Fraser Woods Montessori School

This school is the best! I'm so thankful I found it. My children would have been "fine" in the public schools. But having gone through eighth grade at Fraser Woods, they have developed a love of learning, confidence and a strong sense of self that has served them well in the Newtown high school and college. Thank you Fraser Woods!
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers at this school are amazing! I love that they came to me with great excitement to share a wonderful moment with my daughter. My daughter was ready to be pushed to the next level and they pushed - she is now soaring. It is not about grades and comparisons to others, it is about how my daughter is doing, how she is progressing at her own pace and how the school is able to answer her individual needs. They are helping to create an independent thinker, respectful young adult and a responsible student. I am grateful to Fraser Woods for being an institution that provides the structure that my child needs, educates her to a higher level than provided by the local public schools and allows her the freedom to pursue her own interests. The school has also been wonderful in supporting our family to continue at Fraser Woods.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent school! I never knew what a "Montessori" school was but decided to look into it when I was looking for a pre-school for my first child. I ended up sending all three of my children to Fraser Woods -they all graduated from the middle school. It was the best choice I could have made. Mixed age classrooms, and having the same teacher for three years in a row was instrumental in their success through high school and college. They will keep their love of learning that they developed at Fraser Woods with them forever.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter continues to have a great experience at FWM. She started when she was 2 1/2 and has loved her many friends and teachers for the past 9 years. As a parent I LOVE the Montessori way of educating her. FWM has been respectful of her as an individual while teaching her to become an avid learner as she adapts study skills that will help her throughout her life. Anyone thinking about a Montessori education for their child should do their research. Although Montessori has been around for over 100 years, it is a scientifically based and progressive method of learning very different from public school where every child does the same work at the same time. Montessori is not "rigor" but the children learn to conduct themselves and don't require a "collaboration" of teachers and parents to push the child. While her neighborhood public school friends were doing 1-2 hours of nightly homework with their parents my daughter and I were free to play because she had done all her work at school. Now that she is in MS she has substantial homework but she is organized and on top of her responsibilities.
—Submitted by a parent

Parents, Please read the negative reviews before investing in your child's education here. The teaching is "creative" and enriched by literature and art. What is sacrificed is rigor, consistency in education. Once my daughter left this school for public school, she praises her public school. She says," They teach us here. At Fraser-Woods, the teachers said to figure it out ourselves and wouldn't teach us." The head/principal is rigid and has a tight rein on the teachers, always fearful of losing tuition dollars (students). Therefore, there is a lack of communication and collaboration between the parents and the tightly controlled teachers. There is Favoritism towards children of parents who donate generously to the school. These students are extolled, given leniency, showered with attention (you will find these same children in the majority of school photos. cherished.. Those whose parents 'only' pay the $13,000 annual tuition are shuffled along and do not receive the same degree of attention and focus.
—Submitted by a parent

My child graduated from Fraser Woods recently and is doing phenomenal in our local public high school. I can't be any more pleased with the transition that he had. He is enrolled in mostly all honors classes. Thank you Fraser Woods for the great foundation you set for him!
—Submitted by a parent

I have had two children attend FWM and now that my nephew and his wife are deciding on an independent school for my nieces, my mind came right back to FWM. As an educator, myself, I knew a Montessori education would be best for my children. The Montessori experience my children had was very unique and very special as is the Montessori philosophy. Each of my children was as different as night and day. One very active, with no problems academically and socially and one, a late bloomer; quietly reserved both socially and academically. FWM s commitment to the principles of the Montessori philosophy gave both of them exactly what they needed to succeed. Today my children are adult students. One is a sophomore in college and one a senior in high school heading off to college next year. I can see in them, what they ve taken from their Fraser Woods Montessori education. It is priceless.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have been students at Fraser Woods Montessori for the past seven years. My husband and I are very happy with the education they have received. Their teachers have been wonderful, dedicated, and caring. We like the close community at Fraser Woods. The students have a large support network of people who are there for them. My children have learned organizational skills and public speaking skills to go along with strong academics. Our oldest recently transitioned to high school and is doing extremely well, enrolling in all but one honors class, and playing a varsity sport. The time management skills learned at Fraser Woods are being put to good use. I am very satisfied with the education they have received and, having it to do over again, I would absolutely choose Fraser Woods.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been a part of Fraser Woods Montessori School in one capacity or another for the past 22 years. I have had three children graduate and go on to Newtown's public school where they excelled. All my children learned to become self directed, and developed a true joy of learning-without any outside tutors or other assistance.

