Anonymous wrote:We had our son at Norwood for two years and then pulled him out because he just was not challenged in the classroom. Too many of his classmates needed support for impulsive control and had language based learning needs. We were told to try to supplement outside of the class. We left and started at another independent school and are so glad that we did. I'd skip Norwood.

where did you go?

SAES is far superior to Norwood in every way. LOVE the teachers, community and the kids. Norwood - not so much. Our neighbor's boys go there and they are a handful. The struggled in MCPS because of ADHD and Norwood was the only school they were accepted to.

We had our son at Norwood for two years and then pulled him out because he just was not challenged in the classroom. Too many of his classmates needed support for impulsive control and had language based learning needs. We were told to try to supplement outside of the class. We left and started at another independent school and are so glad that we did. I'd skip Norwood.

Anonymous wrote:We left Norwood because of bullying in the middle school. Definitely try to get off the waitlist at St. Andrew's - far superior. Lots of the kids at Norwood come after having been behavioral issues in the public schools.

I have sent two kids through Norwood and one through SAES and I can tell you unequivocally that SAES has the more toxic bully culture and does far less to stop it.

Be wary of what Lowell will tell you about high school admissions results. A lot of sad 8th grade families this year, very few admissions to top schools, and no ownership or accountability from the school’s leadership. They’ll show you a list of what schools they had admissions to but won’t disclose it’s the same few kids getting into all of them. It’s a wonderful middle school that ends with a thud. It’s not viable as a top MS if they can’t get more of their students into the top schools. You’re better off leaving for one of the top K-12 schools before MS if that’s important to your family.

Norwood, hands down. Some of the responses here are just so opposite of our current experience (or written by someone who doesn't know much about the school!)

We've been at Norwood for 8 years and are very involved in the community. We genuinely enjoy the parents and staff. It's a warm and caring place that has set up our (very different) kids to be the best version of themselves. I absolutely acknowledge that not all schools can be a good fit for all kids/families. And there are certainly individual students at any school that can make things tough for other kids. I will also add that the new(ish) middle school Head and Assistant Head have implemented policies over the last couple of years that have been very proactive and effective in addressing any behavior issues (which exist at all middle schools). They are super approachable and ask for/take feedback from families. It also helps that teachers have been very on top of social dynamics and we've had consistent communication from them.

Our current middle schooler is excited to go to school in the morning. We love the music (band, orchestra or chorus 3-4 days per week), math differentiation (they offer multiple tracks that really prep the kids for high school), performing arts (the middle school plays are remarkably good) and sports (opportunity to play 3 different sports through the year at all skill levels). My kid would also say the middle school lunch has been a huge upgrade!

The class is small enough to get a lot of individual attention and large enough to offer social flexibility. Outplacement over the last few years has been very strong and the Head of School is heavily involved in that process. We're glad we get to see who our child will be at 13 and make a decision at that point for HS.

In any case, Norwood is the best investment we make each year. Good luck OP! I hope you find the best fit for your kid and family!

Anonymous wrote:Hands down would recommend Norwood. Just very polished and a high caliber education all around. We've been there for years and haven't had any criticisms or complaints. The close attention to each individual students by the teachers and administrators is really valuable and noticed. FWIW, we know families who transferred their kids from Lowell to Norwood and have been very happy - I don't have a consensus view of their experiences, but they generally shared that Norwood feels more organized.

Norwood is a good education, yet I don't think it is better than the good MCPS schools. It is good for a kid who needs more support and perhaps a bit more care. Otherwise- I would pass on Norwood. Really.

Norwood is like white toast. Blah.

Hands down would recommend Norwood. Just very polished and a high caliber education all around. We've been there for years and haven't had any criticisms or complaints. The close attention to each individual students by the teachers and administrators is really valuable and noticed. FWIW, we know families who transferred their kids from Lowell to Norwood and have been very happy - I don't have a consensus view of their experiences, but they generally shared that Norwood feels more organized.

Anonymous wrote:Definitely go with Lowell. Norwood is just mediocre in all ways- from the students to teachers to curriculum. Not worth the money.
Our neighbor who goes there was asked to leave MCPS because of emotional regulation issues. He continues to struggle.

My kid has been at Norwood since K. She’s now in 3rd. It’s been a great experience in all ways.

We’ve sent multiple children to Norwood and it has been an exceptional experience. It’s a very well-run school, and the teachers truly know each child as an individual. Because their reputation depends on successful outplacement, they give that process the attention it deserves and guide families thoughtfully through it.

We did have one child experience some bullying in middle school. While it wasn’t pleasant, it felt within the realm of what unfortunately can happen in middle school. Importantly, the teachers were aware of the situation and handled it in a way we felt was appropriate and constructive for the kids involved.

I'm sorry other posters have had problems with bullying at Norwood but that has not been our experience at all. We have two children in the middle school there and it's been fantastic. The new head of middle school is wonderful.

Definitely go with Lowell. Norwood is just mediocre in all ways- from the students to teachers to curriculum. Not worth the money.
Our neighbor who goes there was asked to leave MCPS because of emotional regulation issues. He continues to struggle.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't recommend Lowell right now, or at least until they clean their administrative house. They have a lot of things to sort out in that department. Drama aside, their MS academics also leave a lot to be desired. There is some solid teaching happening there, but potential is limited by an administration that can't seem to get out of its own way.

Can you say more?

Admin is just super nasty, especially to teachers behind closed doors and to parents who raise issues. They're also not good educators. They seem to be concerned first and foremost with shutting down any sort of discourse that could be perceived as a challenge, which has a chilling effect on all aspects of the school's culture. Many, many talented teachers and great families have left over the past six or seven years as a result. One administrator is currently embroiled in controversy over his/her treatment of a thirteen year-old sexual assault victim when she reported what a fellow classmate had done to her. She has become an advocate for sexual assault victims and posted about her experiences at the school. One such post went viral on Instagram, which is why the school had to take their faculty and board lists off their website and disable comments on their social media accounts. The school is also reckoning with a very serious string of bullying incidents in one grade. Questions have arisen about why problematic students were admitted in the first place, and why the school didn't take more action once they had been advised about serious harm being done. Seems the board can't or won't do anything about these situations so they continues to fester. Not a good place.

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely not a fan of Norwood. We had a horrible experience there. They have a bad reputation for bullying in middle school. Just check the other post in this forum. Proceed with caution.

What other post? I don't see anything about it other than some random mentions here and there.