Mary McDowell Center for Learning

I concur with the other parents who have written reviews. This school is life-changing. The teachers are dedicated in an only-in-movies kind of way. My son has grown as a learner, citizen, and person in just a few short years. The Friends philosophy emphasizing community, service, peace, etc. enriches the curriculum to support an education that produces thoughtful, kind individuals who feel a sense of belonging and responsibility.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a life-changing institution, where your child will be truly seen, empowered, educated. It is a place of possibility and joy and kindness. Thanks to MMFS, my son understands what he needs in order to learn, finally realizes he is smart, and is actually is looking forward to high school and college.
—Submitted by a parent

Thank you Mary McDowell School. My son, who just graduated a week ago from a private high school in Manhattan, was previously a Mary McDowell School student for 5 years. The teachers at Mary McDowell were very attentive and nurturing and helped my son immensely. He was diagnosed with a language based learning disability and struggled in his previous school before attending Mary McDowell. The faculty here taught him how to work with his disability, how to work independently and most of all boosted his overall self confidence. He was eventually able to move on to a regular prep school in the city (where he graduated with honors) and in the fall he will be attending an excellent four year college in the northeast. I have nothing but praise for the faculty at Mary McDowell who helped lay the groundwork for my sons success.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been going to the Mary Mcdowell Friend School for the past two years. The staff here is excellent! My daughter has a language based learning disability and has improved in all her subjects since starting at Mary McDowell, especially her reading. Her self esteem has also been given a boost as she previously felt "out of place" in her mainstream elementary school. This school has many students that eventually go on to be successful in mainstream schools and even end up at excellent colleges! Thanks to the teachers and staff at Mary McDowell I am confident that my daughter is on the same path. Thank you!
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended the Mary McDowell School for 6 years. He is now attending a Private High School in Manhattan and is a very good student. I must tell you his success in his present school is largely due to the incredibly supportive environment that Mary McDowell's staff provided him. He was taught how to be a diligent, effective student, and above all, to work with his learning disabilities. Their primary goal is to teach every student that they can be successful inspite of any learning disability. There is no other school like MMCL. I highly recommend it to any parent looking for a warm, nuturing, caring environment for their child to learn.
—Submitted by a parent

I have ben going to MMCL for 5 years! i have learned so much in math, reading, spanish, scince, curent events and alot more.
—Submitted by a student

Our son just finished his first year at MMDL. Words are not enough to praise this school. He has a Performance IQ of Superior Intelligence, but has a strong Language Disability. At his previous school he was a solitary, tense child, who complained about being teased, for his disability. Now he is more confident, happy and sociable. The teachers at MMDL make sure that everyone is participating and respected. His academics have blossomed because he is being taught in a multi sensory classroom with FM system, and the teacher to student ratio is 1:5. The strong sense of community in this school does not exist anywhere else. Everyone knows each other and the staff is so committed. Gym, Music, Movement and Art are part of the curriculum, also OT and Speech. The Parent Assoc. is very strong and there are many ways to get involved.
—Submitted by a parent

I work at the Mary McDowell Center and find the atmosphere very supportive, professional and warm. I have grown immensly as a teacher. Each student recieves attention in their small math and reading groups and individualized instruction in other areas, such as writing and social studies. Teachers communicate with parents on a weekly basis. The faculty is well-educated. The teachers are caring and we try to help each student feel special.
—Submitted by a teacher