My son has been a student at Honey Tree & Branches since he was about four years old, and we have…read moreloved it here ever since. I truly cannot say enough great things about the staff. The teachers are so genuine and caring toward the students, and you can tell they truly want the best for them while encouraging them to reach their full potential. Small classroom ratios paired with gently encouraging children to reach new heights create an environment where every child is truly seen, supported, and able to grow. When my son first started, he was a little behind with his speech. However, after beginning at Honey Tree & Branches, he quickly caught up. The staff have become like a second family not only to him, but to all of us. His teachers have helped him expand his Spanish comprehension, supported him academically to the point that he was able to move from Pre-Kindergarten straight to First Grade, and most importantly, they have always kept him safe and happy. I know that some people believe the facility suppresses children's personalities, but that has never been our experience. My son is bright and full of energy, and he has always been able to express himself while also learning that school comes with rules and appropriate behavior expectations. They strike a great balance between structure and allowing kids to be creative and unique. They also provide balanced nutrition while allowing them the independence to say "yes, please" or "no, thank you" to food options being served. I was initially very nervous about starting my one-year-old daughter because she has significant separation anxiety. However, the patience and reassurance her teachers have shown her has been nothing short of a blessing and has truly put my heart at ease. Within just the first month of attending, she has already gained confidence, started counting, and participates in group activities. Overall, we absolutely love Honey Tree & Branches and what they provide for our family. I truly believe a lot depends on communication between parents and staff. When you are open about your concerns or your child's needs, they are very responsive and work quickly to address them appropriately.

Beware of This Private Academy: A Parent's Honest Review:…read more My husband and I enrolled both of our daughters at Honey Tree in the fall of 2020. Initially, things went well, and we were satisfied with the academic structure. However, as our younger daughter Millie's bright, carefree personality emerged, it quickly became clear that she didn't fit into the mold of what Kimberly Fielding's academy expected. Unfortunately, Millie became the child frequently mentioned in incident reports and was often sent to Fielding's office for behaviors that seemed more about her individuality than genuine discipline issues. When our older daughter, Izzy, transitioned to Maize schools for kindergarten, the incident reports for Millie increased dramatically. This culminated in Millie spending a significant portion of her day in the office. By the time we withdrew her, it felt like she spent more time in trouble than in the classroom. Her final weeks were heartbreaking, as we watched her joyful, easy-going nature being suppressed. Millie has since flourished at Primrose and is thriving in kindergarten at Maize Schools. The discipline methods and culture of shame at Honey Tree are concerning. Through conversations with other parents, both current and former, we realized our story was far from unique. Multiple families in West Wichita have shared similar experiences, and it's clear this institution has a systemic issue with how children--especially those who don't conform to rigid expectations--are treated. While we chose Honey Tree for its academic reputation, we never anticipated the emotional strain it would impose on our child. Our family is still working through the aftereffects, and no child should ever have to carry such anxiety. This review isn't just about our experience; it's a warning to other parents. What Goes Unseen Inside Honey Tree? Insights from Former Employees Over the years, I've heard disturbing reports from former staff about the institution's internal practices. Here are just a few examples: **Parents who've withdrawn their children due to job changes or dissatisfaction have been coerced into removing negative reviews in exchange for reduced fees. **Kids are often sent to the "thinking spot" for excessive durations, forced to sit in isolation for what seems like punitive purposes rather than constructive discipline. **For the 1-2 year old rooms, teachers manage 20 kids with only 15 minutes for potty routines--leading to frequent accidents and children being shamed for them. **Fielding's use of cameras to monitor staff fosters a culture of surveillance and fear, where teachers are reprimanded for straying from her strict schedule, even if it means attending to a child's immediate needs. These practices reflect a toxic culture that is far more concerned with maintaining a strict, punitive environment than fostering a healthy learning space for young children. The demands on teachers are unreasonable, and the children suffer for it--whether through lack of appropriate care, long periods of isolation, or being shamed for age-appropriate behavior. My Plea to Other Parents? Yes, Millie's personality may have clashed with Ms. Fielding's vision. Again, we've overcome our experience and I'm proud to be speaking out for others. What alarming for me is the mistreatment of other children who are too young to defend themselves. The mental and emotional strain placed on them in the name of discipline is troubling, to say the least. Many parents who've realized this and withdrawn their children are met with hefty fees due to contract terms. The same applies to teachers--they are bound by similar agreements, and once you're in, you're financially tied to Ms. Fielding for a long time. Her concern isn't for the well-being of these children but rather for her image and the money she makes from this institution. Overall, once you submit a 30-day notice, be prepared to pick up your child 2-3 times a week, or they may sit isolated in Fielding's office until pick-up. When future funding is on the line, Ms. Fielding's true nature emerges. If you look at reviews before 2024, most of them are positive--largely because negative reviews were met with deflection or bribery to have them removed. But in 2024, the truth started to come out, and more parents and employees began to speak up. The tide has turned, and no amount of rebranding or passing ownership to her children will change the fact that this institution is toxic. Be cautious about what you're truly getting into. (Note: Five of the teachers currently employed are either Ms. Fielding's daughters or daughters-in-law. To be clear, I have no concerns with any of her children or the teachers working there. However, it's important to acknowledge that family ties can heavily influence decision-making and actions within the institution.) This review is my warning! Let this stand as a testament to the real story behind the glossy image.

We sent our daughter to WMS for all-day primary for a year before she was old enough to attend our…read morebeloved Catholic school all day with her siblings. What an incredible educational foundation that WMS gave her! The Montessori approach far exceeded our expectations and was worth every penny for our daughter. The skills she developed at WMS have blown us away! Every teacher she worked with was excellent. And we will miss them all! Would highly recommend WMS!

Not any better than a typical public school. Don't waste your money. Their main focus is getting…read moretuition even at the expense of the safety and wellbeing of students. Complete lack of common sense in the upper school classroom. They need to learn to remove problematic violent children after repeated incidences. The school used to be good but went downhill fast the last couple years.