From student: I cannot recommend Chris enough! He easily…read morebroke down complex math concepts into understandable steps that made everything click. Beyond teaching the material, he shared practical strategies to approach problems and succeed on test day. I was able to improve my SAT score from 1370 to 1540, something I couldn't have imagined before working with him. His teaching style is engaging, patient, and always tailored to your needs. If you're looking for an SAT tutor who genuinely cares about your success, Chris is the one to choose!   From mom: As a mom of six, I have used many tutors, and I cannot recommend Chris at Summit enough. When my son was paired with Chris, Chris immediately contacted me to explain his approach. We had a wonderful, unrushed conversation. Chris clearly communicated with me after each meeting. My son said that Chris not only helped him drastically improve his score from a 1370 to a 1540 but also helped him understand and appreciate math. Chris is incredibly competent but also incredibly kind. My son shared that Chris was always cheerful and avoided criticism but challenged him appropriately. My son said that he was one of the best teachers that he had had. Margaret who was our contact person at Summit was incredibly helpful and supportive. I cannot praise this company enough! My son will be attending Harvard in the fall. Summit helped make his dream a reality. We will be using Summit for our next five children. Thank you Margaret and Chris!

My teen tried the online ACT test prep class, which cost $1,000. My kid found it really…read moreinaccessible and unhelpful. I called to try to get a refund or at least convert the sunken cost to one on one tutoring, but they said no. The most they would do was give me a $300 credit, but I would have to pay $200 to use it. I do not recommend this place.

my kids has been attending the studio for 6 years. It is primarily PK-8 program.The kids gained…read moreboth math skills and improved greatly their self confidence. One of the best features of studio is that they evaluate progress of your child constantly. First evaluation happens when you bring your child to meet with studio director. She would tell you right away the level of math you child belongs to. Each grade in the studio is divided into 3, 4 levels for kids with different math abilities. They can bump a child from one level to more advanced one ("from one group to another" they call it) if they see that a child gets ahead quickly. The level of math in the studio is very high. Problems solving, logic, VERY, VERY STRONG fraction base, very strong algebra and geometry.

We've done SEM and RSM, and I wish I had found a review like this without having to try both, so…read moredecided to write it. Classes wise, Studio for the win hands down. Our kids really enjoyed the classes, the small size (up to 6 kids, sometimes 7), the teachers, and the materials. Lots of variety, interesting problems alongside more basic ones, more levels, and the kids clearly learned a lot. RSM classes are larger (10-12 kids), only 2 levels (plus a 3rd which they designate for "math addicts only" - the kids who crave more math), and apparently good, but not as "fun". The kids are clearly still learning, but it feels more like a chore. So, for classes, SEM is the clear winner IMO. For homework, the story is completely reversed. SEM homework consisted of 15-20 pages, so even if some pages were really short, the sheer volume was overwhelming for the kids. The pages were often bad quality photocopies, and often very repetitive week to week (same style puzzle for weeks on end for instance). The homework battles were endless, and at some point the kids simply refused to do them. It was nice to get interesting questions, but when it's essentially the same interesting question over and over and over again week after week after week, it's no longer interesting (e.g. find the differences between pictures, circle, count... Or solve an identical logical puzzle with 30 variations, week after week). We also didn't feel the kids were learning that much from the homework - some things were too easy, others just repetitive, and overall is just felt like too much. Then, they were expected to correct all the mistakes from the prior homework before getting their "reward" (stickers towards prizes), so unfinished homeworks just piled up one on top of the other, becoming even more overwhelming, and even less rewarding. There was no "partial" option - they got a reward only for perfect, completed, corrected, homework. RSM, on the other hand, is GREAT for homework. 3-4 pages, so not overwhelming in volume. All pages are printed fresh, not bad quality photocopies. They expect the homework should take 30-60 minutes (vs 60-120 min in SEM, usually took us 75-90min). It's been taking 25-40min tops, to do in full. The parents are encouraged to NOT do it with the kids, so the teacher can evaluate what the kids did on their own. This is helpful, and we've had no qualms about our child doing the homework only partially sometimes. From 4th grade on, you enter the answers online, and the kids see immediately if they were right or wrong, and get scores and badges/"medals" online. The questions kids did not do correctly get dealt with in class, and are not carried over to the following week. If the kid didn't do the HW in full, they didn't. No big deal. As long as they don't fall behind in class, no one makes a big deal of it. (In SEM it felt like we were constantly talking to the teachers about incomplete HW). So, homework wise, RSM is the clear winner. If SEM put together a better homework policy/system, we'd go back in a heartbeat. But the homework in SEM introduced so much stress, to the kids and to us the parents, that we decided we can't deal with it. For kids who are already stretched to the max with extended days and other activities, and parents who are working full time and don't get a lot of quality time with the kids, and would rather spend quality time with their kids when they do have the time, and not spend it on homework battles, RSM is a much better fit. So, for now, we've moved to RSM. And I say that sadly, because I do think the classes and also materials in SEM are better. They really taught math through games and tangibles whenever possible. Overall, SEM is like an exciting startup with many kinks still remaining, RSM is like a well oiled machine that moves forward with much experience and relatively little innovation. Both have merits. Hopefully this review helps others trying to decide between the two options. It's a tough call. I really wish there was something out there that "married" the best of both.

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.

