Foote School

Foote is a wonderful school if your child is focused and self motivated, not so much if your child has any kind of learning difference. Don't expect any support from faculty or administration if this is the case. There is no testing or intervention available through the school. You are on your own. They will make accommodations for testing but not much else. There is also no support if your child is "gifted" which is unusual for an independent school. Teacher strength varies from grade to grade and heaven help you if your child gets a stinker. Administration and faculty don't work well together and there is a lack of community within the school. It was a good experience for my oldest child but not so much for my daughters who outgrew the environment quickly. Having said that, the parents are wonderful and involved.
—Submitted by a parent

I would agree with other reviews that though Foote has all the makings of a great school, they have not capitalized on it. There is particularly an inability or lack of interest in helping gifted children reach their potential. The curriculum is very traditional, with little interest among teachers or administrators to be innovative. Despite small class sizes, there is no differentiated learning, thus leaving those able to do more, unable to challenge themselves in the way they should be. We are parents there so it is difficult to leave a bad review, but Foote needs to embrace their student body, open their eyes to the changing nature of progressive education, and allow themselves to take advantage of the parents that so want to help take this school to the next level.
—Submitted by a parent

Foote produces great results, but it's hard to say for sure how much of it is actually due to what happens in school there. They get a lot of things right: small class size, supportive classroom environment, lots of art/music/library/drama/play time, which is absolutely non-existent other places. The project-based, thematic curriculum in the lower school is wonderful, in theory. It is implemented with varying degrees of fidelity by different teachers, however, and it often feels like many opportunities to make it so much richer go unnoticed or missed. Plenty of support exists for students who are "behind", but VERY few supports or avenues for further development of the gifted (or even the simply advanced), which is a huge surprise for a place whose kids come from (on average) such supremely advantaged families. MAG does not deliver on its potential. Bottom line: best school by far in the 50-mile radius, BUT....could be far better than it is. It's hard to compel people to feel any urgency when all measures show that results are "good", and the kids are happy. Hard to argue against the claim that things are going well, but looking more deeply brings a slightly different conclusion.
—Submitted by a parent

As an alum and a parent, I can truly attest to the amazing strengths of the teachers, community and overall education that my children are receiving at Foote, just as I did over 25 years ago. The teachers really get to know the students and there is ample opportunity for conversations throughout the year both with teachers and with head of school, Carol Maoz. Carol has brought a greater sense of community and inclusiveness to Foote, which has quite a diverse population, racially, ethnically, socioeconomically. It's worth coming for a visit and seeing the campus for yourself!
—Submitted by a parent

Foote is a wonderful, positive, creative and academically engaging place for a child. The teaching and learning of critical thinking skills is clearly a priority, and with the leadership of Carol Maoz, who has just begun her third year as head of school, Foote's future as an intellectually challenging institution nurturing leaders in the sciences, math, the arts, literature, languages, history and geography will continue to flourish. One must read these Internet websites with care; word of mouth remains the best endorsement. If you are thinking about Foote, talk to other Foote parents, talk to alumni, talk to all those successful students attending Choate, Hopkins, Loomis etc. And talk to the successful public school students attending high schools throughout the Greater New Haven area and the Connecticut shoreline. A strong educational foundation is key to academic - and intellectual - success; Foote provides that and more.

Ive been here for 3 years and I love it. Here the teachers are great and I really enjoy the different ways they teach to accomidate your different type of learning abilities.This school taught me how to have courage and to not be afraid to learn.

Overall the school fosters a very loving, and secure atmosphere for children to flourish. Music, art and the library are fantastic! Challenges are two fold, 12:30 dismissal on Fridays, and a program called MAG. The school lumps all first, and second graders together. It works well for first graders, however second grade is truly a disaster. Most private and public schools have moved away from this model, research has proven it s challenges. The teachers in MAG are stretched too thin, they can t possibly cover the age/grade appropriate material, thus the eight and nine year olds grow very cranky dealing with kids that are one to two years developmentally and academically behind.
—Submitted by a parent

Teacher quality varies within and across grade levels. Still better than public schools in new haven, albeit an expensive option.
—Submitted by a parent

Foote School is an ideal place for quality learning as well as life learning. The faculty is comprised of excellent teachers - many of whom I would call, with no exaggerration, absolutely brillant. It is a magical place and my 3 children have been so happy there. The school fosters a type of education that goes way beyond just solid academics, it encourages kindness amongst the students and teachers, brings out self-motivational learning and exploration and provides a well-rounded curriculum in sports, drama, music and art. I love that they get to learn a 2nd language beginning in 3rd grade, and Latin later on. My kids really have thrived there and we know we are doing the best for them each day they are there. From the administrative staff, to the afterschool program to the head of school, there is nothing but a sense of competence, fairness and creativity.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my favorite place to be. This school has helped me learn independecey. I have Dislexia and i fell like i am really smart. I am a 3rd grader here at Foote school and i love it. This is my first year getting homework but i think it is fun. The discaplin is excellent. Cheating at our school is a definet no because we are cheating ourselfs. I take french and chinese at foote. Our school moto is written in latin and it is gladly will i learn and gladly will i teach. My teacher is mrs. Totman.
—Submitted by a student

Discipline problems, discipline problems, discipline problems.... Lack of direction and policy regarding disruptive students impacts the educational experience of dedicated students.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a good school if your child is self motivated and you have the time to be very involved. The school prides itself on being child-oriented. That is realized in the academic teaching, but not emotional side of children. Most teachers are great but the administration has been weak to respond to discipline issues and this is conveyed to the teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

Great School. Wonderful arts program and the library is outstanding. The music program leaves something to be desired. Lower school is well balanced and developmentally oriented. Parent involvement is very high.
—Submitted by a parent