Eli Portman is a terrific teacher! And both the Eliot street and amory street locations are very…read morecomfortable, with easy parking.,,

It makes me sad to write this review, especially since I felt the possibilities of a community…read moreatmosphere at the Eliot school, but I was really disturbed by the use of the words, to me in the last email by the Assistant Director, Jean - "At this point, I think we just need to part ways." (when someone who's providing a service to you says that - HUGE RED FLAG!) So, I signed up for private lessons with Joe for $65/hour. This was expensive for me, but I really needed to get a project done for a deadline. I was clear about what I wanted a small model of a house, with all mitered joints, because I was going to use it to cast a model. I even brought paper patterns. Joe met with me and said it was do-able. We did the first session of three hours, one of which he gave me an hour free, it seemed to go well. (I got the hour free - because the the machines here aren't so good - so its not your fault, his words) We didn't finish so I suggest we meet again. An hour into the next session, Joe proclaimed that the project was not do-able and too complicated, because there isn't a left-handed table saw. He even took my piece and attempting to go forward, took it the sander and wanted to sand it down to 45 degrees (yikes). Anyhow, so I decided to cut my losses and say, okay let's stop. He decided not to charge me for this hour. So I left with a pile of wood, and also broken-hearted, because I had really wanted to complete this piece. So, I wrote Jean, asking if I could get my money back, because I was clear about what I wanted in my project and felt like I should have been told that my project was not do-able from the beginning or at minimum, warned. Not have my project unfinished, after I had spent $130, 4 hours of time, and $30 on materials. And on top of it, I now need to find and pay someone to build this model. It wasn't anything personal against Joe, he was a nice guy, but more about professionalism. For example, if you had a contractor who said they could do something, they wouldn't walk away midway through the project and say it was too hard, leaving you hanging. Same concept. But instead, I got an email that from Jean that said, we are NOT refunding you, but (as if I had won a prize) we aren't charging you for the extra two hours Joe gave you, and "at this point, I think we just need to part ways."

my kids has been attending the studio for 6 years. It is primarily PK-8 program.The kids gained…read moreboth math skills and improved greatly their self confidence. One of the best features of studio is that they evaluate progress of your child constantly. First evaluation happens when you bring your child to meet with studio director. She would tell you right away the level of math you child belongs to. Each grade in the studio is divided into 3, 4 levels for kids with different math abilities. They can bump a child from one level to more advanced one ("from one group to another" they call it) if they see that a child gets ahead quickly. The level of math in the studio is very high. Problems solving, logic, VERY, VERY STRONG fraction base, very strong algebra and geometry.

We've done SEM and RSM, and I wish I had found a review like this without having to try both, so…read moredecided to write it. Classes wise, Studio for the win hands down. Our kids really enjoyed the classes, the small size (up to 6 kids, sometimes 7), the teachers, and the materials. Lots of variety, interesting problems alongside more basic ones, more levels, and the kids clearly learned a lot. RSM classes are larger (10-12 kids), only 2 levels (plus a 3rd which they designate for "math addicts only" - the kids who crave more math), and apparently good, but not as "fun". The kids are clearly still learning, but it feels more like a chore. So, for classes, SEM is the clear winner IMO. For homework, the story is completely reversed. SEM homework consisted of 15-20 pages, so even if some pages were really short, the sheer volume was overwhelming for the kids. The pages were often bad quality photocopies, and often very repetitive week to week (same style puzzle for weeks on end for instance). The homework battles were endless, and at some point the kids simply refused to do them. It was nice to get interesting questions, but when it's essentially the same interesting question over and over and over again week after week after week, it's no longer interesting (e.g. find the differences between pictures, circle, count... Or solve an identical logical puzzle with 30 variations, week after week). We also didn't feel the kids were learning that much from the homework - some things were too easy, others just repetitive, and overall is just felt like too much. Then, they were expected to correct all the mistakes from the prior homework before getting their "reward" (stickers towards prizes), so unfinished homeworks just piled up one on top of the other, becoming even more overwhelming, and even less rewarding. There was no "partial" option - they got a reward only for perfect, completed, corrected, homework. RSM, on the other hand, is GREAT for homework. 3-4 pages, so not overwhelming in volume. All pages are printed fresh, not bad quality photocopies. They expect the homework should take 30-60 minutes (vs 60-120 min in SEM, usually took us 75-90min). It's been taking 25-40min tops, to do in full. The parents are encouraged to NOT do it with the kids, so the teacher can evaluate what the kids did on their own. This is helpful, and we've had no qualms about our child doing the homework only partially sometimes. From 4th grade on, you enter the answers online, and the kids see immediately if they were right or wrong, and get scores and badges/"medals" online. The questions kids did not do correctly get dealt with in class, and are not carried over to the following week. If the kid didn't do the HW in full, they didn't. No big deal. As long as they don't fall behind in class, no one makes a big deal of it. (In SEM it felt like we were constantly talking to the teachers about incomplete HW). So, homework wise, RSM is the clear winner. If SEM put together a better homework policy/system, we'd go back in a heartbeat. But the homework in SEM introduced so much stress, to the kids and to us the parents, that we decided we can't deal with it. For kids who are already stretched to the max with extended days and other activities, and parents who are working full time and don't get a lot of quality time with the kids, and would rather spend quality time with their kids when they do have the time, and not spend it on homework battles, RSM is a much better fit. So, for now, we've moved to RSM. And I say that sadly, because I do think the classes and also materials in SEM are better. They really taught math through games and tangibles whenever possible. Overall, SEM is like an exciting startup with many kinks still remaining, RSM is like a well oiled machine that moves forward with much experience and relatively little innovation. Both have merits. Hopefully this review helps others trying to decide between the two options. It's a tough call. I really wish there was something out there that "married" the best of both.

