Sending my child to this school was by far the best decision I have made. He started in 3rd grade and my only regret is that I didn't bring him to Sage sooner. Its a place where your child will be known and celebrated for his abilities. I couldn't recommend this school highly enough. just fyi, I am NOT affiliated with the school. Was never told to write anything. My child graduated a year ago and I miss the school and all the teachers and the intellectual, supportive, warm vibe of the school. If you have a curious kiddo who loves to learn, don't think twice. This is a truly magical place that will be your child's second home until the end of 8th grade. read more

Snake Oil... These 5-star reviews are pretty hilarious to read and were obviously written by people who were told to write them or have no exposure to an ACTUAL private school. We sent our child here for 2 years and were thoroughly disappointed. It's a $40k year public school. Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons: Pros: -slightly more advance curriculum than an ordinary public school but in-line with any other private school Cons: -embarrassingly underfunded, they ask you to bring your own supplies (including disinfecting wipes) at the beginning of the year -location, it's in Foxboro which only makes sense if you live in Foxboro -staff completely lacks diversity -after care programs are a joke, the photography club involved almost exclusively drawing pictures -also, they accept anyone who applies. There are several smart kids at the school but anyone average will make the cut. -the Head of School, simply put, there is something wrong with this woman. She's abrasive and rude to certain parents for no reason at all. The school will better with her gone. read more

The Sage School is a great environment to help children develop and attain their potential. I am a parent of a current Sage student who has been at the school for 7 years. Sage has a rigorous academic curriculum, a school environment designed to develop students to be successful in different walks of life and a faculty that is thoughtful and adaptive. The focus of the school is to develop the curious mind and bring the best out of the natural gifts of every child. In 2020, Sage set an example for being responsive and adaptable. Through the summer months, the Head of School, faculty and staff worked hard to re orient the up coming 2020 -21 school year. They were able to re start, in person, the new academic year, maintaining the School's rigorous standards along with the necessary safety precautions. As a small independent school, Sage personifies a close and nurturing community that helps students and their families celebrate their children's academic talents while also providing them the challenge they need to meet their potential. read more

My 2 children attended Sage from elementary school through 8th grade (2013-2020). We initially looked to Sage in hopes of finding a more appropriate peer group for a highly verbal, chemistry-obsessed 8-year old and a precocious reader bored in a typical first grade classroom. What we found at Sage were passionate teachers who engaged our children in an appropriately challenging curriculum among like-minded peers and a 'culture of kindness.'  Academic challenge was balanced by a strong arts program and support for the social-emotional growth of each child. Our kids graduated from Sage extremely well prepared for secondary school. One has continued to seek out the type of academic rigor and intellectual exploration that they were first exposed to at Sage. The other focuses more on creative pursuits in music and the theater, having gained confidence and skill through chorus, dance, and theater productions at Sage. read more

The Sage School has been a transformative experience for both of our kids who attend, and therefore our whole family. We came to Sage seeking academic challenge, appropriate scaffolding, and the social/emotional development that our accelerated learners needed. We are now in our sixth year at the school and our children are thriving. Their love of learning has flourished, their capacity to take risks and handle challenging situations has dramatically increased, and most importantly they have developed close friendships that they cherish. The dedicated, compassionate faculty and staff at Sage are second to none, and truly know and love each child. read more

