Moses Brown School

I am a former student and graduated over 20 years ago. I attended MB from the lower school all the way through the 12th grade. I believe the education I received was well rounded and definitely superior to public schools in my area. Looking at some of the comments here, I can't help but agree that a lot of these problems were present even 20 years ago as well. There was DEFINITELY a different category for legacies or excessive donors at the school. Teachers constantly played favorites with certain students who were elevated to godly levels while the masses were supported, yet never encouraged to do more or be more. This was evident during awards ceremonies(which is inherently not a Quaker tradition) as well as assumptions made by the college counseling staff. I ended up going to a good college, excelling and obtaining advanced degrees and I accredit a lot of this to the foundation I received at MB. I am sure that things have changed since my tenure at MB,but I believe that many tenuous issues remain. On another note, I would could not justify 30k+/year when I could take that amount on a yearly basis, invest and come out a few million ahead.

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

I am the mom of a recent grad who attended MB from kindergarten all the way through, and also mom of a current student. There is no better school in the area if you want your child prepared not only for college, but for being an informed, caring adult who is both confident and capable. College life is easy after MB.
—Submitted by a parent

When our first child finished elementary school my husband and I were confronted with the big middle school/upper school decision. At the time we lived in Boston. My husband had attended Choate and I had gone to Andover. We wanted the quality of education offered by these schools but were averse to losing our ability to guide our children over those critical 4 years. Moses Brown was the solution to our problem. We purchased a home on the east side and commuted to Boston. Our 2 oldest our now at Penn and Dartmouth. They tell us that compared to MB college has been a breeze. MB provides an excellent education and in its Quaker tradition serves to help give students the ability to know how to think rater helped strengthen My only criticism of the school was with the judgment of the now former headmaster
—Submitted by a parent

i go to this school, and have since 5th grade. i love the teaches and the academic programs. sports are great, too, with a lot of co-curricular activities to choose from. i do not think the sense of community is false at all, i am very close to many of my teachers, as well as much of the student body. do you want- 1. to learn. Moses Brown School has the best programs for grades K-12. i have learned so much in all departments. there is always help if you are struggling with something. 2. to be close to all members of the community. the teachers, coaches, and students here are all friendly, helpful, and, friendly! i have made so many friends here! im not saying everyone is amazingly nice and smart, because no school has that. 3. self-discovery- here you learn a lot about yourself. i'm running out of words! (only 150) apply!
—Submitted by a student

My daughter is very unhappy at this school. She found it did not live up to its reputation, and was overly pretentious and focused on the wrong values. She felt, and I agree, that it preached a false sense of community and was overrated accademically.
—Submitted by a parent

Moses Brown has provided my daughter with an exceptional education. The Teachers are exceptional.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful top-quality education. Great prep for University. Diverse electives and sports to chose from. A small twon atmosphere
—Submitted by a former student

Excellent quality of academic programs. Emphasis on all round development of students.Great IVY league college placements.Wide variety of College sports music and art opportunities are avaialble. Teachers are patient and well trained.
—Submitted by a parent