Reid School

We have been at Reid School for three years. We did try another private school for first grade, but found that we had to return to Reid because academically the other school was too far behind. Reid school places students at their level for reading and math - so you may have a first grader in the same reading group as a fourth grader and then they change to a new group for math. This has worked very well. Kids are also required to read a certain number of pages each month - as opposed to a certain amount of time. The school does teach penmanship, but it is not emphasized more than reading or math. In the lower grades it may seam that way because the kids generate more papers to bring home in penmanship - but by third grade it is not very noticeable. Nonetheless, both my kids now have better penmanship than their parents. There is are dedicated science and art teachers that only teach these subjects - even kindergarten has a separate class in science! Kids are given the option of learning guitar (one teacher), horns or strings (another teacher - who plays for the symphony), or Spanish. It is a great school, and one of the least expensive private schools in the valley.
—Submitted by a parent

There are good things about Reid School: small classes, a good faculty, and extracurricular activities. However, we are removing our student from this school for two reasons that outweigh the good aspects. First, the reading program is terrible and not what we were told it would be. The primary emphasis is on penmanship rather than critical thinking and writing skills. Second, and we have found this very disturbing, the director treats the students with contempt. We have seen her manhandle students, shaking them and shoving them. During one program, she shoved a boy in the face when he walked on stage too early.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at Reid School for two years and have loved it! The teachers and the curriculum are excellent. Being a teacher myself, I appreciate the rigor and relevance. I also appreciate many of the traditional approaches (memorization, recitation, handwriting) that are used. Dr. Reid knows each student very well and wants to see each one succeed. In the middle school, the Reading to Learn program was outstanding! My daughter was also in Algebra, but because of such a small class size, she was able to move at a faster pace and she was able to move on to geometry.
—Submitted by a parent

Reid School is one remarkable school. If you need individual attention for your student Reid school will do that. Reid school teachers truly care about every student in the school. This school is different, but if you want your child to change and be pushed Reid school will help your student reach their peak. My student started and was a 5th grader reading at a 1st grade level. Now he is scoring, on SAT testing, at a 6th grade level. Reid school is an amazing school if you are willing to deal with Dr. Reid, she degrades teachers in front of students. Students are offered many classes, but more time needs to be spent in science and social studies and not in Shakespeare Practice. Students are required to read 800 pages a month, which is challenging but helped my son to love reading. This last year was tough when Dr. Reid made the decision to only allow students to read books off of a list, which made it hard because I just want to see my son read and some of the books made him not want to read. Dr. Reid created a miraculous reading and education program, and I am so thankful for that, but she is to an age where I believe she is starting to lose touch and may need to step down.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been at this school for two years. I am a student who is ready to learn about anything this provides me. I love having hours of Shakespeare practice and love the Mock Trial program. The science teacher Mrs. Coffman is one of the best science teacher I have EVER had! This school has really let me grow in reading skills, typing skills, math skills, and many more things. The homework was like a rude awakening, but I was glad because I never really had homework before I came here and I want to thank you Dr. Reid for providing a very great learning environment. The seventh, eighth, and ninth graders get to go on a fantastic trip to different countries in the world. This year those grades get to go to Spain and next year New York City!!!

Reid School has great teachers, but the methods used are very old fashioned and rigid. She focuses more on good penmanship than math or science. The reading period is extremely long at 2 and 1/2 hours, and math at only 45 minutes. Tuition is extremely high, and some families are obviously favored more if they have more money. The science teacher is outstanding. Judging for the Fine Arts Fair and similar events are unfair, and it is normally prizes are given to families with money. Highly unsatisfactory. I would not recommend.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a Reid School student. I have attended this school for seven years. I am currently in sixth grade. This school offers all of the core classes and more like; Chess Club, Archery, Shakespeare, Mock Trial, Guitar, Broadcast, Single Camera. This is a great school.

Thanks to Reid School's staff and Dr.Reid, for all of their kind, considerate, and wonderful attention paid to both of our boys over the past several years. Our boys have greatly benefited by the fine example and amazing tutelage offered at Reid. Dr. Reid's gracious acts of service and leadership toward our children have greatly increased their intellect in unimaginable ways. Reid School truly invests into the lives of children.
—Submitted by a parent

Reid School's summer school program in the past few summers has offered our son an unbelievable experience. This school is committed in every way to offer the best education possible, even to its summer school students. How we wish it were possible to send our son to attend the Reid School all the time, but we feel we are very fortunate that he can at least attend the Reid School in the summer. We greatly admire Dr. Reid's love of education and children-- which blesses countless lives! Our son has benefited because of her dedication to seeing that students in Reid School receive the best education possible. Our family is most grateful to Reid School
—Submitted by a parent

