Some years ago, after being annoyed enough, some parents indicated they moved their kids out of…read moretheir rowing program to a private program, because of a series of extremely questionable characters they (still) have involved there, that even with a minimum of investigation, the school would find quite concerning. Anger management issues, nepotism, career frustration, and various probable psychological complexes seem to only scratch the surface. There seems to be a clear 'look the other way' syndrome going on there, and am not sure to what extent it may be in other areas at the school.

BB&N, my high school alma mater, prepared me for academic life in amazing ways in which I can not…read morequantify. When I was a student, I definitely had times in which I struggled and had no idea how I would graduate, but in the end I made it and did very well. This school prepares you so that when you enter you undergraduate institution, it really does seem like cake, because when you were at BB&N from grades 9-12, you were pushing yourself already doing a college workload and being taught by teachers who were parallel to college professors who will follow you throughout your life. As Max B. said, you will come out of your four years here more than ready for college, and then when you're done with undergrad, you'll be more than ready for graduate school or your career because of what BB&N taught you. It's just that awesome. The teachers are top notch. They recognize talent and they will also help you when you are down. I will always be indebted to this incredible institution of learning on the Charles. -Andrea D., Class of 2006

My time at the friends school was mixed. I got a great education but at what cost. I was made fun…read moreof for being different. One kid called me a "stupid ugly fat cow" from 5th to 8th grade. The teacher I reported it to played it off "Oh he just likes you". This school taught me that my feelings didn't matter, made me feel like I didn't matter. This school taught me that no doesn't actually mean no, and that if you apply enough pressure they'll eventually give in. This school caused so much emotional and psychological damaged, that I've been left to fix on my own, because they didn't care to do their job. If the teacher had just done their job when I reported the other student, I would have self-confidence. my self-esteem and the way i see myself wouldn't be absolutely trashed. this school taught me that others can't be trusted and I can only rely on myself to protect myself. I started using self-harm in the 6th grade as a coping mechanism because no one listened to me, because no one cared.

So i at one point went to CFS and in kindergarten I loved it but in first grade I got a very strict…read moreteacher. She would be very unhappy if one kid was not doing their work or got frustrate. Also it was very stressful and I began to hate school. Other families have also left the community for similar reasons. Also they are quakers and want to create a diverse community which is great and all but they presented something called kids of color and becoming white ally's. They would talk for long amounts of times and usually kids didn't benefit anything good from it. Also bullying is a huge problem that nobody at CFS did something about. They would have 2 hr assemblies that were like torture when I was little. During the assemblies we'd sit on the gym floor and listen to music for 2 hrs. They also would rarely let kids get breaks. While at the assemblies the teachers would not only sit on benches against the wall but would get to take breaks whenever they wanted to get treats from the facility lounge. Do not send your child here they will become stressed.

There is systemic injustice at Harvard Extension School. Their policies as stated on their website…read moreare not upheld. I had a professor who graded anything beneath a 90% as a 0%. So, in other words, if you don't get an A you fail your assignments. I withdrew, brought this to the attention of the Dean, and asked for financial credit so I could take another course instead. She did not respond but simply forwarded my concern to a registrar who refused to do anything about it. The registrar said, wrongly, that the professor was acting in accord with HES policy. The grading system on the website does not in point of fact map onto the grading system of all the professors. So be forewarned that you may end up with a professor who will give you an F if you get less than an A. Don't waste your money at HES and don't expect the administration to act justly. I've matriculated a different program. HES just lost the 30K they would have made if they would have simply rendered a just decision.

I am extremely saddened to say that HES does not help International Students solve their financial…read moreissues at all. There are no Financial Aid options coming from the university itself, and 2 out of 3 student loan companies that their office recommends actually don't really accept Extension School students. The third one needs a lot of extra paperwork that the school isn't willing to help with. In order to enroll you need to pay in full and you don't get a letter of enrollment until after the drop out period, when it's too late. You can't get a loan without paying and you can't get enrolled without a loan. So it's a chicken and egg situation that has no end. They say the university helps cover for you until the loan is approved, but in reality, you have to pay in full first and they will reimburse you after the loan is paid. Which defies the entire point of asking for financial assistance. There is a very short window in which to apply for the loan after registration before being dropped out for non-payment. Paperwork takes more than a month, which is not nearly enough to get everything done. I've spent hours and hours with both the lending officers and the financial aid officers, and in the end, nothing got solved. Nothing. I am unable to join the courses. I am unable to get a loan. I feel like my potential is wasting away... Harvard has failed me.