I went to the Genard Method for a two day intensive speech coach training session with Dr. Gary…read moreGenard. It was money well spent. The entire two days were tailored to my unique training needs and Dr. Genard gave practical advice and instruction on how to improve my public speaking, presentation skills, and audience engagement. I took much more away from the experience than I was expecting. I really liked the fact that 1:1 instruction is offered as a learning format. This led to a more meaningful and productive learning experience. I would recommend Dr. Genard's program to anyone who would like to become a better public speaker.

Our daughter enrolled in the Music Department majoring in violin since 2022-23 academic year…read more Violin to us is merely one of the ways for our children to socialize meaningfully, and, as a result, we regularly yielded to her reluctance to practice and never planned her future in music at all. Even so, she auditioned and got accepted to advanced ensembles (with two local youth orchestras), playing with full symphony orchestras ever since she was at age eight. When she started WHS, she was a very good player, but no way exceptional like kids from musical families and she noticed the differences herself. However, three years later, our daughter is assessed to be on a soloist and chamber musician track with composition to boot. During the time she has been at WHS, she was given so many opportunities to the music world outside school, such as NEC Prep YPO, Honors Chamber, CHIPS, and collaboration to lead orchestra part in professionally produced operas live with music establishments like Boston Lyric Opera and also has her composition works performed not only at school, summer camp (senior division), but also aired on NYC Public Radio, WQXR, showcased as a young artist. For a high school student, that certainly is unbelievable! Seeing our daughter flourishing into a confident, accomplished young lady, we know without the care and dedication from WHS's beloved faculty members, it probably would have happened at all! Thank you from the bottom, Walnut Hill! We highly recommend Walnut Hill School for the Arts to aspiring students interested in the Arts with no reservation.

Disappointing. It's 50K+ per year + fees. They make you go thru hoops to provide a ton of…read moreinformation, academically and financially. They don't listen to your requests/communication. A bit of hubris/attitude when you talk to folks there. Then they come back with a 5K financial aid. What a joke. This school is only meant for folks who are very well off or dirt poor (my guess). If you are blue collar/middle class, forget about it. Just move to a town with a very good school system. This is an elite snob factory.

My sister and I have both recently graduated college. We are quite similar but have had very…read moredifferent academic experiences in both high school and college. I went to public school and she went to Shady Hill, and I attribute much of her success to how Shady Hill prepared her. She digs deep into topics, connects the dots, thinks holistically, and has an appreciation for the interplay of culture, history, and geography. These are all things she tells me are at the core of a Shady Hill education. She also says the confidence she feels to voice her opinions and advocate for herself were nurtured at Shady Hill. I love my sister and want to thank Shady Hill for giving her the opportunity to fully realize the person she is.

We visited SH and loved the campus and the teachers we met. We liked everything about the program…read more(our kids were K and 1) until we heard that the school does not teach foreign languages until grade 7 or 8 (I don't remember which) because the person showing us around said 'we think kids can learn just as well later when they can read and write'. My specialty is bilingualism/multilingualism (20+ years research and teaching) and my jaw hit the ground. I thought I'd heard wrong but I hadn't. This is complete nonsense. Kids learn a second language much better when they are very young, and certainly none of us knew how to read and write when we learned our mother tongue. Years of research by myself and others backs up my assertion and it's just not true what SHS says about languages. Kids who "learn" later are unlikely to have a native accent and unlikely to be as fluent. They may still be very good but there is NO valid reason (if you want to teach a language) to miss out on the first important years when kids learn so well. I assume the parents aren't that interested in their kids learning foreign languages and that's why the school made this decision, but for us it was a deal breaker. I am still baffled by this, and having met some older SH grads (now in high school elsewhere) I can confirm they are nowhere near the language learning level of kids who start in K or grade 1. SH is a wonderful school but they are in just plain wrong about this particular thing.

