Nia House Learning Center

We are leaving EB after four years. The school has increased class sizes in the second and third grade (as of 2024-25) and it has become increasingly difficult to justify the price tag. Like some private schools, EB is under-resourced when it comes to supporting children with emotional or academic needs. The result, in our experience, has been a chaotic classroom environment that is sub-optimal for learning. The administration is difficult to deal with. Concerns are met with platitudes. The leadership really feels like a black box. My impression is that building the school's brand and profile as an elite institution are priorities that take precedence over the well-being of current teachers and students. My child experienced stress, anxiety and learning loss during his final year as a third-grader at EB. I really wish I had seen the writing on the wall earlier, but my son and I both are so relieved to be starting a new school next year.

Our son has been attending Shu Ren for just over a year, and we have nothing but glowing things to say. We enrolled him at two years old, and his teachers were immediately attentive to his needs as he navigated a classroom environment for the first time. As first-time parents, we were anxious — and watching him settle in within just a few weeks was such a relief.In that year, we’ve seen remarkable growth: deep friendships, real comfort speaking Mandarin (neither of us speak it at home), and a diverse range of interests spanning music, crafts, animals, soccer, tumbling, and more. But what we appreciate most is that our son is developing genuine confidence in who he is. That’s not something you can put on a curriculum — it speaks to the culture the school has built.The parent community has also been a wonderful surprise. Honestly, I was quietly dreading “forced” adult friendships built around shared school schedules. That couldn’t be further from our reality. The friendships we’re forming with our son’s best friends’ parents have been genuinely meaningful.Over two school years and a summer, he’s been taught by nearly the entire Pre-K teaching staff — every single one has been wonderful. And Lucy, the Head of School, is as transparent and welcoming as it gets. Our goal is to keep our son here as long as possible, and we’re already hoping any future children we have will follow the same path.