When our child was accepted to Sage it felt like we got a Hogwarts letter. We were so happy and, like others, ignored many warning signs related to the curriculum and instructional culture during the first year. Ultimately, we found an inflexible instructional approach that was poorly suited to our child's learning and a school culture that rejects any semblance of a school-family partnership. Sage does not encourage parents to play an active role in their child's learning beyond contributing financially to the school. Very little work comes home for parents to see and what does come home, in kindergarten and first grade, can largely be categorized as worksheets printed from Teachers Pay Teachers or coloring pages. Parents are actively discouraged/prevented from providing support to their children at home in areas that they have an interest in pursuing. Communication about what is being covered in the curriculum is infrequent and insufficient to keep parents informed. Sage may be the right place for your child if your approach to your child's education is very hands off, your child is adept at using computer technology before starting kindergarten, your child prioritizes speed over quality in their school work, you have very deep pockets, you are comfortable with high levels of technology use, and you prioritize art education over STEM education. . The leadership at this school is very effective at raising money from parents, grandparents, and family friends but ineffective at overseeing teaching and learning. The Academic Dean holds a PhD in cell and molecular biology but has not completed a formal education program in curriculum and instruction and is not licensed as an educator, at any level, in Massachusetts or Rhode Island. Sadly, this has had a negative impact on curriculum and instruction at Sage as decisions about instruction and assessment are not based on high quality peer-reviewed educational research but are instead based on white papers published by curriculum companies like Pearson. The Head of School rarely, if ever, observes classroom instruction and the division heads for the upper and lower school are actually full time teachers with their own classes which prevents them from regularly observing and coaching teachers in their grade band. Overall, Sage's program is designed for students who are bright but have challenges with attention. Sage moves students from subject to subject on a fast-paced schedule, both in terms of day-to-day activities and in the curriculum. The arts program is ubiquitous and students spend more time in art class than in math or science. If your child does not like art they will be made to feel like their opinion is not valid by the adult members of the school community. Sage's program emphasizes breadth over depth and is not mastery oriented. Sage's response to supporting students with learning differences has been to integrate computer-based personalized learning systems instead of having teachers evaluate students and differentiate instruction to individual students. If you have any reservations about the use of technology (computers, iPads, Chromebooks, movies) in the classroom with elementary-age students, Sage will not be a good match for your views. Further it was our experience that the admissions staff was not honest about technology use, both in course placement and instruction, during the admissions process. read more

The Sage School has changed our lives for the better in more ways than I can articulate. This is our fourth year at the school for both of our gifted children. It became clear that the public schools in Needham could not meet our children's needs. We started out at another independent school touted for its academic rigor, but it fell far short of what our children needed. Sage has not only been able to meet our children's accelerated learning pace, but also has allowed my children to find a peer group of other gifted, yet well-rounded students. The dedication of the teachers is incredible, and the curriculum is everything we hoped for. The school excels at understanding each individual child's unique potential and creates a warm and nurturing environment. My children have become the best versions of themselves, and we have Sage to thank for that. read more

Simply put, Sage is a great place to be all around. The teachers are dedicated, genuinely care about their students, and go the extra mile. They truly model life-long learning. Sage students are motivated, positive, and enjoy learning new things. It is a place where bright, talented kids will find similarly engaged peers and a diversity of thought. I love how the school not only values the joy of learning itself, but also values using one's knowledge and talents to contribute to your community, to work for the common good, and to make the world a better place. I highly recommend it! read more

The Sage School is a wonderful place to send your child! Sage is a private Pre-K through 8th school for gifted kids. Kids who love learning, who are hard working and motivated, and who think creatively or "outside the box" are the kids that you'll find here. The teachers are some of the best I've seen - high level degrees, passionate, energetic, and who pour their heart and soul into their students. Sage is a school that any kid would be lucky to go to. The school has a 1-1 technology program so your child will have an iPad or Chrome Book to enrich their learning. Not only is the curriculum challenging enough for even the brightest child, it is diverse and multi-faceted enough for the Renaissance child! Specials such as Creative Movement, Art, Music, Spanish, Library, Latin, and Gym (to name a few) are offered during school hours. After school activities include: chess club, soccer, clay animation, scrabble club, Model UN, karate, math club, performing arts club, and many more! Sage is small enough so your child gets the attention they deserve, and will truly feel loved and known by the entire staff. Especially when the school meets for the All School Morning Meeting every Friday. However, it is big enough that your child will meet lots of new friends with diverse interests, abilities, cultures, and backgrounds from all over Rhode Island and Massachusetts! If you are looking for a great school for your bright child, look no further. Come visit The Sage School! read more

