Bell Middle School

It is a great school with a strong emphasis on academic learning and a safe environment.

Welchester staff have been phenomenal working with my step-kids as they transition to living in a new state and going to a new school mid-semester. We have some behavioral issues with our 8 year old and I can’t say enough about how well the staff/school environment has helped her improve. It’s one thing for a school to be able to support self-sufficient families with a lot of resources, but Welchester goes above and beyond when things in life at home aren’t optimal, their encouragement and support really helps our kids (and my husband and I) thrive during tough transition. We are grateful to have a reliable partner in Welchester for the optimal growth of our children.

Shelton has been a fantastic school for my son. It is such a welcoming community with engaged teachers, parents, and PTSA. We have been so grateful for the consistency of teachers, wraparound services, inclusive environment, and academic projects. Like another reviewer said, Shelton is a hidden gem!

I joined this school during my high school years, and at first, I thought it was fantastic. Some of the teachers are great, and it’s easy to steer clear of the ones you don’t click with. However, by the time I reached my second semester, I started to notice some troubling issues. For instance, if a student isn’t favored by the staff, they often struggle to get the assistance they need. On top of that, there’s a lack of guidance when it comes to time management. We also have teachers who shouldn’t be in their roles; for example, the history teacher used to teach math, and when they found a better math teacher, they simply switched him to history, despite his inability to teach the subject well. He has this superiority complex, and whenever he feels challenged, he tends to exert his authority over the students, which is just a way for him to feel in control.Interestingly, the school doesn’t seem to have major bullying issues, except for the history teacher, who is a problem in his own right. Another significant concern is the grading system, which is skewed in such a way that students can pass with just fifty percent and receive an A with only eighty percent. This system gives a false impression of students’ abilities, making them look better than they are.Ultimately, only a handful of teachers genuinely care about students’ perspectives, and that's a serious issue in the long run. If the goal is to provide a solid education, parents should consider sending their kids to schools that prioritize quality teaching. It’s important to note that not everything about the school is bad—there are just a few significant areas that need improvement.Maybe the school will hear this and fix these things

We are currently in our 7th year at Free Horizon and have all 3 of our kids attending, all who started in the PK program at 3 years old. Our oldest is in 4th grade this year. We have had fantastic, engaging teachers at all levels and have found the staff to go above and beyond to support both students and teachers. It is a safe and welcoming environment and we plan to be a part of the Free Horizon community for the next several years, until our youngest can complete middle school there.