My daughter goes to Silver Oaks. She is a first grader now, so it is our second year. We really…read morelike it. My daughter is sad, when she is sick and can't go to school. The teachers are wonderful. There is so much I want to learn from them! They are calm, positive and knowledgeable. The school has several "specials": Spanish (2 times a week!!), Art, Music and Taekwondo. Kids eat their lunch and snack outside. They also have some free playtime outside. The classes are small, 12-14kids in the class. Looks like academically the school is doing good too. My daughter can read and write already. Knows the same things (maybe even more) than her friends from other schools (public or private).

Warning: This school requests removal of uncomplimentary reviews. They previously removed 2…read morenegative/mixed reviews from other former members. I know this because I was contacted by those former members. We also had a mixed experience at this school. Academics are weak, but outdoor play/work time was nice and plentiful and the community of families was supportive. We wanted this school to be a success, but over time we we observed more and more troubling disconnects between the school's stated ideals and the reality in the classroom.  This would normally be fixable, but unfortunately we also found transparency and openness to constructive feedback to be an issue. Just two of these disconnects are detailed below: 1.) Although I was repeatedly assured by the director and the Kindergarten teacher that Kindergarteners and 1st graders are provided with consistent phonics instruction, it turned out that balanced literacy was actually implemented i the K and 1st grade classrooms. Had the school leadership been transparent about their approach ahead of time, we would have been able to have made an informed decision (and would not have enrolled our kindergartener.) I would encourage all parents of Kindergarten and 1st grade students to research literacy education and in particular the differences between systematic phonics instruction and balanced literacy. Here are some references which may be a good starting point: https://www.apmreports.org/story/2018/09/10/hard-words-why-american-kids-arent-being-taught-to-read https://www.apmreports.org/story/2019/08/22/whats-wrong-how-schools-teach-reading https://mobile.edweek.org/c.jsp?cid=25919951&bcid=25919951&rssid=25919941&item=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.edweek.org%2Fv1%2Few%2Findex.html%3Fuuid%3DE973330E-E51D-11E9-9B3A-8AF258D98AAA 2.) Although Silver Oaks presented itself to us as embracing each child's unique character and developmental trajectory, this attitude was missing in our interactions with her teacher. At our mid-year conference we were informed (to our surprise) that our kindergartener's behavior was so outside the norm that a pediatric visit was urgently called for. We were surprised at the teacher's lack of curiosity about school-factors that could be influencing our normally well-behaved child, her emphasis on intrinsic pathology, and her decision to wait so long to communicate what she described as a several months-long pattern. Our experience was not unique. Some children appear to do well, and others don't. Our curiosities about this include: - Are the behavioral expectations at Silver Oaks Cooperative School reasonable for all 5-year olds? Is there some normal variation which is not being permitted? - Are the academic expectations reasonable given the choices of curriculum materials (or lack thereof), the emphasis on independent or small-group work, and the somewhat limited daily academic time (as much of the day is spent outdoors, in free-choice, or in electives). Perhaps it is not possible to do and be all things simultaneously. - Are there too many transitions in a Silver Oaks day (most children struggle with frequent transitions / interruptions from their learning and play)? - Are there too many different teachers/caregivers/coopers with different behavioral expectations and do some children struggle with having so many of those transitions? - Are some children bored or otherwise not being fully engaged academically? We were sorry to part ways with the many lovely families we met, but eventually these and other issues were too big for us to ignore.

In my experience, my biggest fear was that the school would change its approach halfway through the…read moreschool year, and unfortunately, that's exactly what happened. I felt that my concerns about racial harassment and discrimination involving children of color were not taken seriously. In my opinion, there was a lack of transparency and accountability from the administration, and I often felt that issues were minimized rather than addressed. I also felt that many staff members had close personal or family ties to the church community, which made it difficult for families outside of those circles to feel heard or supported. While the school presents itself as welcoming and student-focused, my experience was very different. I felt that promises made to our family were not honored and that tuition became the priority over the well-being of students. Based on my experience, I would encourage families--especially families of color--to ask detailed questions, pay close attention to how concerns are handled, and make sure the school's values align with their own before enrolling. I sincerely pray for healing, accountability, and positive change for the school community. God bless everyone involved. FYI Reviews were turned off, via Ms Krestler request. Think About It!!!!

