The Bolles School

I am sharing this review in hopes that it helps other parents make an informed decision.My experience, as well as others’, has been disappointing to say the least. For a school located in such an affluent area, the overall experience and standard of care has been a great disappointment.Our primary concern was the lack of academic differentiation and support for students who are ahead of grade level. My child is capable and eager to learn, but instead of being challenged, she often appeared disengaged because the material was repetitive and not adjusted to her ability level. This was at times treated as a behavioral issue rather than an instructional one, which is incredibly frustrating as a parent when the root issue appears to be lack of appropriate academic challenge.Communication and follow-through were also inconsistent. Concerns were acknowledged, but there was little meaningful resolution, which leaves parents feeling unheard.I also had concerns about student welfare and supervision. I personally observed situations where children were injured (including a child with a broken arm), others who appeared consistently underdressed for the weather, and ongoing social issues between students that resembled bullying behavior. These situations raised serious concerns for me about oversight and the overall school environment.Additionally, on numerous occasions I witnessed the handling of behavioral situations involving special needs students in ways that were deeply concerning. Having an autistic sibling myself, I understand sensory overload, and cornering a child who is clearly overwhelmed is not an appropriate way to de-escalate a situation. It felt less like support and more like containment, which was very difficult to watch.We have since moved on to a private school in Palm Valley that feels far less institutionalized and far more child-focused. They address different learning levels through small groups and constant reinforcement to build self-confidence, and their learning model provides more meaningful child engagement through the Reggio Emilia approach. The teachers appear supported, engaged, and happy to be at school, which makes a noticeable difference in the classroom environment.Every family’s experience may be different, but for us, the difference between the two environments has been significant, and the change confirmed for us how much the right school environment matters.

Ocean Palms is a top notch elementary school that offers a superb foundation for all children who attend. Principal Cantwell, her admin team, and the teachers, take the time to know each child and create a learning environment that meets each child’s needs and allows them to flourish. My son recently told me that there is no other school that he would want to go to, except Ocean Palms!

On the outside, Palmer looks like a great school, but once you are enrolled and you attend the school, you realize that the other students are very disrespectful to each other, and bullying was a constant occurrence while I was at Palmer. Most of the teachers couldn't care less about what they are teaching or are too strict on their students, having a standard that is impossible to reach. While I was at Palmer, Mrs. Mayer was my tutor, and she was very passionate about the subjects she was teaching me. She cared and helped until you understood. On multiple occasions, I recall Mrs. Mayer teaching me the material I was supposed to be learning from my teachers. The principal was very unfair on one occasion. I remember a girl lying about another girl to the principal because she did not want her to be on the cheer team with her. The girl who lied to the principal got rewarded by becoming cheer captain for lying, and the girl she lied about got kicked off the cheer team and received a demerit. She later got bullied out of the school by the same girl who lied about her to the principal. The gym ceiling leaked the entire time I was at this school, and made it so we could not use half of the gym for years.

We made the difficult decision to leave our public elementary school after ongoing, unresolved issues that were not being adequately addressed. Transitioning schools is never easy, but Collage Day School truly picked up the baton and exceeded our expectations. Their team brings a strong background in psychology and a deep understanding of child development, which is evident in how they approach each student as a whole person—not just a test score. The Reggio Emilia–inspired learning model encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and emotional growth, allowing children to feel seen, supported, and challenged in meaningful ways. The small, close-knit community fosters genuine relationships between students, educators, and families, and the level of individualized support is exceptional. Since enrolling, we have seen a markedly more positive outcome academically, socially, and emotionally. Collage Day School has been a truly affirming and supportive environment for our child and our family.