Sheridan School- Tell me your experiences!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This has been our experience, too. Made it to 4th grade and are now ready to "cut the cord" if you will. The super small nurturing, lovey dovey-ness is sweet in K-3 and quite amazing. But the academics are weak, differentiation is non-existent and internal support structure is VERY thin when its needed the most, starting in 3rd grade. Though they have a new Literacy Specialist this year for the first time, but probably too late to help our child. We have 5 new kids in the 4th grade class this year -- that many families bailed after 3rd grade because the school gets weaker after that. Yes some of those families wanted GDS or Sidwell to start with and were looking for an entry point to get out, but they also cited social concerns with the smallness of the school, lack of clarity and resources with support, etc. So many of the kids at Sheridan are getting outside tutoring and/or enrichment which is ridiculous. If you are looking for a school filled with nice and happy kids, I would say Sheridan is 75% that. If you want differentiated instruction and a strong middle school experience, look elsewhere. The school should recast itself as a K-4 school, with 2 classes per grade, because they do the younger grades the best.

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, I often hear my office colleague complain about the lack of rigor/differentiation. The complaints began in 3rd grade and are still going on in 4th. Mtgs with the Administration resulted in a few minor improvements that were not sustained over time. That said, this family seemed to enjoy the warm/fuzzy experience in the earlier years but now are almost to the points of cutting the cord rather than wait it out through 8th grade.

I saw they were having a middle school open house? Is this an attempt to address those concerns? PP, what makes the 4-8 grades weak in your opinion? Bright kids aren't being challenged? Or kids who need extra support aren't getting it?

[Anonymous]

While I agree that the lower school experience is excellent, we are even more enthused about the middle school. The curriculum continues to be interactive and project-based with an emphasis on critical thinking. The middle school students reflect a great deal about their roles as leaders and and as role models to the younger kids.

This is exactly the middle school experience we wanted for our child. It's a small progressive school. If you are looking for a larger school or a more traditional curriculum, then you will likely find a better match elsewhere.

There is a middle school open house each year, as most applicants are for the K entry year. Having a separate event is a nice opportunity to talk to current parents and students about the middle school experience and see if it is a good match for your child and family.

[Anonymous]

Respectfully disagree - - a board member pulled her kid out of 7th grade last year mid year! It's a mess there.

Anonymous wrote:While I agree that the lower school experience is excellent, we are even more enthused about the middle school. The curriculum continues to be interactive and project-based with an emphasis on critical thinking. The middle school students reflect a great deal about their roles as leaders and and as role models to the younger kids.

This is exactly the middle school experience we wanted for our child. It's a small progressive school. If you are looking for a larger school or a more traditional curriculum, then you will likely find a better match elsewhere.

There is a middle school open house each year, as most applicants are for the K entry year. Having a separate event is a nice opportunity to talk to current parents and students about the middle school experience and see if it is a good match for your child and family.

[Anonymous]

The one who pulled out was a unique situation--and the tone this year is great. The drama from a time of transition is over. The new head has fantastic ideas about middle level education and hired a middle school principal this year. Kids who need extra support can get it during the school day. Outplacement is fantastic and the kids do very well in high school -- they are prepared. They also are kind people from the Sheridan approach. The staff is so so caring and invested.

[Anonymous]

OP here. We would be applying to 6th grade. I am attracted to the fact that Sheridan kids get to be kids for longer. Seems like there is less of rush to grow up. We went to the tour and i was impressed by one of the middle school teachers - I think it was Jay Briar? - and the kids who spoke were earnest and enthusiastic and honest kids. The head of school seemed very conscientious and engaged. I have heard that a few of the changes in the past few years have not been welcomed but i also know so many happy families at Sheridan!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. We would be applying to 6th grade. I am attracted to the fact that Sheridan kids get to be kids for longer. Seems like there is less of rush to grow up. We went to the tour and i was impressed by one of the middle school teachers - I think it was Jay Briar? - and the kids who spoke were earnest and enthusiastic and honest kids. The head of school seemed very conscientious and engaged. I have heard that a few of the changes in the past few years have not been welcomed but i also know so many happy families at Sheridan!

We are absolutely there for the reason you stated (and I bolded) above. If this is what you want, you are looking at the right school.

Also, Jay is amazing, and that is what stands out about Sheridan for us: the excellent teachers (not just as practitioners, but also as members of a caring community.) They are passionate about what they do.

Best of luck to you.

[Anonymous]

that's nice to hear PP! I am going to arrange a tour with my kid. I think she will love it!

[Anonymous]

If you are curious about the MS experience, you should absolutely attend the MS Open House on November 14th. We went last year and it was fantastic-- what Sheridan is doing is so unique among the area schools.

[Anonymous]

If you are looking for a school filled with nice and happy kids, I would say Sheridan is 75% that. If you want differentiated instruction and a strong middle school experience, look elsewhere. The school should recast itself as a K-4 school, with 2 classes per grade, because they do the younger grades the best.

