education: 10/10. they spend so much time with you, its directly 1 on 1 and anything you need help with they will assist you with. the education is so flexible with different teaching methods, whatever helps you learn is how you'll learn it. theres never a boring day and and its never stressful to ask questions or be confused. community: everyone is so kind and nice, its a true community and everyone helps everyone. there is no bullying and absolutely no tolerance for it. unfortunately some kids take advantage of the no bullying and can be annoying, but its overall a really safe community. teachers: each one cares about you, and you can create your own bond with each teacher. they WANT to help you learn and you can feel that. theyre so fun to talk to as a person and teacher, and i love all the teachers there. such kind souls. this school is perfect for neurodivergent kids, or if youre seeking to get away from the stressed out school days and bullys at public school. nobody will judge you and you will find so many friends. read more

This is the place. If you're reading this, you're wondering what are the right steps when it comes to helping my child with finding their way in the world. If you're here, you've obviously grown tired of the rote, inflexible education of the masses based on measurements, guidelines, or even politics. If you're considering a different direction and want to know where to find forward-thinking people (educators, parents, and the kids themselves), then you have to give Appamada a good look. It's been said that we live in interesting times and, thanks to a global pandemic, that couldn't be any more true. For our family, as we tried to navigate the challenges that came along with it, we needed to find a school that would work closely our two children, separated by just under two years, and help them learn (of course), grow (definitely), and become the person they were meant to be versus an "institutional follower." Our children are nearly as different as night and day. But, at Appamada, they found individual paths to advancing their education and developing their personalities that we couldn't find elsewhere. This 'home away from home' has been their place of learning for over five years and I can see that the path they are both on, to college and beyond, has been paved nicely, with enlightened thinking, challenges big and small to overcome and learn from, and focused matriculation to help them become the best they can be, but even more importantly, the best they want to be. The staff at Appamada, across all disciplines and includes the program director, the owner, and all associated with the school are truly top-notch individuals whose sole purpose is to help the students flourish. They have repeatedly shown how much they consider and care for the individual student and have demonstrated this through their communications, program adaptation, and customized course scheduling to meet the kids where they are help them recognize where they want to go. read more

Appamada School changed my family's lives for the better. Our son has attended Appamada since sixth grade and he's set to graduate in the Spring of 2024. The staff and administration took a personal interest in my anxiety-ridden child and transformed him into the confident, capable, person we knew he was. Ariel and his teachers repeatedly went above and beyond to make sure our son was getting all he needed from Appamada. My son has incredible bonds with some of his instructors, who have been mentors and friends who helped to shape his life in meaningful ways. Appamada School allowed him to see the talents and strengths he has. We will truly miss seeing the staff and students at Appamada and can never say thank you enough for all they gave us. read more

My child came back to life within the first three days of attending this school. For years we worked tirelessly as a family to navigate public schools, just hoping that one day something would "click" and she would somehow magically love school and learning. That's not how it works though. What does work for us is Appamada. The founder, leadership, and staff cultivate a culture of respect, safety, and inclusion. As soon as my daughter felt safe and accepted for who she was--guess what?--she started loving school. So much so that she now has ambition and goals for her life. She's motivated, happy, and thriving. We will be forever grateful for this school that's so much more than just a school. read more

After our smoothest "back to school" week ever, I am bursting with gratitude for Appamada School. My son started seventh grade this year (Fall 2023). It is his second year at this school, and we plan to stay through high school. Prior to Appamada, my son hated school. We tried several different environments, from a small, montessori/waldorf-inspired program, to a public charter with uniforms, to remote learning. He just couldn't find his rhythm. He often felt alone at school, dismissed and even disrespected by previous teachers. There were tears every night. He is a good student academically, but is very sensitive and struggles socially. Appamada has been a completely different experience. This school is intentional about nurturing a warm, welcoming environment from the top down. The staff are very respectful and approachable, which helped my son feel safe and valued. At Appamada, he knows he has a voice and that he matters. His self-esteem has been repaired. This supportive culture has helped him grow into a secure version of himself who can make friends and learn without extra stress. The program has a large focus on Emotional Intelligence, which seems to reduce bullying among the students. A small census ensures no one gets "lost in the crowd." As for academics, students are expected to take a math and English class each semester, and the rest of their schedule is selected based on the student's preference or need. I am always impressed by the variety of electives offered, including art, tech, music, science, etc. This balanced approach has improved my teen's interest in school. Giving him a sense of control seems to increase his willingness to participate in class. The instructors are creative and inspired, proposing new electives every semester. They do not "teach to the test" or use a cookbook approach to curriculum. The small classes ensure individualized attention. Before posting this, I asked my teen how he would rate Appamada School. I did not show him what I had written. He said "Five stars! Five stars! Give them all the stars!" When I asked why, he said, "It's a very inclusive environment. There is very little bullying. If there was bullying, I think the teachers would listen and do something. The teachers are really nice. I like that you call them by their first name. It helps us have a good relationship. I like that the classes are all electives other than math and English." So there you have it! All the stars! Well worth the tuition and our 45-minute commute. Appamada School is a gem and changed our lives. read more

My child went here about a month ago and it was the worst school they've been too. The directors sold it really well, but once I enrolled my kid they were neglected emotionally and educationally. I feel that the learning conditions need to improve drastically before i will consider this house a school: there weren't even enought chairs for all of the kids!! Don't let them fool you into believing that this environment will be supportive towards your kids need. In reality it's just another public school with different beliefs. -angry parent read more

Our child has been at Appamada School for six years and feels like it's her second home. As a former educator, I have been impressed with the level of engagement and dedication displayed by the teachers at Appamada. They are truly committed to ensuring that every student receives a high-quality education and that each child's unique needs and strengths are recognized and addressed. One of the things that sets this school apart from others is its focus on providing a well-rounded education. In addition to the core academic subjects, students are also exposed to a wide range of life-skills classes which will prepare them for the adult world after graduation. This approach helps to develop not only the students' academic abilities but also their social and emotional skills, preparing them for success in all aspects of life. The teachers at this school are incredibly engaging and approachable, always willing to go the extra mile to help students understand difficult concepts or to provide additional support when needed. They use a variety of teaching methods to keep students interested and engaged, from hands-on projects to group discussions and debates. I have seen firsthand how this approach helps to create an engaging and fun learning environment where our child is eager to go to school each day. At the end of the day, I hear stories about "how cool the science activity was in class" or "how fun the math teacher was today because he made up a song about math" while playing his guitar. Our child used to be intimidated by math, but now appreciates the subject, and will be prepared for college and life simply because she has a great teacher(s). There is so much trust and respect between the students and teachers at Appamada. This school brings out the best in our child. She learned to take control of her own education and assignment deadlines just because she enjoys learning. I highly recommend Appamada for its family-centered atmosphere with a small student-teacher ratio so your child will get the attention they deserve. The commitment and dedication of the teachers, combined with the school's focus on providing an engaging education make it an excellent choice for any student who wants to enjoy learning and become the best version of themselves. S.T. read more