Peaceful Valley under new ownership - and with a new manager that replaced one during the 2021…read moretransition - is a night and day experience. Some of the amazing teachers are still there (Miss Anjum), facilities issues are more than addressed, and the classroom experience is very positive. We had our youngest return this year and are only leaving for grade school. As it is now, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to parents looking for Montessori Instruction.

It's a lovely place to take your children to. Spanish classes are so cool. They provide hot…read morelunches, a.m. and p.m. snacks. I know that there is new staff, but I can tell that they are passionate about being a teacher. From Infants to 3-5 years old.

This is our 4th year at LCS and it is such an incredible school, staff, and community! While the…read moreacademics are at the core, they are in a place where learning is seen as fun and exciting and keeping a growth mindset is important. Plus, minimal tech, computers, and screens is worth a lot!

We have a child in Children's House (pre-K) and a child in Elementary (1st grade) at Lake Country…read more We love the individualized attention and support each of our children receive from their guides, the assistants and the rest of the staff. Both children are excited to go to school and are proud of the work that they do and what they are able to accomplish. We also love the sense of community the school fosters, including that younger students are paired with an older student mentor. One of the biggest differentiators is access to the land school in Wisconsin -- what a treat for city children to get to explore, work with animals and gardens, and have overnight opportunities with their peers. Every time my children bring up equity or social justice issues or demonstrate a deep understanding of a topic that seems beyond their years, I am reminded of why we choose Lake Country and am thankful for the opportunity.

My oldest graduated from here, and my youngest is going there now. Its a wonderful environment with…read morewonderful teachers. The community of families there is incredible and supportive. We've made wonderful friends there with the other parents.

We have had two of our children go through Green Earth with the remarkable Miss Renee. It's…read morepriceless to find someone to trust your children's development with. When my son entered at age 3 he was throwing tantrums left and right. Within a month they taught him to identify and name his feelings and he's been tantrum free ever since. They are so loving and caring and it has been a joy to be a part of the magical world they provide. I HIGHLY recommend Green Earth Academy!!! Provided an invaluable foundation that changed the lives of our children for the better.

I'm not one to indulge in gushing compliments or overuse of the superlative, but when it comes to…read moreProvidence Academy, many of whose teachers and graduates I know well, it is difficult not to go the extra mile in praising an institution that has benefitted so many, most especially the lucky young people who have, or are receiving, a Providence education. The faculty are some of the finest people I have ever known, men and women whose infectious faith, decency, and love of God are examples to all who know them. Indeed, there is something extraordinary taking place at this school in Plymouth, Minnesota. My advice to those reading this post is to be a part of it, if you can.

From the owner: Providence Academy is an award-winning, Pre-K through 12, Catholic, private, college-preparatory…read moreschool. It promotes superior academic achievement, character development, and citizenship in a faith-filled Christian environment. Thanks to transportation options, students travel to Providence from over 55 different Twin Cities metro communities. Opportunities abound in the academics, arts, and athletics. Now with lower tuition prices, access is more affordable than ever.

I have now sent two daughters to Bernie's downtown and I cannot say enough about how awesome that…read moreschool is. My oldest went in to Kindergarten well prepared both emotionally and academically. My youngest is still going there and loves all the teachers. They go on a lot of great field trips throughout the year, have weekly music classes and offer dance and computer as extras. And last but not least, the tuition cost cannot be beat in the Minneapolis area. I would recommend Bernie's in Minneapolis to anyone.

Judy, the head teacher, makes this school great. She cares about every student and knows how to…read morefoster development and enforce reasonable discipline. My daughter has learned good math and reading skills and has also gained an interest in the solar system, geography, bugs and a bunch of other topics. They also go on real field trips to places like museums, the fire department and an orchestra hall. Their neighboring day care, New Horizons, doesn't dare to take the kids off school grounds because they don't have the teacher ratio or the disciplined children to keep things safe.

great school, great teachers. this place makes my heart swell. from the inside classroom to the…read moreoutside spaces, you couldn't find a better place to begin lifelong learning.

From the owner: Situated on a 110-acre area of our Environmental Educational Preserve, the Dodge Nature Preschool…read morebrings the natural world into the lives of young children. With their teachers and classmates, children discover the wonders of nature and play on the Model Farm where barnyard animals provide stimulating opportunities for learning and growth. Programs on beekeeping, honey making, maple syruping - as well as tasting apples picked right off the tree - encourage children to explore how their lives are part of the world of nature. The Dodge Nature Preschool uses the inherent wonder, complexity and beauty of the natural world as a catalyst for a child's growth and development.

My son is in his second year at NCH and we have been so happy with this program. The units are so…read moreinteresting; continents, ocean, space, dinosaurs, book authors - our son has blossomed through these learnings. The teachers have nurtured him and helped us with some constructive feedback to prepare our very shy son for kindergarten. We love sign language and music every weds! The teachers are big on parent involvement (but it's not required) and I have loved volunteering in the classroom, it is just so much fun! We just attended the holiday 'peace party' and our 4 year has been walking around our house all weekend singing, "I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony. . . ". It's a heartwarming and loving place and I would highly recommend it to anyone!!

