Joseph P Manning School, Jamaica Plain | Fees, Rankings, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

My stepson moved to Boston in 5th grade and was assigned to the JP Manning School. As we live in a neighboring community, we were originally hoping he’d be assigned to a school closer to home, mostly so he would be in walking distances. However, forces greater than us were at play and his assignment at the Manning proved to be a blessing in disguise (and I say this as someone who isn’t very religious!). The teachers were warm and welcoming, and we felt that they cared not just about him as a student but also about us as a family. They regularly communicated with us, both when things were going well and when there were more difficult things to discuss (not that there necessarily were). Also, while I was initially unsure about how he’d do in a full inclusion class, I can say that he directly benefited from the additional resources and supports, which are available to all students, and developed compassion for peers who were going through hard times. Given this, I can say that the Manning helped prepare him academically as well as social-emotionally. Our family looks back fondly on the year he spent there, and we strongly support the Manning expanding to include a 6th grade classroom.

It is interesting how there were hardly any positive posts until a negative post was uploaded. There is a red flag when almost 3/4 of the original K2 class leaves by the 3rd grade. If it was such a great school, just take a look a the school’s report card. Interesting how Ms. Jackson’s (Teacher of the Year) peers disagree with that award as do many parents.
As a parent of a former student of this school, do not send your child here. Their only focus are the children in the inclusion program. The ones that are not part of the program pay dearly being exposed to the daily situations that occur at this school. It use to be a wonderful school until the principal and its faculty forgot to include all the children as their priority not only the ones with emotional or behavior problems. I agree with the previous post the 5th grade teachers are a serious problem.