I had a very negative experience with the Director that does not seem to align with the website…read moregoals. I was looking for tutor and thought Fusion might be a good fit. After meeting with her, explaining how shy and anxious my kid is, she wrote him off within 5 mins for not being enthusiastic enough about going to a tutor and said Fusion could not help. (He succeeded no problem at another place last year, I just wanted a shorter drive and thought Fusion's website looked good). During the 2 tours she gave, she loudly proclaimed the silent area was no talking, completely disrupting the students that were there at the time. She demonstrated her agenda was more important than the students. She seems completely disingenuous about the school's stated goals and exceptionally rigid about how kids should be. I am really glad we will not be interacting with her regularly.

I love Fusion. I have a daughter that is academically advanced but socially challenged. (High…read morefunctioning autism/ 2E) She started kinder early at 4 and then skipped 5th grade. She simply loves learning and while in traditional private schools was bored and increasingly anxious about social interaction and group work. She's been at Fusion for two years. She works 1:1 with various teachers depending on the subject and while officially in 7th again this year (we decided to have her repeat as we are worried about her being closer in age to her peers when she graduates) she was able to take HS college prep biology last year, HS zoology and psychology this year in addition to her more typical classes (English, algebra 1, French 2, and medieval history) The teachers are wonderful with her. They have a collaborative style and really keep her focused, engaged, and enthusiastic. I receive academic summaries from each teacher everyday letting me know what they covered and how she did. Looking forward to her taking science in person at the Newton campus next year so she can do the labs in person rather than virtually.

Atrium School is one of those life-enhancing places. We've had our girls at the school for 6.5…read moreyears - since my oldest was in Kindergarten - and I couldn't ask for more. It's a truly progressive school with strong leadership, small class sizes, warm and wise teachers, and a school culture heavily rooted in kindness and true appreciation for a variety of learning styles. My daughter wouldn't have let us go somewhere else for middle school even if we had wanted to (which we didn't!) Worth a visit if you've ever even had a passing thought of enrolling at an independent school in the Boston area.

My child started at this school in Sept. (2012) and we can't say enough good things about our…read moreexperience. This is a progressive school with thematic studies. It's a very hands on approach with the appropriate support to the child's needs to succeed. The teachers are very aware of the emotional and educational needs of each individual student. They guide the student to think to come up with the answer of whatever challenge is placed in front of the child. I happened to run into an educator who is now in an administrative position of a well known Boston private high school. I asked him about his impressions of Atrium and he said the education these students receive is excellent and his school is always happy to see an applicant from Atrium because they have the tools needed to succeed. This response was in keeping with the high school placement of the Atrium graduates. From a practicle standpoint: In the morning it takes 12 minutes from Beacon Hill to get to the school. Excellent education, good student placement and convenient to those in the city and surrounding neigborhoods. This is a win,win, win for my child and family.

Full disclosure: I was an employee of the Highrock Covenant Preschool, now the New Covenant…read morePreschool, for the 2010-2011 academic year as an Assistant Preschool Teacher. I have a bachelor's degree in Child Development from Tufts University, and am Preschool Lead Teacher and Infant/Toddler Teacher certified by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education & Care. That said, this preschool was, by far, the most dynamic, caring, and stimulating preschool I've ever had the privilege to work for! New Covenant is a preschool motivated by the Christian faith. Grace is said before snack, and positive Bible stories are often shared in the morning circle. The Christian faith inspires the school's dedication to thanksgiving, forgiveness, and honesty. The classrooms are well-equipped with a variety of stations and activities. They are clean, meticulously organized, and children-focused. The schedules are intentionally built to foster creativity and support learning while maintaining a four-year-old's attention span. The teachers are extremely well-qualified and deeply compassionate. There is intentional and frequent communication between teachers and parents, and teachers are seen as partners in the development of the children. Academically, the school thoroughly prepares its pupils for kindergarten and beyond. Besides the essential social skills that every kindergartener needs in order to succeed, New Covenant teaches age-appropriate mathematics and literacy, adapted to each child's individual level. Student progress is recorded and analyzed to maximize the efficiency of lesson plans. The arts are a priority, and music is often included as a tool in the lesson plans. I would highly recommend this school for parents of all faith backgrounds.

I had the greatest high school experience here and graduated in 2016. The education I received both…read morein shop and academics cannot be rivaled. I was challenged, inspired, and encouraged throughout my journey there in ways I wouldn't have been in a traditional high school. The health services shop is exceptional and precise. The extracurricular and skillsusa competitions are a great add-on. The teachers truly truly care about the success of each student and how they learn individually. In my class, cliques weren't so much of an issue and everyone pretty much got along. It felt safe and was a comfortable environment to learn and grow in. I felt totally prepared for college or a career.

I attended Fessenden class of '98. It was a different place then and my hope is that the rampant…read morephysical and sexual abuse that I encountered has come to an end. After 19 years of silence I finally reported the abuse to authorities. Based on my forensic interview the DA determined my statements were "highly credible." Unfortunately the case didn't go to trial. The school offered me 100k to shut up. Fessenden then released statements to the Boston Globe in favor of the sitting administrator having been "cleared" of my allegations. How can an administrator be cleared and reinstated following a SETTLEMENT?

i am a graduate of fessenden.the school wasgreat.the teachers were proffesional.i enjoyed the…read moreclasses and sports.was a very great time in my chjldhood.i wpuld recomend the school very much.