My husband and I looked at quite a few preschool programs to find one that would be a good fit for…read moreour son, and we are so fortunate to have found NCH! We chose this program because of the warm, welcoming atmosphere and the well-thought-out curriculum. Our son just finished his second year at NCH, and he has grown so much as a result of his experiences there. The director, Alison Hennen, draws on a variety of early educational philosophies (including Montessori) to create a curriculum that is both fun and educational, and the teachers are well-versed in child development. It's clear that they care a great deal about the children they teach, and they were always incredibly kind and patient with our son. We feel that NCH has given him the best possible preparation for kindergarten, and we can't wait for our daughter to attend the program when she reaches preschool age!

Minnehaha Academy is a traditional college preparatory school that offers pre-K to grade 12…read moreeducation. MA has two beautiful campuses on the bluffs of the Mississippi River with spacious grounds, with about 12 acres each. MA, like many east coast prep schools, was founded by Protestants from Europe. Opening in 1913, the school is affiliated with the Covenant Church (a historic branch the Lutheran Church that is now a separate denomination). MA has a strong commitment to faith with weekly chapel services and taking a traditional approach to teaching religion by having specific religious classes and bringing the topic of religion into other classes as well. This is done with other subjects as well, since many of the humanities and sciences overlap--for example you could have a discussion in history class about science or literature; in this way the student is able to understand the whole story from multiple angles and gain a deeper understanding of the world. The schools commitment to academics is extraordinary, boasting one of the best AP programs in the state, and if the class doesn't have an AP test then the school offers alternatives such as the College in the Schools program where students take a class from the University of Minnesota from one of their teachers and earn college credit. The school has also partnered with various scientific institutions to send a project to the International Space Station each year, joining only two other high schools in the nation that have this honor. The language department is also very excellent offering French, Latin, Spanish and Chinese; all of which start out at high school levels (open to middle school students) and go through college levels. The teachers are highly educated and care very deeply about the students and for many, remain mentors throughout their time at the Academy and their future. Most of the teachers hold masters or doctorate degrees in their area of study. The community of students is kind and caring for each other, and many long lasting friendships are formed. The school also has excellent food and offers breakfast and lunch. MA has a head and sous chef who create healthy and delicious meals and snacks for the students. Breakfast generally has cereal, scones, sandwiches, eggs, pancakes, bacon, et cetera. Lunch offers a salad bar, made to order options, homemade soups and various options including fresh carved pork, turkey, pastas and chicken. The chefs are friendly and take student suggestions seriously and work hard to make the best food possible. The school is also very devoted to the arts and has a entire fine arts center that includes a woodshop, dark room, art room, pottery studio, band room, orchestra room, private practice rooms, art gallery, scene shop, costume shop, concert hall/theater. The school features several performance ensembles including a Concert Band, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, String Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Men's Choir, Women's Chorale, Concert Choir and Madrigal singers. Each ensemble has earned top marks at state. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Concert Choir go on tour, alternating year to year. The tour locations have included: Prague, Slovakia, Salzburg, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Washington D.C., Chicago among other locations. In the year the ensembles are on break from the tour, they put on variety shows: the bands perform the pops concert and the choirs perform a medieval dinner. The school puts on three plays: musical, play and student run show; each has one various state and sometimes national awards. The school also has top notch athletic facilities including separate soccer and football fields, a full size ice arena, two full size gyms, wrestling room and a weight room. MA's athletic teams have won a combined 4 state championships in the past decade alone and provide very supportive C, JV, and Varsity teams. The school also has many organizations and academic teams. The Debate team, which I captained during my time is one of the state's best, being the only school to have a pair of debaters go to the varsity finals back to back (my partner and I), bringing home a state championship and a 2nd place trophy. The school also offers clubs centering around the environment, music, literature, journalism and writing. The school newspaper and yearbook have won various national awards for journalism, photography, layout, overall achievement, etc. MA really helps students achieve and builds a strong foundation for college through curriculum, advanced academics, supportive staff, and graduation requirements that are similar to most colleges. Many of the students attend private 4 year institutions including St. Olaf, Carlton, Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Boston College, Vanderbilt, University of Chicago, Northwestern and more. Minnehaha Academy has nurtured the minds of some of Minnesota's best students. MA goes farther than the other prep schools in Minnesota: it truly is the place where youth meet truth.

From the owner: The original incorporation from 1905 stated: "The purpose of this institution shall be to furnish…read moreyoung men and women with the essential elements of a liberal education, and to foster the development of character under the personal influence of Christian teachers." On Monday, Sept. 15, 1913, Minnehaha Academy welcomed its first class of high school students. Grades 7 and 8 were added in 1972. In 1981, the land for the South Campus was purchased and a chapel was erected. By 1982, the Lower School served students in Grades 1 through 5. Kindergarten was added in 1985 and preschool in 1995. Students graduate from Minnehaha Academy prepared to excel in any number of fields. Some of our alumni include inventors, a Supreme Court Justice, Authors, War Veterans, an Olympian, Musicians, and many others in notable careers.