I have four children who attend this school. All are in the Lower School, currently, so I can't write about personal experience with the Middle or Upper School. We started at Waterford when my 11-year-old started preschool there, after touring and sitting in on classes at many schools around the Salt Lake Valley. After considering the cost in relation to the education offered, there was really nothing that compared to Waterford. I disagree with the previous reviewer about there not being an accelerated program in the Lower School. Where Waterford really shines is in their ability to meet the educational needs of a wide variety of students. They use software from the Waterford Institute for the students' computer time and they move at their own pace. Additionally, I have had some of my children move at an extremely accelerated pace and others who needed real support. One of my sons was allowed to advance individually in math and receive extra support because he was so much more advanced than the rest of the class. Another struggled in reading and was able to take advantage of Waterford's impressive reading tutoring program. In both math and reading, the students are grouped according to level and work with the teacher or a specialist at their level. The facilities are fantastic; instructors and specialists are invested far beyond the average teacher; and problems are resolved quickly by the administration when their involvement is needed. The thing I love the most about Waterford is that there is a huge effort to foster both the love of learning and respect for self and others. The learning environment is ideal because of this. read more

Waterford was great for us in one way. My daughter became mysteriously ill pretty much for an amount of time in junior/senior year. It affected her cognitive abilities and she was forced to miss a good amount of school as well as special events of senior year. The kind, discreet response of the teachers and administrative staff blew us all away. They were fiercely protective of her. My daughter is pretty private but the students and their parents who knew were equally as amazing! Character was high with the kids (they didn't gossip much like you might find at another school, held her confidences and, as a result, feel like the school will forever be in my heart. The only issue that holds me back is that I feel it can be very rules heavy, a bit punitive (kids were expelled and punished for little). It lacks a vibrant social scene, can be a bit provincial in its academic and enriching offerings and can tend to mute students from sharing thoughts and expressing themselves. The last thing is that students don't really head committees or initiatives in junior or senior year... they really should and parents should be nowhere to be found. High school is the time to try new things and fail. Prom committee, the school store, a real school newspaper...They really aren't encouraged to as the parent body leads all. This proved tougher when my daughter went off to high school. Other than that, great school with great classes and teachers, special kids and- for the most part- a wonderful, warm parent body. Thank you Waterford! read more

After 4 years of sending our kids here, we have learned enough about the ultra-private and conservative ways in which the Board of Directors, and the Head of School run the school. It is so far reaching that kids can be expelled because of their parents behavior (reference the Waterford Code of Conduct). We are seriously thinking of moving our kids to Rowland Hall. read more

This school has had significant student and faculty attrition. It is run poorly in our opinion, and plenty of other parents' opinions. Many parents have been able to move their kids, but others have not. There is another independent nursery-12 school that is in downtown SLC and it appears much more religiously diverse, but it's hard to get accepted there. After years of hoping Waterford would improve, we pulled our kids out. A large number of the Waterford Middle and Upper School student body is tutored. I would check out the Tribune articles about Waterford and do research among like-minded parents as to whether this is the right school for you. read more

FORMER LONG TIME STUDENT. I went to this school for a long period of time 7+ years. I would say don't send you're child here past middle school if you want them to have any form of decent social skills and an understanding of how the world works. I left after sophomore year and realized how much of a ball I was living in and how much k was really missing out on. I realized alot of people think this school will be better then a public school, but in my opinion, you're being held back. The small class size is nice for education and learning, but not good for growing as a person and becoming social. Left because I realized that they kicked out people unfairly based off of emotion and not severity of actions (one could be kicked out for a minor social media incident [private information breach by them], while one would be allowed to stay if caught cheating multiple times, doing drugs, failing all classes), AND THAT PEOPLE PAID THE ADMINISTRATION to give their kids A's, and awards were given to people based of image not hard work or successes. (A more qualified student won't get an award for something) Ever since then I've grown even more and had more opportunities. Highly recommend seeking out AP classes at other high schools, this would provide a much better overall education. Recommend googling IB program read more