We want to acknowledge and thank Dr. Reid for the education she has provided our children over the years. We are truly grateful for the many experiences and opportunities Reid School offers. Please know of our sincere respect and great admiration for Dr. Reid's untiring efforts to bless the lives of so many children.
—Submitted by a parent

It is amazing how fast seven years go by. It seems like just yesterday that we registered at Reid School, and now we have to say goodbye. We are thankful for a wonderful seven years. Reid School has been a great blessing to our boys, and they have been given a great foundation to build upon. As they go out into the world and face new opportunities and challenges, they will always remember where they started-with the Reid School. It is phenomenal.
—Submitted by a parent

Reid School is a beautiful school filled with incredible students, teachers, and parents.
—Submitted by a parent

After eleven years, I have to say 'Good-Bye' to Reid School. Reid School has played an enormous role in our family. Every day I count the blessings that our family was given at Reid. The expectations, quality of instruction, and encouragement my children received at Reid School have been by far the best there is. Reid School provided the most wonderful learning environment I could imagine. The staff has also somehow managed to capture and preserve the innocence of childhood. In today's society that is no small feat. I could never thank Reid School enough for all Dr. Reid does for not just my children, but all the children at Reid School. You truly raise the bar with education. Thank you.
—Submitted by a parent

Reid School has given a legacy of learning to hundreds of students, most importantly to my daughter. Her confidence, academically and personally has soared under the Reid School's staff leadership. Thanks to Dr. Reid that such an outstanding school exists where every student is encouraged to be their best and then making sure that happens.
—Submitted by a parent

Good: Good teachers, Challenging, Shakespeare Play, Learn great reading skills, nice family environment, principal really knows each child's strength and weakness... Unhappy with: Too much homework! Unrealistic expectations for projects, i.e. World Fair is an out-of-control project for this age! Too much expected of the parents to be 'involved' in the kids' projects. Facilities need updating. Seems teachers do not have much autonomy and are told what/how they must teach. Definite favoritism toward some families (w/ money)
—Submitted by a parent

Our experience at the Reid School was an incredible experience and a big help in improving our daughter's education. Thank you, Dr. Reid, for everything you have done to help, not only us, but all the students at the Reid School. We deeply admire everything you have done to share your talents in education with the rest of the country and the positive difference you make in improving our countries education. You are an amazing woman.
—Submitted by a parent

Results is the drive. My children have SAT scores in the 90% percentile. When my 5 yr started the year, she couldn't read. Now she is at least 2nd reading level in one academic year. I appreciate the dress code for both teachers and students. It shows respect from students and professionalism in teachers. Dr. Reid is more traditional, but the ECRI program is taught world wide and it works. The SAT scores of the school shows that. It's important to me the that all my children are happy when I pick them up and they enjoy their staff & peers. I feel the staff, including Dr.Reid, geniunely care about the students. This, and the academic program of this school, give me & my children the results I pay for....peace of mind my money is well spent.
—Submitted by a parent

I was not at all impressed with this school. If you are a working parent you can forget about seeing your kids perform in talent shows and Christmas program. You will also miss science fairs and art shows. They do all of their activities during the day. I would also look at their reading program if you are considering this school. In one article that I read it states that this program turns the kids into robots. A Quote from this article it is so flagrantly dangerous, damaging and destructive I am appalled at its existence. You can also expect a new fund raiser about every month. If your kids forget to ware the right clothes they will not be participating in some activities. It seems like they have forgotten what s important in education.
—Submitted by a parent

A terrible waste of money! This school is one of the worst we have ever experienced. The teaching methods are so out of date and rigid. Each child is expected to work in a box, study on their own (5 yr olds), with no one-on-one guidance and assessment. Teacher turnover is terrible. Self-explanatory, if you have dealt with Dr. Reid. She doesn't listen to parents and frowns on any parent involvement in the classroom. The teacher's are not allowed to provide CPR in emergencies. The building is out of date and bathrooms always smell. As for an education, our daughter was a year behind after leaving this school. Thank goodness her new school has been able to catch her up. They don't promote a healthy learning environment. I wouldn't dream of sending my child to this school again.
—Submitted by a parent

Dr. Reid is very rigid and frowns upon any parent involvement in the classroom. The curriculum is rigid and archaic. There is insufficient assessment and notification of a student s progress throughout the school year. Parents are responsible for all field trip transportation as the school refuses to take on any liability. There are many bullies, but since money talks, the school is unwilling to do anything about them. This school is more worried about monetary parent donations, a child having a belt on and a shirt tucked in correctly, than they are about fostering a positive, energetic and safe academic environment.
—Submitted by a parent