Amazing campus, although it would be better if they had a flagpole out front of the school and…read moreflags in each classroom and a flag in the gym to make it feel more like a school and comfortable

In 1994, I attended The Ivy Street School when it had only three students: Mary, Melissa, and…read moremyself. My experience there was deeply troubling and traumatic. The environment was unstable, and the students were treated as if they didn't matter. The treatment I received was beyond what any young person should have to endure. Things became so unbearable that I ran away, terrified of what was happening to me at the school. After leaving, I found myself homeless. Thankfully, I met kind people who helped me get back on my feet. Through my own determination, I earned my GED and went on to attend college. Looking back, it's clear to me that the school was more interested in the funding they received than in truly helping students. In fact, they kept several thousand dollars that rightfully belonged to me. When I recently called them to request my records for a legal matter, they refused to provide them, something I find very suspicious, especially since schools are required to maintain records. It raises the question of what they might be trying to hide. I also recall that one of the staff members lived permanently at the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and was using the school's programs, and its students, for personal gain. To any parents considering this school for their children: please think twice. My experience was damaging, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. There are better, safer, and more supportive environments out there. This was not one of them.

When we were considering Lesley Ellis for preschool, we asked around on the playground, and just…read moreabout every parent we talked to told us, "It's excellent! The only negative is the cost." That matched our experience perfectly. The tuition is steep - though financial aid is available! - but everything else was fantastic, and we were consistently impressed with the teachers, curriculum, field trips, awareness of kids as individuals, interaction with administration, and more. My mom worked for decades in early childhood education, and (as an interested and involved grandparent) was also very impressed. They welcomed/encouraged heavy parent involvement, from "come into the classroom to talk about something you're knowledgeable/passionate about" to occasional parent-meetups-over-coffee in the morning and more. But I was never, ever made to feel guilty about not being able to participate heavily, which was the norm once we had our second kid. (Who also went to LES for preschool, once old enough.) We can't speak to their K-8 experience, but for preschool/pre-K/TK they were fantastic.

Lesley Ellis is an independent school from pre-school to grade 6, but expanding soon to 8th. Our…read moredaughter is in her third year there and we have been delighted with the program. The teachers are an outstanding group and attuned to the needs of each individual student. The administration is truly exceptional as they create an environment where parents, children and the school come together to form a nurturing and vibrant community.

If you are perspective, parent thinking about sending your child to Franklin Perkins school DO…read moreNOT!! It is not a safe environment and the staff do not have adequate training to deal with the population that they have. On Tuesday November 20th 2025, my 9 year old son and I went to go tour Franklin Perkins for an out of district placement during our visit there my son was physically assaulted by another student. The assault occurred as we were being shown down the hallway by our tour guide Jennifer McGrail. There had been absolutely no prior interaction between my son and the student. My son had walked down the hallway as directed by the tour guide Jennifer McGrail, and as he walked past to go to the next stop on our tour, the student punched my son very hard in the face after this happened, I immediately took my son and removed him from the building, as it was very clear that the staff at Franklin Perkins do not receive the proper training to deal with the emotional dysregulation of the kids in their care. Jennifer McGrail Disclose to us that the student who assaulted my son had been at Franklin Perkins for six months that is certainly adequate time to understand a student's needs and have a comprehensive safety plan in place to keep the student as well as others safe. Furthermore, at the time of this incident, the student who assaulted my son had a one on one aid with him in the hallway and that aid failed to react and prevent the situation from occurring .An apology was never issued to my son in person. Upon leaving the school, we went straight to seek medical attention. Later that night, the vice principal Dawn Bentley called us. It was very clear in the phone call that she does not have adequate training or experience to talk to parents or deal with situations like this as much of a phone call was sitting in silence with her, not knowing how to deal with the situation and very much felt like she was reaching out to us to make herself feel better/gauge our response. I feel very bad for the students at this program who are not being given the support that they need/deserve. Jennifer McGrail and Dawn Bentley are an absolute embarrassment to the educational field save yourselves and your children, the trauma, and skip this joke of an establishment

Horrible place with abuse and will neglect your children. My son almost committed suicide because…read moreof the treatment he received and the staff and administratiom did not try to prevent it at all and ignored my son. He jumped off the roof and broke both his legs and a few ribs and the staff just stood there and watched. It was a student who ended up calling emergency services and the staff stonewalled emergency services saying they didnt see anything. Nothing good was done for my son in this place. Don't believe anyone who tells you this is a safe place for your children. They are covering up their abuse because of the money they receive from the state and private donations. If you value your child's life and safety DO NOT SEND THEM TO DR. FRANLIN PERKINS SCHOOL! Lives are ruined there.

