Fayerweather Street School

When we first looked at Fayerweather Street School when one of my children was entering Kindergarten, we were impressed with the warm atmosphere, the well-rounded approach to curriculum, the confident children, and the fact that all of the middle school age kids seemed to be very happy (which was very different from middle school as I remember it). Since then we have enrolled our second child and both have become one of the happy, confident and successful middle-schoolers I had admired. My kids are driven in their work because the teachers strive to find ways to make the work interesting and ensure that the level of work is just out of the kids' comfort zone so they are engaged and challenged. The only complaint I've had from my kids is that they don't have a Fayerweather high school
—Submitted by a parent

We knew almost immediately upon visiting Fayerweather how well my daughter would fit into the school. Everyone was warm and welcoming. They presented many opportunities to meet other families, learn the curriculum and the culture which is truly unique. We began this year and the well rounded focus on the whole the student has had the greatest impact on my daughter. Not only is the curriculum broad, but the children are taught how to problem solve and work in group settings. The students have extraordinaire teachers who provide a safe setting to learn, practice, explore and experiment their own individual ideas. Additionally their are many staff and faculty that interact with the children to support their social and emotional growth. The school offers Spanish, a truly creative art and wood shop program in addition to Sport and after school activities. My daughter is thriving in a way I never could have imagined. Communication with staff and faculty is supportive and open. Opportunities for parents to provide input to the development of the school is ongoing. We are grateful to be a part of the Fayerweather community.
—Submitted by a parent

I currently have two children at Fayerweather, and my eldest is in the process of interviewing and applying to high schools. I cannot say enough how delighted I am with how this process is going, and I feel a large part of my child s success is as a result of the education he has received at FSS. The fact that each child (from fifth grade on) is an active participant in the parent/teacher conference process has made my child comfortable and confident in his interviews. We have friends with children in more traditional schools, and they have shared their frustration at getting their children to complete homework on time without parent involvement. This frustration has now carried over into the h.s. application process. Since FSS has taught my children to think and work within a structure and also independently has made this a non-issue for us. The progressive school system has provided my kids with vital skills in detail work and time management. As a result, I have watched my child organize his thoughts for the essays and work on them independently. It's a wonderful affirmation that Fayerweather has been a great academic setting for our children.
—Submitted by a parent

We were one of several families that left last year. At the time it seemed like a difficult decision but there were too many wrongs at Fayerweather to continue. We didn t expect to find very disruptive students at Fayerweather, so much so that my child s educational and emotional experience would be negatively affected on an almost daily basis. Raising more than one concern with the administration makes you appear as a problem parent and you are quickly ignored. A one way mode of communication exists and we expected and wanted a place where conversation was two-way. The quality of the education was so-so. We felt the distribution between play time during the school day was not in alignment was the amount of homework assigned. A large burden of the school work was placed on the student to do at home, not in school, and there was too much play time at school and not enough emphasis on education. Now that we have moved on, we can clearly see even more negatives with Fayerweather and know that the decision to move on should have been done even sooner.
—Submitted by a parent

My son had a marvelous year at FSS. One year is not an easy time frame for anyone to reside in a country that is half way around the globe from home, especially kids. All sorts of fears, doubts and anxieties quickly dissipated as practically everybody at FSS - from the staff members, teachers, to Head of school - gave us a warm welcome. The students (even older ones) and other parents also embraced us with warmth, helping the transition run smoothly. My son's biggest fear: BULLYING, was proven to be UNFOUNDED. On the contrary, the older kids helped out in class and after school activities, which played a major role in his adaptation process. They also actively included him in various activities outside school. The teachers - from home room teachers to music, spanish, after school teachers, as well as the librarian - were all excellent. They gave tremendous personalized supports to make learning enjoyable. They were very approachable, in person or emails, and always got back to us immediately for all sorts of questions and concerns. When it was time to leave my son could not hide his sadness. It was indeed hard to say good bye to a community that had treated us like family.
—Submitted by a parent

FSS is not all rainbows and unicorns. 1) We were told hitting is not allowed" before we went there; only to find out that there are no consequences for hitting or pushing or spiting etc.. My kid was hit numerous times and I think that once is too much for a place like this. 2) Saying we don't have bulling - does not make it true. If you say that your kid is getting bullied then you are an outcast and the issue is not taken seriously. 3) The administration is not kid centric but more dollar centric.
—Submitted by a parent

