Anonymous wrote:Oh please! My kids classmate from Sheridan was a presidential scholar and accepted ED to Yale this year. Does that satisfy you? I think most people who send their kids to Sheridan wouldn't care about the ranking of the college their kids get into but rather whether they will be happy there.

Anonymous wrote:Folks interested in Sheridan should dig deep about (1) quality of instruction; (2) retention of quality instructors; (3) differentiated instruction (headmaster is new - she says she is rolling this out since many kids left the school last year because this didn't exsist. Impossible to say what level of instruction teachers have had on this score... no comunication from headmaster on the point.); (4) intent to continue raising tuition - last year jump was 5% and this year, it's a big one, too (compare facilities and level of instruction to price tag and ask yourself whether you can continue to pay big jumps for what you get); and (5) mapped out curriculum so that kids are learning from year to year in an intentional manner (there isn't one... yep, in a teeny tiny school, they don't have a mapped out curriculum - teachers decide for themselves what to teach and it is completely and seemingly random).

Finally, look at college acceptance, and seek out kids who have graduated from Sheridan and find out whether they were well-prepared for high school. You will find a very mixed bag with many families stunned at how ill prepared their kids were. Sheridan kids don't take tests so they don't know how to study, and they don't have a lot of competing academic demands so they don't know how to prioritize, making 9th grade a bust for many students.

Anonymous wrote:Folks interested in Sheridan should dig deep about (1) quality of instruction; (2) retention of quality instructors; (3) differentiated instruction (headmaster is new - she says she is rolling this out since many kids left the school last year because this didn't exsist. Impossible to say what level of instruction teachers have had on this score... no comunication from headmaster on the point.); (4) intent to continue raising tuition - last year jump was 5% and this year, it's a big one, too (compare facilities and level of instruction to price tag and ask yourself whether you can continue to pay big jumps for what you get); and (5) mapped out curriculum so that kids are learning from year to year in an intentional manner (there isn't one... yep, in a teeny tiny school, they don't have a mapped out curriculum - teachers decide for themselves what to teach and it is completely and seemingly random).

Finally, look at college acceptance, and seek out kids who have graduated from Sheridan and find out whether they were well-prepared for high school. You will find a very mixed bag with many families stunned at how ill prepared their kids were. Sheridan kids don't take tests so they don't know how to study, and they don't have a lot of competing academic demands so they don't know how to prioritize, making 9th grade a bust for many students.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Anonymous wrote: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 wrote:We are a new Sheridan family and absolutely LOVING it - it is exceeding the expectations I had as a prospective parent. We are in lower grades so can't speak much to the middle school, but I do think it's worth saying that the new Head of School comes from a middle school/junior high background, has hired a new head of upper school to strengthen this part of the program and actually did use the term "academic rigor" and made sure it was in the new strategic plan for the school. My sense is that she's bringing some really good changes to the school and that includes a stronger, more coherent upper school experience.

Anonymous wrote:

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.