My daughter has attended Simply Social Kids for the past 2+ years. It's been a great learning…read moreexperience for her, with in-the-moment social coaching and short, entertaining lessons to help her learn about/understand social expectations and self-regulation. Nadine and her team do a great job leading the weekly sessions. Periodic check-ins with Nadine and/or other class leaders have been helpful to us as parents to know what progress our child has made, and give us ideas of how to help her at home. Highly recommend!

I have a 10 year old boy who has been diagnosed with mild autism (ASD). He struggles most with…read moresocial interactions, the "give and take" of conversations, how to show interest in others' conversation, and how to appropriately join a dialogue. We have a full fall scheduled but this summer we attended a weekly class at Simply Social Kids. I am so glad we did! The instructor was wonderful! We spoke on the phone and over email and she was very receptive to keeping me updated on the week's activities. I learned behavior cues, to help my son stop and pause to allow other to speak. My son really enjoyed the activities, which to him were just play, while important social practice was embedded creatively by his instructor. I wish we were able to continue in the fall, but hopefully we can revisit in the spring. The director is committed to keeping her staff trained, comes with a great resume herself, and was extremely helpful. It is obvious these instructors have a passion for helping children be their best selves. Thank you Simply Social Kids for providing a safe and natural learning environment for my son to relax and be himself, learn about others and grow socially, without the critical eye of the world around him. I cannot thank you enough!

best for my daughter placed her there and have no regrets they have kept her safe and soundread more

This is a great school. DO NOT LISTEN TO THESE AWFUL FAKE REVIEWS…read more The "shock treatment" that all of these imbeciles are referring to is a type of small device gets attached to the arm/leg and send a VERY tiny shock into the adults that attend the school whom require it. It does not hurt the adults, it is a tiny pinch and it is ONLY used on adults whom are severe dangers to themselves and it IS NOT used excessively, barely once a week for the adults whom actually need it when they are becoming a SEVERE danger to themselves. To also note, a judges court order is REQUIRED before this kind of thing is even spoken about, numerous parents whose kids whom are adults needed it, try it to get their consent and then they attempt to get a judges court order. This cannot be stressed ENOUGH, it is not used to abuse the adults whom need it in any way, shape, or form, it is simply a small pinch to get their attention. This is ONLY used on adultswhom are an immediate danger to themselves and can severely harm themselves. Do not listen to these reviews by these narcissistic idiots, they most likely have never even seen the school and go by whatever propaganda they see and then just start writing these awful, nasty, untrue reviews. The people whom want this place closed down would absolutely destroy these children especially those whom have attend the school for a number of years, the people whom are writing these fake reviews and are protesting along with the 'hippie' advocacy groups that claim they want to "help children with autism" don't know absolutely anything. My brother attends this school and it's been amazing, I have seen this school first hand numerous times and have been in absolute shock of how well things are done and how the kids are cared for. Bottom line is, don't listen to these gullible, brainwashed, delusional, ignorant, cruel people. They have no idea what they're talking about and will believe anything that they're told even if it's the most untrue and ridiculous thing. If anything they would be the ones 'abusing' the children with autism whom attended the school, without this school it would completely destroy the kids and adult whom attend, it could even ruin their lives if they aren't able to be in this school. This is a great school don't listen to these brainwashed people.

I can't say enough good things about Carmen's of Marblehead! I brought in 2 antique rings and they…read moretook them apart and turned the diamonds into a beautiful necklace. It was just what I wanted. Katie and Carmen do a wonderful job and are so nice to work with.

I brought my watch to get my battery replaced once a year at Carmen's but during COVID, I began…read moretaking it to a place in the mall. Well that did not go well. My watch hands would stop and start. So I took it back to Carmen. He had me leave it with him for a week and realized there was something wrong with it it that a watch specialist could better address. So he informed me that he sent it out. I appreciated his honesty and my watch works like new. I will only bring my watch to him from now on. If he can't service it properly he will find someone who will.