Soundview School

I am amazed and very pleased to witness my child blossoming in the IB environment at Soundview. The thing I notice the most is that my child just loves to go to school. Even on days he is sick, he still don't want to miss his classes. What ever that IB program is, it is certainly very good at maximizing efficiency in learning during regular class time. My child seems to find learning in the IB environment very engaging and rewarding. It certainly helps us parents to not have to spend much time at home to supplement the education.
--Submitted by a parent

Soundview School is an excellent school. The IB program helps students to develop life long skills as well as deeper meaning of the subject matters. The IB program is an inquiry driven curriculum. It is amazing to see their wonder wall with 8 questions such as form, function, causation, connection, perspectives, responsibility, refection etc. The student generated questions are so insightful. Soundsview's arts program is phenomenal. All the kids are taking visual art, music and Spanish. The arts are integrated with their IB unit themes. The class size is small so each student receives very good care from the teacher. The school emphasizes the innovation, creativity, hands on projects through critical thinking framework. Soundview Middle School is an ultimate middle school for intelligent and creative students. Soundview School uses Singapore math program with hands on projects. The science lab is a real lab and the students have 5-6 periods a week. They also are taught engineering and computer programming. SoThis is the only school implementing the IB program for K-8. My kids love the school! Excellent jazz and concert band! Every kid from 5-8th graders is in band.
--Submitted by a parent

The fact that my daughter's school has so many reviews posted shows that families, teachers, etc, truly care about this extraordinary school and its dynamic curriculum and faculty. By the way, Soundview charges standard fees that ALL private schools charge and are indeed listed on the tuition form.
--Submitted by a parent

Chalk it up to disgruntled employees, I like that, it's always easier to point the finger and blame than take a good comprehensive look at the practices and policies of a questionable administration. Nine employees gone last year, one on the radar for this year...and it's only February...just keep your eyes on the faculty page and see how the bios change. Either they are hiring poor teachers and have bad hiring practices or they are hiring good teachers and have issues with ... what? In either case, this page is suppose to help those looking at the school be informed. Disgruntled employees or not, facts speak for themselves.
--Submitted by a teacher

We've been at this school since kindergarten through middle school. Soundview is about a next generation education model, not yesterday's three R's by rote, and not today's teach to the test model. We've stuck with this school because it is always moving forward and improving. Today it has a clear vision and mission to nurture and encourage tomorrow's thinkers and leaders. The community (kids, parents, teachers and staff) is a great group of people to be part of.
--Submitted by a parent

Soundview has so many good things and many hard working teachers. But the administration is wacky. There seems to be no solid long term vision. Everything is in flux most of the time. The worse part is the constant change in teaching staff. At times teachers seem to be chosen at the very last minute, sometimes with very little experience. The Head of School seems to make all decisions without any educational expertise or input. I would agree with the review stating that the school was run too much like a business. Also, BEWARE a number of hidden costs not listed on the tuition sheet: nonrefundable deposits that are over $1000, fees for not signing enrollments, high fees for any "clubs" or after school activities and hundreds of extra dollars for school supplies, art supplies, required instrument rentals for band, field trips, other trips - the list goes on.
--Submitted by a parent

Soundview is a excellent place for kids to learn to be productive citizens of tomorrow. The focus is on learning, to be thinkers and leaders in a complex, competitive global environment. The curriculum is well rounded, (great music program, too), the teachers are of high caliber and the board and principal are totally devoted to the advancement and growth of the students. I am exteremely pleased with the way the school is providing value, and strongly recommend the school to any parent looking to enroll their child.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a great school as we have been there many year and plan to finish through the 8th grade. Lots of individual attention for each and every child. Not sure what the previous post was speaking about as I can only believe by the way it was written that it was written by a disgruntled former employee. I do know that the administration is careful in its selection of teachers and staff and helps them grow and develop.
--Submitted by a parent

Soundview is a good school with an incompetent Head and a Board of Directors that just follow in her lead. She considers the school a "business" and treats it as such. With no knowledge of good educational practices, she frequently fires staff that disagrees with her - and often unprofessionally. The school will not grow simply because there is a high teacher turn over rate. Things that get started with one faculty never get finished because 1/2 that faculty leaves within a year or two. They are ALWAYS starting over. If you ask, you'll learn the longest the majority of the staff has been there is under 4 years...a few have gone the distance with 8! It is from them, the teachers dedicated to their jobs, that the school has remained afloat. They put in more time, more energy and more effort than anyone could. The Administration and Board owe the schools short span of success to them and them alone. If you interview...ask questions...lots of them and be direct. Here's an example: you get charged an additional tuition fee if you don't contribute to community service at the school. Bet they don't offer up that gem willingly
--Submitted by a parent

Soundview offers challenging and engaging curriculum. The teachers are highly qualified and unbelievably devoted. The IB program is full of creativity and academic rigor. The school resists test driven robotic learning and instead truly encourages inquisitive learning. Overall, you could not find a better school. The only problem is the lack of teacher retention and inconsistant admissions standards. If the school would apply the same rigor to admissions that it applies to academics it would be faultless.
--Submitted by a parent