Our experience at FSS was not ideal. We never felt supported or welcomed by the school. We got to the point of asking ourselves Why did they even accept our children at this school if they didn t want us there? I remember how friendly the Admin was when we were being courted to attend, but as soon as we did start I couldn t get as much as a hello from the Admin. Many teachers seem plain exhausted and it can take weeks to pin them down to ask questions or get simple feedback. Lots of turnover each year also. We felt that true dialogue between teachers and parents was not desired and if you asked too many questions you are bullied into leaving or accepting the status quo. There is a Lord of the Flies mentality during recess. Since there are no toys and just one old climbing structure for the younger crowd, the older kids often play with rocks and sticks. It is very odd in such an expensive school to hear your child tell of having to hide a stick for the following recess or of kids throwing rocks at one another out of boredom. Mean play and crying occurred daily.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter was getting an adequate and sometimes even excellent, education at our local public school. However, she experienced teachers and students who just didn't "get" her-- her learning style, her self-expression, her enthusiasm for learning at her own pace. My beautiful, smart, outgoing little girl was slowly being crushed by not fitting the mold. Then we found Fayerweather. Not only did they take her IEP and implement it beyond what was required, they accepted my daughter's vision of herself and her learning style wholeheartedly. I had many conversations with the Head and Admissions Director about my concerns before my daughter even saw the school, and they were able to reassure me. Once she got here, my daughter melded into the grade and found her first best friends. Each child here greeted her and showed respect for her ideas and contributions. Before long, it was if she had never had another school experience except Fayerweather. When I see her playing her instrument confidently, or presenting a Prezi online presentation about her science project, or just enjoying the playground with her friends, I know that we have made the right choice. Thank you Fayerweather!
—Submitted by a parent

Fayerweather is a terrific school, and more than that, a terrific community. We have two daughters who have been at Fayerweather since Pre-K. They are very different kids with very different learning styles. The school has served both extremely well. Both kids have been challenged and supported in equal measure, and both have made treasured lifelong friendships with other students, parents, and teachers. Nobody gets lost in the shuffle at Fayerweather. We feel really fortunate to have found this place.
—Submitted by a parent

If you are looking for a small school with a big vision, competent staff and a safe space for your child to mature intellectually, emotionally and socially, I heartily recommend Fayerweather. Due to previous educational experiences, my daughter came to FSS with gaps in knowledge and skills and a corresponding deficit of self-confidence. She had been shutting down, but the FSS team has worked with competence, insight and care to help her discover herself as a learner and take pride in translating new skills into significant progress. Teachers and admin coordinate and are competent, accessible and communicative. Beyond formal reports and conferences, they welcome additional meetings and correspondence. They've made me a more effective parent by helping me understand my child s learning style. FSS students are encouraged to develop a sense of responsibility to self and to others. Growth ed is a huge hit, where my daughter can engage in discussions about sexuality, bullying, internet, etc. Behavior is grappled with in a non-shaming manner. Diversity, respect, gardening and community service are practiced, and the school is twinned with a community in Haiti. All in all top notch!
—Submitted by a parent

My son started at Fayerweather in Pre-K and is now in 2nd grade. I fell in love with the school when I first walked in and we've been very happy with the experience thus far. Fayerweather specifically addresses the interpersonal and group skills needed to be a successful learner as well as the academic ones. The math, science, and literacy education my son has received in first and second grades is extremely rich. For math, in particular, the teachers will have the students go at a problem in a variety of different ways so that the understanding of numbers is much deeper than I had at that age or even later on. Fayerweather is a welcoming, nurturing community, that always has a lot going on -- from guest musical performances to speakers' series, child abuse prevention education, book exchanges (with books written by kids and translated into haitian creole/english with its sister school in Matenwa), to biographies project presentations (5th and 6th graders). Overall, a rich learning environment and a safe, caring community for kids.
—Submitted by a parent

Building resilient and self-confident learners is one of the best things this school does. Both of my daughters loved going Fayerweather each and every day. One daughter is thriving at Oberlin College, the other is just finishing at CRLS and is going to Hamilton College. They both continue to be strong students who are just thrilled about learning. Fayerweather's close knit community benefits the kids tremendously, allowing students to develop at their own pace and to not feel that they have to grow up too fast. 1. Accomplished, dedicated and loving teachers. 2. Great community of parents who believe in progressive education. 3. Child-centered environment focused on what your child finds exciting about learning. 4. Students treated with respect by all adults. 5. Zero tolerance for bullying makes it an extremely safe environment. Thank you Fayerweather!
—Submitted by a parent

A veteran elementary school teacher, I was an informed and critical consumer looking for a preK-8 school for our daughter. My husband and I had high hopes for all we would find at Fayerweather. Our expectations have been far exceeded. When researching independent schools, I highly recommend reading each one's mission statement, and then look to see if you find evidence of that mission in action when you visit. From the curriculum to the student-teacher interactions, the upper grades' play to the artwork hanging in the halls, the highly-involved parents to the readily-available teachers, you will see Fayerweather's mission living large, every day. The joy of learning is palpable. Our daughter LOVES her school. She is well-known not just by her classroom teachers, but the specialists and students throughout the grades. The parent community is fantastic as well: warm, thoughtful, open-minded, upbeat and generous. Our family is thrilled to have landed at Fayerweather.
—Submitted by a parent

