St Benedict Elementary Inc.

As long term resident of Natick, I fully supported my daughter and my son in our public school system which they attended from K-12. Our schools have only improved over time, as one can learn by reviewing the ranking lists of Boston area High Schools. Both of my children excelled in the Natick Schools and were prepared to be accepted, and thrive in Ivy League colleges. They established strong friendships, joined the Speech Team, French Club and Tennis Teams. Now after graduation, they have wonderful connections to the Town and many friends that they stay in touch with from their High School days. There was something for all students at the school, and I found that the administration would allow and accept credit for advanced outside courses. Overall, the public schools in the Boston area are the best in the country. I feel that Natick High School is no acception.The parents, students and school system all have a hand in the students' education.

**Avoid! Not as Advertised!**The mass departures since 2023 reveal what teachers cannot safely say publicly: the current leadership has moved far from Dr. Montessori’s ideals. It has been painful to watch what took decades to build begin to unravel in a few short years. The loss of many long-term teachers since 2023 raises serious concerns. Teachers rarely leave mid-year unless circumstances are extreme. Parents frequently ask why so many teachers are leaving. Unfortunately, staff members know they cannot answer honestly without risking their jobs. Those who challenge the administration often leave—or are pushed out.The school's marketing efforts effectively conceal what employees see as a deeply troubled culture. Professional photography, polished messaging, & branding create an image that does not reflect the day-to-day reality experienced by many teachers.Meanwhile, teachers work long hours before & after school, often taking summer jobs to make ends meet. In contrast, a highly paid administrative team is disconnected from the daily demands facing classroom staff. Teachers have repeatedly asked for basic support, honesty, visibility during the busiest times of day, & simple professional respect… to no avail. The school's stated vision includes expanding into the lucrative Montessori teacher training market as The Riverbend Center for Montessori Excellence. However, employees view the administration's public commitment to diversity, equity, & inclusion as performative rather than meaningful in practice. BIPOC students are more often seen in marketing photos than the percentage they represent, giving the false impression of greater visible diversity than exists. Tokenism by definition!Dr. Maria Montessori devoted her life to serving children, especially those who were disadvantaged. Former & current staff members know the school's leadership has lost sight of those values & instead prioritizes institutional growth & executive pay.As a nonprofit organization, Riverbend's financial info is publicly available through IRS filings & ProPublica. Prospective families & donors should review those records & draw their own conclusions.**Update:** A long-serving staff member & cornerstone of the community was terminated without notice immediately after the school year ended, preventing students from saying goodbye. For staff, this decision further confirmed concerns about the administration's leadership & treatment of employees.

Seven years in, and I can say without hesitation that Riverbend has been the best choice we've made as a family. The clearest proof? My kids actually want to be there — no Sunday-night dread, no dragging feet on Monday mornings. What Riverbend gets right is its emphasis on relationships, meaningful academics, and authentic responsibility. The multi-age classroom model is central to this: older kids mentor younger ones, teachers loop with students across multiple years, and the result is a depth of understanding about each child that's rare. Watching my kids lead assemblies, run service projects, attend Model UN, and spend a full year on a self-chosen research project, I see what happens when agency and curiosity drive learning.I'm also grateful for leadership that knows every family while strategically positioning the school for the future.Montessori is over a century old, but it may be perfectly suited to this moment. In a world reshaped by AI, the qualities that matter most — curiosity, creativity, self-direction, empathy, deep engagement — are exactly what Riverbend cultivates. This school is a gem.

I’ve worked in several schools, but what stands out here is the passion. Students are ambitious, parents are engaged, and the faculty team is dedicated. The culture is about growth — for students and for teachers. It’s inspiring to be part of a place that is building something unique.