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.

This school is absolutely amazing! They are able to take youth that learn in different ways than…read morethe basic standardized methods. People learn in all different ways. Verbally, written or by seeing it. Maybe even a combination. They give youth the confidence they once lacked. The school system itself was lacking. Most of these youth were labeled as trouble makers or always Truent. They are not. They are some of the brightest youth! I went to Franklin before the program itself became more structured. It is an ever evolving program which is a good thing! I LOVED it! It empowered me to take control of my own education. I could leave if I wanted to,but I and I alone had to suffer the consequences. Mr. E is a name everyone knows as he was one of the people who began the program. He gave his all and was a true friend to everyone. We could call him anytime night or day. (Yes the teachers give the private numbers out so youth have a safe person to call,vent,go) it was truly an amazing place. Places like these need to be recognized more often and need more funding!!! Mr. Barrlow has taken over now. He was actually my math teacher when I went there. My daughter now goes and I know without a shadow of a doubt she is in good hands and will graduate with flying colors!

You will always be three credits short of a degree, find out pretty much last-second, and not be…read moreable to get into a class because only 15 students can take it, and several professors won't make an exception even if you explain that you will have to stay an entire extra semester without those credit hours after getting lost in a pile of paperwork. If it were only me, this would be a private grudge, but it happened to several other students who attended between 1995-2005, when student loan interest rates were at their highest. The academic snob factor is also high. For awhile, UMF was considering changing their name to College of Liberal Arts of Maine. (CLAM. Yup.) Though other UMS systems offer courses covering the same material and then some, UMF will often not allow credits to transfer, even if professors who taught an identical --sometimes better-- course at another branch of the system sends a syllabus, grades, recommendation, etc. Not sure if this is about elitism or greed, but it is not helpful to impoverished students. Expect to shell out some cash, and owe money for the rest of your life. Know that you will be there for 4-5 years, even if you have attended several semesters at other colleges or universities, already. That said, once you get past the ongoing, unexpected financial punch in the stomach and holier-than-thou attitude regarding other UMS schools? The English department is nothing short of amazing. NOTE: I graduated in 2003. Things may be different.