The Unquowa School

A school that should look at itself in the mirror and stop believing its own PR. It is not academically rigorous, it plays favourites with abandon and it is remarkably tin eared to parents' suggestions.
—Submitted by a parent

I found The Unquowa School to be one of the best experiences of my life. Going to the school I wasn't quite sure what to expect but when I got there I loved it. The teachers and head were the nicest I've ever had and the curriculum was great in challenging you at different levels. After 2 years I left and going to another supposedly top school but it didn't compare at all. I'm learning stuff that I had learned 2 years before at Unquowa. The environment was something I miss dearly, the interaction between the older and younger students is something I haven't found anywhere else. Unquowa was really a one of a kind school built on community, kindness to everyone, and letting everyone come out of their shell if they hadn't been able to at their old public school.

I brought my daughter to Unquowa in 5th grade. She entered Unquowa a shy girl who was able to slip through the cracks at public school because she didn't need to give her best effort to get reasonable grades. Unquowa has changed her into a girl who is self-confident in herself and her abilities. She works hard and is challenged by the teachers if she gives less than her best. I have two other children and I only wish it was in our budget to send all of them to Unquowa.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a child who has been at Unquowa for two years and it has been a great experience. The curriculum is both stronger and weaker than our excellent public school, depending on the subject, but is comparable overall. The environment is small, intimate and sheltered, which has allowed my child to grow significantly in ways she did not feel comfortable doing in the public school. She is now an extremely confident, mature and motivated student who has set high academic goals for herself. Unquowa is not for every child, but sending our daughter there was the best decision we've made on her behalf.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been an Unquowa family for five years now and remain confidant that it was absolutely the right move for us. At Unquowa, your children will receive a top quality education. By the time they graduate, they will not only have a solid base as a student, but as a human being as well. The negative reviewer below may have a personal axe to grind with the Head of School, but in our experience the leadership has proven to be strong, caring, and progressive. With so many excellent public and private schools in our area, Unquowa really stands out as a unique and thoughtful place. Simply put, a great place to let your children grow.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been apart of the Unquowa community for 12 years. During that time our children have grown from toddlers to young adults in an educational environment that is supportive, challenging and most of all empowering. Surrounded by people who genuinely care about their development as well rounded individuals, academically, athletically and artistically. An Unquowa education goes beyond books and smart boards, it is a living and growing community of families and professionals all working together so that the students have every opportunity to achieve their personal best. Sustainability at Unquowa is not just a goal, it is the current reality from our vegetable gardens to our graduates and beyond.
—Submitted by a parent

My children flourished at Unquowa. The school environment has helped to make them confident and curious. The academics are rigorous but the attention they give to each child's learning style brings out excellence in their results. They love the sports as well and all their town sports coaches comment on thir sense of sportsmanship
—Submitted by a parent

sub public school quality education at private school prices. Teacher turnover is notable, so clearly your 25k tuition is not going toward the teachers. The school does an impressive job with the marketing itself but the reality is drastically different.
—Submitted by a parent

We knew from our first visit to Unquowa that it was the right school for our two children. Now, eleven years later, with one in high school and the younger one still at Unquowa, we could not be more certain that we made the right choice. Our son's smooth transition to high school, both academically (he is in all honors level classes) and socially, is due to the strong academic foundation, study habits and strength of character he developed at Unquowa. Our daughter's experience at the school has been equally amazing so far. She loves to learn and is excited to come to school each day where she is challenged at every turn. I am always amazed to see in the school's newsletter that over 40% of the older students qualify for the John's Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, which means their standardized test scores are at the highest levels nationally. The other beauty of a small school like Unquowa is that our children are known not just by their classroom teachers, but by the entire community of adults and other students of all ages. My family will always be grateful to Unquowa.
—Submitted by a parent

Unquowa School gives all students individual attention to attain their personal best. The school teaches self esteem and self confidence by allowing children to take risks and participate in all activities. The Administration has an open door policy, as well as, the devoted teachers. I would highly recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

As a past parent of two children, I can assure anyone interested in a solid rigorous education in a nurturing environment for their children that Unquowa is the school to attend. The caring teachers and small classrooms provides individual attention to your child's learning style. My children were very well prepared for high school. The school provides experiential learning and critical thinking skills needed to be successful.
—Submitted by a teacher

All three of my children attended the Unquowa School. The education was excellent. The curriculum is well rounded with great learning experiences in the Visual and Performing Arts. The school is a member of the Fairchester Athletic League. It is diverse and competitive. Unquowa's graduates go on to the best high schools in the area. Unquowa was an incredible experience for my family.
—Submitted by a parent

The Unquowa School is a nurturing environment for children. The teachers truly care about each and every student and are always available to the students and parents.They are very prepared academically to move on to high school.
—Submitted by a parent

Unquowa has had a tremendously positive impact on our two children, both academically and socially. We are now in our 7th year at Unquowa and believe that there is not another school in the geographic area that would have met our needs so fully. Eight years ago we were searching for a school that offered a broad curriculum, a flexible teaching style (understanding that all children learn differently), diversity in the classroom, and most importantly possessed a highly effective, creative, caring staff and faculty. Unquowa has greatly exceeded our original expectations. Most importantly, Unquowa is a school that teaches to the whole child and consistently maintains high standards that impact students positively every day.
—Submitted by a parent

We have a nine year old boy in his second year at Unquowa. He has benefitted greatly by the small class size and the affirming environment. He loves the school which has proven to be an excellent match for him.
—Submitted by a parent

The school and faculty has exceeded our expectations. A rich and engaging teacing environment that stresses the importance of respect and caring toward others. Our two girls can't wait to go to school every day.
—Submitted by a parent

We have two children who have attended Unquowa School. One is a recent graduate and one has just entered the Upper School. Our experience has been fantastic. The Head of School and faculty are exemplary. They set an excellent balance between an intellectually rigorous and respectful environment. The curriculum is fully integrated and focuses on actually teaching students how to think independently and to love learning, instead of on standardized test scores. A huge percentage of the Upper School students are John's Hopkins scholars, which certainly speaks to the caliber of the students and the quality of the education. The school community is very close, not pretentious, and kids have an easy time making and maintaining friends from various backgrounds and numerous communities. We simply cannot say enough good things about the school. Unquowa truly is a hidden gem that helps make every kid shine.
—Submitted by a parent

Intellectually competitive, emotionally cooperative Our children aged 12 and 9 just entered their third year at Unquowa and we could not be more pleased with the school. We looked all over Fairfield County for a school with the right mix of academic rigor and focus on personal growth and Unquowa fit the bill perfectly. Our kids are happy, involved, and exposed to an innovative educational curriculum on a daily basis. Unquowa is intellectually competitive, but it is also emotionally cooperative. From the Pre-K to the Upper School, you will not find a tighter knit group of students. Unquowa School s intimate size enables a nimbleness and curiosity that larger schools can t match. Whether it s the in depth partnership programs with regional museums, the all organic approach to meals, or the energized and committed faculty and staff, you d be hard pressed to find a school as innovative and forward thinking as Unquowa.
—Submitted by a parent

Unquowa is a great, supportive, community with a lot of leading edge programs. We have two kids there, 8 years at the school, and wouldn't want to be anywhere else. As to academics, 44% of the upper school qualified as Johns Hopkins scholars last year, so the small class size definitely results in good learning.
—Submitted by a parent

Not academically challenging.
—Submitted by a parent