Nysmith School isn't just a top-tier institution; it's been a game-changer for my family. With two kids who absolutely love their time there, I can honestly say it's exceeded all our expectations. What really sets Nysmith apart is how they encourage teamwork among students. My kids aren't just learning from their teachers; they're surrounded by classmates who excel in different areas. This creates an environment where every day is a chance for them to grow and discover new things together. At Nysmith, kids have the freedom to learn at their own pace, which means they're never bored or left behind. It's refreshing to see them so eager to learn because they get to choose what interests them. I'm also impressed by the innovative classroom setup at Nysmith. Each teacher specializes in their subject, and classes are held in different spaces, which keeps things exciting. And let's not forget about the frequent field trips - they're not just educational, they're hands-on experiences that make learning come alive. The pride my kids have for Nysmith is evident every time we drive by the school. Their enthusiasm says it all - they truly love being there. I was especially touched by how the teachers and faculty members remembered my third child's name before she even started. It's clear they genuinely care about each child's well-being. My son's rapid academic progress at Nysmith speaks volumes about the quality of education provided. Already excelling in 2nd-grade math and delving into topics like Mesopotamia letters in social science in 1st-grade, it's clear that Nysmith is nurturing his intellectual curiosity and potential. The responsiveness and care shown by the teachers at Nysmith have left a lasting impression on our family. From prompt responses to heartfelt gestures like warm hugs and expressions of love, it's evident that the well-being of every child is a top priority. The top-notch facilities at Nysmith, boasting three sprawling playgrounds, truly elevate the learning experience. And with future expansion plans in the works, it's evident that Nysmith is dedicated to creating an optimal environment for its students. With over 40 different clubs and after-school activities, there's always something exciting happening at Nysmith. And the faculty and staff? Their amazing smiles and warm greetings create such a lively and bright atmosphere. It's impossible not to feel welcomed and appreciated whenever we're there. I used to have my kids enrolled in the Montessori school nearby, but let me tell you, the level of learning they're experiencing at Nysmith is on a whole other level. Plus, at Nysmith, they get to enjoy essential classes like PE, art, and music, which were missing from the Montessori school. Despite what some might say about tuition being high and the academics being not much different from other schools, I'm steadfast in my belief that the value of a Nysmith education extends far beyond mere academics. Let's face it, teaching addition and subtraction to kindergartners or multiplication to second graders doesn't vary much from school to school. What truly sets Nysmith apart is the emphasis on fostering friendships, providing an enriching environment, and nurturing a positive school culture. In summary, Nysmith School has blown us away. We're grateful to be part of the Nysmith family and can't wait to send our third child there! Plus, for families with four kids, it's worth mentioning that the fourth child's tuition is free! read more

We've been in this school PreK - 2nd grade. As a parent, you want to provide a great education in a safe environment for your child. You get this feeling when you see bulletin boards of first graders knowing how to divide and correctly identifying all of the organs in the digestive system. It's easy to get drawn in, to drink the Nysmith cool-aid. (Top school, Johns Hopkins awards...) HOW these academic goals are brought to fruition is where the problems lie. If you want your child to grow up in a sterile environment where joyful squeals are hushed and jumping out of your chair is an offense that gets "written up" and reprimanded, then send your child here. This type of academic prestige comes with a cost. The cost of taking what is at the heart of your child and turning it into what the school views is optimal. This is a dangerous road to cross with your child's self-esteem and self-worth. The constant battle of wanting to be a child, and acting like a child, yet getting told to act like a responsible adult at the age of 5; of being held up to a mirror of inadequacy on a daily basis. Elementary age kids staying awake until midnight doing homework so they can show off that they are better than their classmates... How do you think these children turn out in 10 years from now? The school obviously knows the long-term effects of their strategies because they just sponsored a parent-education seminar about dealing with anxiety levels in children. It doesn't take a doctor to reveal that when kids are pushed too far emotionally and academically they suffer anxiety, stress and depression. There's a time and place for competition, natural selection surrounds us, but being competitive should not crush a child's spirit. Being the best all the time should not consume every inch of a 5 year old, but that's what this environment fosters. My son, a child who once viewed school with amazement and an open heart, has now been transformed into a child who is afraid of his teachers - his "bosses" as he coins them in Minecraft terms, and views his friends as competition for grades, not as playmates. (Kids waiting for their parents after school sneak into each others folders to see what grades they got on returned homework then make snide remarks like- you missed THAT question?). All before 6th grade???? Really, is it worth it??? Do some soul searching. Every child deserves the chance to reach their own potential and shine even if their actions aren't perfect or they have trouble speaking out of turn. Here, at the Almighty Nysmith, in order for your child to succeed they must be (conform to) what the school views as a perfect student, not what nature has given to your child. The natural child is viewed as flawed, as loud, as out-of-turn, as too energetic, as non-conforming. Damn right, that's my child, and I'm not letting this school suck the life out of him one more year. read more

