Our experience at Heritage Christian School has been overwhelmingly positive. Like any school, it's…read morenot perfect, and you won't agree with every decision, but what stands out is the environment they've created for students to truly grow. The smaller class sizes have made a huge difference for our children. Their teachers genuinely see them for who they are, not just academically but as individuals. There's a strong balance of accountability and encouragement. Students are challenged to do their best while also being supported and known. What sets this community apart is the faith-centered foundation. During a major life event for our family, our kids weren't just supported, they were surrounded by a community that consistently prayed over them and walked alongside us in a very real way. That kind of care goes beyond the classroom. What matters most to us is that my kids are thriving. They feel valued, they're growing in confidence, and they're being poured into by teachers who care deeply. That kind of environment is hard to find, and we're grateful to be part of it.

I transferred to Heritage Christian after my junior year of high school at Brebeuf Jesuit, and it…read morewas the worst mistake I could have made. My first week there was a "random" drug test and Phil Nikirk (the high school principle at the time) watched as me and another student took a piss sample in the restroom. I'd say it took 5 minutes for me to actually go, it felt like this guy was breathing down my neck. Not only did I feel violated, the harassment continued throughout the year from all high school teachers. I'd get weird looks, and felt as though they wanted to burn me at the stake. This was partly because the school had driven me to a manic episode that pretty much ruined my senior year. Although I had to take a leap year, I still managed to play lacrosse at the same college I had committed to. The high school staff managed to create two semesters of suffering, at an apparently "good-willed" school. Lets not forget the prison-like exterior, it gives me the chills. Funny thing is that this school managed to convert me to a huge believer in faith when I left for college. You would be saving yourself lots of money by not coming to this school! As well as your child's sanity!

Everytime I attend this awesome campus I'm hosted in one of the many spaces they have available for…read morerent. I was not aware that was a possibility. If you need event space, give them a call and see what they are able to do for you, you wont be disappointed.

Please fix the lunch here. We are at a private school paying 25,000 and a separate fee for lunch…read moreand I can make better than this shit. Fix the goddamn lunch.

This school used to live up to it's claims of meeting the child where they are, educating the whole…read morechild, fostering their individuality, etc. In the past few years I have experienced a tremendous decline in their ability to hold true to this, sadly. I give it an average star rating because these days is just a costly version of any typical, yet capable public school with the addition of arrogance in their approach.

All three of our children attended The Orchard School. We are very pleased with the education they…read morereceived and so are they. I've often tried to sift through all our years and determine what they most learned/received at Orchard and if I had to pick one attribute (and there are many), I'd pick confidence. They are all confident public speakers. For example, when my daughter was a junior in high school, she won an award that required her to speak at a dinner with over 400 people present. I tried several times to get her to practice and review her speech in advance, knowing that the previous recipient had a professional speech writer. In frustration, one evening she said, "Mom, I went to Orchard. Don't worry." She delivered a flawless speech without notes. They are all confident about their ability to learn. Orchard likes to say they help create lifelong learners and they do. Each of our children knows how to learn and they like to learn. They are all confident expressing themselves to anyone. In high school, their teachers observed that unlike many shy teens they were not afraid to ask questions and advocate for themselves or for others. And, this has continued throughout their college and post-graduate years. Orchard invites and teaches children how to respectfully approach adults. At Orchard, education is not just about science, English, history, etc. While these are important, it's also about helping develop good people and preparing them for the future.

My daughter started John Strange this year after spending her first three years in a Charter…read moreSchool. Her transition has been outstanding. This was a Grade A school when my sixteen year old went beginning her second grade year of school. The technology is top of the line. My youngest has only 22 students in her class, allowing individual interaction with each child. The teachers are incredible and love their job. Ms. Arduini, the Art teacher, is still there and recognized my oldest when we went to register her younger sister. The principal knows my daughter by name. There is diversity throughout the school and differences in culture are recognized. I just attended the awards ceremony to watch my daughter accept her award for Honor Roll and Citizenship (5 of out 5 for behavior). It was easy to get in, organized exclusively for the grade you were seeing and we were able to spend time and take pictures. As she got out of the car this morning for school, the principal said hello to her by name. Washington Township at its finest!

Can't say enough about how happy we have been with John Strange Elementary. My daughter has been…read morethere for 5 years now and this is my son's second year. We have had the most dedicated and wonderful teachers each year. The kids have been given the gift of passion to learn by this staff. They have a wonderful music teacher who puts her heart and soul into their arts programs. They put on some wonderful plays. The only complaints I have are across the board for all schools- lunch and recess are not long enough. I think it's important to focus on health a little more and i think encouraging kids to gobble down food and limiting exercise is part of the nationwide obesity problem. I think this school does the most with all the resources they have. I would love to see all schools and teachers have more money and tools to fix many of the problems that are faced in all of our schools.

I work at this school district and often attend meetings at the CEC. This school district is really…read moretrying a hands on approach with their students and have felt very welcomed since I joined. Really enjoy working here.

