The Waterford School

I have children in Kindergarten and Class II, and they love coming to school. The Waterford community is warm and welcoming, but excellence is taught and expected in all endeavors. I like that creativity and imagination are valued, yet there is also structure in the class and in the day--it seems the perfect balance. A true liberal arts curriculum, the children have interesting math problems, and learn to read and engage with history at a high level, and also attend classes with specialists, such as engaged science teachers that are doing hands on experiments and discussion--my Class II daughter's favorite class is science--and talented music teachers who just put on a wonderful choral performances, including a Vivaldi concert for Classes 3-5 that was stunning. And, passionate art, PE, and computer teachers, and librarians make for rich days for students. Classroom faculty are caring, organized, and meet continually refine a thoughtful curriculum. One thing I value is the diversity of families--different ethnic and religious (as well as non-religious) backgrounds are comfortable and well-represented here, connected by their interest in a great education.
--Submitted by a parent

We have three children at The Waterford School. Each of our children is very unique in aptitude, interest and approach to school. What we've found is the Waterford environment has worked incredibly well building the individual strengths and abilities of our children and shaping their experience in a very positive way. There is a different feel to the campus than any other school like it I have been to. Very engaged students, staff and families and the feeling that there is truly an interest in the pursuit of excellence and maximizing the educational experience. We want our children to be in the most positive, inspiring and appropriately challenging environments possible. Waterford provides that environment, I would highly recommend the school to any parent who want the same for your children.
--Submitted by a parent

We are grateful for WATERFORD, our private college preparatory school in Utah! We consider our time there as a daily investment, with paybacks that continue to amaze us. With a refined liberal arts curriculum and remarkable faculty, our children are receiving a passion for life-long learning and developing integrity, and accountability. We appreciate a school culture that thinks and executes well in Elementary, Middle and High School. We have benefitted for 11-years, and expect to benefit for a lifetime.
--Submitted by a parent

There couldn t have been a better place for our 3 children to explore and learn about the world than Waterford. For more than 11 years, they have been taught by talented and passionate teachers who have challenged them to think more deeply, have required them to apply themselves more diligently and have shared insights that they will appreciate for the rest of their lives. Waterford has given them a confidence in themselves that they could not have gained elsewhere.
--Submitted by a parent

As parent of two children who have attended Waterford for 10 years, I take offense at the October 18 review. As a non-Mormon family from out-of-state, we have found Waterford to be a wonderful, non-religious environment with an amazing community of families from multiple religious and ethnic backgrounds. My kids' friends are from families who have relocated to Utah from Australia, Germany, South Africa, India, Iran, and all over the United States. The diversity and open-mindedness here is incredible. As far as the other comment about the school being horrible, I simply cannot understand. Perhaps this reviewer's child couldn't keep up with the academic rigor, or had other behavioral problems. I think if you look at the majority of glowing reviews on this site, it should be obvious that this simply is not true. I would highly recommend Waterford to any family looking for a wonderful, nurturing environment with high academic standards and amazing teachers.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of 5 children, all of whom have attended Waterford from the the beginning. My oldest son began in the Nursery program and graduated last year. We feel so fortunate to have our children educated at this school! Not only are the academics exceptional, they are taught by faculty that sincerely care about each student. My children have been introduced to a well-rounded curriculum, including an exceptional art and music program. With 5 kids, we have a wide variance of interests and abilities, and each of our children have thrived and their individual needs have been met. I'm especially grateful for the diversity at the school, and the students are taught from the beginning to accept and appreciate all backgrounds, while instilling a strong sense of community and service. Our children have been given so many opportunities that I believe they would not have received anywhere else - we love Waterford!
--Submitted by a parent

I've been at Waterford for 10 years now, and have enjoyed it through thick and thin. Lower school I remember dressing up and being eager to learn every single day. Middle school was a boiling pot of a balance between fun and a seriousness to learn. And now, as a freshman in high school, I see what Waterford really is about. As challenging as it may be, it's worth every second of my time, from the homework, to the struggling to understand, to the glorifying moments where something snaps in your head, and all of a sudden, that functional math equation you were struggling with finally makes sense. When your mind thinks in the foreign language you've taken for the first time. These small but wonderful acheivements are what makes Waterford an excellent school. Small building blocks as a foundation to grow up upon. I can't imagine going to another school now, and when I talk to my peers who attend public school around me, they are amazed at what I have accomplished, and what I will accomplish in my future. From teachers that care for you as an individual to friends you have known since you were five, this school is a perfect fit for anyone who loves to learn.

We moved from San Francisco to Utah right before my oldest son was preparing to begin Kindergarten. Before moving I had just finished touring and applying to twelve incredibly distinct and outstanding schools. I wondered if I would find anything as good in Utah. This was imperative to me, as my children would spend more time at school than they would with me! I needed to know the environment was wonderful. As soon as we toured Waterford I knew we found the perfect fit for my three boys. Two years later I feel as excited about the school experience as our first day. While no school is perfect, it has delivered on its promises. My children are gaining a well-rounded, robust academic experience combined with a celebration of values to be good citizens with empathy for those around them. A great deal is expected allowing them to realize how much they are really capable of, growing in self-confidence and developing a genuine love of learning. Driving home from school the other day my seven year old and five year old were singing their version of opera after attending a music concert at school. As a mother, I couldn t ask for more.
--Submitted by a parent

With 4 children and more than 13 years at Waterford, I have extensive experience with Waterford teachers, facilities, programs, curriculum and administration from nursery through grade 12. My children have benefited from gifted, caring, passionate teachers, who are vested in their students' success. I am always amazed at how consistent the different teachers' remarks are in each of my children's grade reports. Waterford faculty know their students, and challenge their strengths while supporting their weaknesses. Over the years I have seen my children grow to be critical thinkers with a love of learning.
--Submitted by a parent

When my family moved from New York to Utah a few years ago, we didn't have to think twice about where to send our kids to school. My husband and I attended Ivy League schools for college and graduate school and we had heard about Waterford's exceptional environment from our classmates. It is truly the paradigm of a modern liberal arts education, and I become giddy any time I have an excuse to roam the halls with my kids, visit their classes, meet with their teachers or hear the administration speak. It brings me so much joy to know that my kids are finding the same love of learning that I've enjoyed in my own life. I am daily grateful that I can send my children off to such an amazing place.
--Submitted by a parent