My son attended public school from Kindergarten through 6th grade. He had a few wonderful…read moreteachers, but for the most part, his educational experience was far from inspiring. What pushed me to look into the Waldorf School was my issue with young male video game culture that seems pervasive in main stream culture thus a part of public school. I felt as if I was swimming upstream for years while I resisted letting it take up residence in our household, and then I finally conceded when my son was in 5th grade. A neighbor gave him a secondhand x-box that was her grandson's. As a gesture of graciousness and with an attitude of experimentation, I opened myself to the experience for a year, before I couldn't stand watching the effects anymore. I had enough of watching my formerly contented son turn into a restless, ill-contented drone. I had enough of watching and listening to the violence as my son obliterated the "Russians" and "North Koreans"; I wanted something more for him. I wanted him to feel alive in school and out of school, meanwhile I so sadly was beginning to watch him lose every ounce of enthusiasm for both his public school life and for his interests outside of playing video games. I was determined to find an environment for my son to go through puberty that was grounded, kind and nurturing. I found exactly what I was looking for at the Ashwood Waldorf School. My son leaves school literally beaming, smiling from ear to ear and full of stories of his day. He is finally in an environment that engages not just his mind but nourishes his spirit. Here are three reasons why I believe my son has come alive in this environment. The Ashwood Waldorf School honors traditional academics (such as memorization and recitation, which was non-existent in my son's public school experience). Integrated sensory learning activities are incorporated with each main lesson block: e.g. they have to do research and write a report, copy it with a fountain pen onto "main lesson" paper, create an art project, and do an oral report for each topic studied. Secondly, he is in an environment that also values physical beauty from the landscaped school grounds, hand work, carpentry, music and art classes, to the beautiful chalk board art in each classroom. This element and value placed on beauty seems to really nurture kindness and curiosity in the students and faculty. This value was something I would not have thought of to look for as a perspective parent but has been a wonderful surprise to me. And lastly, the class teachers, as a part of Waldorf education, insist on the daily fundamental exercise of practicing respect between each student and their teacher. They do this by implementing something so simple: a greeting that consists of a handshake between the teacher and each student, mutually looking into one another's eyes and saying one another's names as they say good morning as the student enters the classroom first thing and say good bye as the student departs at the end of their day. Wow, what a difference, just these three educational experiences have made in my son's growth into a young man. I feel as if the Ashwood Waldorf School offers an opportunity and an environment for both young men and women in middle school and junior high to mature in an environment that allows them to be themselves. My son is in eighth grade; the kids are just, not, pre-occupied with name brands, tech gadgets, or peer pressure to be anything they are not. It is so promising and cool to see healthy middle school kids. I have a happy 13 year old son that is engaged and enjoys going to school and enjoys the adults in his life! You just can't ask for anything more at this age. I also have to note that I would not have been able to afford a Waldorf education in many other parts of the country. Ashwood's tuition is roughly half of what most Waldorf urban schools cost. I thought I moved here for family and work, but what I'm getting is so much more than that. Perhaps we actually moved here so I could get my son back, and so he could come home to himself again through the gifts found at Ashwood.

We are thrilled with Ashwood Waldorf School. Our daughter is thriving there--academically,…read moresocially, and creatively. The kids are respectful and intelligent, and the staff is second to none. And most importantly, our daughter loves it. She looks forward to going to school every day.

I've been here twice with my brother and his friends, as he is a member. So you gotta he someone…read moreor know someone who is a member here. The two times I've been it wasn't too busy so it was nice. They have some pool tables here and a touch tunes for music. They have a big event hall upstairs. Had a dance for high school here and a friends wedding reception too.

As a graduate of The Hyde School I have to say that a day doesn't go by that I don't reflect on…read morethings that I learned at this school. It has had a positive influence on my life as well as my family's. As with everything in life you either get it or you don't. And that defiantly applies to the experience you have at this school. You have to want to work for the positive changes in your life otherwise it won't happen. The teachers and staff work hard at their jobs and give attention to all students. The academics weren't as challenging as the other prep school I attended but I went to Hyde for the character development so it really out weighed anything else. The sports facilities are now top notch. I am a happy alumni and support the school whenever I can -- there is never a time when I close enough that I don't go visit. I still talk with teachers and staff today because they will be forever a part of my life.

I attended Hyde in the 1990s. I was not a troubled teen, just a kid with self-esteem issues and…read morechildhood trauma. We were told it was a therapeutic program that would help build confidence. That turned out to be a bait and switch. After a summer challenge, I entered the school year expecting support. Instead, I found a brutal, one-size-fits-all system where questioning authority meant punishment. There was nothing personalized or healing about it. You either got in line or were labeled broken. The kids who conformed quickly were rewarded and are still, decades later, defending the place like it's a cult. The school's marketing included slogans about "character," "truth," and "brother's keeper," but it's all surface. The truth is that Hyde used emotional control and public shaming to keep students in line. And they called it growth. I've connected with others from my class through the recent lawsuit. We were all told we were the problem. Turns out the problem was Hyde. If you're a parent, look past the marketing. Ask why so many former students are speaking out. Notice that there are (at the time I've writing this) in addition to all the negative reviews Yelp is showing you, there are also 36 one-star reviews that are hidden because they're "not recommended," and something like 40 more one-star reviews removed because someone flagged them as being 'in violation of Yelp policy'. Long story medium, the overwhelming majority of reviewers here are warning you: do not send your kids to Hyde.

Not a really good school. There's too many scrict rules and plus the review got token down from the…read moreschool so yea now I'm remaking this because I hope ur child doesn't go here even if u are interviewing. Don't work here, anything, etc. If ur kid has an interview here I would wait until he or she is in 9th grade and then have them go to the high school here in brunswick. The high school is 1000 times better then this school thats for sure!

if i could put -100 stars i would. this school is shit, its falling down. the teachers dont care…read moreabout the students. im in 8th grade this year and i have been here since 6th grade and i have experenced 8 gas leaks and 1 eletrical fire and plenty of false alarms. DO NOT ENROLE YOUR KIDS HERE.

its great. the roof may leak a little but only if it rains but doesn't rain that much in maine. The…read morefood is great, you might get food poisoning but its not that bad afterwards. least the food tasted good, unless its rice the rice is really bad. please get better rice. sports are alright they are little underfunded especially the track being the worst in the state cough cough, at least we have a track I guess. no idea where the money for the school goes not even the clubs are funded. think there might be embezzlement but overall really great school. 10/10 would recommend :)

The staff doesn't handle incidents and most of the time make it worse. I barely learn anything in…read moremy classes and let's not forget how badly the roof leaks every time it rains.

Cheverus is, in my opinion, the best high school in the state. Maybe MSSM has better math and…read morescience. Maybe public school doesn't have religion class. But Cheverus is a great mix of good arts, good math & science, and good sports. The teachers really enjoy teaching at Cheverus. Most of them take pay cuts to do so. The religion teachers also never forced Catholicism (or protestantism) on students. it was all very academic, and the religion teachers were actually open minded - they taught what the church says and then their opinions or alternative opinions.