We've had kids here at three different grade levels for several years, so we've had a pretty holistic experience of the school. I have never once regretted the decision to send our kids here. Here's what I like most: - The teachers AND kids are polite, well-spoken, and happy. Ken Nysmith is a model of a positive attitude: you can see that everyday at morning drop off. He is never without a kind word and a smile, and the rest of the school follows his lead. At first I admit, I had the "Is this for real?" feeling. But after six years, I'm confident the positivity you experience when you walk into the school is authentic. - The teachers have tremendous latitude to design learning experiences in ways that are engaging and make education fun. - The kids are pushed beyond any public school, and they excel! They do projects and experiments I didn't see until high school. My 13 year old has a bigger vocabulary than me! (She used "unctuous" in conversation the other day... I had to look it up.) - The program is accommodating. Our other daughter has dyslexia, and a high IQ. In public school, her cognitive results would have been averaged together, and she would have had the same constraints as other students. At Nysmith, she is given more time, bigger print, and adaptive technology to help her manage her dyslexia. She is flourishing. - The school is a community. This probably isn't unique to Nysmith, but our kids have made friends, and my wife and I have become friends with THEIR parents. We look forward to chaperoning field trips and school events: another excuse to see people we honestly LIKE to be with! - This is the big one: our kids genuinely love learning and WANT to go to school. They come home and, on their own, continue to read and research more on the lessons of the day. What other school offers that? I read the other Yelp reviews, and it seems like there are only 5 star reviews and 1 star reviews. I think that's true of the parents I know there: they either love it or hate it. There aren't many of the latter. I think what the haters have in common is that they expect Nysmith to teach AND parent their kids. The Nysmith school doesn't teach good manners or respectful behavior. That's a parents' responsibility. read more

I could not stop admiring the marketing efforts. Looks like the Nysmith school enrollment is on a steep decline and, in its last effort to boost the business, 5 or 6 five-star reviews were posted on the same day from different parents, including the ones who are not parents yet and who do not have any kids in the Nysmith school. This is from a parent who did have two kids at this school: Nysmith school is a total scam. The head of the school is not only a very illiterate person who writes two-sentence e-mails with 3 to 4 grammatical mistakes in it, but also a very unreasonable one, who does not care about the children's and teachers' well-being and has no moral values whatsoever. It is no wonder that the quality of experience and education at Nysmith school is on a sharp decline. Albeit, the original business idea in itself was great and based predominantly on a, statistically speaking, "biased sample" of students who self-select into the "gifted" category. This school for the "Gifted" selection process used to select students with high test scores as an input, and, as an outcome, these talented kids did well, whereas the principal shamelessly claimed the fruits of labor not entirely his. But even such a winning business proposition can be completely ruined if you put an inadequate person in charge. Experienced teachers who were up for a raise due to their tenure at school were let go to save money; to make money, the principal decided to relinquish the tests and take any-level students who are financially able to study there. As a result, the level of education is lacking and it's hard to maintain the proud label "for the gifted", which is basically supposed to pay for itself if only you put a passionate educator in charge. I regret profoundly sending my kids to this school and wasting their time and our family's money. Sending my kids to Nysmith left me feel like a Pinocchio - "a wooden puppet wants to see his money grow -- so he plants it in the ground!". The only difference is that I was looking for an invaluable growth in my kids' (straight A students) talents, but I was left ripped off and disenchanted by the Nysmith fairytale. read more

