The Marvelwood School

A small college prep school with a large heart and 83 acre campus. The student/teacher ration is small and therefore very interacting and engaging. The hours are long, with Saturdays included until 1pm. The school offers, at an additional cost, a course entitled, "Strategies" which helps the students organize their work day and assignment load. My son chose this school and loves it. The dorms are well sized with a lovely view, (it's at the top of the mountain in Kent). where it is located. A quaint "downtown" and numerous other boarding schools are located in the same area. Students seem content with a family like campus. The number of students are approx. 156 with a diverse international and US population. Everything you could want in a boarding school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 children attending Marvelwood and have nothing but positive things to say. My son came in his Junior year from public school and all the staff and faculty has helped in the transition. As a Senior he has grown into the young man I always knew he was. He always was under the radar at public school and Marvelwood brought out in him his full potential. The hands on science classes are his favorite and in his 2 years has taken 4. He struggles in math but the teachers have worked with him, after school, on their own time, to give him the tools he needs to succeed. The College Application process has been going smoothly thanks to the excellent work of the College Counseling Department. Both my children are thriving here and thanks to the small school setting they are able to receive the attention they both deserve.
—Submitted by a parent

I am so surprised by some of the reviews on this site. I am a current parent, and have been nothing short of impressed by Marvelwood, from the attention we received through the admissions process, including meeting with the headmaster, to attention to our son's transition from public school to this small private school. Our son has never been happier, nor has he ever learned more efficiently. The warmth and caring by all faculty members has bolstered his enthusiasm for learning, and he has been able to participate in activities that really interest him, from student government, to community service that he loves, to sports. It feels very inclusive to him. He is strong in math and not as strong in English, and each of his classes has made him stronger academically overall. If and when he feels he needs to, he has learned to self advocate academically and socially. The campus is beautiful. We appreciate the diversity in the student body - kids from CT but also from many different states and countries. If you are considering Marvelwood do not let a few negative experiences dissuade you - go there, speak with the teachers, and decide for yourself. Every student is different.
—Submitted by a parent

This school seems to want to be something it can not. Surrounded by superior boarding schools - Marvelwood needs to define its market more clearly and do whatever it can to meet the needs of those particular students. It clearly does not have the deep pockets most of the other CT independent schools have. It doesn't have the academic or athletic bragging rights either. While they do market themselves as a place where kids with learning differences can thrive, I am not convinced that they have pursued that end with the focus or passion that it deserves. My biggest complaint with the place is that the administration is shockingly bad at dealing with parents, or at least they were when we were associated with the school. I would not recommend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

The Marvelwood is an amazing school that offered me the opportunity to rise to my full potential. Before coming to Marvelwood I was a C- student at a well known prestigious school boarding school that ignored my needs and expected me to learn like everyone. I was depressed. I was stifled before I came to Marvelwood. The caring and supportive teachers gave me the tools I needed to unlock my capabilities while celebrating my gifts. I highly recommend the school.
—Submitted by a student

Marvelwood use to be my home, my family and my life. The teachers there are all wonderful, I look back on my time there and only see positive events. They helped you grow and learn life experiences for yourself, but they were never far away or too busy to listen. I owe a lot of thanks to everyone there, I wish I could do more to give back.

My son is in his third year at Marvelwood. He selected to attend Marvelwood because he found the students and teachers to be friendly and outgoing, and his reasoning has proved correct. Rather than mold the students to "an ideal", the faculty goes out of its way to ensure each student receives the education most appropriate for his/her learning style and interests. The teachers are great role models, and go out of their way outside of class to help students. My son has gained confidence in his academic abilities, has learned to be a leader, and is very happy attending Marvelwood - his home away from home.
—Submitted by a parent

Marvelwood is the best. Teachers and staff are dedicated, caring and exceptional. Come see for yourself, this is a great place to be.
—Submitted by a teacher

I was a student at Marvelwood and have also taught summer school there for several summers. The reason that I chose to attend Marvelwood was because it seemed to be very warm and more personal than the many boarding schools I visited. The reason that I love the school is because the teachers are extremely devoted to the success of the students. Recently, Marvelwood's music department has improved significantly, there are more AP classes available, and the teachers who I love still work there. I highly recommend Marvelwood as it is unique and a place of success as well as lasting memories.
—Submitted by Jessica Wofsey, a former student

My son is currently a sophmore at The Marvelwood School. I have seen some of the past parent comments and feel I have to say something about the new Marvelwood School. We have been lucky enough to find an exceptional new headmaster this year who has made some incredible improvements to our school. We are fast becoming a more competitive and academic high school and in a few years I predict we will be one of the most sought after boarding schools. Marvelwood is building a new gymnasium and arts center and is remodeling the dorms. The main building and the dining hall have already been remodeled. The school has always been known for it's attentiveness to the individual student and that will never change. My son has benefited and matured in every way! All previous complaints belong to the old Marvelwood School and I suggest that all potential applicants come visit us.
—Submitted by Carol Kallet, a parent

Marvelwood to me is a home away from home for my son. He is a four year senior this year and had four great years at Marvelwood. With all the support from the faulty and the small class room size where could you go wrong. My son has had sucess in the sports program where he wouldn't of played in the public school. Marvelwood builds self confidence in it's student and gets them ready for whatever they want to do after they move on to college. My son would have never received the same amount of support and encourgement any where else then he did at Marvelwood.
—Submitted by a parent

Marvelwood is a very good school...... The teachers keep the parents up to date on everything.The sports are awesome,there are a variety of activites for the kids to choose from.They dont have classes on wednesdays, instead they do community service, which i think is also great.I do not agree with the parent that said most of the kids are on drugs. I sent my daughter there because i felt it would be a great experience for her.She went there as a sophomore and she will graduate this year (2005) with honors. We have had 3 generations from my family attend this school.My uncle graduated in 1971, when it was an all boys school, and my cousin and i both attended for 2 years. I met people from all over the world and i met one of my best friends there.I would recommend marvelwood to any one that is looking for a small school.
—Submitted by Tesha, a parent

My son currently is attending the Marvelwood School, and I highly discourage ever sending your child there. The children have barely any free time for their social life, and if they are just 5 minutes late to class, or miss one homework assignment, they could get amounts of their weekend taken away. The bathrooms are disgusting, the dorms are always either too hot or too cold, the whole campus is pretty much low quality. A new gym has been promiced for almost four years and the most that the school has done to contribute is put up caution tape for about a week. On the other hand, the teachers are outrageous. That is no way to encourage a student to do well in acedemics.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son currently goes to Marvelwood and the reports back are dismal at best, their are teachers who pick favorites. We counted on the school to help our son (who just got out of a terrible school system and simply learns differently). The schools facilities are ancient, the dorms and other buildings are circa 1960.
—Submitted by a parent

My wife and I are huge Marvelwood boosters. Our son is a 2004 graduate. We learned about the school from an educational consultant. Our son is both dyslexic and ADHD, had struggled in middle school, and needed a setting that would provide support and patience. Marvelwood proved to be a great fit. The faculty showed an extraordinary degree of skill, patience, and dedication during our son's four years there. Marvelwood does not have a 'special school' vibe at all...it seems like a typical New England boarding school. The school attracts a wide range of students in terms of academic ability. The campus and facilities are modest but adequate, and the setting is beautiful. Our son particularly enjoyed the sports program, which is quite expansive for such a small school. All of the students graduating in the class of 2004 were admitted to college...including our son. It's a great school, filling an important niche.
—Submitted by a parent