Never send your child to their preschool programs. If your child does not fit into their box, they…read morewill not be accepted. My children were treated unfairly and the staff was unwilling to support the child. Rather, it was easier for them to discard them. The director and staff lack sincere compassion for what is best for ALL children. Thinking about enrolling here? I would seriously reconsider. There are more loving and caring schools in the area.

Wonderful school. Great sense of community every teacher knows your child. Not only do they teach…read moreacademics but they teach community service and how to be a respectful citizen.

Our daughter is currently enrolled in the toddler program at 2nd Nature Academy, and has been since…read moreshe was eight weeks old. I truly believe there is no other place I would have felt comfortable dropping off my daughter! The staff are professional, kind, and clearly love what they do. The physical campus is also incredible, and I cannot believe the spaces she is able to explore. She never stops talking about the farm animals! She is so delighted to go in each morning, and we could not be happier that we found such a wonderful place for her to learn and grow.

My child is so very happy at second nature. I am thrilled we found the perfect school. Public…read moreschool was just not right for my son. He is learning Mandarin and conversational Spanish along with his core subjects- all of which he is able to move along at a pace that works for him. I particularly like the way they handle typical "elementary" conflict. They hold a meeting, everyone can speak their mind and then they all decide how they can work through it.. a real life skill! In my child's old school an argument at recess meant children "sitting out" not able to play simply because they had a conflict about something. This fostered ill feelings amoung the children rather than empowering them to work out issues and move on together.. a very adult way to handle things. It's the small details like this that make all the difference in the world for ensuring children become productive members of society. After visiting many private schools we are so glad we decided on Second Nature Academy!

Fay School is an internationally-respected private school in Southborough, Massachusetts for boys…read moreand girls in grades pre-school through 9, with an optional boarding program for students in middle school. A campus with extraordinary resources, teachers who actively mentor, a forward-thinking curriculum, and a diverse and inclusive community all inspire Fay students to excellence in academics, the arts, and athletics, and to productive and fulfilling lives.

Great school culture and rich tradition with a goal of educating students to be a better person…read more Fay students are constantly evaluated along the line of Fay education missions. Their core values are truly reflected on their day to day campus activities emphasizing both adacemic excellency and character development, in addition to efforts, services and wellness. The way they do it is very age-appropriate therefore rather effective. A well-deserved best junior school in the US.

The building itself & location: - They've been consistently…read moretaking measures year over year to improve the building's security. There are 6-7 entrances to the school & they used to leave them all open all day long. Over the last few years they've been locking the doors during the day. Finger printing & a background check is required district-wide if you're a parent or guardian volunteering on a field trip which is good. Two years ago they installed security cameras outside of the school. New this school year, during the day, all of the doors are locked & you have to enter next to the office & ring a door bell & announce who you are to a staff member (they can see who it is on camera) & they buzz you in. - It's a standard elementary school building. Nothing too fancy although some of the classrooms do have smart boards now. Cafeteria, classrooms, library, media lab, gymnasium/auditorium, etc. - It's on a small plot of land but there is a decent-sized play ground & a few raised garden beds in the front of the school & a small garden area behind the school. - It's right off of Main Street & there are two crossing guards in the morning & afternoon - one at the 4-way intersection & another at the intersection of Main St & School St, so it's a safe, convenient location. There are always plenty of parents who walk their kids to & from school & it's a small town so you get to know everyone by face quickly. The staff, principal, support staff (not teachers): - The principal is very involved in everything from the school itself to the extra curricular activities to the parents group. She must not sleep, honestly. We ran into her 2+ hours (one-way) from town one weekend - we were in the area for a different event & she was there cheering on the school's Destination Imagination team. - The secretary & receptionist are nice & they know the students by name & if you're a regular at the school (or a regular in prior years) they know who's parent you are & probably your name & your child's teacher & grade. Small town! - The nurse is very nice, she even has spare coats, hats, gloves, etc in her small office during the winter for the less fortunate children at the school. - [I don't know any of the cafeteria workers as my child has never gotten hot lunch] - There is a school counselor but she is over-burdened. You'd never know it because she will call you or return emails quickly when there is a problem & will work one-on-one with your child, even if your child isn't a "problem", just having nervousness issues or the like. ***They USED to have a child psychologist on staff at the school full-time 10-ish years ago, I've heard, but they cut the position with budget cuts. There seems to be an influx of "problem" children recently who could do with some serious psychological help... The student body: Like anywhere, you're going to get "problem" children. There are more kind, respectful students than "problem" children but the "problem" children stick out like sore thumbs & suck up resources. There are 2-3 full-time staff members dedicated to taking care of these students. There is a gifted-talented group, one per grade, that only meets for a few hours one day/week & the woman who runs the program works for the district, not just this school. So for the problem kids, there are 2-3 full-time staff members whose job it is to take care of them. But for the gifted-talented kids, they get a few hours one day/week. Doesn't set the best example: act up & you get immediate attention but be smart & enjoy learning & you have to wait... The teachers: We've been here for 5 years. We've had 1 "good" teacher, 2 who went "above & beyond" 110% of the time who were SUPER teachers, & 2 who were pretty poor, they were "yellers" much of the time & just very impatient & they were the kind who you wondered why they got into teaching in the first place. The politics of the school, the parents, town: - It's a small town. You get people who have never been anywhere else & who will never go anywhere else who have nothing better to do than gossip, so you have to be careful what you say & to whom you say it. The best thing is just to lay low & not say anything that would be considered remotely controversial unless you want people talking about you behind your back. - Jaffrey is an extremely religious town. There are those of us who believe in being a good person not so we can get into heaven but because it's the nice, human thing to do, but the religious people "over run" things. For example, the students are not allowed to dress up at school on Halloween because it's an "evil, Pagan" holiday. So dressing up the other 364 days of the year is okay, but on Halloween it's "evil"? Gimme a break. That was one of my best memories as a child, dressing up on Halloween at school, & it irks me that my child can't have that too because of some religious nuts. Overall it's a nice, small-town elementary school.

