If you spent some time in the 1960s receiving a public school education in a small New England…read moretown, it is possible that you have a story like mine, and I hope that the day that Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated is as memorable for you as it is for me. I am quite sure that in April of 1968 there were no African-American children in my school. I had just turned 10 when Martin Luther King Jr. was killed, but I do not remember hearing his name before that day in April when our principal, Everett J. Hopkins, called the entire school on to the front lawn to explain the significance of who this man was, and the tragedy that had transpired. Somewhat numbed by the killing of JFK, and after much chest beating and hair pulling from our senior family members and friends over that event, with the Vietnam War beating a steady drumbeat in the background, it seemed a nice spring day to be outside of the tar-dripping asbestos tiled ceilings of Hamilton Elementary School, and really: what choice did we have? Mr. Hopkins, a direct descendant of a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a watercress farmer, baker and educator, so much wanted us to know, boys and girls on the lawn, what we had lost. He wanted us to know, so much, that he broke down in tears, and could not finish what he wanted to say. So we were left with this: we still did not know what a black person was, what freedom they might have been denied: but it was enough. Whoever MLK Jr. was, and whoever took his life, whatever impact it might have had on the world.....his brutal passing had made our kind and gentle leader cry. He tried so hard, Everett J. Hopkins, to explain to us. He stood handsome and proud, and he probably felt he was not really up to the task as he dissolved into tears. But I know that I am not the only child from that horrible spring day on the lawn of Hamilton Elementary School who remembers, and so: a big thank you to the global thinking members of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, to Everett J. Hopkins and to Hamilton Elementary School, for teaching us about the world beyond.

My kids are developing into the kind of little people I had always worked and hoped they would…read morebecome. SMCDS is a major reason. The top flight staff, location and community are evident the moment you land on campus. As for a high level academic oriented-challenging environment, SMCDS is all that. As a major part of our lives for many years, starting in Pre-K, I am proud to be a part of the SMCDS community and grateful for each member of the team at SMCDS that have helped develop each of my children into competent, curios and independent thinkers. Recommended without reservation.

We started our child at St. Michael's for 5th grade. Wish we would have made the move sooner. After…read moretouring the school by myself, I left knowing this was going to be a great fit for our child. Their two day visit was their favorite of all of the schools they checked out because 'They actually teach you things and the kids want to learn.' The campus is beautiful, but beyond that, a few things stood out. 1. The head of middle school was great. She was engaging and immediately handed me two business cards. She asked me to please pass one on to my child and let them know that they could contact her with any questions they may have. My child felt like the head of middle school genuinely cared about them and proceeded to send an email asking a few questions/concerns they had. This was huge for my child. 2. All of the students played together. We watched a huge divide occur in 2nd grade at our previous school. Boys played football and soccer, and girls stood around. At St. Michael's the main playground equipment is built to accommodate all ages. Kids all played together and had fun. There was no division between boys and girls. I really liked how the middle schoolers came together so much. 3. The depth of learning going on, the number of options for a smaller school, and the responsibility placed, taught and expected from the middle school students was something that I knew my child would appreciate and could learn from. My child loves learning and wants to be challenged. I knew they would be challenged on many different levels. Things that we have loved since attending: * I love the Harry Potter'esque' houses that each student gets placed in at the beginning of their school year. This is a good way to bring together the 3 year olds up to 8th graders to cheer on their houses at different events. * I love the fact that field trips still happen through 8th grade. * I love the after school sports programs and how students are introduced to different sports even if they aren't overly sporty. * I love the fact that my child can stay after school for extra homework help and I can pick them up at the end of my work day. * I love how the school is a STEAM based school with amazing opportunities to explore including using the maker space to create solutions to problems and as a creative outlet to design things. * I love how there is lots of project based learning allowing students to have a deeper understanding of what they are learning about. The choices of how they will present and share their learning have been equally impressive and have forced my child to try new skills like sewing, stop motion and green screen technology. * I love the diversity of students that comes from the numerous military families attending from all over the globe. My child has learned about different cultures and languages because of this. * I love how the Choose Love program isn't just a bunch of sayings slapped on a wall as it sometimes is in other schools. The curriculum is used along with mindfulness, meditation, and self reflection and the students really practice what they learn. * I love how mistakes are encouraged as part of the process of learning and improving. * I love how the school has great community activities such as back to school picnics, ice skating days, parent get togethers, and opportunities to help support the community at large through volunteer projects. The parent's association is active and inclusive. * I love that foreign language is 4 hours a week starting in 5th grade with exposure in elementary school. * I love the science lab, PE and Heath classes and the focus on arts. So many schools are cutting arts and music programs. At St. Michael's you are exposed to chorus, band, studio arts, stage craft, cos-play and actor's studio. * I love how the teachers are engaging and so wonderful in their enthusiasm. They have a great pulse on their students and are really working hard to make students become better students and better contributors to society. * I love the administrative team and how they communicate with families and really get to know the students. * I love how encouraging the student body as a whole is. They genuinely care about other students. This was the best jump we ever made and so grateful to have found such a wonderful place to land, grow and learn.