The facilities are amongst the best in the state, and the upper school teachers have impressive resumes. Department heads and certain teachers in the higher grade levels have advanced degrees from Harvard and equivalent institutions. I cannot speak for grades 1-12, having never attended. You will have to visit and ask the right questions for yourself. The lower grade levels are another matter. Nursery and kindergarten are no better than most day care programs. Most of the day is spent on ABC's, rudimentary math, story time, and art projects. There is no accelerated learning for gifted students. After school care is also overpriced - TV, playground, and snack time is not worth $7 an hour. Most parents are executive suite types and unless you are in the 1% or in the dominant demographic in Utah, you are not likely to enjoy welcome night for parents. It is also clear that there are no regular Yelpers in the parent population. Two years later and $30K poorer, I took my child out for a school in Orem with better Math and English education and only a $5.5K tuition. Their progress report cards are 10+ pages instead of the 2 pages from Waterford. We were able to skip a year ahead in math and elle parle francais maintenant! read more

We just returned to Waterford after four years in the dual immersion program in the Canyons school district. I like that my kids speak another language, but I felt like this was all they were learning. I wanted more support, a stronger focus on education, and a higher set of standards. At Waterford, I'm grateful for and impressed by the personalized instruction, positive role models, rigorous coursework, high expectations, and challenging opportunities that my kids have. They are known - my 4th grader can't believe that so many teachers know his name. The crossing guards tell silly jokes and at least three adults say good morning to them on their way into class. I love that they have smiles on their faces every morning and feel like a part of the school community. At the parent association meeting, four seniors presented recaps of their summer experiences. If my kids can be half as composed, accomplished, and eloquent as these students by their senior year, the cost will be more than worth it! read more

There couldn't have been a better place for our children to explore and learn about the world than Waterford. They have been taught by talented and passionate teachers who have challenged them to think more deeply, have required them to apply themselves more diligently and have shared insights that they will appreciate for the rest of their lives. Most importantly, our children have learned what it means to struggle and then succeed through hard work. Our oldest son has been at Waterford for 11 years and will graduate in the spring. He couldn't be more prepared for college! read more

My two children have attended Waterford for 8 years. I started my youngest in the Nursery 3 program and my oldest in the Kindergarten program. My only regret is not having my oldest experience the Nursery program. Every activity and lesson is deliberate. The faculty always have an end goal in place. The result is well rounded learners who truly enjoy school (even now as middle school students). My kids have learned to be problem solvers who think outside the box. They are not learning to a test, they are learning for the love of learning. My kids have especially enjoyed the hands-on learning. The science program is incredible. Since Kindergarten, my kids have had almost weekly science labs where they are learning by doing. They have also been exposed to art, theatre, sports, Latin and music programs that keep them challenged and motivated. Every time I visit campus I see happy, engaged students. I'm so thankful my kids are receiving a Waterford education. read more

My son started Waterford in Nursery Three's and he is now in third grade. The Nursery teachers have instilled a love of learning and the confidence to explore his own intrinsic gifts. Although the Waterford preschool has a rich curriculum, the teachers identify each child's level of learning and then they challenge and enrich children on their own level -- without creating unnecessary feelings of classroom competition. My son still adores his Nursery teachers and with the foundation of confidence that they built in him, he thrives at Waterford. read more

As to the other review, I don't find the Nursery and Kindergarten programs at Waterford to be rudimentary by any means. I have found that they challenge the children at just the right rate. If you want your 5 year old to do long division, I'm sure you can hire a tutor or attempt to find a school that claims that all 5 year olds can and should be doing long division. Yes, the lower schools do not have an accelerated learning program. That is because they expect all the children (even the very average) to challenge themselves. Yes they have story time in Kindergarten. That is because reading to kids actually serves a purpose in our society. I have found the lower school teachers at Waterford to be nothing short of fantastic. You can talk to your teacher by phone, email, or schedule a meeting in person any time you'd like. I don't expect a 10+ page progress report, but that's actually what you get (you get several pages from their main teacher, plus one from every specialist - and there are at least 6 specialists at that age), so I'm not sure if I buy that this reviewer actually sent a child to this school. The teachers are caring and the environment is fun. I don't want my kids spewing out facts they won't remember, I want them engaged in the learning process and I want them to love to learn. I want my children to do art projects, music, and dance as well as have a sound academic education. I want them to have recess and story time. I believe learning should be fun, and whole child. If you don't want any school time taken up with story time, good grief! (As a side note, my daughters actually do spew out all kinds of facts to me that they have learned at school - but when I ask them about what they are telling me, they really know their stuff. They aren't just memorizing - they're learning.) I use the after school (Extended Day) program only occasionally, but I believe that you get a discount if you use it regularly. I personally have no problem with $7 per hour. I know that my children are in a safe, clean, fun environment until I am able to pick them up. They actually ask to go to Extended Day because it is so fun. They have a special theme or activity everyday to keep the kids engaged. The children can use this time to work on their own homework if they wish. I just love this school. My children have blossomed here. The curriculum is wonderful and so well rounded. I look forward to many more years with Waterford. Sending my children here is a great investment in their future. read more

