Saratoga Independent School

We have been very happy at Saratoga Independent School. We were unsure about when to start our daughter in kindergarten because she has a November birthday. SIS always taught to her ability and challenged her appropriately. She stayed at SIS until middle school and transferred easily into public middle school.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended three of the one-week summer camp sessions this year at Saratoga Independent School. She had a blast! She learned to prepare her own snack during the cooking session, and now wants to help out more at home with preparing meals. It is great to see her learn new skills and apply them outside of the school. The staff are caring, professional and courteous. It is easy to see what makes Saratoga Independent School so special.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in her second year at this school. The experience has been wonderful. She is gaining confidence, respect for others, and independence. The teaching style is very different from public school in that it is hands-on learning through fun experiences. Each child learns at their own level. The staff is accessible, responsive and truly care about the students. I feel very fortunate to have my daughter attending the school and know that it is fostering her a love of learning.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is AMAZING. What they offer goes far beyond the basics of early education. Math is taught not simply with worksheets & drills but with real life hands-on examples & games. Photosynthesis is taught by actually growing plants. They have watched monarch butterflies hatch & cared for turtles, guinea pigs, tree frogs, lizards. Older children work WITH younger children. They read together. There is such a strong sense of community - all children help take care of their school and each other. There is no bullying. They teach problem solving and cooperation. They teach respect for each other. The teachers are personally invested in each and every child. Initially, we wondered if it would be worth the price of the tuition. The public schools are good, right? Why spend the money? But each day, my child comes home glowing. She does not just learn, she THRIVES. The detailed newsletters we receive weekly confirm that we could not possibly find a better place for her. Is there really something better you could do with what amounts to a little less than $10/hr? I can't imagine a better investment in my child's future. Well worth every penny - and then some.
—Submitted by a parent

If only the public schools had what Saratoga Independent School offers . . . Children are taught at their level and expected to rise to be the best they can be. The children receive a lot of individual attention from the teachers. Behavioral standards are high and participation in the larger school group is expected at the child's level whether the child in in Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th grade (or Pre-K!) This school is a model for what all schools should (and could) be.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children at Saratoga Independent School, the oldest of whom has been there for five years. My children care about community, they care about respect, and they continue to amaze me with their love for school and their love of learning. My children have very different personalities, yet each has their needs met by a group of passionate, dedicated, and talented faculty and administrators that truly understand the uniqueness of every child. We feel so fortunate to be part of such an incredible community. Thank you, Saratoga Independent School!
—Submitted by a parent

My children just finished their fourth year at this school, and I can't say enough about how wonderful their educational experience has been. Academically they are far above their grade level, socially they are doing great, and they've really learned to think rather than memorize. The school's approach to teaching is innovative and effective, and the focus on socialization, community and leadership results in well-rounded kids who thrive after they move on to middle school, high school and college. None of this could be done without the excellent leadership at the school, the dedicated teachers, and the supportive families. I can only imagine that the last review was written by a competitor, because they clearly don't know about the Saratoga Independent School experience.
—Submitted by a parent

This school goes above and beyond in teaching academics, socialization, leadership, and teamwork. The staff is incredibly dedicated and it shows. There is a very small student to teacher ratio so the students get a lot of individual attention. There is a theme each year to provide consistency in the curriculum. The students work at their own ability level so not only do they learn at a comfortable pace (without ever being held back), but they gain a sense of mastery and confidence based on their accomplishments. Another benefit is the emphasis placed on personal responsibility and community.
—Submitted by a parent

This school goes above and beyond in making sure each individual child's educational needs are met. Daily meetings foster a sense of community between year groups, and different subjects are taught based on level, not age, a concept which many other schools in the Saratoga area fail to grasp. There is a strong sense of community as well as personal development. Children strong in particular subjects are assisted and encouraged in helping peers, contrary to the policy in many other schools. Course material is appropriate and diverse while meeting or exceeding base levels in all disciplines. Every employee of SIS truly enjoys educating and it shows in every child. It is by far the best elementary school I have ever put a child into and worth every penny, at what is a reasonable cost in upstate NY.
—Submitted by a parent

SIS has been a wonderful experience for us. The curriculum is challenging and diverse. The teachers go above and beyond to help students succeed. For a small school I feel the availability of extra curricular activites is ok-but could be more diverse. The community is warm and welcoming and works very hard to make the school a special place.
—Submitted by a parent

I really liked SIS. The fundraising was pushy and over the top, but the teachers were very dedicated and compassionate. We decided on a different school for our family because SIS was a little 'too'independent for us. I found that it was very child-led which works very well for a lot of kids but for the ones who need an extra push it doesn't work.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son just started PreK at SIS. WE LOVE IT! It is a wonderful enviroment, caring and intelligent staff, and just a great place to get an education! Our son is doing double PreK (am and pm sessions) and enjoys the other children in the small classes (2 teachers to 10 students!). The sense of community at the school is amazing! Our three year old already has friends in the higher grades who know his name and give him hugs. At one point another little kid bit our son, no biggie, and Joey wasn't crying, however within 5 minutes or so both Daddy and I had voice mails from the director of the school. It's a great place! It is worth any sacrificies you need to make to afford. (At this point it's just slightly higher than a non-educational day care!) If you have any questions, feel free to email!
—Submitted by Katie Naughton, a parent