We knew when our family started our journey at The Village School that it was a bucolic setting…read morewith a beautiful outdoor space, bright and cheery classrooms with fantastic teacher/student ratios, and the emergent play-based curriculum that we were looking for. What we didn't know is that The Village School would become the cornerstone of our family life and set the foundation for lasting friendships and connections for our kids and us too. The director and teachers are so devoted and dedicated to getting to know each individual child and meeting them on their unique educational continuum. Even when my daughters were in their first year programs I was blown away at conference time by how the teachers knew and understood their personalities and learning styles so well, despite only spending 2 or 3 mornings together each week. The Village School is truly such a special place, and we could not ask for a better first school experience for our daughters. We'll be sad to send our last off to kindergarten next year, but know that she has all of the tools she needs, socially, emotionally, and academically, to set her up for success!

This is a wonderful preschool on the beautiful campus of Pine Manor College in Chestnut Hill, not…read morefar off Route 9 East. The teachers are terrific and work as partners with families, and the Child Study Center is bright, clean and cheery with a big playground with nice equipment. I am very impressed with the curriculum and quality of the education; my children ask to go to school even on weekends. During the school day the classes walk to a duck pond on campus, go for nature walks in the woods, and visit the college's library. There are outdoor activities every day, except when it rains or the weather is just too cold, and then the children are taken to the college's gym to play which is a great alternative that not every school can offer. At certain times of the school day the three year old class has the opportunity to interact with the four year old class which is very nice. The setting is very secure - no one can drive on to the Pine Manor campus unless they have a reason to be on the campus - everyone needs to stop at the security gate. The CSC has a key card access system - parents are given a key, other visitors need to ring a doorbell. There is an alarm the sounds if doors to the outside are open for more than a certain amount of time, alerting the staff. Children can start attending the CSC at age 2 years 9 months. The school is a lab school affiliated with Pine Manor's Early Childhood Education Program. In addition to the classroom teachers, students from the college's Education program interact with the children making the student-teacher ratio quite high at times! The school is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). There are extended day options available as well. This is a true hidden gem - most people come to the CSC by word of mouth. Families are from many different towns including Boston, Brookline, Newton, Jamaica Plain, and Wellesley. It is a great place and well worth a visit as you are researching preschools!

My son absolutely thrived at Pine Manor last year. He looked forward to going every day and was…read moreexcited to tell me all the activities he did each day. The teachers really worked with him on what he needed and helped him grow. They were warm, kind, and seemed to truly love each child for who they were. We're so lucky to have found them!

All three of my kids went to St Peter for 10 years, from pre k to grade 8. It was a great, safe…read moreplace for them. The school is small, one class per grade, but no one is lost in the shuffle. Because the classes take turns conducting the Thursday morning Mass, they get to practice public speaking from a young age. My kids are all confident speaking to large groups and look forward to the opportunity to do so. Can't say enough about what a positive thing St Peter has been for our family.

You could not ask for a better pre-k & k experience for your child…read more I live 20 minutes away and drove all 3 of my children for 3 years each to attend Step Ahead. All 3 of my children had different learning styles and needs. 1 needed to be challenged: She raised the bar with cultural subjects -- Teaching about other countries, animals (turtles live in the classroom), time, history, music, movement, science, art, play and performances. My middle child needed more practical life skills (how to tie his shoes and put on his coat, prepare snacks and drinks, go to the bathroom without help, and clean up after himself) and Sensory/Self & Body Awareness - Linda saw a need here that year and brought in someone to teach the students (and teachers) Brain Gym (google it). My last was/is my most challenging, as she is extremely anxious/shy and has a non-verbal learning disability and auditory processing disorder. The 3rd year she was there, she received almost exclusive 1 on 1 teaching with Linda's classroom assistant teacher. All of the teachers are wonderful, they have all worked for Linda for years and therefor they all have great working and personal relationships. Currently my niece and nephew are students as are all of my cousins children and I am slightly jealous to not be a part of the school anymore. I miss Linda, Chris, Fran, Anne and Nancy! Your children will be in excellent hands! ..Important: They also have a summer program for working parents (or non-working parents) and every week in the summer there is a new theme and field trip. Noteworthy: When my oldest son went to 1st grade with another classmate from Step Ahead, the teacher didn't really know what to do with them because they were so far ahead of their peers.

