New Morning School

If you are considering this school, here is some important information they won't tell you during enrollment. Auction will be a constant pressure for every part of your experience at the school. They will tell you it's a co-op, but you will be treated as an employee. Your labor is welcome, but not your feedback. Parents have no input at all. You will be pressured to go to a "getting to know you" meeting which will turn out to be a sales pitch for you to give more money. The director is a control freak and may be misusing money. She never stops asking for your money or your time, and will treat you as though you are lucky she allows you to be there, so you should do as you're told and be quiet. Facilities and materials are disintegrating. Several teachers are not returning next year due to the poor leadership. Families are fleeing. All this school had going for it was wonderful teachers, but even that won't be true after this year. Read the reviews or ask around the area to personally talk with parents who really know what is going on--don't trust information you are given by admissions or by administration. This school is the opposite of what it purports to be. Don't get burned.
--Submitted by a parent

New Morning School is an outstanding, unique school that offers individualized programs for all children. Due to this approach, children's needs are able to be met, recognizing that all children have gifts,plus small class sizes and extra help in the classroom. Being a co-op, the parents are involved in all aspects of the school. I was involved in the school for many years and know that the leadership has always been interested in providing the best learning experience for all. The director, who started the school over 38 years ago, has been the constant who has made it possible for the school to survive and maintain its philosophy, even at times going without pay. The teachers are dedicated to providing interesting, appropriate, challenging, and brain development strategies, planning active simulations such as The Oregon Trail, Colonial Times, Ancient Olympics, a variety of plays, research projects chosen by the children with great displays and many more creative ways to help children with all learning styles learn and be involved. New Morning School is an excellent school for anyone who wants their child to learn, enjoy learning, learn to think and love going to school.
--Submitted by a parent

Our child is in 2nd year preschool at NMS and it has been has a phenomenal experience. The teacher wears education, sincerity and love on her sleeve. NMS appeared to be an answer to all of our needs and wants for our child, a school where all kids were the focus and equal. The philosophy behind the program is amazing. The teachers that implement it combined with family participation and support are what makes it work in an inspiring and loving way for each student to receive what they need and DESERVE. Unfortunately, the lack and misuse of leadership has pushed us out the door. The resignation of teachers, lack of transparency and trust has greatly saddened us and has proved there are larger issues than just the much needed updating of materials, particularly in the later elementary and middle school. The internal issues creating conflict has gutted the attention of the school's main focus, our children. In the past we recommended friends and family only to be disappointed and embarrassed by the current state of the school. When a program can no longer function to nurture and elevate the education and social development of each child an in depth reevaluation must be done.
--Submitted by a parent

We have been at New Morning School for some time and at first enjoyed the unique and wonderful learning environment. However, the financial instability, pressure to make parents do more and more, and revolving door of teaching staff has led us to question keeping our child in this environment. The final straw has been the escalating duplicitous and incompetent behavior of the school director. The increasing lack of focus on the children is shameful and the dictatorial atmosphere is rife with stress and negativity. Teachers are under-appreciated and parents who disagree with the director are harassed and/or driven away. Under this leadership, I am dumbfounded as to how this school has managed to stay open for so long. If not for the parents' extreme dedication to making the system work for their children, it surely would have withered away long ago. Do not waste your money or your time here.
--Submitted by a parent

We feel so fortunate we found this school! It is a dedicated community of families and teachers that go out of their way to make learning meaningful and fun. The kids are happy and loved. For us the investment is worth it. We believe we are providing our children with a foundation that will be to their advantage for years to come.
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent Learning Institution: My husband and I investigated many private schools in the Metro-Detroit/Ann Arbor areas. We are confident that we made the right decision to trust the Head of School, teachers and Board of Directors with the education of our son. The Elementary Program is excellent.
--Submitted by a parent

Don't look behind the curtain. Although the director knows all the right buzzwords and things parents want to hear when looking at NMS, the puppet master is inept and the school is a house of cards. The director has NEVER had a performance review and uses the Board as her puppets. There is no written curriculum. There are very few written procedures for many important school functions. Children are not held accountable. Some elementary teachers are truly incompetent and the classroom environment is chaotic. Teacher turnover is rapid and good teachers do not stay for long. Many great knowledgeable families have left over the past few years. Do not waste 10K+ every year while you figure all this out... instead invest in a more sound school that will serve your child better.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended NMS for 2 years of preschool. It was a really creative and fun learning environment. expensive than . They have a co-op option, but if your main aim is to save money, its not worth it. I have a younger child, and had to find a sitter for everytime I was scheduled to work in the classroom. This usually entailed atleast four hours, with preparation and cleaning. It was fun but also exhausting. In addition to the classroom work, you are required to attend the auction and purchase at least 2 tickets , which at the time were $75 each. We did not send our 2nd child there for preschool, and found ourselves relieved when we were done with our NMS obligations.The director's and t communication skills are very lacking, something I would have thought someone in her position would have spent some time and effort cultivating (i.e.toastmasters)

New Morning School is an amazing, outstanding, and unique place for both children and adults. If you are an involved parent, who cherishes your time with your child and trusts in the intentions of teachers, you will find this school to be a great fit. Teachers are accessible and knowledgeable, and the program is based on sound, proven philosophies of how children learn best. From preschool through middle school, students are provided with multiple strategies to get to the heart of their own learning. It is the rare student who would not fully benefit from an individualized approach. We're so thankful for our school!
--Submitted by a parent

My child is in preschool at the New Morning School. I love what happens inside the classroom. Despite the fact that there is a lot of playing, I have not seen 3 and 4-year olds writing their names, let alone stories and doing math problems at other schools. I like that the kids have to 'plan' their days and report back. My child now likes to do that at home too. The kids are all incredibly comfortable - a real feat for my excessively shy, attached to Mommy's leg child. He runs off the minute we arrive. I do wish the children were a little more directed into the direction of the very cool art, science, sensory table, and math/language games, but this really only happens for the young 5's. The rates are reasonable, but be prepared for a slight shock of the expectations of you. Would go here again.
--Submitted by a parent