Winchester 2014 reviews

[Anonymous]

Hi Parents! A lot of the feedback and reviews for Winchester are from 2012 and earlier. Are there any current parents or recent previous parents that can provide feedback on the school? My son is 2.5y/o, 3 in August and currently attends Montessori school. I love Winchester's focus on academics and think that there is enough outside and play time woven in as well.

My questions are (feel free to answer as many or as few as you'd like):
- The owner / administrator is getting pretty old, are any parents concerned about the quality of the school if something happens to her?
- How do you feel about the quality of the aftercare program?
- Are there any concerns that you have about the school / program?
- Most schools that I've seen have a few PT teachers to help sub if the FT teacher is out for whatever reason, this does not seem to be the case at Winchester. Has this been a problem for you or your child?
- Lastly, any feedback that you have on the PK3 program is appreciated.

Thank you - I really appreciate your feedback! We like the program but want to make sure that it lt's going to be a good fit for my son and our family.

[Anonymous]

OP here, one last question the tuition is a lot lower than other local schools. Do you think that this has impacted the quality of teachers or the school?

[Anonymous]

My questions are (feel free to answer as many or as few as you'd like):

- The owner / administrator is getting pretty old, are any parents concerned about the quality of the school if something happens to her? She is elderly for sure. Last school year, she had health problems and was not around much at all. I only recall seeing her at the International dinner. She did not attend the parent teacher conferences or anything else. This year her health is better and she is more involved. I don't really see a difference in how the school is run between last year and this. I honestly haven't been concerned at all about the quality of the program if she has to leave.

- How do you feel about the quality of the aftercare program? Aftercare is fine. They move around and are always engaged in activities. When the weather is good, they get outside time.

- Are there any concerns that you have about the school / program? We love it. Just signed the contract for next year - second grade for my child.

- Most schools that I've seen have a few PT teachers to help sub if the FT teacher is out for whatever reason, this does not seem to be the case at Winchester. Has this been a problem for you or your child? None of the schools my kids went to had subs, so I have a different experience. Regardless, teacher absences are few and far between and are usually only for major problems, such as surgeries that cannot wait until the summer. If it is an extended absence, Winchester hires a substitute to come in. But for shorter absences, they cover with other teachers and aides that the kids know well. It works out just fine.

- Lastly, any feedback that you have on the PK3 program is appreciated. Sorry, I can't help here. We didn't do preschool 3 at Winchester. What I can say though is that I use the teacher to babysit for me when school is closed and she has provided emergency back up care for me as well. I love her. She is so gentle and caring.

one last question the tuition is a lot lower than other local schools. Do you think that this has impacted the quality of teachers or the school? I have been impressed with all of the teachers.

If you havent done it yet, you should go observe. I remember coming away not believing how well kindergarteners were performing in reading and math. And, the art and music classes are wonderful.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thank you for your feedback, I really appreciate it! I have gone to observe the classes, and was definitely impressed by what I saw academically (though it looked like the elementary kids were eating some kind of chips for snack which I did not like). I am 80% sold on the school, but am looking for current feedback before I make the final decision.

Your feedback is appreciated!