TL:DR - Send your child to this school. It has been the best decision i've made for my child in my life My daughter has been a student at Nysmith since 2015. Starting in beginners and culminating in an amazing graduation day! Having only one child, Nysmith became a family within the family. Some of my closest friends are from this school and it really is a close-knit community willing to help when needed. The staff and teachers are top notch and always make learning interactive and fun. For example, this year in Spanish class the final exam wasn't a written, memorize paper test as I had to go through but a news cast in Spanish! Headlines, entertainment, sports etc. Everything you would see on local news the students had to complete it in Spanish. That concept not only dealt with Spanish but also public speaking- that blew my mind! It this out of the box approach to learning that i've experienced and found to be the norm at this school. This school makes learning F-U-N! When kids have fun in anything they do it sticks with them. This school has made it their mission to make learning fun, and they do just an amazing job at it! Math wasn't a strong subject for my daughter, but she wasn't pushed to keep up with the kids who were more proficient. She learned at her own pace and excelled because of the patience the teachers showed with her. Speaking of the teachers, what a group of incredible people! These teachers love to teach, and it shows. My earlier example is just one way they make it fun. On more than 6 occasions teachers have come to watch their students in ballet, soccer matches, baseball games, rock climbing events on the weekends.... let that sink in. When i see a Nysmith teacher out and about i pick up their restaurant/bar bill as a show of appreciation for all they do. As I finish up this review, I realize that my Nysmith journey is over too and I'm emotional. If this school has affected me this much in such a positive way i can only imagine how it has affected my daughter. read more

My three children have all attended Nysmith since preschool. Our inital visit to Nysmith was so extrodinary we can't imagine sending our children anywhere else. The STEM program is second to none and I have seen all three of my children blossom and grow in unimaginable ways. They promote a true sense of community, with endless opportunities to engage with your child and their peers and other families within the grade and school. Anyone with multiple children knows that they can all be polar opposites and mine are no exception. While my oldest child in 5th grade is exceptionally quick in Math and Science, my middle child in 3rd grade is far more advanced in history and language arts. My youngest in Kindergarten continues to excel in all subjects but most importantly carries an outgoing independant attitude I credit Nysmith to nurturing. Nysmith has found a way to cater to all three of my children, helping them where they need additional help and certainly engaging their inner spark on the subjects they love the most. The staff at Nysmith has been a true partner to me as a parent. Always available to assist with questions, concerns or just to say "Wow, your kid is doing so great, let me tell you more." How refreshing to have someone in school that is also my children's cheerleader. The class sizes are small offering two teachers per room. No one is left in the back struggling without 1:1 support where needed. The front office staff is always smiling and helpful and the administration knows all my children by name. In fact, spend any amount of time at Nysmith and you will soon realize that the headmaster Ken knows EVERYONE'S name, and dare I say birthday! He helps greet children into school every morning and on their way every afternoon. I can not recommend this school enough and am so honored my children to get be a part of this environment. read more

We started in second grade, and we always think that why did not we start earlier? the values of character development, leadership qualities, effective communication are very well emphasized. Smal size of the class and leveled math curriculum is very favorable to child's growth and development. I have seen my child's confidence growing by leaps and bounds. She is flourishing and thriving in this school. Teachers and administration are very much invested to see the children to grow to their full potential. The variety and number of after school club is just impressive, giving every child an opportunity to explore and expand their interests. National teams are formed in after school club with great camaraderie between the children and under the guidance of very knowledgeable and passionate teachers. This school provides stellar education and meets the students at their level. No wonder my child does not want to miss the school even for one day. My child feels very safe and secure in this home like school with principal of the school, Mr. Ken Nysmith remembering every kid's name! We feel very fortunate to be a part of this amazing school and cannot wait to experience wonderful opportunities which this school can offer every day! read more

