Roycemore School

No doubt about it, Roycemore is as good as any school in the area when it comes to academics. However for a variety of reasons, there isn't a strong sense of community here. One reason is that Roycemore is essentially a commuter school. If you want to arrange a play date for your child, it will be much more challenging than if your child attended your local neighborhood school. Still, if you aren't happy with the local public schools and you insist on "going private" - another consideration is the student population at Roycemore. There are many special-needs kids, which is great, if your kid has special needs. If your child does not have specific issues - be prepared for him to work and play with kids who for one reason or another, ended up coming to Rocyemore because they couldn't make it elsewhere. Again, this is fine if you're the kid who needs extra help or attention. We didn't have kids with such needs, and therefore it wasn't the right place for our kids.
--Submitted by a parent

We have one current high schooler and two Roycemore graduates. All three went from Middle School to Upper School. Two explored other options - the other would not even discuss not staying at Roycemore. There was much discussion. Why we stayed: #1 the superb education; #2 incredibly dedicated teachers #3 opportunity to participate in any and all extracurricular activities from sports to clubs, yearbook, tumbling, dance, acting #4 the additional opportunities for college acceptance coming from a unique college prep school. Our oldest graduated from U of I Champaign and I remember in Nov of her Freshman year, she told us "I can't believe how much better prepared I am than my classmates...Mr. Hunt really taught me how to write an essay!" Our second is very happy and successful at St. Louis University. Neither student had any trouble acclimating to a large school environment. Both had high expectation and standards for their college professors. Something they learned from the Roycemore staff. Finally, over the years I have seen so many new students just blossom in the environment. The new building and gym are perfect!
--Submitted by a parent

Our daughter came to Roycemore for high school and it one of the best things we have ever been able to do for her. She loves it .This school has fostered her growth and development in such a caring and challenging way that she has truly been coming into her own - which is every parents' dream. The January "short term" program where high school students can design their own independent study or pursue an interest in a group setting is a terrific way to build creativity into the curriculum. There is a unique and exciting tumbling program which is a microcosm of the school itself. There is no room for entitlement; but there is room for every level of performance; students and teachers work together to raise everyone's level of performance; everyone works very hard and is stretched farther than they thought they could go. More than any other school our daughter has attended parents' input is welcome and taken seriously. It is much easier to feel secure that your teenager's needs for independence and support are managed really well.
--Submitted by a parent

I have a graduating senior this year and it's a good time to say how grateful I am to Roycemore for being the unique school that it is. Class sizes are small enough so that no one gets lost. And along with that comes the academic rigor that my daughter needed to keep her challenged. She had been in a large, public high school before which works for some but she truly thrived in a place where everybody knows your name. And the added benefit of being able to take college courses at Northwestern University was a real plus in the high school. The high school principal is incredibly accessible and caring and the new school building is great. Wish my daughter could have experienced it for more than just her senior year.
--Submitted by a parent

For elementary and middle school, this is an excellent school stressing individualism and a love for learning. However high school is a different matter. ask how many middle schoolers continue on to high school - the majority do not. Ask middle school parents why.
--Submitted by a parent

We have 3 children at Roycemore and all of them have different individual needs. This is the ONLY school we know that can teach at such a rigorous academic level while still accommodating the nuances of each child's learning style. We have been at the school for a number of years now and are 100% confident that our children are getting a fabulous all around education. The new location is incredible - the teachers and principals are excellent. Very few school nurture the whole child the way that Roycemore does! It is an amazing place.
--Submitted by a parent

From our first dealings with the Admissions Director we knew this school had the right feel for our daughter. The friendly, caring, nurturing atmosphere in this school is excellent. In this environment with dedicated, hard working staff who care about each individual, our daughter has flourished and settled into a new school with an ease never before experienced. She truly loves going to school. Check out the fantastic new facilities too especially the custom built gym! The new location is great.
--Submitted by a parent

My children have been at Roycemore since they were in pre-school. All of them have had an exceptionally good learning and community experience. High academic standards, individualized teaching, learning assistance for those who might benefit from it, and an incredibly dedicated staff make Roycemore a special place for children and their families, from their earliest years through high school. And, they are getting a new facility next year! Look no further if you are concerned about the quality of Evanston's public schools or the "exclusivity" of private schools. Our family thinks Roycemore is the best school, not just in Evanston, but anywhere in the city.
--Submitted by a parent

Maybe there is another Roycemore out there that the person from 2/24/11 is talking about, because I have had the opposite experience. I have two children there and their growth so far has been amazing. There are bad teachers everywhere, but for the most part the teachers and staff at Roycemore are really great at what they do.
--Submitted by a parent

To the parent who posted on 2/21/11, I am sorry to hear about the bad experiece you had. But I just wanted to share that ours is almost the opposite of what you had. When we applied for this school for my daughter last year, the admission officer was very helpful and replied all my emails and phone calls on the same day. Our daughter just started in the Lower School last Fall. From what I see, their academic quality is very high. The teachers make learning fun so my daughter never wants to miss one moment of school. My daughter's teacher is exceptionally good and is able to exactly point out my daugher's problems. She has been learing so much since the start of school. As for parents, the ones I met so far are pretty much all well-educated and well-mannered. Tthere are some downside to this school, however.. The class size is very small, you and your kids' won't have much of a social circle. They are also no offical PTA. The school is also a bit pushy in fundraising. Also, please expect a lot of homework. If you are the kind of parents who don't believe in little kids doing homework, this school may not be for you.
--Submitted by a parent