My daughter attended the boys and girls club drop in after school program for years. After leaving…read morethe club one day, she was playing at a nearby park and fell. She (to my horrors!) broke her arm... and wandered back to the club for help. they called me, called an ambulance, went to hospital in ambulance with her and stayed there until i arrived. Seems obvious but she was just a kid walking by that entered and asked for help. so obvs, have been a fan. FFWD _ my daughter is now a teen: This summer she did the leadership training program, volunteering- and learned so much. Created such a positive environment and opportunity for leadership growth for my daughter. This fall, my daughter applied for a job and now works part time in the after school and LOVES connecting with neighborhood kids and organizing games/ playing with the kids. Feel very grateful we have an org in this community that is so accessible and empowering.

I love this place. They offer amazing programs for the kids. My daughter did summer camp here…read more(creative explorers) and is now doing winter camp. The staff is fantastic. They have a nice space here with a big outside area right on spy pond. The pool. The gym. Tennis courts. Kayaking in the summer. I definitely recommend.

I have two children enrolled at NCSC and I couldn't be happier. The facilities are amazing…read more Classrooms are large, bright, and well stocked and the kids also have access to a gym, auditorium, and a great playground out back. Coming from a city daycare that was housed in a storefront, we couldn't believe how much space our kids had to run around - rain or shine, they get plenty of activity every day. But more important than the space, what makes this place really great are the teachers and staff - they are truly exceptional. Many have been on staff for 10+ years, and they are all caring, dedicated educators. Everyone from the classroom teachers, to the front office staff, to the handyman knows our kids and says hello to them when we arrive. The teachers come up with the best ideas for projects, and give the kids a great foundation for kindergarten. They also have a great sense for how to help kids with individual issues they are working on. For example, we had a difficult transition last fall, big move, new home, new job and new daycare all at once. My then-3-year-old was overwhelmed and scared to go to her new classroom, which her teachers picked up on immediately. They started giving her "special jobs" like taking attendance and handing out snacks. I realized they were encouraging (but not forcing) her to socialize with the other kids, and as a result, she quickly made friends and adjusted to her new school. Within a week, she loved school and looked forward to going. Last but not least, I love the community service component of NCSC. There is an active parents' group that raises money for special events at the school, and NCSC also has a number of programs dedicated to helping low-income families, teen parents, and the elderly. It makes for a very inclusive atmosphere, infused with exactly the kind of values I hope to instill in my kids. I realize this is starting to sound more like a marketing pitch than an honest review, but I assure you, we are a real family who really love NCSC. We've been at 4 daycares before this one, and NCSC is leaps and bounds above the rest.

I have sent both of my children to FA for the past few years. I really appreciate their focus on…read morethe whole child, their emphasis on play-based learning, and their weekly communications through newsletters with pictures. I have found the leadership to be very transparent and communicative with the families. Truly the teachers love the children so much and they feel incredibly at home. Every time we pass by the center my daughter shouts out "that is my school!" because she is so proud and feels so connected to it.

We switched our eldest to Fayerweather at the start of 3rd grade seeking a school where the…read morelearning would be significantly challenging, values-rooted, and joyful. We wanted a place where our inquisitive kid could really stretch her edges and feel comfortable taking academic risks (and sometimes making mistakes). Now 12, she has a deep sense of who she is and what matters to her - and this strong sense of self has allowed her to take risks (academically and socially) and push herself as a learner and community member. She understands that justice and community are the essential foundations for learning and social impact. Our younger child (now 7) started at FSS in kindergarten and we have found that, while quite different from his older sibling, he is just as seen, valued, and supported. He has gotten incredible guidance navigating his intensity and high energy, and he is academically challenged in just the right ways - he works on meaningful problems and his sense of accomplishment is significant. Fayerweather has helped him have a voice and language for his feelings, his challenges, and his successes. The loving support and developmentally appropriate and thoughtful curriculum have allowed him to discover his best self and build the skills and agency to choose his actions wisely. FSS is all we hoped, for both kids.

We just started school at Fayerweather this fall, and my 1st grader and 6th grader cannot get over…read morehow friendly the school community is. My son came home from school after his second week of being a new kid (a middle schooler, no less -- in the 6th grade) and said "mom I give it 5 stars!!! Everyone is SO nice, teachers and kids, and I love it!!!." Now that we are four months in, happily his review remains. He also says that his homeroom and math teacher is "literally THE best math teacher" he's ever had. I'm continually impressed with how in touch with my son's learning style the teachers are, and he's growing leaps and bounds. My 6 year old daughter, who is usually shy, is coming out of her shell socially and is really starting to take to reading (which she has avoided prior to Fayerweather). Her teachers are incredible and so in tune with her and helping her to grow where she is ready to, and there is such insight into the social emotional ecosystem of the classroom. Fayerweather has the academics *and* the community we'd hoped for -- the school has a joyful, healthy, connected vibe and is inclusive and diverse to boot. We couldn't be happier.