I live in the area and walk past the school every day. Several times their students bumped into me…read moreon the sidewalk, through something that hit me accidentally, etc. It's absolutely chaos and the school does nothing about it, even though it's happening right out front on Highland Ave. Their students are kids, I understand, kids will be kids. But the school should take measures to make sure their students are not disrupting the rest of the community. I've seen their students yell at other women, throw things at other people on purpose. Etc. I'm going to change my walking path to avoid this place for now. I hope the school does something about the chaos that happens out front every single day

This school is great for the CTE department, but the academics leave a lot to be desired. That's…read morenot to say that one shouldn't enroll here. They need to work not only on their teachers and staff, but on their curriculum, as well.

I worked on the MATCH corps, the summer tutoring squad dedicated to helping students do well enough…read moreto continue at the appropriate grade level. I was impressed-- it was still early in the program and the staff seemed to have it together. The students were for the most part well-behaved, and if they ever weren't the staff was right on them. The students seem eager to learn and seem to really WANT to be there. The staff seems to have their resources worked out well-- they avoid using technology as an end-all and turn to it as what it is, a good resource.

The leadership team created by Annmarie Quezada is simply phenomenal. Our child has attended St…read more John School for the last 5 years and loves it. The majority of the teachers have master degrees from Boston College and are excellent teachers. The staff and other educators are meticulously chosen and contribute to the school at the highest level. St. John School is only Catholic elementary school (Age 2 - 6th grade) in the heart of Boston proper and is conveniently located in the North End - and close to all major employers for parents to consider. Many families attend from East Boston, Medford, Revere, Saugus and many Boston neighborhoods. The students are out-performing BPS schools on MAP testing and exceptionally prepared for junior high. The 6th grade students interested in exam schools opt in to tutoring and prep for the fall exams and outperform their peers in many instances. The school community is bar none the best. Families have left SJS and returned because the community of teachers, staff, parents, grandparents, and extended family are exceptional. You cannot find this level of care and community anywhere else! This is also the most affordable private school option for many families who want to instill a Catholic education. All the students participate in what's called the Tower Garden. Ms. Shay created a hydroponic garden that is tended by each class over the course of the year. After the greens and veggies are harvested, they are hand delivered by students to different local non profit organizations like St. Anthony's Shrine and ABCD. Having the option of afterschool from 2:30 pm - 6pm plus a variety of enrichment classes and music lessons, makes this school even more attractive and special. Tours are provided by appointment all year round. And parents are always willing to share their experiences. I should note that a 2 year old program begins in September. That's in addition to the 2.9 yo program. Definitely check out the social media pages too. Facebook and instagram @stjohnschoolnorthend

Where a school is more than just a great education - but an amazing community of families - who…read morevalue education and a responsibility to the world around them. The last remaining Catholic school in Boston proper one understands how it is still here 120 years later, it leads in educational programming from Greek-Latin Roots program, Scratch, Kahn Academy to language and arts. It is a wonderful place for any child to to attend from K3 to 8 - and for any family who is looking for a true sense of community. An excellent school on all levels!