As a medical educator informed about how individuals learn and what factors contribute to a superb experience around learning, I looked for a school for my kids that is progressive, child centered in its approach to learning, supportive of and aware of all different types of learners. I have loved seeing how Fayerweather does justice to an incredibly rich experience. We love the school for the way in which the teachers value experiential learning, the ability to be truly child centered in their approach, the richness of the curriculum, the many many opportunities for kids to shine and really develop a strong sense of self, with good self-esteem and sense of self efficacy. My daughter absolutely loves Fayerweather, and we have been completely thrilled to be a part of an engaged parent community. Would recommend the school enthusiastically and without reservations.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter loves being part of the Fayerweather community. Fayerweather is a place that tries to look at itself and improve itself. This is a key element of a progressive school --the ability to grow and learn from its own evolving community of new parents and students . The physical environment reflects this desire, having the library in the center, with comfortable places for adults and children to sit and dialogue, making connections, sharing books, and ideas. The place is always buzzing at dismissal. As a public school teacher, I see Fayerweather as the model of progressive education that we had in the Cambridge public schools before MCATS. This model must be preserved. Students thrive here. They have the freedom to do theme teaching and a full integrated curriculum as many wonderful teachers used to do across this city. Fayerweather has been a perfect match for myself and my daughter and her learning style. I have always felt that the teachers and administration here seek to collaborate with me to come up with the best educational plan for my child. It is a special community of educators and families of which I am proud to be a part.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has had an amazing experience at Fayerweather. The middle school has so much less drama than at a typical middle school. The opportunity for community service within the school, interaction with kids in all grades, small classes, and caring teachers all add up to a place where she has really thrived. She is well prepared for high school, both academically and socially.
—Submitted by a parent

There are some AMAZING teachers at Fayerweather. My daughter has been there since K. Three things stand out. First, the math curriculum is conceptual so she and her peers understand what they are doing, and don't just follow an algorithm. Second, the "specials" e.g. music, woodshop, art, gym and library are central to their academic experience. Third, the school is actively combating the wider culture of the "dis" and the put-down by helping kids develop their listening and empathy skills and by fostering their capacity for conflict resolution. But there is more. Class size is small. The oldest kids do a play each year which is an integrative experience on many levels collaborative, substantively challenging, and multi-disciplinary. If I could change some things, I would. No place is perfect. But FSS has helped keep my daughter curious and she looks forward to school every day. The community is a real community too where parents and kids and teachers know and care about each other. Finally, Fayerweather collaborates with a small school in Matenwa, Haiti; the kids write to kids in Haiti, and there is a teacher exchange that enriches both sides.
—Submitted by a parent

I am the parent of 2 FSS graduates who attended the school from K through 8. My oldest is now a freshman in college, where he is thriving, and continuing to pursue the interests honed at Fayerweather. My 2nd child is a freshman at a large public high school (where the school culture, teaching style and dynamics could not be more different from those at FSS) and he is thriving there as well. Why have my kids had such a successful experience post-FSS? First and foremost, because they FSS taught them how to learn. Their opinions were valued, they could ask questions until they understood the material at hand, they were encouraged to think outside the box, and were taught that there are many ways (none wrong) to tackle a problem. They were challenged by the curriculum. And they learned the importance of stepping "outside your comfort zone." My kids' teachers were hard-working, caring, and creative. They took the time to understand how each of my kids learned. The administration was involved and approachable. And the extra-curricular activities (band, drama, sports) allowed my kids to develop new passions. Was it perfect? Perhaps not. But it was close as we felt a school could get!
—Submitted by a parent

As a local teacher and someone who has been in both public schools and private schools here and abroad, I have seen a lot of different models and schools. My children have been at FSS since preK. For those who are looking for progressive education (as a model not just a "descriptive" word) Fayerweather is exactly that. The teachers have longevity in the school which is a reflection of both the respect given to teachers, and strong leadership in the school. As a parent, I appreciate the class sizes and how well my children are truly known in the school. The small classes and working groups are a huge asset that is harder and harder to find. I appreciate the amount of effort that goes into regularly developing and improving the curriculum. I also appreciate the fact that parents are always invited to contribute to the classroom experience as they are able and that the Head has an open door policy yet does not make changes at every parent's whim. I ask a lot of questions and often seek advice and have found both teachers and staff always willing to take the time to answer me. My children bring home so much from art to philosophical ideas from their days at school.
—Submitted by a parent

It s hard to come here and not be able to write a glowing review of FSS because our first impression from the outside looking in was that it seemed so wonderful. We were very excited to have our son go there. All was fine until the first issue arose and then yet another. We found the teachers to be lacking the depth and maturity to adequately address our concerns and the Administration incredibly confrontational at the mere suggestion of any issue. So if you can say with 100% certainty that you will never, academically or socially, have any issues that will need addressing while at FSS then you can coast and hope for a good teacher and probably be relatively happy there. But if you expect more from a school that bills itself as having a child centered approach, then run as fast as you can from her because you will be very disappointed.
—Submitted by a parent