When my family moved from New York to Utah a few years ago, we didn't have to think twice about where to send our kids to school. My husband and I attended Ivy League schools for college and graduate school and we had heard about Waterford's exceptional environment from our classmates. It is truly the paradigm of a modern liberal arts education, and I become giddy any time I have an excuse to roam the halls with my kids, visit their classes, meet with their teachers or hear the administration speak. It brings me so much joy to know that my kids are finding the same love of learning that I've enjoyed in my own life. I am daily grateful that I can send my children off to such an amazing place. read more

Waterford is an amazing school for those interested in a liberal arts education. We have had kids in the lower school, middle school, and upper school over the past decade. Every time I visit a Waterford classroom I leave wishing I could go back and start my own education over. What makes Waterford stand apart: 1) Passionate teachers who love their subjects and their students. The teachers ignite passions in their students that the students didn't even realize they had. The teachers are genuinely interested in the students and engage with them both in and out of the classroom. (As an aside, I love that my lower school kids spend time with specialists purely focused on science, music, art, computers, reading, and PE. This guarantees that my kids are taught by knowledgeable and passionate teachers in every subject, every day.) 2) An environment of exploration where students are encouraged and enticed to explore and try things they never thought they would. My kids have benefited from so many great opportunities that have grown their minds and uncovered their talents. Waterford is an environment where it's safe to be yourself, and cool to work hard. 3) A fantastic campus and facilities to foster robust experiences: art studios, concert halls, science labs, dance studios, photo labs, flexible classroom configurations, athletic facilities, and lots of open space to gather with friends. Why Waterford has been a great school for my children: 1) My kids love going to school each day. They are challenged, engaged, and excited by their learning experiences. 2) They are developing a breadth of knowledge and experience that I think will prepare them for the uncertainty of the ever changing world over their lifetime. They are building strong academic skills, but more importantly they are seeing the bigger world picture and learning how to think critically. 3) Their understanding of the world and of their own talents and passions is far ahead of where mine were at their age. Sitting in on a 11th grade history class reminds me of my college seminars--a small group of students sitting around a table having a robust conversation, with a teacher encouraging the students to push the limit of their thinking. My children will be far more prepared than I in charting their course to find a rewarding life that follows their passions and abilities. read more

Waterford School is truly an experience. The school has done a fantastic job blending academic rigor and exploratory learning and has created an environment that cultivates development of the whole child. Yes, the school is an investment, but in our experience over almost 13 years we've seen first hand how children thrive at Waterford School in a way they simply couldn't anywhere else. read more

The Waterford School came highly recommended to us, but the actual Waterford experience has been top-notch and beyond our expectations. We moved to Utah at the midpoint of my son's kindergarten year, and visited many schools, public and private. The Waterford School stood out immediately as the best school in the Slat Lake/Sandy area. We were and continue to be impressed by the facilities that support a rigorous and liberal arts education, even (and most importantly) at the Lover School (elementary) level. My son, now in Class II was quite shy coming into the school, but the low class size and well-funded enrichment classes of science, PE, music, dance, computers and library have allowed him to thrive socially, intellecutally and physically. As an adult in a new city, I am also grateful to have found a community of bright and thoughtful parents committed to education. I found it easy to meet people, make new friends and become involved in parent events and volunteer opportunities. We will continue to choose Waterford knowing we are providing the best option for the growth and education of my son. read more

I have children in Kindergarten and Class II, and they love coming to school. The Waterford community is warm and welcoming, but excellence is taught and expected in all endeavors. I like that creativity and imagination are valued, yet there is also structure in the class and in the day--it seems the perfect balance. A true liberal arts curriculum, the children have interesting math problems, and learn to read and engage with history at a high level, and also attend classes with specialists, such as engaged science teachers that are doing hands on experiments and discussion--my Class II daughter's favorite class is science--and talented music teachers who just put on a wonderful choral performances, including a Vivaldi concert for Classes 3-5 that was stunning. And, passionate art, PE, and computer teachers, and librarians make for rich days for students. Classroom faculty are caring, organized, and meet continually refine a thoughtful curriculum. One thing I value is the diversity of families--different ethnic and religious (as well as non-religious) backgrounds are comfortable and well-represented here, connected by their interest in a great education. read more