After five wonderful years at Nysmith, we can confidently say the school lives up to its stellar reputation. Two qualities, in particular, stand out: 1. Differentiated learning. Nysmith tailors the curriculum to each student's abilities. Our son, now in second grade, is thriving in 7th-grade math thanks to the school's commitment to personalization. This individualized approach not only strengthens his academics but also keeps him engaged and excited, where he might otherwise feel restless or unchallenged. 2. Proactive communication. The teachers provide thoughtful, detailed feedback on both academic progress and classroom behavior. This open dialogue has strengthened our partnership with the school and created valuable teacher-student-parent relationships that help set our son up for success. For our family, Nysmith is truly irreplaceable. Even with private tutors, our son could never benefit from the same motivation and inspiration he gains by learning alongside high-achieving peers. Nysmith has fostered his growth in a nurturing, yet challenging, environment. We enthusiastically recommend Nysmith to any parent seeking a top-tier education for their child. read more

I don't know how to start and what to say to be enough about the Nysmith school, but I can copy/paste the mid- term school survey I just sent to Nysmith school yesterday. This survey will describe our families feelings about this awsome school. My daughter attended Nysmith School since second grade, she is an 8th grader now and will be graduated in June 2019. We will miss Nysmith School for sure. Believe me,they deserve more than 5 stars! our Mid-Term survey; We are more than happy with Nysmith school. Nysmith school helped us as the parents to raise a strong,confident, respectful,caring individual. Today our 13 year old daughter among many other qualities that she has, is a strong leader,confident speaker, awesome writer, talented musician and a role model. As the parents, we have confidence in her and in her decisions she makes for her future. We believe in our heart that someday she will bring honor to our future society.We just want to express our appreciation to the Nysmith school and tell you that we couldn't do it without you. The graduation day is almost here and we already know that how much we will miss you all. Thank you read more

After 3+ years (4th & Pre-K), we're more excited each year. - Joyful, hands-on learning - Projects, experiments, critical thinking ("Logic" from 1st grade). My daughter's response when I ask what she learned: "In which class?" - Confidence building - Regular presentations. Mr. Nysmith said they implemented time limits at graduation b/c all students wanted to speak! My daughter is no longer anxious. - Rich curriculum - Two teachers per class from 1st grade, languages from Pre-K (French, Spanish, Latin), integrated art, thoughtful tech use - Exceptional leadership - Mr. Nysmith is engaged and caring, greets children each morning, Lower School Director knows every child by name. - Kind, diverse community - Families from all continents; children naturally help each other As someone with a psychology background, I know elementary years shape academic identity. Nysmith fosters intrinsic motivation and builds capable learners. Financial aid available. Visit and see for yourself. You will be impressed, too. read more

Nysmith merits its stellar reputation. Two features standout for us: (1) Nysmith differentiates the learning experience for each student. For example, our son, who is currently in kindergarten, is taking 3rd-grade math, thanks to the curriculum Nysmith tailored to his advanced abilities. Such personalization not only encourages academics, it keeps our son engaged and enthusiastic when he might otherwise feel restless or bored. (2) Nysmith teachers provide detailed daily feedback. The comments provide insights into both academic progress and in-class behavior. This proactive communication enables us to reinforce good habits. For us, the only possible alternative to Nysmith would be to hire a team of private tutors; which speaks volumes about the quality and dedication of the Nysmith staff. Nysmith is a nurturing and challenging environment that has truly fostered our son's growth. We highly recommend Nysmith to any parent seeking a top-tier education for their child. read more

As parents of three children enrolled at Nysmith, we couldn't be more pleased with the experience our family has had. Each of our children are pushed and enriched in different but equally engaging ways, proving that Nysmith truly tailors its approach to meet the needs of every student. What stands out most is the passion the teachers have for their subjects. Our kids thrive on understanding the "Why" behind everything, and Nysmith's approach aligns perfectly with that curiosity. The school's faster pace and emphasis on less repetition have been incredibly effective in keeping our children engaged, and they're absorbing a tremendous amount of knowledge in creative and fun ways. We feel confident that Nysmith is laying a solid foundation for their future success. Whether it's through advanced academics, the joyful learning environment, or the support they receive from their teachers, we know our kids are in the right place. read more