12/8/2014 Being a…read moreteacher of many years I know a professional Preschool when I see one. My daughter has been at Step Ahead for 3 years and my son started this year. My children are happy and extremely well cared for by all the teachers. The owner and Kindergarten teacher Linda has been an absolute God send to me when it comes to helping me with the education of my two children. She knows the ability and needs of all her students. I choose this school over the public kindergarten because I see how my children have grown to love learning because Step Ahead is so well organized and enjoyable for the kids. My kids don't want to leave at the end of the day and I am always welcome to stay for a few minutes to talk to any of the staff about my children's day. These teachers and after school helpers are caring, bright, creative and the best!! I am a public school teacher of 15 years so I know great leaders and teachers when I see them!!

I was lucky enough to attended Delphi as a child growing up, and last month my toddler started…read morethere! The same things I loved about Delphi long ago are still present and thriving. The teachers are enthusiastic and passionate about learning and make every single day fun. The small class sizes allow for a strong nurturing relationships between staff and students, and my child feels welcomed and loved already. I appreciate that Delphi's reading program teaches students to read at such a young age and provides them with a genuine love for learning. It isn't forced upon them and that was something I loved when I went- I became a strong independent learner which helped me through college and into my career. Many of the staff that worked there when I was young are still present- which means a lot in this day and age. After a few weeks our son already loves his class, his teacher Miss Pam and the fun activities they do daily- art, music, outside time twice a day, painting, reading class, etc

My daughter just recently transfer from this school to public school and received a 68% on her…read moretest. She is actually behind not ahead. The cleanliness of the school is worst then public school.

Reyim helped my family to successfully navigate a very difficult situation with my father over a…read morelong period of time. They helped us in many different ways and for that, we are forever grateful.

A beautiful, loving congregation who supports one another through good times and bad. A learned…read moreRabbi who gives wonderful classes for congregants. A wonderful Limmud program with many wonderful programs. An active social action committee who support many important causes. An important B'Nai Mitzvah program with parents and children involved. The school uses experiential learning to enhance learning.

For the last 2 years my daughter has been going to UA I…read morelove it so does my daughter they provide security, high education and higher level of self esteem.

Most teachers are inconsiderate and unsympathetic and egotistical. Bullying is rampant. It's…read moreincredibly cliquey with any non-white non-straight non-athletic and unconventionally attractive girls being excluded. Teachers turn a blind eye to bullying. Tuition goes up every year with several other expenses, like over 200$ for a retreat where students are fed chicken nuggets. No heat yet detentions are given to girls wearing pants or sweaters to be warmer. Stealing is rampant. School lunches are over priced. Some students show up drunk or high and teachers do nothing. However, the curriculum is challenging and expository writing fully prepares students for college, but at what cost?

We removed our child mid-year due to concerns we felt we were not addressed adequately…read more I was very transparent and forthcoming during the enrollment process, but I do not feel that was reciprocated. I would have made a different decision. Ultimately, leaving was the best decision in our case. Particularly if you have a 2E student, I would not recommend this setting.

Their summer program has changed. It's shorter and doesn't have the same classes. When I called I…read morespoke to someone who told me things that were not supported the content on the website. Disturbing in and if itself. I've been watching their website since last year when my son indicated his favorite counselors said they would not be back next year when they said their goodbyes. There was no new content on their site as of January and when things changed there was just a splash screen pointing you somewhere else. On the advice of a friend and fellow parent of two campers we have signed up somewhere else. Another one of our friends who signed up before talking to us has had a terrible experience with scheduling. There are only two week classes, not four as it has always been. Why would you pay the same for two duplicate sessions? Clearly there are changes happening but we never thought anything was broken and we are the ones writing the checks to someplace else.