Burr Elementary School

I’ve had multiple children attend this school and have a current student. The school’s administration does not work to protect the children’s learning environment. The disruptive incidents that have been reported to me throughout the years have become progressively worse and the children’s safety has come into question in many of these incidents. The teachers don’t receive support from the administrators to right these behavioral issues and the administrators tend to ignore or downplay the behavioral issues that have lead to these student safety issues. We’ve had good teachers in the past, but many of the good ones have left. This is likely due to the behavioral issues that the teachers do not receive support from the administration on. I’ve been in the classrooms and have seen how there isn’t sufficient support staff for the issues these teachers have to deal with. The test scores were once some of the highest in the state, but that is no longer a talking point at “Meet the Teacher” night. Hopefully, the town officials can help to make changes to this school so it can flourish again.

Stratfield was an excellent experience for my two boys.

We have two daughters at Unquowa, one in kindergarten and one in first grade, and after exploring many options (including our well-rated public school, several independent schools, such as Green Farms, Foote, Fraser Woods, and others) we found the ideal balance of academic rigor and socialemotional wellness here.The emphasis on community is evident the moment you step on campus. As a health-conscious family, we value Unquowa’s commitment to nutrition, outdoor time, movement, and athletics. It is truly exceptional. Even our kindergartener, who initially wanted nothing to do with soccer, has been inspired by the school culture and coaches to want to participate. That intrinsic motivation speaks volumes.Small class sizes allow children to be truly known. Our first grader has fallen in love with learning. She reads for pleasure, reflects on characters and plot, asks thoughtful questions, recognizes art in the community, excels at chess, and is genuinely excited about math. We recently traveled to a Spanish-speaking country, and her language skills at this age were exactly what we had hoped for.The kindergarten program builds confidence early, giving children opportunities to be on stage and speak in front of peers. Teachers are deeply attentive, learning specialists are proactive and knowledgeable, and leadership matters: Head of School Sharon is visibly committed to each and every student.I’ve read a few one-star reviews and was surprised by them. While no school is right for every child, claims that Unquowa does not take bullying seriously or caters only to children with learning disabilities do not reflect our experience. In fact, several families we know came to Unquowa because of bullying elsewhere, and we have consistently seen social issues addressed thoughtfully and proactively. The school supports all learning styles - our children do not have learning disabilities and are thriving both academically and socially.Unquowa is inclusive, thoughtful, and focused on critical thinking rather than pushing viewpoints. I’ve never observed favoritism, only a genuine effort to nurture each child’s strengths and spirit.For families seeking a warm, values-driven community that prioritizes both academic excellence and emotional well-being, Unquowa has been an exceptional fit for our family.