I have been looking to take a beginners metalsmith course and found ArtWorx through a google…read moresearch. After looking through the website, I decided to give them a call to confirm classes are still in place with covid going on. I called.. phone disconnected. Few days later, still disconnected. I look on the website and google a week later, phone number listed is still disconnected. I decide to sign up for the course anyway, pay by check and send an email to confirm that the address is correct (since the phone number is not) and I receive this email back.......

Had the BEST time getting my permanent bracelet done by Dana. She is so kind, personable, and…read moretalented!! 10/10. Love it!!!!

My son attended public school from Kindergarten through 6th grade. He had a few wonderful…read moreteachers, but for the most part, his educational experience was far from inspiring. What pushed me to look into the Waldorf School was my issue with young male video game culture that seems pervasive in main stream culture thus a part of public school. I felt as if I was swimming upstream for years while I resisted letting it take up residence in our household, and then I finally conceded when my son was in 5th grade. A neighbor gave him a secondhand x-box that was her grandson's. As a gesture of graciousness and with an attitude of experimentation, I opened myself to the experience for a year, before I couldn't stand watching the effects anymore. I had enough of watching my formerly contented son turn into a restless, ill-contented drone. I had enough of watching and listening to the violence as my son obliterated the "Russians" and "North Koreans"; I wanted something more for him. I wanted him to feel alive in school and out of school, meanwhile I so sadly was beginning to watch him lose every ounce of enthusiasm for both his public school life and for his interests outside of playing video games. I was determined to find an environment for my son to go through puberty that was grounded, kind and nurturing. I found exactly what I was looking for at the Ashwood Waldorf School. My son leaves school literally beaming, smiling from ear to ear and full of stories of his day. He is finally in an environment that engages not just his mind but nourishes his spirit. Here are three reasons why I believe my son has come alive in this environment. The Ashwood Waldorf School honors traditional academics (such as memorization and recitation, which was non-existent in my son's public school experience). Integrated sensory learning activities are incorporated with each main lesson block: e.g. they have to do research and write a report, copy it with a fountain pen onto "main lesson" paper, create an art project, and do an oral report for each topic studied. Secondly, he is in an environment that also values physical beauty from the landscaped school grounds, hand work, carpentry, music and art classes, to the beautiful chalk board art in each classroom. This element and value placed on beauty seems to really nurture kindness and curiosity in the students and faculty. This value was something I would not have thought of to look for as a perspective parent but has been a wonderful surprise to me. And lastly, the class teachers, as a part of Waldorf education, insist on the daily fundamental exercise of practicing respect between each student and their teacher. They do this by implementing something so simple: a greeting that consists of a handshake between the teacher and each student, mutually looking into one another's eyes and saying one another's names as they say good morning as the student enters the classroom first thing and say good bye as the student departs at the end of their day. Wow, what a difference, just these three educational experiences have made in my son's growth into a young man. I feel as if the Ashwood Waldorf School offers an opportunity and an environment for both young men and women in middle school and junior high to mature in an environment that allows them to be themselves. My son is in eighth grade; the kids are just, not, pre-occupied with name brands, tech gadgets, or peer pressure to be anything they are not. It is so promising and cool to see healthy middle school kids. I have a happy 13 year old son that is engaged and enjoys going to school and enjoys the adults in his life! You just can't ask for anything more at this age. I also have to note that I would not have been able to afford a Waldorf education in many other parts of the country. Ashwood's tuition is roughly half of what most Waldorf urban schools cost. I thought I moved here for family and work, but what I'm getting is so much more than that. Perhaps we actually moved here so I could get my son back, and so he could come home to himself again through the gifts found at Ashwood.

We are thrilled with Ashwood Waldorf School. Our daughter is thriving there--academically,…read moresocially, and creatively. The kids are respectful and intelligent, and the staff is second to none. And most importantly, our daughter loves it. She looks forward to going to school every day.

My daughter is a student from about 1500 miles away. I can't imagine a better place for her. MMA…read moreis really focused on the hands-on practical education as much as the classroom learning. The surrounding community supports the school and it is truly a special place.

Once again I am biased because I work there! Great facilities and faculty. Students represent the…read morefuture mariners for the United States. School has a very blue collar work hard feeling. Students are eager to learn and hunger for knowledge. Regimental students are the largest part of the student population. But there is a mix of concentrations. Come down to Castine and check out the school!

Highly recommend Maine Media Workshops + College of Rockport, mid-coast Maine for quality of…read morefaculty, staff, students, on-site housing, location near Rockport Harbor, layout of campus, & even delicious food. You will work hard, learn lots, and love learning, too. Superb energy. Both my IRL classes were one-week intensive Summer Program non-fiction WRITING workshops, plus an excellent online workshop during worst of pandemic. Rating: Ten stars out of five! Note: I am a Writer & am reviewing only writing Workshops I attended, on campus & virtual.

Film directing intensives are mostly just chit chat. No real hands on experience unless you fight…read morehard to wrangle a camera and get someone to help you edit your scene. They don't leave enough time in the day for all filmmakers to work. Staff is almost impossible to reach. Also not interested in being reached. Place doesn't even have a printer for students to use. Instructors are great, but their hands are tied. Most equipment is reserved for cinematography students. Trust me. This place ain't what it used to be. Not even close. Can blame some things on the pandemic, but not everything. Also, campus food is VERY expensive (tastes terrible) and not available after hours 6pm. They have Lobster dinners once a week that you have to pay top dollar for. If you want to learn how to make films, I suggest not trekking all the way here to do it. Save the cash.