Warm and loving environment where children can explore their world safely. Mrs. Greeley's school…read morehas been wonderful for our daughter. I feel safe leaving her in their capable hands. The farm setting is absolutely perfect- I wish I could spend the morning with them, too!

High Mowing is a place that does its best to educate the whole person. How unusual is that? In an…read moreage where schools just seem to care about test scores, High Mowing sends kids out on survival camping trips, gets boys to Morris Dance around a May Pole, and has as high status accomplishments, hosting the 3 or 4 coffeehouses or designing the school's year book. Yea, some kids get into Wellsley or Cornell, and they did win the basketball championship 3 years in a row, but the school is really about the arts, being yourself, and doing your best. My two kids go there and love it. We're lucky the place exists and incredibly lucky it is down the street.

From the owner: High Mowing School is a Waldorf high school for boarding and day students, where talented and…read moreexperienced teachers draw on the wisdom of Waldorf education, and nurture the interests of today's young people. We utilize an approach to learning that is based on an understanding of the developing human being and the changing world around us. We offer an experiential and vigorous program of arts-infused academics within a small and friendly school community, where young people and adults have the opportunity to form authentic and meaningful relationships. We provide a complete program of humanities, math, science, world languages, fine, practical and performing arts, diverse movement education and individual interest electives -- all immersed in and surrounded by nature.

The Brophy Elementary school is a wonderful learning environment for kids!…read more This school has an amazing culture. The new principal, Mr. Rothwell, staff and teachers are dedicated caring passionate people. They do go the extra mile to foster a warm, loving, safe environment for the kids to grow, learn and develop in. We moved here and didn't know a lot about the schools. The guidance counselor, Mr. Hintz, warmly greeted us and gave us a tour and answered our questions when we were going through the school choice process. The enthusiasm around the school is contagious. Typically a word you don't want to hear about when it comes to schools. However you, your child, and your family are bound to catch it. Parents are friendly and welcoming, whether they are part of the PTO or just coming and going to and from the school. There is plenty of room with large play yards and play structures. Ample parking and a very safe drop off and pick up process. Pleasant street can be a bit busy so drive with care during school hours. Check in at the office and your bound to find more friendly faces willing to help you out. Ms. Silverman is incredible and keeps things pulled together and moving smoothly. If you need help or have questions the health educator, Ms. Kinsella, and nurse, Ms. Pratt, are also ready and willing to step in and put your child at ease. Mr. Wisneski is an outstanding person who does not only teach but brings fun, I mean fun, into the class every day. Every person I spoke to before the beginning of the year had so many wonderful things to say that it helped put my mind at ease. Given our short time at this school I don't know each and every teacher. However, they all work together for the kids and fold them all in. Everyone at Brophy has helped to make the transition smooth, fun, and easy. How can you not learn when you are having fun and excited to be there? So the down fall, if there is one, is the kids grow up and move on.

I consider my family lucky to be part of the amazing community that is Brophy Elementary school…read more Teachers and staff are always helpful and friendly. My kids can't pick a favorite teacher because they've loved them all. My kids have grown tremendously both socially and academically. We've made lasting friendships and the only thing I regret is that in a few years my kids will no longer be at Brophy --when they move on to middle school.

Locally grown produce is da bomb. This summer I forced myself to get my veggies by joining the Farm…read moreSchool CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program. For $600, I received a box chock full of all kinds of vegetables, from those I know (kale, onions, potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, squash, blueberries, basil, etc) to those I don't (gourds?, random greens?, I don't know?). It has done a lot to expand my vegetable repertoire. There was so much produce, I split the share with a co-worker. We each cook for two people, and the amount of vegetables we received weekly has been more than sufficient. We more than got our money's worth. They also have a freezer on site where you can buy locally grown meats! yay! And they often have gorgeous bouquets of flowers for $6 or $7, and cage free eggs. How does it work? Well you sign up in the winter, and indicate the day on which you would like to receive your produce, and where you want to pick it up. They have a drop off point in Watertown at the Arsenal on the Charles, which conveniently enough is where I work. They also have a drop off point in Cambridge, or you can go out to the farm in Athol. CSAs are for people who like to cook, aren't afraid to learn about new vegetables, and want to support local farmers. CSAs are not for people who don't like vegetables, cooking, or getting their food from nearby. All in all, I am 100% positively absolutely definitely going to sign up for this CSA next year. There is some risk - if the crops don't come in, you lose your money - but I think it's well worth the chances. Hey, it's gotta be safer than the stock market these days, eh?