The Ambrose School

We discovered Ambrose when our son was in middle school. Despite the challenges of a rigorous curriculum he has never been happier. The faculty interacts with the students throughout the day. Teachers make it a point to know the names of students in all grade levels. Their presence has a very positive impact. Students are challenged to think and express ideas. The entire environment has changed the way he sees himself. His confidence has grown and he is seeing the world through different eyes. The Classical Christian education is superior. We love the conversations that arise from books they are reading, topics they are discussing and normal life lessons taught from a Biblical perspective. We often wish we had discovered Classical Christian Education earlier, but then we wouldn't appreciate how wonderful Ambrose really is.
--Submitted by a parent

The 'Foundations' have been lost with the growth of the school. Money is a huge issue, always asking for more. The kids are not the focus of the school anymore. Getting more people in so the money will flow is the main objective. Some teachers are very caring, others do not like children and the kids know it. By the time the kids hit junior high and high school age they are burned out and have lost interest. Public school has never been our first choice but we will be pulling our children out for next year, to give them a break and to give them an opportunity to be involved in a better variety of classes as at Ambrose the learning is very repetative and narrow. We have spent a fortune (college tuition) for a disappointing failure.

Foundations Academy is a wonderful place for children. The teachers are passionate and loving. The decidedly Christ-centered worldview is wonderful. Moving across the country for our children to enroll here was the one of the best decisions we have made. Thank you Foundations Academy!
--Submitted by a parent

Rigerous academic standards, great teachers, involved parents, and great leadership make Foundations Academy a '5-star' school. Before sending my kids here, I visited a Kindergarten classroom, arriving just as they were starting 'art' class. But instead of pulling out paper and crayons, the teacher was holding up prints of paintings by the masters and the kids would name the painting, the artist, and then describe elements that made up the paining (color, shadow, perspective, etc.) and how the artist had combined them to make the beautiful painting. Awesome. This school also teaches from a Christian worldview, so my kids can learn to appreciate the world around them as their creator intended, and to base their knowledge in the fundamental belief that God created all things, and as we learn his design is revealed to us.
--Submitted by a parent

Our family of 5 children is in its 10th year at Foundations Academy, our eldest having graduated in the first senior class last spring ('06). What a blessing this school has been to our family: Foundations has provided a quality education with a Christian worldview, committed and nurturing teachers, and a strong vision to move forward with building and adding extra-curricular programs as finances allow. Actually, Foundations is very family-like, as parents are welcomed into the environment, believing that school is only an extension of a parents' desire to teach and grow their children. Uniforms are one of our highlights! Every school provides a set of options that include positives and negatives. We choose Foundations, with all its pros and cons--for its commitment to a superior and unique education within a Christian environment.
--Submitted by Valerie MacMahon, a parent

My daughter attended this school for her kindergarten and 1st grade years.Kindergarten went well,I was beyond impressed.First grade went downhill quickly.She loved her teacher and her class and was really loving the challenge of the work.There was a student in class that had come from public school and parents were less than spiritual..she started quite a few fights in the class..the school did next to nothing to correct it.The school also heavily discouraged rewards for doing well in class,saying that the good grade should be reward enough..maybe that works for high school kids,but 1st graders?When the Head Master was questioned on that,the reply was that if parents want rewards for their children then they are in the wrong school & are ignorant to classical education.The children may be quiet,but it's out of fear,not respect.Their lifeskills are severly lacking.Sweet kids,but need socialization.This school could be amazing with a few 'minor' changes.
--Submitted by a parent

My stepdaudghter has attended this school from kindergarten. The physical plant is adequate, and my only criticism is a lack of an organized physical education program (mens sana in corpore sano). With that cavet, the teaching is excellent and based upon the classical trivium of grammer, dialect and rhetoric. It is elitist and some children will not be able to handle the educational load. However, as an introduction to what michael barone has termed 'hard america', this school is superb. If you and your child can handle a demanding curriculum, they will graduate with a first-rate education. If you have the prejudice of low expectations for you child you should not consider this school.
--Submitted by Steve, a parent

Foundations Academy is a private, Christian school presently serving grades K-10 and will be expanding to K-12 in time for the present 10th graders to graduate from Foundations Academy. The teachers teach the students from the perspective that they are there to assist the parents in educating their children. The focus is on knowledge/learning and manners. I have walked up and down the halls several times and heard the Pledge of Allegiance, Latin, silence, and one teacher questioning his class like this, 'How can you be more helpful when your parents ask you for the 9th time to please take out the garbage.' There is never any chaos. The students wear uniforms, are well-mannered and fascinated with learning. This year this Kindergarten teacher gave all the parents her home telephone number 'just in case we had any questions over the summer.' I am so glad I found this school. My eldest daughter graduated from a local public school. My husband and I both are public school products. Nevertheless, the vast improvement cannot be overlooked. I'm thrilled with Foundations Academy.
--Submitted by a parent