We love Holy Redeemer School! It is an incredible, close-knit school with a community that is fully…read morecommitted to its success. At the time of this review, my kids are 6 and 9 (1st and 3rd grades). Both have attended the school since Kindergarten. My 6 yr old also attended Pre-K at Holy Redeemer. We were first drawn to HRS for its reputation in our neighborhood as being a welcoming school with a firm anti-bullying stance. The teachers and administration work hard to maintain a supportive learning environment where students feel welcome and wanted. What sets HRS apart from other area schools is its small class sizes, its balanced and integrated STEM curriculum, and its committment to developing the whole person. HRS students are some of the nicest kids I have ever met -- kind, excited about service opportunities, curious about their world, eager to help each other, excited about math! The teachers here are incredible educators that encourage collaboration and inspire a joyful curiousity in their students. What I love most about the school is how the teachers (due to the small class sizes and their tenure at the school) really know and look out for my kids. This personal attention has really helped my kids to thrive -- both academically and personally. I also work in a STEM field, and the administration and teachers are very open and receptive to my recommendations of activities/extra-curriculars. They have also granted me many opportunities to share my organization's work with the students - which is so fun! In short -- if you are looking for a welcoming school where your child can get a phenomenal eduction in a safe environment, please join us!

St joseph's regional catholic school is a great school , My daughter has been here for 3 years and…read moreshe loves it

My son has been a student at Saint Joseph's for two years. He is currently in kindergarten From…read moreday one I have been impress with the teaching staff . My son is also in the after care program which runs till 6pm and every day I see teachers who have worked a long full day still at school working on new lessons and projects for the students! To see my son have teachers who care so much about him and work hard to make him the best student he can be makes me so proud of my son and this school. Once word gets out on this school it will become very hard for new students to attend. Yes the school is that good.

My two daughters are graduates of Elizabeth Seton, my oldest Bria was apart of the first pharmacy…read moretech class, she graduated from Pharmacy School this year and received her Pharm D. She will be taking the board exam this Summer to become a licensed pharmacist. My youngest daughter also completed the pharmacy tech program at Seton, she will be entering her senior year at Towson University and will be applying to PA school. Seton did so much to prepare my daughters for success, this school is absolutely amazing. The staff is phenomenal. Forever grateful!!!

Our daughter is a senior at Seton, and we are grateful to her dedicated, excellent teachers and…read moreawesome admissions team. This year the Counsellors office is doing a fantastic job guiding them as they walk through the College Applications process. Her friendships are strong and reflect Seton's sisterhood which is diverse and inclusive. The President Dr. Grillo, brings a strong vision to empower and prepare Seton students and calm, thoughtful and prayerful leadership. She is warm and genuinely interested in each and every student's dreams and accomplishments. All of the staff seem to want to cultivate confidence in them to excel. Mrs. McDonough, the principal is always helpful and responsive. Students are encouraged to advocate for themselves, especially with class selection & teachers. Over the past two years, there has been a tremendous shift to expose the students to events with national leaders, business owners, career fairs, service and internship opportunities. The lunch menu needs to be tweaked, yes. The are many clubs to join and have a leadership role in or you can petition to start your own. Arts, Dance and Athletics is heavily supported and cheered for. If you love music, Dr. Tatum welcomes you regardless of your skill level. The Orchestras, Choir and Honors Wind Ensemble compete nationally, and again won in New York with a superior rating. The Choir was honored to be invited to perform at the White House! They offer Pre-Career Programs in Law, Engineering & Pharmacy and the Young Women's Entrepreneurship Program with a Professional Etiquette class students love -taught by Ms. Lawson. "Light to know. Grace to do." Great school and good people.

Jimmy C Best school I ever went to. Those Franciscan…read moreteachers were the best. Great in sports number 1 in football and baseball We had classmates that were the head of George Town Hospital Many successful came out of out class. Sure the nuns were tough but so were we but we learned i wish I could start over again. we really had fun and learned a lot. Those nuns were the smartest people I ever knew, They could even see out of the back back or their head.This new generation just can not hack the pressure I went there 60 years ago and I wish my children went there .

I went to this school as a 3rd grader which would have been 65 years ago, and it was not good then,…read moreand doesnt sound much better.. Cultures don't always change even over a very long time...kids got their hands slapped with a ruler, sent to clean the toilet if any misbehavior, silence at all times in the classroom was the rule....the nuns were miserable unhappy women who took it out on the children, screeching in anger, slapping children...this is 100% true and I have never forgotten about it--my parents took me out after 2 years...

