Moses Brown School

I graduated from Moses Brown in '93 and I had an amazing experience. I could not disagree more with some of the negative reviews here. Moses Brown to absolutely follows Quaker principles. I have never been in another environment before or after MB in which I was treated with as much respect as I was at Moses Brown. Every single student, teacher, and administrator is treated as an equal. I was not one of the rich kids that are described in these reviews. My family was among the poorer families, sacrificing a great deal to send me to MB, but I never felt that any of the teachers, administrators, or more important my classmates ever once treated me differently than anyone else. Academically we were given every opportunity. I had many amazing teachers (and some less so, of course). My classmates were all very gifted. We pushed each other to excel. I was not great a sports, but I was able to play on teams all 3 seasons. I was cheered and supported by every teammate, even when I was finishing a cross country race 10 minutes after the leaders. I never did drama, but my brother loved the drama program at MB. I can not say enough great things about MB.

Academic side of the school is as good as it gets - wonderful teachers who are passionate and excited to teach. Sports side of it is lacking with lack of leadership in administration, particularly athletic director - disconnect between the two sides of the school. If you are looking for the total experience this isn't it, however if thinking of applying to the school for just academics there is no better place to be!
--Submitted by a parent

If considering Moses Brown Upper School be sure to ask about the attrition rate over the last several years. Under the current Head of Upper School Debbie Phipps, it is not a number to be proud of. I urge prospective parents to proceed with caution.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a current parent of an MB high school student. We chose MB because it focuses on a balanced, high level education for a student. We have been extremely pleased at the education our child has received, the encouragement for students to advocate for themselves, the availability of students to receive help, and the quality of teaching. The new administration has focused and strengthened the underlying Quaker values and we believe that will serve all the students well in their lives. No school is perfect but MB is our third school and it is an honor to be there.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a former MB student. The curriculum is adequate but rigid and rather dated. A child of average academic capabilities and with an love of team sports will fit in well at MB, especially if the family is able to give generously to the school. However, MB has little room for the child who seeks an academically rigorous curriculum. MB has little room for a child that is drawn to sports that do not involve a school team, or a child not athletically inclined. MB has little room for diversity of interests or culture. We were drawn to this school's claim of Quaker values, but the stated values are in scant evidence. While one cannot prove that children of parents with money are treated with favoritism, it is apparent to the children. Providence and Rhode Island is rich in excellent independent schools, but MB is not one of them. At my child's request she transferred to a school just down the street from MB. It is a delight to again have a child excited to go to school in the morning. And great to have a school with greater academic rigor, greater real diversity, and a flexibility that MB would not consider providing.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of former MB students On the surface, MB appears to be one that puts community, academics, kindess and respect for ones's self as well as teachers and fellow students as a priority. However, we encountered a number of issues including favoritism towards big donor families, a riding on its reputation rather than a focus on bettering itself, faculty and administrators did not address serious bullying issues (particularly with big donor family children) and there was a zero tolerance for a student or family view/opinion that differed from the school's liberal teachings. We had hoped the school would really practice what it preached with its Quaker values. We were sadly disappointed. After awhile, a number of famlies besides our own, decided to leave MB. On a positive note, some of the faculty members were spectacular and really embodied the spirit of what I believe MB used to stand for, but unfortunately there were not enough of those shining stars to justify us staying at the school.

I think that moses brown is an excellent school when my child was in fifth grade he came home everyday in an amazing mood. I think that the teachers give alot of support!!
--Submitted by a parent

greatschool! the techers pay alot of attention to the children and the teachers are amazing and give alot of support!
--Submitted by a parent

I am the parent of a just graduated high school student. I wanted to like Moses Brown more than I did. Fortunately ,my son was very happy there; I attribute this to the wonderful peers he met there as well as a majority of the teachers. Some teachers, however, have a deserved reputation for mean-ness and pettiness, yet they remain on the faculty. The administration has a dark side and as long as you don't have to enounter it all will look fine. There is certainly an "aristocracy"- as my son put it -of the favored students. There is a subset of parents who feel as we do. In sum, this Quaker school has some traveling todo before it truly lives up to what it preaches.
--Submitted by a parent

If you have been searching for an outstanding middle school, this is it. The Head of the Middle School is a true leader. The middle school faculty is exceptionally committed to and enthusiastic about the particular age group they serve. They 'get' pre-adolescents/adolescents and they are tireless in their drive to inspire kids to excel. More than this, they genuinely LIKE their students. Our family is confident that our middle school student is getting the best best best education available anywhere. There is no door that won't open to your Moses Brown student! Socially, this is a great environment. There is great respect for all, and students feel comfortable in their class group as the school makes great efforts to mix up student groups in all classes. At the start of each school year, each grade takes a 4-day trip with the primary purpose being a 'getting to know' you exercise.
--Submitted by a parent