Research Nataki Talibah Schoolhouse of Detroit charter Schools in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

“Nataki has been a great school with caring teachers and staff. The programming although a little different helps the children think outside the box and know that they are valued and can accomplish anything the put their mind too. Nakati seems to be a great school for my son.”

“My son is going to first grade at Nataki this coming school year. I hope this year is as joyful as the last. Since he started at Nataki, he has been developing his reading and math skills to my total satisfaction. He has also become more outgoing when it comes to other children as a result of the culture at Nataki.”

“I had to read all the reviews about Nataki before I left my own. My students have been at NTSD for a few years and I have to agree with much of the information left in the reviews (good and bad). For me, as the parent, being at Nataki is a 'love-hate' relationship. There are days I absolutely love it and there are days I absolutely hate it. My children, absolutely love it! They love their teachers and are excited about learning. This year, my kids are excited about their homeroom teacher(s), Music, Dance, Science, and Language Arts. I have to agree that Nataki offers wonderful cultural opportunities for its students. My biggest concern is with the disciple of disruptive students. My children often complain that the same students disrupt their learning. Discipline is a major issue.”

“Nataki is sophisticated education which only sophisticated parents with a trust in philosophical basis can fully appreciate. My oldest daughter is a Jr. in high school. She came through Nataki from K-8. My youngest is now an eighth grader, having been there K-8 as well. They are both bright, independent thinking, resourceful and open to life's best. Most of all, they are confident and unafraid. I attribute much of that to a solid basis in rich educational experience that is both broad and deep in ways that are not simple to comprehend.”

“Nataki Talibah is a wonderful school to be. For parents who want their children to broaden their learning experiences, this is the place. I was a student here from the late 90's to the year 2000, and the things I have learned from there have been carried on in my life. The meditation that we learned there to keep us alert and ready for learning, helped me concentrate on what we had to learn. I thank this school for everything they taught me and I will definitely recommend this school.”

“I took my children out of Nataki last year because of transportation issues,and came running back as soon as I could. I am pleased with how this year back at Nataki is going, and I have pledged to myself and my children to be their first teacher, and not depend on the school solely to educate my child. To parents looking for a school, Nataki will not be for everyone. Mrs. N'namdi's philosophy is an unorthodox one, but if you are looking for a school with welcomed parental input, and teachers who can use their own creativity to arouse learning, this is it.”

“I went to this school for 9 years and it was wonderful. It was always like a big family and I noticed when I got to high school how well nataki prepared us not just academically but socially!”

“Nataki is an excellent school for the K-5 children. My son has just started the sixth grade and so far I am satisfied. He has a number of new teachers this year and I'm willing to give it a chance. I am aware of the difficulty with teacher turn over and personally I think it only harms our children. Things aren't always going to be perfect, but you take the good with the bad and do your best as long as you can. When all else fails, change is necessary. Depending on how this school year turns out, I will decide if my son returns next year. I'm optimistic.”

“Absolutely Brilliant! The educational program at NTSD is well rooted in values I share and believe are important to the further development of humankind. Intellectual pursuits are encouraged for the whole family. I have been a parent at NTSD over the past six years and as I understand more about its philosophical base Psychology of the Norm I appreciate more and more the educational experiences I and my child have at NTSD. Not everyone gets it, but I see the children developing - independent and analytical thinking, compassion for others, confidence in their ability to figure things out and a willingness to work with others. I am so glad our family joined this community!”

“I placed a comment on this site 3 years ago and have since enrolled 2 more children at NTSD. I continue to be impressed and with my children's growth and development. They are growing to be intellectual, inquisitive, independent citizens of the world. Not only can they recite basic reading and writing materials, but they are concerned about and interested in the environment, the world economy, science, politics and entrepreneurship. Teachers and administration have been nothing less than wonderful to me and my children. NTSD also has one of the most engaging, creative and original aftercare programs I have ever seen. I dread the day that we must leave! I view the staff turnover as an unfortunate by product of small budgets allotted for charter schools which results in lower wages. However, I never worry as they are being guided and supervised Ms. N'Namdi, a 'born educator'.”

“My child is a eighth grader and I believe that Nataki was gone down hill with the change of so many teachers through the school year and the school work although my child scored high on the MEAP I still believe the school needs to do some major improvemnts for the students in the seventh and eighth grade.”