From a real experience, It's been a wonderful 1 year that I have stayed at this unforgettable…read moreschool. During this magnificent year at ELC in Boston, I have felt that I'm at my second home, which made my abroad trip less easier. I had achieved my 2 goals. First of all, I learned and I improved my English due to the fact that before I came to this English school I had no English and I'm now totally ready to study in a university at USA and thanks to all my teachers at ELC. Second of all, I have met so many friends from many countries and they have made the world look so great because ELC is such a social place.

ELC is the place that you'll never ever regret being at. In ELC you will not only learn English but…read morealso make new friends, know more about different cultures, and discover many places in Boston. I consider ELC as my home and the staff are my family. They are all so helpful, kind and happy to help me in everything. When I came here for the first time, I couldn't speak English very well and I was so shy to speak English, but the environment of ELC encouraged and helped me to release the good English student inside me. The only thing that I don't like in ELC is saying goodbye to the people who I love. Sooner or later I will be the one who says goodbye ELC , I have spent the most amazing moments of my life with you . P.S : Janet is an amazing teacher,DO NOT miss any class with her.

This school continues to impress. They have really great drawing classes, painting classes, and…read moreworkshops. Whether you are a beginning artist or a professional artist, they can help you achieve your goals!

Best place I've ever went to commint to drawing. Cindy is the best teacher I know. Everyone learns…read moreon a different place so it doesn't seem like your slow.

Graduated from Launch; obtained job…read more I applied to Launch Academy since I was looking for a way to kick start my career after I lost my previous job and after weighing a few options ended up deciding on Launch and I think I can say it was honestly among the best decisions I've made in my life. The staff were extremely welcoming and supportive the whole way through and the students I worked with were also great. Even after graduating from Launch I felt I was connected to a great network that I can always reach out to for anything which I think some other bootcamps really don't give you access to. Now I won't shy away from it but this experience is NOT for everyone, you have to put a lot of money upfront for the course (like most bootcamps) and the curriculum is intense but I think the end result is truly worth it as you'll come out with understanding of technology that you did not have before and be ready at least put your foot in the door of the industry. If you're looking for a bootcamp that feels more welcoming but also will get you the tools you need for future programming jobs then I would recommend Launch.

Hi Folks, I…read moreoriginally posted a response to the guy complaining about the interview process as I enjoyed the initial interview but have to post a two-starer here as I found the staff very poor communicators about money. I had to ask several times about how to pay, put off work for several months in order to attend, and spent a lot of time fundraising because the staff were unclear about how their payments plans worked. Feel free to message me for more info but I've decided to use One Month Rails and the free tutorials out there until I finish graduate school because the experience with these guys left me unsure about whether or not I would even get a decent education with them. I think they're a little immature in general and irresponsible financially. A lot of these bootcamps have a "large group awareness training" vibe to them, the enthusiasm behind which I was perhaps blind enough to enjoy, until I realized that they are incapable of providing a product or service in a way that would be helpful to me. I also had to bring up a lawsuit to get the deposit back - and call and email several times. Not a fun process. They made the ludicrous assertion that they don't refund deposits because of "all the resources" that they provide before the course starts, or something to that effect, but I still don't have access to the resources they promised other than a Dropbox file with books I would find for free that arguably aren't even the best materials on the subjects they suggest students study before the course starts. They also said I was getting access to "people," but the co-founder was going to be unable to address my issue for at least three days and the other available people were the folks who didn't understand how to communicate effectively to begin with. I had to remind them that I am an adult with a career and a life and that their admissions process was hindering my ability to get on with either. Their response to me was that the "family" there probably wouldn't be a good fit and that they were "revoking their acceptance" - I had to point out that if that's how they treat their family, they certainly don't deserve to call themselves one. It's also a pretty bad sign when businesses that can't be up front about money start calling themselves a family to make up for their lack of professionalism and inability to provide the structure and resources they promise you. Creeptastic, and certainly kinda like getting mugged by a guy who smiles at you afterwards. Happy searching - best with making the most of your career. KP