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.

I send my three sons here and they love it. Great kids and great teachers. Very good…read moreChristian/Catholic school.

From the owner: Mount Merici Academy is an Ursuline Catholic school for Nursery aged students through the 8th…read moregrade. Located in Waterville, ME, we have designed our curriculum with a focus on our mission: nurturing the whole child - mind, body and spirit - providing love and guidance so that students can achieve their personal best. In partnership with families, our goal is to instill Christ-centered values of respect, responsibility and self-discipline, teaching students in the Ursuline Serviam tradition of service to our community and the world. Our curriculum is centered on basic skills of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social sciences at all grade levels. We empower students to continue to succeed once they leave our school, and become leaders who serve their family and community. For a quality Christ-centered education and environment where your child will grow and thrive, come visit Mount Merici Academy and see for yourself why you should enroll your child today. Contact us for more information!

A wonderful with wonderful staff. They are very passionate…read moreabout the kids. The playground & field are also wonderful.

i loved the teachers but absolutely hated the art teacher. she made many kids cry and once even…read moreripped a kids art because it wasn't what she was looking for, and made someone cry once, but if you do it exactly like hers then she'll tell you to be more creative but if you're creative then she'll make you re-do the entire project until its what she's looking for. but other than her the school is amazing, its very clean and the teachers-other then the art teacher- are amazing.

Three of my four kids went through Waynflete - one for high school and two for preschool through…read moreGrade 12. These three children are vastly different. The school did an amazing job of preparing them for College and for life and adapting for each of their goals. Their focus on critical thinking and excellent writing and presentation skills has served our children well. My daughter went on to get an MD/PhD at Duke and her final training in the Harvard system. My youngest son has held increasingly important roles in a major renewable energy company and my oldest son is an artist and LSW. I mention their trajectories to counter comments that this school doesn't prepare students for the real world. It was a sacrifice for our family to afford but so worth the investment. They are all happy and fulfilled.

This school has been great to me for many years as i have been going to Waynflete since 1st graderead more

PLEASE NOTE: This review is for the school as an event space and not as an educational facility,…read morethough I'm sure it's a great one (especially considering they're environmentally conscious - they've got a community garden on site for their students to learn in, solar panels, and they're Certified LEED Silver). I feel like I find myself at the East End Community School multiple times a year for awesome events, and I have to say - it's always just right. Does that make sense? Some "venues" in Portland seem too small or too large for whatever it is they're hosting, but everything I've ever attended at this location has always been just right. The right size, the right amount of parking, the right location, just everything is always on point. A couple things I've come to here... 1. Maine YogaFest (July) The YogaFest sprawls across the entire campus. I've done spa yoga in a room that had floor to ceiling windows overlooking Back Cove, I've done both aerial yoga and blacklight yoga in (what I think is) a gymnasium with very tall ceilings, and I've done vinyasa flow outside in a beautiful athletic field. Coming to EECS for this event feels like a vacation away from Portland - it seems quieter in this area of the city. Maybe because it's set up on a hill, has an impressive amount of open space, tree coverage, and fabulous flora? It just doesn't feel like it's Maine's largest city. 2. Art on the Hill Sale (December) Again, the art sale flows from room to room pretty effortlessly. I never feel cramped walking through, and despite the level, lighting, and space changes from room to room, it all just seems to work. I forget that I'm in a school! Anyway, if you're coming here for yoga, an art sale, a vegetarian food festival, a children's film event, a lecture... just know that you're in good hands!

My autistic son just made it through his freshman year and let me tell you... never has he has such…read morea wonderful experience. We moved from a southern state where his disabilities were not accepted very well even by school staff. This was our last hope for a good school who could not only educate him, but accept him as a person. He is now a part of the unified basketball team, he cooks, he cleans, he does it all! The staff are amazing and the principal greats all the kids & staff at the front door every morning. The ladies in the front office are the nicest people I have ever met and everyone welcomes you with open arms. This is such a safe place for my children I couldn't be happier.