Summing up our Fraser Woods experience: From 1st grade and up, communication between parents and staff was a challenge. Knowing how, what and where your child was academically was also a challenge along with understanding the Montessori curriculum/activities, how to support or assist your child with homework etc. My families experience was not one of developing a "joy of learning" but instead learning how to deal with "unfriendly interactions"(bullying) by other children, but the teacher intimidation, humiliation and lack of respectful interactions by teacher role models towards the children really began in M.S. Class sizes being smaller allowed for a child to become easily isolated and left out at times, this and bullying seemed to go unnoticed by staff or it was believed these behaviors just did not happen here. Much time was lost in the academics as free time could have been better utilized during times of plays and projects that interrupted the academic classes. Most children were enrolled in Kumon for reading and math support, for those who could afford it. In all fairness, I must say we did, enjoy a few caring, dedicated teachers along our journey, sadly just a few.
—Submitted by a parent

Both my children attended Fraser Woods School through elementary school. They had very positive academic, social and extra-curricular experiences, and went on to be excellent students in our town's public schools. The families at the school were cooperative and collaborative, and we made long-lasting friendships with many of them. Fraser Woods was a great part of our family life.
—Submitted by a parent

We have had 3 children attend Fraser Woods Montessori, from age 3, until 8th grade. My kids have had many of the same teachers over the past 18 years. My older two kids both went on to Immaculate High School and The Gunnery, and did very well in high school---top of their class. My youngest son graduated in June and will be attending Avon Old Farms on a Merit Scholarship. They ALL excel in Math, Science, Theater, Humanities, French, Music (Piano and Voice) and my son received a football scholarship, from a university in New Hampshire! They are well rounded, they can carry on a conversation with anyone, and are well liked by their peers and teachers. Fraser Woods Montessori allowed my children to develop fully by providing a safe and encouraging environment for them to experience the lessons they are taught. The teachers provide a very structured classroom and they keep track of fine details on each child---just look at the report cards. I encourage anyone taking a look at FWM to come to the 8th Year Expert Project night in May you will be very impressed. FWM Middle School Students love going to school, are respectful, polite, well mannered, smart, confident, etc.
—Submitted by a parent

I honestly loved this school. I went to Fraser Woods School for 11 years. I have dozens and maybe even hundreds of memories from the school. I look back at all of my teachers over the years and all I want to do is thank them! The school honestly taught me so much more than any other school could. I feel like the school had matured myself more than I should have been. Classes were interesting, sports were cool! You got to choose, no try-outs or cuts. French is overall my favorite subject! The teachers in the school are phenomenal. Along with the best staff the school couldn't get any better. I am now a Sophomore at Pomperaug High-School and I already miss the school tremendously. Even transferring from such small classes to huge masses was with ease. I adapted even after never realizing what public school was like. I appreciate both my parents for sending me to this school. Over all If your considering enrolling your child, I'd say it's all worth it in the end. I have dozens if not hundreds of memories that I'll never forget. CLASS OF 2011 :) and very proud of it too!

Our family is grateful to have found this wonderful environment for our children! A place that is culturally diverse, that allows our children to academically advance at their own pace and where their curiosity leads them to, and to have that warm, nurturing environment that they wake up each day excited to go to. The curriculum throughout the various program levels are so expansive and in-depth, even at the Toddler age. I am constantly wide eyed as to what my 2 year old comes home talking about from Artic animals to the butterfly cycle, just to name a couple!
—Submitted by a parent

I have had two children pass through the program at Fraser Woods, and am thrilled we chose to send them! he school and the teachers have provided a transformative experience for my sons, as well as our whole family! he boys have become articulate, confident young men, believeing they can accomplish anything they choose in life. I hoped their school experience would instill a love of learning and indeed it has! Both have great aspirations for the future. Worth all the sacrifices to send them to this private school! hank you all
—Submitted by a parent

If you are a hovering parent this might not be the school for you. If you want your child to take responsibility for their work, find self motivation, than this is the place. Teachers are great but they are not the center of a Montessori classroom. Their goal is for the kids to be their best and take ownership for their work and not work for a test grade, a prize, a teacher or a parent. If that sounds different it's because it is. This system of education is teaching my daughter to balance her general work, and to become responsible for her own time management and education. The fact that the school values art, music, french, gym and latin means she's also getting a well rounded education. A private Fraser Woods Montessori education is an investment. Laying the foundation for a confident and motivated problem solver capable of thinking outside the box, priceless.
—Submitted by a parent

Communication between teachers and parents is very poor. The school seems to care so much about raising money that they forget about so many families making a large financial sacrifice to send their children here. Education is okay but definitely not what you'd expect it to be. Any concerns I have about my children are not handled properly and teachers seem to brush them aside... Overall, not worth the $17,000.
—Submitted by a parent

I grew up in NYC's public schools and my wife comes from the Catholic school traditions of Western New York. We came to see the Fraser-Woods Montessori School as the perfect place to address all the things we each found to be important. If there was a better school our son would be in it. This place is amazing!
—Submitted by a parent

Awesome school...their kindergarden program is very good. They groom the kids so well ...Teachers are outstanding and the management is perfect. Its the Best place.
—Submitted by a parent

Having been a student there I feel that this school has an above average curriculum and learning environment in the PK and kindergarten; the first through fifth grade classes lacked proper social skill building activities and the students were kept to a more limited exploration field; many students were left doing drill review worksheets while the students having trouble were walked through step by step. This is great for the students who need this, however, for those ready to move on it was difficult to keep interested in such a slow paced learning group. In sixth through eighth grade the Montessori environment became more like a normal private school, especially in math and humanities. There were fewer hands-on and interactive lessons and more lectures and drill worksheets. The academic level of the material remained above average, though. This may have changed since I left but if it hasn't ...