The teachers are so wicked smart and supportive of their students. The curriculum is just the best My favorite is the integrated approach to mathematics and the supporting textbooks are engaging and provide learners with a deep lasting understanding of what they are learning and why. read more

It's perfect for the right person. You'll either fit in perfectly or not at all, and for the latter student, it'll be a nightmare. I don't know many people who are in-between. Academically, most of the teachers are great, but some have literally no idea what they are doing. It's important to note that MBS hires teaching staff who have PHDs in their field, but never learned to be teachers. In fact, my tenth grade chemistry teacher had a PHD in physics, but no chemistry experience past high school and no teaching degree, and he was very open about this. I feel that the dress-code goes beyond what is normal and necessary for a school environment, and stifles self-expression. Teen and pre-teen years are extremely formative in every way, including style, so to force kids to look professional everyday could have poor results. I think it's important to let kids have colorful hair and graphic tees, even if they look ridiculous by some standards. Let kids be kids. In my own opinion, high school should be a time where teenagers are guided along as they discover themselves and who they want to be. At MBS, it seems like we are guided towards a specific path, regardless of ourselves and what we want. If this is the path you're looking for anyway, this school will be your dream. MBS will deliver your stereotypical private school experience. Very shallow, very reputation oriented, very damaging to students that don't fit the bill. read more

The gluten-free chicken nuggets were amazing, but the aftertaste made me throw-up in my mouth

I graduated in 2007 from MBS and I attended from the 7th to the 12th grade. My goal is not to bash the school but rather to provide a warning to what people could expect if they choose to send their kids here. And obviously things might have changed since 2007. I can only speak for myself but I did not thrive here at all. I am giving two stars because I do think that a) I was able to become a strong writer as we wrote many papers here 2) they provide good instruction in foreign language and there are several to choose from- at the time I attended there was French, Spanish and Latin 3) I passed all college placement exams so I was not required to take any pre-reqs once I went to college and 4) despite its many flaws, I still managed to get a half decent education at the end of the day although I can't help but think I could have gotten an equally good education without all the pain. The pain that I speak of came in the form of extreme sleep deprivation, being overworked to the point of being so brain dead I could not even process words on the page, and the amount of stress that you are placed under that might compel young, impressionable and naive students to resort to self-medication. The teachers were kind of a mixed bag. The majority of them meant well and I will admit seemed very well-educated but they are teachers not mental health professionals. I would suggest they place heavier effort into teaching healthy coping skills to the students and focus more on fostering good mental health in the students if they are going to work the students so hard. I also suggest more focus on teaching kids about actual careers and real-life skills. I wish they would bring back practical skills to high school like home economics, budgeting, wood shop, and other types of more hands-on, real-life skills types of classes. I do think they need to advise students who might want to go on to learn a trade rather than go on to college and provide some guidance as to the types of post-secondary education aside from college. I don't recall ever being asked whether or not I actually wanted to go to college; it was just assumed. Overall I feel this school failed to provide me with good support or direction for life post-graduation. I am a creative type of person and this school was very focused on a very rigid, academic, college-prep program. The creative and artistic types might not do so well here. read more

This school is a game changer academically and socially. My son came to MBS as a freshmen and we are now sending my daughter, as well. It's a warm, supportive academic environment that truly embraces critical thinking and academic risk-taking. My only regret is not sending my children there at an earlier age. read more