Stanbridge Academy

A very positive experience. The earlier negative reviews on this site do not reflect our experience with Stanbridge. The school caters to a variety of children on the spectrum, but the staff emphasizes positive interaction and works with students to develop social skills. My son has been at Stanbridge for many years and the atmosphere there is far safer and happier than he ever experienced at our public school. The academics have been appropriatley challenging, enough that we are considering colleges after he graduates. That was unthinkable just a few years ago. Everyone from the staff to other parents are supportive and helpful. The happiness and success of my son is a testament to the quality of the school. Thank you Stanbridge!
--Submitted by a parent

Stanbridge Academy is a wonderful school! My son has progressed in so many ways and his success is due to all the dedicated staff. Stanbridge puts an emphasis on teaching the kids to advocate for themselves. Check it out!
--Submitted by a parent

As a mental health professional working with students who attend Stanbridge, I can recommend the school quite highly. The students are respected by their teachers and encouraged to work to potential both academically and socially. I have seen several young people blossom there after having very difficult experiences in other schools. Stanbridge afforded them the chance to shine, to make friends, and to excel. The staff there are very collaborative with outside professionals and see themselves as part of the team that supports the student in his or her life.

Our son has made incredible progress during his four years at Stanbridge. He is now in high school and his social progress and interest in learning has grown remarkably. The teachers are talented and caring. The staff is responsive and creative in dealing with students who are smart, but have learning differences. He now has friends who accept him and he has learned to be more tolerant and understanding of others. At Stanbridge, the goal isn't a specific STAR test score. The goal is developing the skills in students so they will be successful in the long run. Being at Stanbridge has reduced the unnecessary stress on our son, so that he was able to develop the skills he will need in order to be successful in college and in life. We do not live close to the school, however, I have found it much less stress to drive to a school that does everything right, than trying to make the wrong school do the right thing.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has just begun his fourth year at Stanbridge. We commute a great distance, and it is worth every minute we are in the car, as well as every penny we spend. It is a great school with an excellent, caring staff. It has changed my son's life, and mine as well. My son has a learning disability and focus issues (but NO behavioral problems) and public school was really beating him down. Now he is happy, enjoys school, and has friends. I can't say enough about what a relief it has been to our family. If you are looking for small class size and a safe learning environment in a traditional school setting for your struggling student, you should check out Stanbridge. Every school isn't right for every child, but the finding the right school for your child can be life changing. And the other parents are great, too!
--Submitted by a parent

We found Stanbridge unsatisfactory on many levels. First, we were told the school was for children with mild learning disabilities, and found out after enrollment it was full of kids with a range of issues that bordered on extreme in some cases. The school had many inconsistent policies about safety and protocol for conflict resolution. The head of school was often either unavailable or unsympathetic when confronted about issues. The school shed themselves of many of the outdoor and hands-on programs we sent him there for in the first place. The extra experiences were supposed to make up for the bare bottom academics. They did not. After leaving our son had to spend summers just to catch up with the rest of his peers when he transitioned into a new school.
--Submitted by a parent

We sought out Stanbridge for our son who was not doing well at the public school due to social issues. Many of the children my son came across at Stanbridge had much more severe issues than he had and it was a stressful experience for our family and child to attend this school. My son learned little here in terms of academics during the almost two years enrollment which was surprising given the small class sizes.

If I could give 10 stars I would. This school is a dimond in the rough. Stanbridge is a breath of fresh air when the public system didn't fit. If you have a child with learning differences, Stanbridge is the place for you. When do you make the switch? I would recommend doing it before you loose your hair. Check out one of the open houses. That is where it changed for my son and me 5 years ago. My son just graduated 12 grade and wants to go to college. This was our goal. We are very proud of him. This goal would not have been reached through the public system. My son recieved more than just an education, he recieved a social network with teachers and students. Self confidence, hands on experience with leadership, community, and just being proud of yourself and what you have done. Stanbridge is great!
--Submitted by a parent

Stanbridge has really changed our life! The public school we were with for the last few years did not offer an appropriate education for children with special needs. Stanbridge has created a fun, safe, learning environment and now my son loves going to school! He s making friends, talking more, doing his own homework and learning team work. It has changed our lives at home and brought joy to our family once again!! Thank you to all the wonderful staff at Stanbridge!!
--Submitted by a parent

Stanbridge changed our lives. Public school had been a series of tortuous frustrating experiences. Within the first week of attending Stanbridge, he was voluntarily completing homework and making new friends. He has gone on to excel in school, life and work. All due to what he learned at this school.
--Submitted by a parent