My wife and I are relatively new to the Indy area, and had searched for over a year to find a new…read moreChurch home. After visiting almost every Baptist and other denominations in our general locale, we couldn't find the right Church where the Holy Spirit wanted us to be. I prayed and prayed, and felt the LORD leading my family to Colonial Hills, and PTL we answered His call. We LOVE it here, it's so inviting, loving, and SUPER friendly. With a Church this size, we were blown away at how many people recognized that we were visitors, and were SO welcoming. It warms our hearts. We are glad that we have found a new Church home that we plan on attending from now until the LORD leads us home!

I'm not sure who Heather is but from what I see she is a made up person that made something up…read more That review should be erased. Colonial is a great church with a great pastor.

Great place to volunteer. This school is heavily supported by the local communities. Most of the…read morestudents that go here are a part of low-income households. There is also a large demographic of Burmese children here. companies donate winter coats, book bags, and school supplies to children every year. I've volunteered through my employer for gardening club and classroom assisting. I love interacting and learning with the children. I also help my teacher with any schoolwork that needs to be graded, she defiitley appreciates the help.

Where do I even begin with Meridian Hills Cooperative? My family and I love this little school so…read moremuch. This is going to sound overly dramatic, but it aint no lie: Enrolling my child into this school has probably been one of the best decisions I've made since moving to Indiana. We just finished the 4s class, which was our first foray into any type of schooling. Meridian Hills Cooperative is play-based, which means that the kids learn through exploring, building, creating, moving their bodies, and just plain being kids. The teachers do not push the kids to do anything (as in, they aren't receiving formal lessons in the 4s class) -- instead, the teacher invites each child to participate, and lets them join in whenever they feel comfortable. Each child is valued for whatever stage they're at in life. Similarly, each type of personality -- from super shy guys to boisterous kids to everything in between -- is cherished and respected. A huge plus about the school is that they value playing outdoors. They will tell you straight up when you go for a tour: We play outside in all types of weather! The only time the kids won't play outside is if the weather is dangerous, such as during thunderstorms, or if the windchill is in the single digits. Otherwise, kids bring their snow clothes, rain boots and other outdoor gear because they know they'll be playing outside, rain or shine! Meridian Hills Cooperative is a co-op, which means that parents participate in the classes on a rotating basis. I love this aspect of the school because you really get to know your child's classmates, and in turn, the other parents really get to know YOUR child very well. It's very much like an extended family, with everyone invested in each other's well being. One of the most unique aspects of Meridian Hills is the Kindergarten class. This school is one of the only in the Indianapolis area that offers a part-time Kindergarten. (It meets Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.) On Thursdays, the class spends all day outdoors in the "forest Kindergarten" area, which is basically set up to be an outdoor classroom. So the kids get to learn while feeling the cool breeze, hearing the birds chirping and feeling the earth under their feet. It is such an amazing space, and an amazing way for kids to learn. I feel like I could go on and on about Meridian Hills, but it's just one of those things you have to check out yourself. I'm probably the most jaded and cynical person I know, but whenever I talk to people about this school, I get super mushy and emotional recounting all the ways I love this school and how much my child has grown and blossomed because of it. It's truly been a blessing in our lives.

I searched high and low (aka Noblesville to downtown Indy) looking for a nondenominational,…read moreplay-based preschool for my daughter. After looking at multiple Montessori schools and not finding many other options, I was delighted to find MHCNS. As soon as I arrived, I knew I had found something special. The spacious outdoor playground is like no other I've seen in the area (and there are hiking trails, too!). Once inside, I was impressed by the "block room" full of wooden toys for building, the "art room" with easels set up and a table full of homemade play dough, and a third room where the children were enjoying board games and reading in little groups. And then I met the teachers. There are three, and they are all amazing. They have history with the school, an easy rapport with the children, and they believe in the power of play. I was also impressed that this school has a half-day kindergarten available. As a cooperative (and member of Indiana Council of Preschool Cooperatives), this preschool is run by parents. One of your child's caregivers will help out in the classroom once or twice a month and take on a "job" within the school. Your job could be anything from organizing the Fall Picnic to ordering the art supplies for your child's classroom or caring for the class pet. My daughter loves seeing me in her classroom, and it really gives me a better sense of what she is experiencing and what I can do to help her grow. MHCNS offers parent education nights and a two day training workshop. Since all of the parents are so involved with the school, you really get to know the other families and create lasting friendships. Overall, I feel that being part of this school has not only been beneficial to my daughter, it has also made me a better parent.

My little girl goes to this school and I can't say enough how polite and helpful the teachers and…read morestaff are there. This school is truly unique and really brings out the eagerness to learn and creativity in kids. They currently offer three languages (other than English) which are French, Spanish, and Mandarin (Chinese). The kids pick out one language other than English and are basically taught two languages during the school year. Children are awarded throughout the year in front of the school for specific traits the teachers notice and acknowledge. I'm proud of our little girl who does her very best that she can in such a wonderful and advanced place of learning! Jason Spangle Old Foundry Toy Works

The International School of Indianapolis located on 49th Street is an amazing Language School only…read more, as far as academics are concerned I think they rank near the bottom. It's my opinion that the teaching staff are language Specialists from their part of the world and not qualified to teach academics here in the US. I'm basing this review on the experience of my 3rd grader home achieve quite a bit from a language standpoint but suffered academically; my wife and I decided to remove our child after several meetings with the head of school David and principal at that time whereas we were told that ISI could not meet our child's Advanced academic level of learning.