanding of the normal variances in age and gender norms that may be normal in young children. Unless your child is a bright, type-A individual that begins that school at Pre-k level(there it is called Kindergarten which they do not tell you online that they consider their school to be a year ahead of other schools..) please do not even consider this school. My son has never experienced anything like this treatment; before of since. He was given disciplinary action for walking backwards at barely 5 years old. They only want soldiers who walk in a line. Also in kindergarten the homework assignment literally asked him to write a paragraph about what it means to be “fair” and what did Martin Luther King, Jr contribute? For kindergarten! There was only get out from administration. I am only sad it took me 4 months to see my child was not the problem, MTA was!!! In the end, the final straw iwas a voicemail his teacher left for me that I still have, regarding an email I sent her asking why my son left kindergarten crying AGAIN today…to which she said, I’m sorry to hear he’s crying, but I’m glad to hear I’m getting through to him…absolute insanity.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2021

Weird place to put a prison,right in the middle of a city. I was sentenced eight years and I am now almost on my fifth year. And they call it "school". I hope they are okay.:-[
Submitted by parent on January 13, 2020

Overall I think the pro's outweigh the con's. When we see our kid playing with kids the same age (from other schools) we are blown away with how much of a difference there is between them. MTA produces kids that are well honed in the basics, and the test results show that work. I understand that some parents don't love the homework, but that's a reality that we will gladly accept to have a top notch student!
Submitted by parent on December 18, 2019

Unfortunately not good! I should have sent them to the other district schools.
Submitted by other on May 02, 2018

Could someone please explain what on earth is going on in this comment section? I am trying to find a school for my two daughters. We moved from England two years ago and our temporary accommodations turned into semi permanent ones. We are finally legally able to mortgage a house so we will at last be moving. However our daughters were unfortunately stuck in a grossly underperforming school while we sorted out getting US loan approval. My youngest (K) is in their “gifted” program which in my opinion mostly means she reads well. Both of my daughters came here from England more advanced than their peers. The school they attended here absolutely broke my oldest daughter (3rd) who was subjected to bullying weekly. She is naturally *very shy, highly logical and analytical It was so bad that I have had to collect weeks worth of assignments from her backpack and desk and turn them into her teacher myself on numerous occasions because she was too intimidated to even hand her completed work in. Her appearance has dramatically changed. She used to be cheerful and sunny with lovely golden ringlets which she reverts back to on weekends but I cannot get her to take off that silly hoodie when she attends school. She wears it almost as an invisibility cloak. She recently asked me what suspension and detention were? She inquired because the idea of not attending her school appealed to her. What i have gathered so far from comments is this school is for baby geniuses, run like a casual military school BUT won’t fix your kid and they are not interested in trying to. The classes are overcrowded but that doesn’t matter because the school runs like a well oiled machine. Parents will be hounded for their 2 hours a month or will be banished and blacklisted as terrible people if they do not manage to find ways to volunteer within a timely manner each month, but most parents seem to not know how to do that because there is no router system that says: Sally you cut apples every first Tuesday at 10 am, Donna you staple all the papers for the 8th grade in the third Friday of every month by 2pm. So parents can this school help my oldest daughter (a wee delicate 9 year old) put her confidence and scholastic interest back-on track? Or is it hopeless and I should send her to the other traditional school where she will apparently learn the fine art of hamburger flipping?
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2016

MTA has been a great fit for my kids, though they are very different. We've been there for a few years and have been thrilled with the education. It is quite advanced compared to several district and private schools locally. Our best friends are at Christ Lutheran and were shocked by what our kids were learning, it was at least a year behind MTA. Both my kids have tested into the GATE program but we elected to keep them here, and they're loving it and thriving. (GATE program for MTA is off-campus as MTA is already accelerated) Our teachers are compassionate, smart, great with different learning styles and I really love the small class sizes. My kids have 26 and 28 kids in class with a teacher, an aide and a junior high helper. That's an amazing ratio! Overall it's not perfect but we've been really happy with the teachers, community and education.
Submitted by parent on December 08, 2015

MTA is an amazing school and I'm honored to have my daughter there and I hope to have my second daughter attend for Kindergarten next year. I would like to see additional events at MTA that would allow some creative outlet for the kids as well as have the school administrators encourage community service projects. The children should be focused on academics but also invest in the community and learn about the challenges of those less fortunate in their backyards.
Submitted by parent on June 23, 2014

We just finished our first year at MTA and We lived it! I must admit however, I was a little hesitant when I got the phone call a week before school started. We decided to go for it and it was the best decision we ever made! Our child LOVES it there! As an educator myself, I was very impressed with what these kindergarteners were learning- from double digit subtraction, to reading, to writing stories. Every time I volunteered in the classroom, the students were engaged and actively learning. There was a sense of security and everyone felt safe. The kindergarten team is amazing! I hear not every grade level has the same caliber of teachers as the kindergarten team, but that is true at every school in America. Some grade levels are stronger than others. Some teachers are better than others. You will find that everywhere. I must say, I am confused with the negative comments about MTA. It is a school of choice. If you are not happy there, leave. Make room for other families who truly want to be there.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

