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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think there are some serious advantages to the k-8 model.  There is a quite a bit of focus on the Middle School and I do think that is Norwood's strength.  The grades are large enough for your kid to find their niche.  The arts are really wonderful.  The kids are pretty darn nice.

Academically, it is a mixed bag.  Teachers are given quite a bit of freedom with varying results. But I think that happens everywhere.  Teacher variability is certainly not an issue for privates alone.  But when you are paying $30000+ per year, it can be frustrating to feel you have the "less" good math, english or history teacher.

There is also an issue with study skills.  Teaching notetaking, organization, study techniques is also all over the map.  This should be an important feature of any superior Middle 
School program.

With that, I still think the advantages outweigh issues.  [/quote]

This is a balanced and thoughtful post and I agree with much of what you have said. I am curious though as to what you consider the advantages which outweigh the issues. Can you elaborate a little? I only ask because we found the issues outweighed the "advantages" for us, as in there were none we could find.[/quote]

Sure, happy to go into more detail.
Arts:

Music is very good with a special nod to the Choral program and the violin program.  Both in middle school and lower school.  Excellent staff producing excellent results.

Art:  Hands down the best visual arts program in the area. The instructors are artists and mentors and the work the kids create is quite breathtaking.

Leadership: 
The middle schoolers are the leaders campus.  They are the captains of teams, the soloists, the leads in plays.  And yet they see their lower school teachers and kindergarten buddies.  So, while they are clearly growing and becoming more responsible they are still in contact with the little girl/guy within.  I do not think I am explaining this really well, but it is wonderful thing to behold.  They seem to grow and change and have all this flux but are able to do it while still being comfortable in their own skin.  Make no mistake, middle school is an awkward contrary stage of development. You feel like an adult one day a little kid the next.  Or the changes are minute to minute.  The K-8 seems to give the kids  a nice space to work through this.  My observation is that the kids are pretty confident when they leave.  And not just the false bravado of the ones that grew early. ( there is definitely some of that) but a real sense that they can be who they are and be valued confidence.

Academics: 
Solid. Rewards the good student/hard worker more than the intellectually curious.  A little too easy and unengaging, so really best for the  middle of the road student with the executive functioning skills already in place.

Hope this helps.

[/quote]

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