“Nataki has really gone down hill in the years that we have been there. The teachers are doing the best that they can with no support from the leadership. It is sad to see the downfall of what used to be a wonderful school.”

“I am a Detroit Resident which does not give us a lot of choices in terms of education. However I have been pleased this year with the third grade. I think education is fighting an uphill battle in the city. We want a lot for our children but as parents what are willing to do to support that. Funds are limited on every level. Overall I think Nataki is doing the best they can with what they are working with. When I hear parents speak of discipline I really wonder what does that mean. Children should come to school prepare to learn. These children are at the top compare to many public school students. The city on a whole is suffering but at least I feel that my child is receiving the best education the city has to offer.”

“Thank goodness the school year is almost over. My eighth grader had four different Science teachers this year, and in April the Social Studies teacher quit! I have to enroll her in a summer program, because although her g.p.a. is well above 3.0, she is not prepared for high school at all; with the exception of math. I am very pleased with the math teacher, Ms. Wilson. She wants the children to succeed. She has done an excellent job! Everything else has not been terrible. The teachers don't like thier jobs, and it shows in the classroom. I would not recommend the middle school at all. My second grader however, is excelling in Elementary school. The teachers are dedicated, and my daughter has learned a great deal. It's hard to believe that this is the same school. After she completes fifth grade, she will be attending another school.”

“I am a 8th grade student at Ntsd and these parents are right. We learn but not enough. We always have substitutes and never real teachers. The only teacher I think is preparing me for high school is my math teacher. I can honestly say I want to get out of this school and I am glad I wont be attending it next year.”

“I do not understand the comments of the other parents, I love Nataki and have two children currently enrolled. The issues the parents speak of are societial ones, that face every school district in the state if not in the nation. NTSD remains strong educationally and socially as they with parent assistance try to develop a whole child who is concerned about society and willing to help it progress. My child was personally sought by a top school in the area because of her grades and MEAP scores, we as parents fail to realize that we are our children's first and primary teacher. I as did my parents provide my children with knowledge at every opportunity and do not excpect a school to provide everything my children need to become productive citizens. NTSD is great and is truly a village for the children.”

“Academically, Nataki Talibah does not challange students. The school does not have text books, the teachers must find/purchase materials on their own. There is no discipline within the school. There is a discipline policy, but depending on who you are, your student may be exempt from any form of discipline-follow thru. The school is 100% African American, yet no African American history is taught. The teachers are outstanding, but over worked. They work with what they have. They really care about the students, many of them volunteer their time after school in tutoring programs and sports. If it wasn't for the teaching staff, Nataki Talibah would not exist. My student will not be returning to Nataki Talibah.”

“Nataki has lost my vote. The school is not what is was said to be. There is a high turn over rate with teachers. There are expenses for classes offered during the regular school day. In which students have to go off campus and miss more than one class. Also, there is no reinforcement with consistant homework and there are no text books. There are no strong sport teams. Cheerleaders are being taught improper basic skills and are learning in a way that could cause injury. My child has been at a stand still this year not progressing in the 5th grade. Nataki does not compete with neighboring suburb schools. My child will not be returning next year.”

“My child(ren)attended Nataki for several years and unfortunately, the school has lost my vote as a great school. The teacher turn over is something awful and some of the ones still there don't have a clue. I get progress reports from time to time telling me my child has missed certain assignments that she herself has graded and commented on? I also agree that the uniforms are too expensive. Why do students need 4 different uniforms? My child will not be attending this school for the upcoming school year.”

“My child has attended Nataki Talibah for three years and I find it to not be the same. I believe the prinicipal has overgrown her positon she is on a high horse and has forgotten about the children. She needs to practice what she preaches especially about organizational skills. Her office is a total mess. And her staff is not organized.”

“nataki is a good school in the start but it starts to go down hill.they lose good teachers every year,and last year the 6th graders didn't learn any math or science. is that a good school you have to pay so much for uniforms some people can't afford them. safety is a problem”

“Nataki provides a well-rounded curriculam with an emphasis on developing the whole child. Nataki students leave with a sense of confidence and awareness of the world in which they live. Nataki students have an appreciate for the culture and the arts, as well as economic and social issues.”

“This school provides a broad array of experiences and lessons in addition to traditional academic curriculum. Emphasis is placed on cultural diversity, world issues, philanthropy, community responsibility, entrepreneurship and family values. This school provides a learning experience for the entire family and has proven to be a thoroughly enlightening experience for me and my family.”