I love this school my son started this year in the 1st grade and I am impressed with his learning and the communication at the school is great you never have to wonder what is going on.
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2014

MTA is not for average kids, I will agree with that. It is NOT for above average kids either, make no mistake of that. The academics are not rigorous (that comment actually made my laugh out loud). Volunteer time is there, but you do have to look for it now that the school has outgrown itself and made the class sizes too large (6 years ago we were told MAX class size would be 25- now my child is in a class of 36). I actually heard the principle state "working is not a valid reason to not volunteer" at a meeting last year. Not something you want to hear while you're literally trying to keep the power on and put food on the table. I'm not trying to convince anyone of my opinion, which seems to be a common theme among the other parents here, but you all can't change other peoples experiences. Just because they aren't the same as yours, and you have found a wonderful school at MTA doesn't mean that everyone has that same opinion. It also doesn't mean that it's because their kids aren't up to the challenge. My son has been bored with MTA for years- because he was doing Algebra in 1st grade at home- I'm not exaggerating. Keep in mind that MTA doesn't offer anything for kids like that.
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2013

I am really disappointed in these other parent reviews. We have been at this school since it has opened. This school has great academic accelerated curriculum. I brag about this school every chance I get and I almost feel guilty when other parents I talk to don't have their kids enrolled in this school. The principal is all matter of fact. It works for some and not everyone. The open door policy does not bother me. Let him do his job running our great school and making it better. The volunteer hours are a minimum of two per month. This school is for parents who really want to be involved with their kids at school and at home. The teachers are outstanding in all grade levels. Volunteering really lets you know the teacher your child has as well as other teachers in all grade levels, depending on what you are volunteering for. I love knowing each one and having a good relationship with each. We support our teachers at this school with different volunteer jobs, so that they can focus on the children. I will have all 5 of my kids go through this school and I am proud of that. Food for thought "shouldn't you have this same kind of excitement about where your child attends"?
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2013

I have a comment on the volunteer hours. I'm a working mom, in our 4th year with MTA and not one single month have I had to search high and low for ways to get my required hours. Not Once. There are volunteer opportunities EVERYWHERE. I think a mistake some parents make is to rely on their child's teacher to provide all their volunteer hours. That is not their job, nor do they have that much work to give. Instead, email committee chairs and Guild board members...you'll have your hours in no time flat. As far as your warning goes....We all sign the volunteer requirement form each year. We all know exactly what is expected of us, and it is our responsibility to find, record, and KNOW how many hours we have worked each month. That is all the warning you need. If our busy staff does happen to take the time to let you know that you are falling behind on your required hours, that is simply a courtesy.
Submitted by parent on May 28, 2013

Our kinder teacher was amazing, infact all of the kinder teachers are. BUT, the principal is not a people person and runs it like a prison. He's not friendly, rude, and in fact his reputation has followed him from Cheyenne Traditional in Scottsdale, when he left families there were ecstatic. There is no open door policy only sees parents on appt. basis, and am appauled we thought this was the place for us. They give traditional schools a bad rep. I encourage you to seek out Alhambra Traditional School, MTA was modeled after them. ATS out does MTA by far, kind of sad actually. Their volunteer policy is so strict, they kick families out with no warning.. there's not enough volunteer opp. - I asked many times and had to search high and low for opportunities... this is your warning. parents there told me after kinder the school goes downhill from there, It hurt me as a mother .. we all try to find the best for our children. good luck!
Submitted by parent on May 03, 2013

Run Run don't stop to look at MTA! We waited overnight to get our daughter in this school.. thinking this was the best place for her.. Instead we found out, it was a "bully" school the teachers don't even know where the kids are half the time. The pricipal is a "bully" as well. Do not put your kids in this school!
Submitted by parent on March 04, 2013

I recently moved my 1st grader from madison simis to MTA... it has been an absolute blessing. His teacher, Mrs. Wolf, is a phenomonal teacher. She is organized and has expectations of the children in her class. Both academically and behaviorally. She is also willing to communicate with the parent when necessary, which is a huge factor in keeping the parents involved with their kids education. My son no longer has to play 100 questions when he is doing homework as she makes sure to cover all the information he needs to know to do it by himself. Thank you MTA and Mrs. Wolf!
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2013

Several parents including myself were not happy with the 3rd Grade curriculum last year. Not only did we see our kids' reading and math levels decrease, their enthusiasm for school did too. We weren't whining about too much homework or expecting MTA to fix our kids because most of us have had our kids at MTA since kindergarten. However, there was a legitimate problem with 3rd grade and the administration has responded. What gripes me about these parent reviews, is if a parent dares to complain about MTA, the Kool-Aid crowd snarkily tells them to send their kids to another school because the world needs ditch diggers and hamburger flippers. For your children's sake, I hope they never struggle in school because it's obvious they won't get support at home. No school is perfect and that includes MTA, but I still think it's a great school.