1) These are children not adults. The ridigity stifles the joy in learning. (2) Excessive homework and testing is an issue. The many pull-outs for specials leads to classroom disruptions and gaps in teaching. Parents are left to pick up the pieces and do the teaching at home, (3) technology is behind but slowly evolving, (4) STEM?? Many local public, independent, and parochial schools have secured grants and successfully implemented STEM for the last couple years, (5) there are some miserable, burned-out teachers who are mean (6) Bullying is a problem that gets ignored in all grades (7) The head of lower school is removed and tends to devalue the concerns of the children. (8) There is special treatment to those families who give sizable funds--a school-wide, mass email "gently" outed those parents who chose not to give. (9) Some teachers are so tight with admin that it is difficult for them to remain objective. Scratch the surface and really look at the issues. There are other quality academic programs out there.

The school has deteriorated significantly over the last several years. The school is in dire straits financially and enrollment has been continuously declining. What once was a reasonably structured program that allowed for creativity and for different types of students has now become ridiculously draconian. When parents have tried to talk to the administrators about what they feel is working and not working, the school becomes very defensive and refuses to budge. If students do not conform exactly to the program and to how the school feels such student should be progressing, both the parent and the student (as horrible as it sounds) are made to feel that there is something wrong with the student. I have even seen this occur with 3-4 year olds where, if a teacher feels the student is not "worth the trouble", the teacher and the school not only completely ignore the child moving forward, but go so far as to make the child feel badly about himself or herself. There is no wiggle room and no discussion. I could not in good conscience recommend this school to any parent, especially with so many far better options in the area.

This is a great school for children. I would say it is a school with values. The children are taught that respect and behavior are very important. The academics are incredible.

Finding a private school can be difficult. For some children, Independence is the best bet. It is structured, and the program is quite rigorous. There are MANY after school programs. Even though it has more to offer after school compared to other private schools, it costs less!