Forest Heights Lodge School

The school boasts adequate funding, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing and well-maintained environment. However, I am deeply troubled by the school’s inadequate support and understanding regarding the diverse needs of its students, particularly my son, who has autism. Despite our decision to enroll him in the school’s “autism program,” the general education teachers consistently disregarded my son’s needs. They disregarded my son’s presence in the classroom, even when I was present, and informed me that his aide’s presence in the classroom rendered her assistance unnecessary as well as her knowledge of him. Furthermore, I have voice recordings of staff threatening my son with a male janitor whom he fears. Overall, the school has demonstrated a profound lack of empathy.I strongly recommend considering Marshdale or any other school. The ratings you may encounter are biased and influenced by individuals connected to the school. My son is now enrolled in an alternative school for autism, where he has experienced zero issues. In contrast, Wilmot School portrayed him as a violent terrorist. It now seems like the school was the cause of his outbursts as they have stopped after leaving the school. While each child is unique, it appears that Wilmot Elementary School caters exclusively to a specific type of student. If your child does not conform to this mold, the school appears indifferent and even less interested in their well-being.

Our experience at MSE has been life changing for our child and family. We’ve been here since the toddler program and watching our child grow and into who he is over the years has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of our lives. MSE is the only school (we’ve found) where teachers and students share a meaningful relationship with one another. The three year cycle allows students to build trust with their peers and teachers, and the overall environment could not be more nurturing and supportive. The teachers saw my child for who he is, honored his potential, and helped shape him into an independent, confident, human. Through elementary, we briefly doubted the Montessori Curriculum, because it was so different from what we knew growing in public schools. Then around 7th grade, we started to see everything click academically in a way we had never experienced in school ourselves. There is a bit of trust required, as the Montessori Curriculum serves the child through a process over time (for the long haul) rather than producing immediate grade-related outcomes each week like in public schools. Overall, keeping our son at this school through Middle School allowed him to flourish academically and socially as he developed. Highly recommend this school for families that are interested in developing their child into a solid human that can take ownership and responsibility for their actions. This school builds students who are prepared for life into adulthood and we’re so fortunate to have it up here in evergreen. Thank you MSE!