My daughter has been with Nysmith for 3 years. She loves going to school every day and is always happy. In Kindergarten class the teachers evaluate students in reading or math and put them in different groups so that each one can learn at their own pace. This is very important because Kids truly learn and mature at different paces. The teachers are excellent and very caring. The staff are very professional and friendly. The positive energy is palpable in the whole school where everyone smiles and care about the kids. The variety of activities and topics my daughter does and learns every day is just amazing. I pretty much echo all the positive experiences other parents described in their reviews - that is the norm not an exception at Nysmith. This is an excellent school and as close to an ideal school for my kid as I can imagine. read more

Maybe my review will be put down with the 16 others that aren't included in the school's profile... what is that??? Tell the truth and have your review not count, oh nice!!! I have a 3rd grade girl who has been at Nysmith since Pre-K. I chaperoned a field trip and saw with my own eyes that the kids are treated in a militaristic way. Made to walk in single file at an outside field-trip. Kids got reprimanded (on a field trip) for answering too many questions (even when raising hands). The kids answering were told they were not being "group oriented" by answering every question. Reviews are true- Rules are not explained, the more money you have the more important your kid is. My nephew in public school is doing the same exact math as my daughter in this "Gifted School"- Gifted is all in the name, not the curriculum. read more

As parents of three children currently attending Nysmith School, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation for the exceptional quality of education and care our kids receive. Having previously experienced public schooling, we have noticed significant differences in both the academic environment and overall support at Nysmith. The teachers and staff are not only incredibly knowledgeable but also genuinely friendly and approachable, fostering a nurturing atmosphere that encourages our children's growth and enthusiasm for learning. It's reassuring to know that they are in such capable hands. We wholeheartedly recommend Nysmith School to any parent seeking a high-quality educational experience for their children. The commitment to excellence and student well-being truly sets Nysmith apart as an exceptional choice. read more

If you believe in a disciplined and rigorous education - this is the right school. The key difference are the parents - every family that we have encountered at this school is committed to the education of their child. Parents take a lot of interest in their child's education (this means - Nysmith is a family affair!) and one reason why we love it. Its not just the academics but the culture and shared values of families that value education and embrace the value of success through education. The families we have encountered in our three years there have been extremely friendly and we never felt like Nysmith was a 'status' symbol. The tuition is expensive - agree with that but Edlin and Flint Hill are similarly priced. The value of good teachers and facilities doesn't come cheap! You get what you pay for :-) read more

My son has had a wonderful transition into fifth grade at Nysmith. He attended another excellent private school in the DC area but needed the accelerated curriculum that Nysmith offers. His teachers are very qualified and have been nuturing and motivating. The workload is substantial but manageable. If your child needs extra help in a certain subject, the teachers are always available and willing to help them get back on track. As for some of the negative reviews and experiences a few of the parents and students have posted here, our family has not witnessed or experienced anything simmilar. All the parents we know and speak with are very pleased. The only suggestion I can give is visit for yourself and see how special this school is. read more

We highly recommend Nysmith. Having been there for 10 years (younger child - Beginners through 6th and older child - 1st through 8th), we can confidently say that Nysmith lives up to its excellent reputation in both the lower school and upper school. The small class sizes, differentiated learning, accelerated curriculum, teacher support and communication and respectful administrators all contribute to the top-tier nature of the school. The school is exceptionally secure, which we also found to be a plus. My younger child goes to school everyday happy, enthusiastic and challenged and my older child, who graduated two years ago from Nysmith, misses the school and looks forward to opportunities to visit her old teachers. read more

THE SCHOOL IS SO BAAAAAAD. THEY ARE SEXIST AND RACIST AND OVERALL POLITICAL. I DON'T recommend this school to anyone. They post grades at the last second online so there is no room to improve. It should really be an all girls school, because they have something against boys and I don't know what. DON'T INVEST ALL YOUR MONEY FOR THIS JUNK. As a matter of fact, if there was a quarter of a star for an option or even less, I would put that. The school isn't for the gifted......IT'S FOR THE RICH, BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE THE MONEY YOUR CHILD IS IN. There are no tests to get in. read more