We looked all over Thurston and Pierce Counties for the right private school and let me just start…read moreby saying, we made the right choice. It first started for us looking for a pre-K during Covid as a need, but instead it turned into gaining a whole community of friends that we adore. Since we are not the most religious in terms of being Christian or Catholic, some of the private schools in the area had too much focus on religion. Others pre-K schools felt as though we would have just been hiring a babysitter. Waldorf was a breath of fresh air, literally. The kids actually spend time outside in nature! Being kids, getting muddy, pretend play and learning about the wonders of our world. They focus on the whole child, not just academics and there are no grades, no tests, no homework and instead teach a love of learning. Not only that, they throw some really rad festivals and events for the kids - magical even! We are so blessed to have found a fun and safe place to call school.

I never thought I'd find myself writing a warning like this, but after what my daughter went…read morethrough, I feel compelled to speak up. They are not welcoming. We enrolled her in Olympia Waldorf trusting the promises of a nurturing environment, holistic education, community, and balance. What we actually experienced was chaos, lack of accountability, broken promises, and a lot of emotional strain. This school is nothing like what is advertised. Please do your research there are even documentaries that shed light on the reality. Sending my daughter here is one of my biggest regrets as a parent. If you want your child to be ostracized, send them here. Out of respect for my child I choose not to put specific details here. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

Do not bring your debit card, credit card, cash app, Apple Pay or any digital currency to be able…read moreto pay for anything here. Make sure you bring your checkbook (young people look it up), get a cashier's check or a money order from the Timberline bank one block down the street. Really friendly folks but there is a homeless problem here. Don't go up to the building thinking the door is gonna open. Ring the doorbell and wait. They will come. Important: this is also called Old Capitol Building or OSPI. Make sure you put a SE on this address or you will be at the farmer's market.

I work in education. I have had many opportunities and needs to interact and get information from…read moredifferent offices and persons in this statewide governing association. Mostly, I get info which I need. It is, however, a very large machine and there are times one can get passed around or incorrectly transferred. When I needed to know about my teacher certification I got the answers. When I need to look up a school or a district for information, it's all here. I truly do not agree with the computerized 'secret' testing, but it is a battle of someone else now. I have played my part in state testing.

Both of my grandson's have attended Capital Montessori for 3-6 year old. They have enjoyed…read moreeveryone that they interact with there. They always looked forward to their day at school. The staff is nurturing and kind. Both of my grandchildren learned to love to read and learned how to enjoy their independence. I highly recommend looking closely to see if they are a good fit for your family.

CMS is a great school with an assortment of great traditions, from Absolutely Incredible Kids Day,…read morefamily potlucks, to the annual egg drop. Most recently they've been ages 3-6, but starting July 2013 they will begin an elementary program again. Mrs. Reed in Children's House 2 is a patient, intelligent, nurturing teacher who works with parents to help their children enjoy learning.

Great experience with their PreK, teachers are very friendly and helpful. This school seems like it…read morecould use more funding and resources for classrooms, but overall my son had a wonderful experience here.

Their school currently does not have a counselor for the students…read more Their principles only been a principle for the last 2 years she's very incompetent and struggles at doing the bear minimum. The whole staff is European they do not have staff members or teachers that represent any of the students of color. Students have been in numerous fights they tend to get a harsher punishment as they are students of color versus their European peers. There is systemic institutional racism in this school and lots of bias and it shows. I literally had to tell the principle why we don't use the word slave anymore because it takes away someone's identity and dehumanitizes them that we use the bird enslavement. And she was so ignorant that she was like wow I didn't know. As in her correculum they still call people slaves. They don't even teach African history they just About learning about Plantation life. Which doesn't give the students of color a very good start. Taught African American history these students could be proud that they came from advanced civilizations that had irrigation systems way before Europe. But you wouldn't want to teach that because you only like teaching European ideology and accomplishments.

My daughter attended Fern Gully for 4 years. We love it so much!! She learned so many important…read moresocial skills. The teachers are kind, patient and fun. And best of all it connected us with a community of like minded people and friends for a lifetime. I highly recommend this school!!

Unfortunately, this "school" is not what it advertises to be. If you are considering sending your…read morechild here, I recommend that you reconsider that decision for the safety and well-being of your child. "We provide Waldorf inspired, holistic, outdoor education." " a mission to nurture the whole child in all areas of development, including physical, social, emotional and spiritual, as well as intellectual." "We focus on social- emotional awareness, creativity & resiliency." None of this is actually accurate. The teachers lack the knowledge or skill (or both) to incorporate the ideologies or either Maria Montessori or Rudolf Steiner. They do not focus on social-emotional awareness. The teachers utilize punishment that is not rooted in Montessori or Waldorf. My son, who has neurodivergence, was punished so HARSHLY here that his neuropsychologist asked, unprompted by me, to send a letter to the school teachers to educate them on how to appropriately handle discipline and how to offer support instead, for young children. My son endured extreme trauma here. There are many other farm, forest and outdoor schools in Olympia. I recommend any of them over Fern Gully. I would stay far away from this place. They do not offer a safe environment for your child - they don't supervise the children and they do not keep them safe emotionally.

Business offers class at two different times at two different locations. My child took a night…read moreclass in Lacey after school. Her options for clinicals is 10 hour days in Lacey out 5 hour nights in Tacoma. She's a minor, illegal to work 10 hour days not to mention she is in school and Tacoma is almost 2 hours away from our residence. One would think that since the class was taken in Lacey, clinicals would also be in Lacey. There are no options for weekend clinical hours! This makes school/work /family/life difficult to make this work. I do not recommend this business to get your CNA license unless you are have no daily requirements.

Procare is an amazing school!!!! The instructors and owners are so knowledgeable and kind. Eric…read morehelps everyone and goes out of his way to make sure students are treated well. Exceptional school for cna.

I love Griffin school! I have been going to school here since kindergarten. I love the school so…read moremuch. The atmosphere is amazing and the service/staff is amazing!!!