I've had multiple children enrolled at Greenwood and during that time experienced three different…read moredirectors, but I could be forgetting one. There is currently a new director who I did not experience at all as my children were already enrolled somewhere else. Like a number of childcare facilities there has been quite a few teachers who have come and gone. However, I know there are still quality teachers there. Ms. Simret, Ms. Judy, Ms. Toni, Ms. Genie, and Ms. Vanessa, are all teachers I've had personal experience with and hope Greenwood is doing all they can to keep them there. There was a recent merger with Sunny Days, so hopefully this helps with teacher stability as well. I know Sunny days had teachers who had been with the facility for quite some time. My children learned and thrived while they were here and still talk about Greenwood. Overall, I think it's a great facility with the chance to be greater. Federal employees have preference here with general community members without a child currently enrolled there being last in order preference. Wishing everyone best of luck in their childcare endeavors!

The most important thing that I can say is that my child LOVES this school. They have literally…read morewoken up, and the first thing out of their mouth was "Mommy, I want to go to school." As a parent, what more can you ask for? Our child is also in Room 4 (Ms. R's class), same as the previous reviewer, and we've never had a problem with her not greeting us in the morning or witnessed her on the phone. All of the instructors in that classroom greet us in the mornings during drop off and in the afternoons during pick-up. They also fill us in on any particulars about our child from that day or the day before. They always seem happy and positive (even when it looks like they've had a long day). One of our favorite things about the school is its diversity. My child's classroom is extremely diverse, and it's one of the main reasons that we picked this school. We were unaware of Laurie's pending retirement until reading the previous review, so thanks, person, for spilling the beans on this very public platform. Did you have permission to share that information? So I don't know if this is true, but Laurie is absolutely awesome!

Did a college tour with my Daughter,wife and the one who is choosing where he will continue his…read moreeducation my grandson. The campus is huge 1,347 acres and I felt like I walked every inch. It is an impressive campus with a diverse community of students and faculty. Our campus guide was a sophomore,she was an adequate enough guide. We were able to see the Terps baseball team practicing and getting ready for next season. This is a Division 1 (D1) school, the top echelon of school sports. The football stadium ranks up there with a few NFL stadiums. The stadium seats 46,185 and if you're into college football you know that doesn't include standing room. As we traveled from building to building there were so many students encounters going about their daily routines, students in classes, students studying in lounge areas students lifting weights, students working out and students just relaxing in the lawn. Once again I was impressed with the 8 libraries on campus. The school is in the process a building new dorm buildings and the few they have already finished look very impressive. Now the older ones not so much. A lot of the older ones had window ac's and again a lot didn't. This tour was very informative and my grandson was impressed however he's still weighing his options. He had already toured 2 other universities. Also the ride from NY to College park Md. is 4 1/2 hours so not too bad of a drive.

At the University of Maryland College Park, we made a lot of memories that we will cherish forever…read more There is a lot of roud work all the time, but the campec is clean and nice.

Our experience at Mindbloom Preschool was horrendous. The activities they do for their mixed-aged…read moreclassroom are not suitable for 2-year-olds which include using scissors (not safety scissors) with inattentive supervision (adults in the room but not interacting with the children), and punitive and outdated discipline methods that violate OSSE policies including withholding outdoor play for timeouts. The school has attempted to charge us fines for late pickups and later retracted those fees citing their own errors. Our child came home injured from this school and instead of being aware of it or responding with accountability, the school chose to blame my 2-year-old because he wasn't asleep during nap time and the staff couldn't be bothered to attempt to soothe him while he cried on the floor. I tried multiple times to partner with this school to support my child in this environment but they do not have any desire to work with parents, improve their services, or modify their activities to current best practices in any way. If you want your child in a loving and safe environment, this is not the place for you. The director, Susan Banks sends unprofessional, bizarre, and discriminatory emails. She also does not follow FERPA laws as can be evident from her online activity. Enrollment at this school is licensed to have 28 students but never had more than 12 signing in on the sign-in sheet during our time there, maybe this is for good reason. Feel free to reach out to me if you'd like video and photo evidence of the statements in my review.

My daughter attended MB for 6 years since the age of two. All of the teachers have been very…read morecaring and treat the children with kindness. My daughter was in the Mandarin program with Ms. Jing. While under her tutelage, my daughter has become proficient in speaking Mandarin and writing over 100 characters. In addition, she has a solid foundation in math and reading, both above grade level. During COVID and after COVID, when public schools were still trying to figure it out, the Director and Ms. Jing worked with me and created a solid curriculum to ensure my daughter would not get behind in her grade level prior to her transitioning out of the program. Ms. Jing really connected with her, cheered her on, provided a gentle push when needed, was caring, funny and met her where she was in her educational journey. She really went above and beyond during our time at Mindbloom. She is truly appreciated and made a lasting impression with me and my daughter. I truly value the time my duaghter spent with her and the MB family.