My daughter is now in kindergarten after three years at Wellesley Montessori, and she is thriving!…read more I credit the wonderful teachers and staff for giving her the building blocks to be successful in her kindergarten year. My son is in his second year, and he has made amazing strides from toddler life to being a pre-K student. He loves his teachers (a different room from his sister, but just as wonderful) and will be as ready for kindergarten as her sister. The families at the school are wonderful as well, and I feel like it's been an amazing home away from home for my kids. I will be sad when my youngest moves on from the school. They both learned so much, had so much fun, and made great friends! It's also been a practical choice for our family -- with two working parents, the ability to have our kids there from 7:30-5:30 has been a life saver!!

Not the school it used to be... This used to be a great…read moreschool, and it still has some good teachers (not all, teaching staff is mixed), but with the loss of Miss Martha, a teacher there for 20+ years, the addition of a relatively new director, who has no imagination or problem-solving skills, does not know the local area, and is not very nice to the children, the school has taken a nose dive. Combine that with a tiny playground, not a lot of indoor space, and you do not have a great situation.

Both of my children have been going here for 2 years since they were 1 and 2 years old. It's always…read morea joy and so relieving going into Knowledge Beginnings in Lexington because I know when my children are here, they are safe, loved, and always learning something new!

Trusting your child's joy and safety with someone is never easy. But our family deeply trusts the…read moreteachers and love the environment of learning and play we've experienced in our 1.5 years here. It's clear the teachers love our child as much as we do.

I can't say enough about the quality of the teachers, especially Miss Annie, who runs such a caring…read moreand professional school. we are a former school family, and we still join the school on outside activities like Apple picking, we were fortunate to have Miss Annie for the 3. years we did , my kids still talk about her to this day.

Our family has had a great experience at Waverley Square Daycare - Belmont. Ms. Annie and all the…read moreteachers have been so welcoming and our daughter is excited to walk in every day! We've been in both the toddler and preschool rooms and have enjoyed seeing the progression of activities and learning for the children. The Waverley team is very responsive and easy to communicate with, and even organizes fun family activities throughout the year where we can spend more time with the teachers and the other families. Would highly recommend to other parents looking to find the right spot for childcare!

Newtowne is an incredible school! The amazing faculty hold a deep respect for the rights of all…read morechildren, meeting them where they're at, thoughtfully engaging with them, and nurturing their growth. The curriculum is so inspiring and both our children have loved every minute of their time at Newtowne. It has been a source of meaningful connections for our family: for our children as they develop friendships and experience themselves as valuable members of a diverse community, and for us as parents as we collaborate and grow through our relationships with other parents and teachers as well. We are finishing up our 5th and final year at Newtowne and will be sad to leave, it has been such a wonderful part of our lives during these early childhood years!

I've sent both my children to Newtowne School and couldn't be happier. We even commute in from…read moreBelmont just so that they could grow up in this nurturing and creative environment! The staff are brilliant and committed. And the family cooperative model means that we are feel part of a community that believes in raising a generation of children who understand the values of creativity, cooperation, and justice. Newtowne School is one of the purest and most vital examples of the Reggio-Emilia style of education -- a style built in the ashes of WWII to heal a broken world. And we're so proud to be part of it.

We LOVE the Goddard School, Weston. Our daughter, who is in 3rd grade constantly tells us that it…read morewas her favorite school ever! Our son, just graduated from the school to start kindergarten. He was very nervous and sad to leave. Leaving this school was harder than the actual milestone of starting kindergarten at a new school. The facility is new (5 years old). We have been with them from the beginning. The inside of the school is clean, inviting, and is in a super convenient location. We can't say enough about the Staff and the Teachers. They are all so warm and loving. They honored all of my nervous "new Mom" requests, especially in the early days when I was so cautious about leaving my first child. The curriculum was age appropriate for each stage our children were in and prepared them well to start elementary school. The school was truly a blessing for us. When the ups and downs of life got crazy, the Goddard School was the one consistent and dependable factor. We are incredibly grateful for the love and support over the years as well as the lifelong friendships we developed with other parents, teachers, and faculty.

The owners are unprofessional, and seem to have no experience in dealing with kids. The…read moreenvironment is not friendly and safe for kids. Owner's children attend the school, and teachers and owners are biased toward their behavior in the class room. They are not receptive of any suggestions, but rather like to be defensive of their behavior. Complete let down. It is an example of unprofessional and inexperience owners running this school and misusing the Goddard School banner. I have great experience at Braintree, Goddard school but would never want my child to go to Weston-Goddard. Feel free to contact me for details. --------------------------- Please note timing of two recent "5 star" reviews and one reviewer even commenting on the first negative review. This further confirms my concerns about the owners to be manipulative and untrustworthy. I want to sincerely spread the message out to the parents who are looking to enroll their kids in Weston Goddard. Two months of attending Weston-Goddard was a traumatizing experience for my son. He barely survived bullying atmosphere of owner's children in the class room and biased treatment of owners. This school has a policy to put a 4 year child in a small wooden box or cube called "safety cube" in order to calm him/ her down. How terrifying? My son was traumatized by this experience. I wish no child to go through this. We experienced unprofessional behaviors from the school owners when I dis-enrolled my son from the school. My son in his new school is happy and SAFE, and that is all what matters to me. Please spread the words and reach out to me if you are considering Weston-Goddard school.