You left the school several years before middle school began. Can you please elaborate on how you are so certain that the middle school "experience" cannot be "strong" ? Did you keep checking in at the school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Respectfully disagree - - a board member pulled her kid out of 7th grade last year mid year! It's a mess there.

Anonymous wrote:While I agree that the lower school experience is excellent, we are even more enthused about the middle school. The curriculum continues to be interactive and project-based with an emphasis on critical thinking. The middle school students reflect a great deal about their roles as leaders and and as role models to the younger kids.

This is exactly the middle school experience we wanted for our child. It's a small progressive school. If you are looking for a larger school or a more traditional curriculum, then you will likely find a better match elsewhere.

There is a middle school open house each year, as most applicants are for the K entry year. Having a separate event is a nice opportunity to talk to current parents and students about the middle school experience and see if it is a good match for your child and family.

Keeping this intentionally vague so as not to 'out' a child, but …. your reasoning is incorrect. There was more going on there that had everything to do with an individual set of circumstances and nothing to do with project-based learning, differentiation, or the size of that grade, whatever.

[Anonymous]

My kids LOVE Sheridan. I have a middle schooler and a lower schooler and they never, ever complain about school. They are happy and learning and seem to get the attention they need. We were a bit disgruntled for a time with the acting head but Jessica Lee is excellent and has been making a lot of great changes. Also, the number of kids that left from this year's fourth grade should not be taken as a reflection on the school. A few left for their own personal reasons.

[Anonymous]

Hmmm......I am not sure that it is good students "never, ever complain" about school. The school may not be stretching them enough in that case, or coddling them too much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hmmm......I am not sure that it is good students "never, ever complain" about school. The school may not be stretching them enough in that case, or coddling them too much.

We are a reasonably new family. We absolutely love the school, but we are in the early years. It is everything we wanted for this stage for our children. However, we do want a progressively (pun intended) academically challenging environment, particularly in the middle school years. I was doing algebra 2 in eighth grade and I wasn't at a fancy school at all, so I don't see why that wouldn't be possible here. We love the coddling right now, but we also know the real world doesn't coddle, so we also want our kids to be able to hold their own no matter what challenges they will face. Also, for middle school, we would love to see kids academically challenged to the fullest possible extent of their abilities while maintaining the spirit of progressive education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hmmm......I am not sure that it is good students "never, ever complain" about school. The school may not be stretching them enough in that case, or coddling them too much.

We are a reasonably new family. We absolutely love the school, but we are in the early years. It is everything we wanted for this stage for our children. However, we do want a progressively (pun intended) academically challenging environment, particularly in the middle school years. I was doing algebra 2 in eighth grade and I wasn't at a fancy school at all, so I don't see why that wouldn't be possible here. We love the coddling right now, but we also know the real world doesn't coddle, so we also want our kids to be able to hold their own no matter what challenges they will face. Also, for middle school, we would love to see kids academically challenged to the fullest possible extent of their abilities while maintaining the spirit of progressive education.

You will get Algebra I in 8th grade at Sheridan. It is what everyone gets. If you want advanced math you will be directed to enroll your kid in an online program. There is very little reason to push kids ahead in math and Sheridan is a firm believer in this philosophy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hmmm......I am not sure that it is good students "never, ever complain" about school. The school may not be stretching them enough in that case, or coddling them too much.

We are a reasonably new family. We absolutely love the school, but we are in the early years. It is everything we wanted for this stage for our children. However, we do want a progressively (pun intended) academically challenging environment, particularly in the middle school years. I was doing algebra 2 in eighth grade and I wasn't at a fancy school at all, so I don't see why that wouldn't be possible here. We love the coddling right now, but we also know the real world doesn't coddle, so we also want our kids to be able to hold their own no matter what challenges they will face. Also, for middle school, we would love to see kids academically challenged to the fullest possible extent of their abilities while maintaining the spirit of progressive education.

You will get Algebra I in 8th grade at Sheridan. It is what everyone gets. If you want advanced math you will be directed to enroll your kid in an online program. There is very little reason to push kids ahead in math and Sheridan is a firm believer in this philosophy.

I work in a math-intensive field (utilize calculus and linear algebra every single day and more advanced mathematics a few times per week). I love the math program at Sheridan because it focuses on numeric and mathematical literacy (truly understanding mathematical concepts and number relationships) rather than the "plug and chug" of more traditional math instruction.

In the long run, it makes no difference to me if my child takes Algebra I in 8th or 9th grade, as long as when he takes it, he is engaged in the learning process and internalizing those important concepts. Similarly, I am equally happy with him getting to multivariate calculus in his senior year of high school or his freshman year of college. It's not a race. What is important is that it is taught in a way that that benefits his understanding of the underlying concepts and his love of math.

But that is my opinion, and that is why my child is at a progressive school. For those who disagree (and Algebra II in 9th grade is a must-have) a more traditional school will likely be a better match.