A school filled with love, compassion, and opportunity. Academically challenging with…read moredifferentiated instruction and teachers who care about each students success. Fully equipped middle school science lab. Computer and Spanish meet weekly at every grade level. Chromebook provided for each middle school student. Weekly Chapel services with age appropriate messages. Fun family activities for the whole community coordinated throughout the year. A true model of school, church, and home working collaborative to academically, emotionally, and spiritually mold our children into successful members of society.

WBCA is such an amazing school family to be apart of. I have one child who has been attending West…read moreBay for 3 years and my second child will be starting in the fall. I love the teachers and the time and care that they devote to the children. My son is growing intellectually but more importantly, spiritually. If I could give WBCA more than 5 stars, I would. I can't put into words how much I love and appreciate this school!!!

Moses Brown is a beautiful school with so many opportunities. I would definitely recommend it to…read moreany parents that can afford it!

We have 4 daughters and have attended 7 independent schools all over the country. Moses Brown is an…read moreexcellent school for all our girls. It is large enough that each daughter is able to find her place academically, socially, spiritually, athletically and is able to develop a healthy sense of self. MB is unique in that the Quaker values provide a calming, quiet powerful start to their day and help to build a partnership with their teachers. Our world is changing fast and we feel that Moses Brown is focused on the world that our girls will thrive in bc of their experiences and problem solving skills. No school is perfect but from our experience we feel that MB partners with us as parents to help mentor our kids to be the best they can be, to help make the world around them a better place and to feel Confident in their abilities. It is a challenging school but large enough to accommodate different learning styles. When there are tough issues that arise the faculty addresses them immediately. Our family is active at the school because we believe in the MB mission and feel blessed to be a part of the welcoming community.

This is one of the greatest schools of all time. I went here and I learned to do math, ELA, etc…read more This school literaly made and shaped my childhood. If I hadn't gone here, I'd probably sitting in my moms basement under my blanket, eating chips, and watching some crappy TV show. I loved this school.

GYMNASIUM REVIEW ONLY:…read more My Daughter is currently enrolled in a fall mini-club via Blast Volleyball that is out of Gordon School. Kudos to Gordon for seeing an a opportunity to support kids athletics and make a little money! The school is nestled off a major road, in a suburban neighborhood. Not a large parking lot, but enough spots that we require. Cute little playground. The facility is very clean with ample bathrooms (they have baby wipes and offer free lady products in the bathrooms!) The gymnasium is in great condition with bleachers. Great space for your kids to practice.

Our 4th grade son has been at Gordon since 1st grade. We have loved all of his teachers, the…read morefacilities at Gordon, and the community that we share with the Gordon family. He is challenged academically and also grows emotionally and socially. Love this school, its mission, and leadership!

Forgive my pathetic tone here, but I'm submitting this as an envious former opposing team's athlete…read moreand friend of some former students...This place seems more like a hotel/spa than a school to me. They have benefits every summer (or used to, at least) and koi ponds in the lobbies. Everything was immaculate and, though they were awful at basketball, I still left jealous of almost everything about the place. I wouldn't send my kids here (one day) even if I could afford it, but it's certainly an excellent option. Lust-inducing, plain & simple.

The education here is acceptable, and I feel that my son benefited from his time here. Many of the…read morechildren here are not the high level of intelligence one would expect in a private school. Additionally, the administration is horrible and treats parents very badly. Parents need to be very cautious when dealing with these people as they are very capricious with their decisions and may not have the child's best interests at heart.

This school is a gem. After a year of online school in another state, my kid was way behind in…read moremath, reading, writing, EVERYTHING. In just a few months, the teachers at Montauk School turned that all around, and my child is now in the top 10% in all subjects. The proof is in the numbers! In addition to being stellar academically, the school offers arts/music education and extracurriculars that other schools just don't. It's a creative and welcoming community, and my kid is lucky to be a part of it.