Very pro-LGBTQ school - they openly encourage it among students. Lots of emphasis on diversity,…read moregender identity, and sexuality. They proudly fly the LGBTQ+ flag and the school has numerous LGBTQ+ posters and reminders around the school to encourage the children to be pro-LGBTQ. A wonderful place from Kindergarten to 8th Grade.

Amazing environment, learning opportunities, and fantastic teachers. It would have been perfect,…read moreaside from the fact that a certain student by the name of Gerald went there as well. Ruined everything. I thought this would finally be the place for my special children, as we've been going from school to school for years now. And at first, it seemed like it. However, my child (7) got into an altercation with an older boy at the time, named Gerald, who was aged 12 at the time. While I do not wish to go into details, there was almost legal trouble involved as Grady wished to pursue legal action, threatening to sue on counts of battery and defamation (which he brought upon himself). Luckily, a bystander recorded the incident and uploaded it to the online platform TikTok, which gained significant traction, causing the video to go viral. Gerald was forced to change his name (to Grady Moore, I believe) in a feeble attempt to hide from public scrutiny. I mean come on, getting beat up by a 7-year-old half your size is pretty humiliating. Anyways, my child went on to continue his education here at OWS until 6th grade (we had to move), where he subsequently started attending the local middle school. All in all, the teachers are very competent and terrific, but some of the student body is troubled, to say the least.

I have so many positive things to say. I looked for a long time and visited, interviewed and…read moreconsidered many options before selecting this academy. The curriculum is advanced and individualized to a degree you won't get in public school. The staff takes time to ensure all children are taught how to learn, learn, and (most importantly) to enjoy learning and staying curious. I won't say more about the academics, you can look up how great they are online. But I will say they don't break kids like other aggressive academic private schools, they make them love learning. My son is so motivated in kindergarten to do his schoolwork! The nutrition is top notch. They feed them "home cooked" healthy organic meals 4-6 times a day. Allergies accounted for. No cakes or sweets allowed and each child gets a classroom bday celebration. Arts are built into the curriculum: culinary arts, painting, music and dance with performances, gymnastics and you even get a speech therapist. Kids are with two teachers: English speaking and Russian speaking. This was a major deal for me in terms of importance. My kid was doing advanced math that kids in first grade are doing in prek and not on a tablet! By 5 he was reading and writing in two languages! The school is high in security and cleanliness. I know my kids are safe and I get photo updates of their time here. The school doesn't teach religion, politics, or gender stuff. That stays with the parents. I love this. It's one of the main reasons I'm here. But they are still teaching kindness, diversity and are strict on anti bullying. The school has hundreds of options for after school programs and care inclusive of science, robotics, musical instruments etc. But most importantly... I love the people. Everyone knows my kids from the daycare to the administration to the cooks to the director of the school. It feels like a warm and safe home. My kids feel comfortable and safe. They are welcomed with kindness. And I feel like they really care. The director of the school called me on the phone to tell me about my son's Iowa test and how she was concerned that someone as smart as him wasn't trying harder to take it. That level of care is so impressive to me. Hands down one of the best decisions I've made for my kids coming here. It is expensive! But very comparable to other private schools in the area. Only thing I can say is I wish the administration for the private school was as organized and on top of it as the administration for their prek and daycare. One thing to note that this private school does do school uniforms. But the policy is quite flexible. It's mainly colors and no prints / graphics or jeans. And on Fridays it's free clothes day.

A really transformational education for my kiddo. A wonderful mix of great education and such a…read moreloving environment. His grades improved with the all the personal attention so quickly and he has developed really amazing friendships!

A true classical, catholic school. Not like others that are catholic in name only. We've been part…read moreof the school community for seven years, and it truly is Bellevue's best-kept secret : a genuine Catholic school built on faith, character, and excellence. The school upholds traditional values centered on family, faith, and love of country, and instills in students a deep sense of respect and responsibility. In all these years, we've never seen a single bullying incident. The teachers are incredible, the families are strong, and the sense of community is unmatched. We're so grateful to be part of a school that still believes in what matters most.

I was very unhappy with the way this school handled my son's behaviors. They did not have enough…read morestaff to manage the children and they immediately chose to reduce my son's hours when we had paid the tuition in full as a full time student. We ultimately chose to leave the school midyear and he was very successful at his next school. They also refused to give us the proper credit back for the tuition we paid. Do not recommend BMS at all

Hello this is my first time reviewing this school. I was at this school when I was 7 and 8 years…read moreold. The teachers there were so terrible and mean because I was trying my best and they always get mad at me especially the science teacher. The science teacher was not very helpful and always kicks me out by going down stairs to the classroom I hope their boss kicks them out and the names was named Mrs appeah and the female science teacher

My daughter joined the school two years ago. The school is very organized and teachers are very…read morecaring. The kids at school are always very happy.

My son has been going to Monarca since last fall and it was the obvious choice for many reasons…read more Not a giant school. He get intimate interactions with his teachers which are never changing. We had gone to another Spanish immersion school and the teachers were constantly being change out. It's safe, it's well managed and clear what the kids are learning. His penmanship is outstanding since coming to Monarca. They celebrate diversity in all its form. During the holidays they held a movie night at the house with food and allowed all the parents a night to get ready for the holiday the following week. If you are wanting a small school experience with top notch instructors where your little one will be fully immersed in Spanish, this is your place.

