Bowman Elementary School

Northeast is an engaging community of teachers, students, and parents coming together to support learning. Both of my children have had nothing but wonderful experiences there, and they both went through the “gifted” program there as well. I love that Waltham supports the arts and has a drama elective (with performances) every year, and allows students to start instruments in 3rd grade. Other districts don’t start instruments until 4th or 5th grade. This school is exceptionally diverse, and my kids learned a lot about other cultures and countries just from their friends here—international night at Northeast is also not to be missed! I don’t know why this school ranks low, as it’s run by loving, supportive staff and my kids are way above grade level expectations because of the talented teachers here. Highly recommend!

When we think of LMS, we think of diversity, equity, and inclusion; exploring nature and learning about farming and how to treatour Earth sustainably; practicing Montessori values; and building and contributing to community. LMS’s values are exactly thevalues we strive to live as a family and to teach our children. As a mixed race family, we care deeply about racial equity anddiversity. Both in our personal and professional Iives, we have focused on investing in social impact and sustainability. As childrenof immigrants, we value the Montessori approach that allows children to explore their world on their own terms, learn what mattersto them, and develop into empathetic and emotionally regulated adults. (Which is the opposite of how we grew up!) We’ve had theprivilege of seeing these values come to life through our oldest daughter and her time at LMS. It warms our hearts to hearher telling us about what insects and birds she saw on her nature hike or that some families have two moms or two dads. Now,more than ever, learning to care and respect each other, no matter your background and where you come from, and taking care ofour planet, seems both foundational and revolutionary at the same time. We have been incredibly proud to be members of theLMS community over this past year in particular and to see the school double down, not shy away from its commitment todiversity, equity, and community.

This has been my two girls’ first time in this school and I must say WOW. Coming from the public school in a good district like Bedford, my kids have improved so much at OLA. The school is diverse, naturally diverse, students are from the Middle East, Africa, India, Spanish, Black, …without any nonesense of these diversity equity and inclusion methods they have implemented in public schools. OLA focuses strongly on academics, kids have homework, teachers are supportive and engaging. Students learn what is important! My girls have made friends like at no other school they have attended before and they have attended Lincoln and Bedford previously.Their hand writing has improved, reading, math and general knowledge and enthusiasm for learning has been a success! They both developed such self discipline to complete their work since they started at OLA. I highly recommend this school to anyone looking for a school that focuses on academics and an environment that protects your children from the craziness of the world right now!

Our kids absolutely love attending the Waldorf School of Lexington! The teachers and staff create such a thoughtful and attentive environment. Our children come home genuinely excited about their day, feeling safe and connected. The Waldorf philosophy, especially the focus on hands-on learning and screen-free experiences, is something we love—it allows our kids to stay grounded in the real world.This school feels like a community that really ‘gets it’ when it comes to education and community. We couldn’t be happier with how it encourages both intellectual and emotional growth in a warm, supportive atmosphere.