Wider Horizons School

In 2004 my daughter was 4 yrs old and I chose Wider Horizons for the Montessori methods. I stayed for the academics, values, and leadership development opportunities. It s important to me that my daughter spends the majority of her day in an environment that espouses the same values and beliefs that I do respect for others, courtesy, generosity, honesty, conservative principles and high expectations. I also want a safe environment that will not tolerate bullying, disrespect, cliques, or other behaviors that distract from learning and impair confidence. The Montessori methods create a foundation for lifelong learning and WHS teaches respect for materials and organization of work that become habits in other areas of life. My daughter is never bored, if not playing sports she is usually buried in a book, or enjoying a Sudoku game or word scrambler. My daughter is mature, introspective, inquisitive, polite, confident, talented, and very enjoyable. She is sensitive, kind and cares for others. At 12 yrs old she has far greater maturity than her years and can reason better than many adults I know. I chose Wider Horizons for the Montessori methods, but I stayed because it works.
--Submitted by Lisa Hammond, a parent

I went to this school my entire life and graduated several years ago from both PHCC and high school. Whoever wrote a review referring to crimes needs to get a grip. The teachers I had were all wonderful. Some of them don't work there any longer, but a lot of them do. I was given the best opportunities to succeed, especially being allowed to do dual-enrollment at the end of my sophomore year. It's the reason I did well on the SATs---having that accelerated education put me ahead of my peers. Those who criticize the lack of extracurriculars need to look for another school---that's not what WHS is about. But even so, the after-school activities are still there. My teachers watched me grow up, and many of them became like a family to me. I wouldn't have gotten that at any other school, and I certainly don't have that now at USF. I'd like to thank WHS for helping me get to where I am today; if the school had never existed, I wouldn't be entering the graduate school program at nineteen. Thanks to everyone who helped me get there. This school is well worth the money.

My son has been gong to Wider Horizons for the past two years. We have had nothing but an excellent experience with the school. The teachers have been superb. Dr. And Mrs. Maglio are involved in all aspects of the school and know each child by name. I feel confident in sending my son to school knowing that he will be treated in a fair manner and in a safe environment. The school is not only preparing him for college but his future.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter was 21/2 yrs old attending a pre school and i was told by her teacher that she is excelling at all pre school work and will have to be placed with the 4-5yr old class so she does't become academically frustrated. My aunt saw an ad in the local newspaper for Wioder Horizons Montessori and suggested i check it out. I am so glad I did. My daughter have attended WHS since that age and now at 6 1/2yrs old dhe reads at a 3rd grade level is independent in her studies and is learning chinese, spanish and having fun with music. Wider Horizons School view my daughter as a whole individual, enhancing her academics as well as giftings and creativity. The school functions as a family and the kindergaten children know the high schoolers. Awesome school and someday my daughter will be president and a great leader because of what she is learing. Thank you to the staff at Wider Horizons. A happy Parent.
--Submitted by a parent

Our son has been enrolled in Wider Horizons for about one year. Enrolling him in Wider Horizons was one of the best decisions that we have made to date. Since his enrollment our son has flourished both academically and socially. Our son is in kindergarten and is working on multiplication tables and division. His teacher Mrs. Iannone is truly remarkable. The administration (Dr. and Mrs Maglio) are very involved in all aspects of the school. They know each child by name and they know their capabilities. The school provides a safe, nurturing and loving environment while providing an unsurpassed educational expperience. Our son truly enjoys going to school everdyay and is very comfortable in this environment. The school expects the children to make wise decisions and will be held accountable for the decisons that they make (just like in real life), something that we try to instill in our son in our home environment. I would recommend Wider Horizons to any parent who wishes to see their child thrive in a very diffcult world. We would like to say "thank you" to all of those who make Wider Horizons such a wonderful school......Robert and Jamie Prickett
--Submitted by a parent

The individual who wrote that the teachers are abusive were correct. My 3 year old came home from her first day and said her teacher called her chubby. She was so frightened she had an accident the 2nd day and we pulled her out of the school. I am working on the last stages of my mental health counseling degree and I would not recommend this school. Horrible staff and horrible owners
--Submitted by a parent

My son is attending Wider Horizons-currently in 3rd grade. I pulled him out of Quest, the "gifted" program in the public school, at the end of 2nd grade (a class of 35 gifted students taught by 2 substitute teachers). He was actually BEHIND from being in gifted: too many students, 10% of which were highly disruptive and will stay in the classroom simply because they tested into gifted and cannot be denied. Disruptive behavior is NOT tolerated at WH, so my son learned that he must use self control in school. Instead of being handed an A, he actually has to work now. He is learning Spanish AND Mandarin. He has learned his multiplication tables, and is now on complicated division, multiplying fractions, and geometry (this is all in the last 7 months). Though I think the Maglios are arrogant and the tuition is too high, my child is getting an excellent education. ALL seniors graduated WH high school WITH an AA from PHCC (dual enrolled saved 2 yrs of college $$) and were accepted to the college of choice. Yes, there is a "cost" to losing your child in the public school system. We have had to make enormous sacrifices to afford the tuition, but we are not sacrificing our child's future.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has gone to Wider Horizons since he was two. He was one of the last in diapers to go there. Now they only have preschool, and I am so glad that he was able to go for as long as he has! He is now in 8th grade and it is the only school he has gone to. The Maglios have always had an interest in every child that has gone there. But one of the reasons we wanted our son to go there was because they don't put up with problem children who take up the time of the good students who actually deserve the time. And for the people who keep asking about the fcat test. Those are for federal funding, which a private school doesn't get anyway. Why don't you ask "how many children have scholarships, or how many of the kids who are graduating are actually going to college. And how about dual enrollment, which they push your child to do. So before you hear the disgruntled people who are not happy, talk to the people who have sent their child there for 13 years! And we are very happy with the school, and the administration! Thanks to the Maglios and their push for excellence!!! THANK YOU! It's is the best thing I could ever do for my son!
--Submitted by a parent

My child has attended Wider Horizons from K thru 5th grade. Our experience with WH has been an excellent one. The principal is not only knowledgeable and personable, but shows a sincere interest in his students, parents and faculty. He is always available for personal conferences, as are the teachers. The Montessori method employed at WH allows students to move thru the curriculum at their own pace. My child has shown great progress since entering WH. His interest in academics has increased, as well as his achievement. In six years there has only been one teacher that we were dissatisfied with...... She has since been terminated. Most of the teachers we have come in contact with seem to be very dedicated educators. As a former teacher for 33 years in NY, I would rate Wider Horizons as an excellent school..
--Submitted by a parent

My son has been a student at this school since pre school. He is now in the 4th grade. The teachers are excellent, as is the education they receive.
--Submitted by a parent