We switched our eldest to Fayerweather at the start of 3rd grade seeking a school where the…read morelearning would be significantly challenging, values-rooted, and joyful. We wanted a place where our inquisitive kid could really stretch her edges and feel comfortable taking academic risks (and sometimes making mistakes). Now 12, she has a deep sense of who she is and what matters to her - and this strong sense of self has allowed her to take risks (academically and socially) and push herself as a learner and community member. She understands that justice and community are the essential foundations for learning and social impact. Our younger child (now 7) started at FSS in kindergarten and we have found that, while quite different from his older sibling, he is just as seen, valued, and supported. He has gotten incredible guidance navigating his intensity and high energy, and he is academically challenged in just the right ways - he works on meaningful problems and his sense of accomplishment is significant. Fayerweather has helped him have a voice and language for his feelings, his challenges, and his successes. The loving support and developmentally appropriate and thoughtful curriculum have allowed him to discover his best self and build the skills and agency to choose his actions wisely. FSS is all we hoped, for both kids.

We just started school at Fayerweather this fall, and my 1st grader and 6th grader cannot get over…read morehow friendly the school community is. My son came home from school after his second week of being a new kid (a middle schooler, no less -- in the 6th grade) and said "mom I give it 5 stars!!! Everyone is SO nice, teachers and kids, and I love it!!!." Now that we are four months in, happily his review remains. He also says that his homeroom and math teacher is "literally THE best math teacher" he's ever had. I'm continually impressed with how in touch with my son's learning style the teachers are, and he's growing leaps and bounds. My 6 year old daughter, who is usually shy, is coming out of her shell socially and is really starting to take to reading (which she has avoided prior to Fayerweather). Her teachers are incredible and so in tune with her and helping her to grow where she is ready to, and there is such insight into the social emotional ecosystem of the classroom. Fayerweather has the academics *and* the community we'd hoped for -- the school has a joyful, healthy, connected vibe and is inclusive and diverse to boot. We couldn't be happier.

When we were considering Lesley Ellis for preschool, we asked around on the playground, and just…read moreabout every parent we talked to told us, "It's excellent! The only negative is the cost." That matched our experience perfectly. The tuition is steep - though financial aid is available! - but everything else was fantastic, and we were consistently impressed with the teachers, curriculum, field trips, awareness of kids as individuals, interaction with administration, and more. My mom worked for decades in early childhood education, and (as an interested and involved grandparent) was also very impressed. They welcomed/encouraged heavy parent involvement, from "come into the classroom to talk about something you're knowledgeable/passionate about" to occasional parent-meetups-over-coffee in the morning and more. But I was never, ever made to feel guilty about not being able to participate heavily, which was the norm once we had our second kid. (Who also went to LES for preschool, once old enough.) We can't speak to their K-8 experience, but for preschool/pre-K/TK they were fantastic.

Lesley Ellis is an independent school from pre-school to grade 6, but expanding soon to 8th. Our…read moredaughter is in her third year there and we have been delighted with the program. The teachers are an outstanding group and attuned to the needs of each individual student. The administration is truly exceptional as they create an environment where parents, children and the school come together to form a nurturing and vibrant community.

**TL;DR:** This place is not a safe environment for children of color and is filled with…read moremicroaggressions. **Full:** Enrolling my daughter in Mandarin camp turned out to be a major mistake. On the very first day, her teacher, Qiaoling, snapped at me, saying, "I sent you 2 text messages and an email yesterday! You didn't respond!" I replied, "What number did you text? I haven't received anything, and I don't check email on Sundays." It was clear she didn't speak to other parents in this manner, and after observing I was the only Black parent in the class it became apparent what was going on. Despite a conversation with the director after my daughter reported being yelled at by Qaioling (after we exchanged contentious emails), things seemed to improve for a day or two, but I should have expected more issues. Qiaoling refused to update me about out of the ordinary classroom changes that affected how I needed to dress my daughter for activities like water play or nature walks, which caused my daughter distress because she was unable to participate and felt I was dropping the ball. Additionally, she didn't inform me about an assembly performance on the last day. During the drive after pick up, my daughter was in tears after feeling isolated because the other children had their parents present at the assembly and she didn't. It's heartbreaking to think of an adult intentionally causing a child to feel neglected/alone and that their parent isn't doing their job. This was flat out cruel. She's an all around spiteful/wicked woman. Lesson learned.

We went to French camp here and within three weeks my son was trying out new French vocabulary and…read morein love with the place. Joel and Hafsa were stupendous devoted teachers.