Sage is the worst type of "fortress school." I've looked behind the curtain and Eek! Methinks not. Sage keeps the wall up as a matter of practice, seemingly simply not valuing family and community engagement, though actually to protect their internal standards, which are abysmal. Teachers run the show and not in a good way. One of many examples: they, along with the support of Sage's "board," forced out the previous Head (three Heads back, lol) because he had the audacity to try to implement much-needed change (for example, actually have an industry-aligned teacher evaluation process, rather than their established patting each other on the back)...and there's been a procession of Heads since. The last Head was a sociopath who took what she could and ran, actually harming those in her wake. The current Head is a bully who screams and intimidates children and parents when she thinks no one is looking. Meanwhile... the teachers are doing their own thing -- for a handful of them at the elementary level, this translates as running a solid program because they're talented educators. However, these very teachers are either oblivious to the madness around them or they're silent observers who pretend nothing is wrong. Either way: yikes. There's a clear concentration of power among a few teachers -- it's like a sad, grown-up version of the "queen bee and wannabees" dynamic -- which would be comical in a twisted way if only they weren't actually in the charge of children. It's quite scary. I'm sharing this because I think it's important for any family considering Sage knows my experience. From what I've seen across my years at Sage, if you have a Type-A moderately advanced child they will succeed academically and intellectually, though they'll also pick up some nasty social skills (largely from the teachers). Sage has a high family turnover rate. Those who stay have no idea OR fall into line (like some of these so-called "reviews" made by the board -- you see here and on greatschools... which I know because I did it too!once upon a time) and the rest of us figure out what's actually going on, eventually...and at the expense of our children. Sage is a dark shadow of what it once had the potential to be. Consider any one of the several homeschool co-ops in the area who'll actually support you and your gifted learners. read more

Our son has been at the Sage School since 2nd grade. He blossomed under the care of the teachers at Sage. He has grown into a young leader having been provided opportunities to succeed academically and socially. I find the current administration and faculty fully engaged in helping each child find their "best." They are invested, committed, engaged and responsive. This is a place where gifted children thrive. read more

The sage school is a great school that enables gifted children to reach their full potential.

The Sage School has been an incredible gift for our family. Our son started there 3 years ago when we realized the public school could not accommodate his giftedness. Our son loves going to school everyday and is excited by the challenging and dynamic curriculum. The head of school and all of the teachers have been incredibly responsive to our needs. I really can not say enough good things about this school and we feel very fortunate to have our son there. read more

Sage is a remarkable place for bright students. Small class sizes and terrific teachers. The school offers a challenging program for kids around Boston. A traditional school setting and nice campus with an exceptional mission. Glad we found it for our children. read more

We can't say enough good things about this school. Our kids are thrilled to go to school every day and are engaged and thriving in this wonderful environment. My only complaint is that they can't attend through high school. It will be a very sad day when we need to part from Sage. read more

The school changed fundamentally from what it was several years ago when we first decided to send our children. We spent an aggregate eight years at the school and volunteered in numerous capacities in the community - board, of trustees, admissions, room parent, parent committees, volunteer teachers, etc. We were invested in and had championed the school. It was once a warm, welcoming school. Admission standards have decreased and there is no IQ threshold. It is no longer a "leveled" school meeting the needs of individual "gifted" students as it had done in the past. Most importantly, the schools focus on high enrollment numbers without vetting the qualifications of students. Faculty has said expressly that have no input in a student's "fit" as they had in the past. Most distressing, with the exception of one faculty member, is that the school administration, staff, and faculty do not care about parents concerns. Despite its statements about open communication with families, if you speak up you are ostracized and ridiculed. In fact, the current head said that our family was "raped" when we were bullied and threatened by the former head solely because we questioned the changes to the school curriculum which were made without notice to parents on the first day of school. We had been at the school for 7 years when this happened; we were an invested family and believed in the school. Despite respectful attempts to understand the changes, the faculty and administration failed to explain them. The school removed leveling, made larger class sizes, and lowered admissions. The curriculum is now based on a home-school model and there are no substantive concerns for students' needs. Students learn math, for example, on a computer program, ALEKS. The school has forced out parents and students who do not adhere to their ever-changing lessening teaching standards. The parent handbook, changed by the former head, gives unilateral power to the head to decide who stays and who goes. Many other families who did so much for the school left with dismay and sadness. Reconsider any decision to attend this school. It is an institution that maintains no admission standards, provides no respect for families. There is no dialogue; there is no communication. It fundamentally failed our family, I regret ever sending my children to this school. read more