My daughter was treated kindly and as though she was highly valued as an incoming 6th grader during…read moreour school tours. We felt that our daughter would have been given small classes, individual attention, and a unique all girls perspective at Forest Ridge. The administration and teachers were teaching innovative things that my husband recently had emphasized in the corporate world. Each time my daughter had an experience with one of the FR students, she felt very happy and excited to attend this school. We ultimately are not able to send her to the school because of potentially moving closer to family due to health reasons but feel this would have been the perfect school had it not been for these circumstances.

Forest Ridge is a school where people look at the ground as they pass by someone in the hall…read more Students are throwing up, CRYING or having panic attacks in the bathroom. Teachers don't last more than a few years, max. Administration doesn't care if a students are so stressed that they end up causing HARM to themselves. The thing to be happy about? Graduation. The academics are AMAZING, I can't deny that. And most teachers are pretty incredible, some of the best in the country. But mental health care is non existent, and without healthy students things such as academics and teachers cannot be enjoyed or be helpful to students in the way they should. Being a recent student at Forest Ridge in Bellevue WA, I cannot emphasize enough how much I REGRET my decision going here for High School. When I entered as a freshman, I was a happy, cheerful, friendly, hardworking girl. When I left as a senior I was still a hardworking girl but I was also sad, depressed, reserved, anxious, distrustful and tired. For many people, everywhere, the high school experience is less than ideal. However, my experience as well as my classmates experiences were horrendous. The amount of emotional damage we sustained was simply unacceptable, and even now the school denies there is a problem. So many students were so miserable and mentally challenged that I would have to worry about my peers' physical safety and lives. This is NOT a normal thing. Forest Ridge administration consistently responded/responds to mental health concerns with dismissal. The safety and lives of students are NEVER a priority. What is a priority? GRADES, GRADES, GRADES and academic achievement, success and competition. Forest Ridge makes success out as being smarter than everyone else and getting the best grades, with no regard for emotional well-being or mental health. There are a few ways you can have an okay to good experience at Forest Ridge: A) Be a favorite. There are a few special students favored and adored by the school who are used as the public face of the school wether it be for admissions pro-forest ridge speeches (which are, by the way, completely ingenuine) or college acceptance advertising. (FUN FACT: you probably have a much better chance of getting into a prestigious college at a public school anyway). Pretend to love the school and never object to anything, be the top of your class, don't tell anyone how you feel or use your voice, and you might have a shot at this special status. You'll get rewarded with good grades and a full-time teacher's pet status. B) You have the pushy parents. If your parents yell enough at teachers, or perhaps threaten administration that they will pull you out and therefore your $$ might not be going to FR next year, watch your C's magically turn to A's. Or you can go the route of hiring an outside specialist and paying them to have Forest Ridge make your workload and academics easier without the situation on record. Another interesting note-- the campus "counselor" doubles as a college counselor and does not divide or separate the two programs properly. She is not qualified to be helping teens with psychological issues, and she does not appear to care about helping them either. The administration is no better, and is likely the root of the problem. In general, the teachers care about the well being of students but are so scared of loosing their jobs or being PUNISHED that they will not speak out about the situation. Honestly, I feel bad for the teachers. The majority of the teachers are GOOD people who could run the school a whole lot better than the recent administration ever did. I think it is also important to note that Forest Ridge was not always like this. My middle school experience was FABULOUS. But, today, the environment and atmosphere is truly toxic. Until there is a significant amount of change at Forest Ridge, I would highly advise parents and potential students to think hard before choosing to attend Forest Ridge. A place for youth that doesn't care if students are SAFE or HAPPY is not a place anyone should have to endure spending 40 hours a week at. Someday, the school will HAVE to make a change, or the place will simply FALL APART. At the rate teachers, administration and students are leaving, it won't be long. And the way mental health is handled, there will be a lawsuit any day. I hope parents take this warning seriously and continue to search for the TRUTH. Current students, life DOES get better after, and the rest of the world does NOT operate like Forest Ridge--don't worry. What you are told is normal...is not normal outside of that campus and community. And teachers- thank you for sticking with us. We know its not easy at FR for you either and we appreciate your willingness to stay and try to make things better. However, we don't blame you at all if you leave. We get it.

St. Louise has been an amazing experience for our two sons. The teachers are excellent…read moreacademically while also providing a kind and caring classroom environment. The community at St. Louise is welcoming and a joy to be a part of. If you're looking for a great private school that's both strong academically and builds character this is a wonderful place to send your kids.

Pretty mid not going to lie…read more My experience was amazing up until 2020 when COVID-19 hit. After juggling around principles, everything has just lost its joy. St. Louise has taken most of the fun out of learning and has made school life less enjoyable.

Both of my children have gone to camp here all summer, on and off. Danielle is an excellent…read moreteacher, and has a way with kids. She really connects with them. As a mother of three young children herself, she really gets it -the kids, being a mom, all of it. She's womderfully flexible and laid back. I love this place and highly recommend it to everyone I meet.

My daughter went to Bellevue Country Day School for two years of preschool. Teachers are great,…read morenice mix of structured and self directed activities. Positive experience, would highly recommend. Many great memories and friendships made here. Especially the mom's day tea! We have since moved away and am having difficulty finding another program that quite measures up.