I wrote this review on 10/23/2019, but it has not been showing up. I didn't confirm my email. So hopefully this edit will post it and it will show the correct date.
We started in the Montessori program which offers an individualized approach to teaching and really helped build our daughter's confidence and leadership. The program has kids of different ages in the same classrooms which allows the older kids to help the younger kids and the younger kids to model the older kids. Not only was she encouraged to be self directed and learn at her own pace, but also encouraged to help other kids, which she loved. I think for this reason, kids are incredibly engaged and concentrated. Our daughter improved in so many areas, not only academically (beginning math, reading, geography, Spanish), but in learning how to share, work with others and follow basic classroom rules. During one period of time, she decided to test the limits, as kids often do, and decided not follow the rules, especially about making lines (to use the bathroom or go to the playground). Our teacher was incredibly understanding and worked together with us to set up a reward system that allowed my daughter to make good choices. I was very thankful for the amount of communication with the teacher and school that allowed my daughter to succeed. It was a great example of the partnership between the school and parents.
Before Kindergarten, we decided to tour a number of private schools and our local public school to compare. After meeting students from other schools and seeing their facilities, we decided to stay at Prep. We continue to be very happy with that decision for a number of reasons:
1. The student to teacher ratio is really low, so they get a lot of individual attention, and the academics are top notch.
2. The school only goes to 8th grade, so the middle school kids are not influenced by high schoolers and they practice being leaders, especially in 7th and 8th grade becoming very mature for their age.
3. The school is a small, very friendly and welcoming community with many families from international backgrounds.
4. My daughter is being supported in trying new challenges, like team sports at the school, drama productions, learning an instrument, etc. We are very happy that she is expanding her horizons as a person and building her character and it's not ALL about getting good test results. Although she does that too.
I do have to say I am grateful for our school and community. read more