Lorien Wood School

My children have attended Lorien Wood for seven years. They've received an excellent education that focuses on their individual strengths and challenges. I've found the Board and faculty leadership to be thoughtful people who seek to align their decisions with the school's seven Distinctives, to establish and operate a school that serves its students and families well. As a community of families and educators it's been a real blessing to my family to be working together with people who share a common purpose and philosophy.
--Submitted by a parent

Lorien Wood has been a great school for our children. LW has a strong vision, a sound teaching methodology, and the integral curriculum cultivates in all children an excitement for learning and an ability to see the inherent connections between disciplines. The teaching methodology is a cohesive whole, but parts of it are reflected in other educational philosophies. For example, there are aspects of: Classical Christian (e.g. emphasis on primary documents, Socratic Seminar, memorization); Charlotte Mason (nature and picture study, focus on child as a learner, "living books"); and methods from Howard Gardner's research on multiple intelligences. The net result is that all of our children are really excited about school and learning, and are growing academically and personally. The school leadership has ably and wisely led LW since it's founding. The faculty has had great consistency over time--each shows a lot of love for the kids and a love for learning. The focus on parent involvement has allowed us to be truly involved in school life, and has led to an authentic community for our whole family, which has enriched our life greatly. It is a grace-filled place!
--Submitted by a parent

While the school looks good on paper, the reality is far different. Founding parents and their close friends exert too much control, board meetings conducted in secret, bullying is common, learning disabilities are not understood, some teachers are well-meaning, but are very inexperienced. Even though classes are small, curriculum is not individualized for advanced learners. The atmosphere is cult-like. If you are considering this school, ask probing questions. Ask why other families have left. Ask why board meetings are secret. Ask why there are few experienced teachers. Ask how bullying is handled. Ask why such a small school has a one size fits all approach to learning. Maybe one day they'll change. The school has potential, just not under its current leadership. Proceed with caution.
--Submitted by a parent