Walker School

School provides very good academic foundation. Great teachers and because of the district, school gets exceptional teacher assistants/helpers, so teacher student ratio is at the prep school level.

Newman has the potential to be a great school, but unfortunately the leadership of the school holds it back. During my children’s’ time at the school, there have been 4 different vice principals. The principal has a reputation among staff and some parents as being difficult to work with and this can impact everything from the quality of teachers hired to student safety. I know of several staff members who have left this school to work elsewhere in the District.

My son attends Charles River School and could not be happier. He absolutely loves going to school each day and wishes the school did not end after 8th grade. CRS makes learning fun. Academic rigor is balanced with strong social emotional support. The school encourages kids to be curious, self-aware, compassionate and understanding toward others. It's ok to take risks and try new things and fail because you will be supported. Learning is not competitive. The community is very warm and supportive. I really wish I had the opportunity to attend a school like CRS when I was a kid because it provides a great foundation of knowledge as well as a curious and thoughtful approach to lifelong learning.

I am NOT a current student, I’m a former student!So I was at this school for 5 years, and I have lots of experiences from it. They are very sexist to women. When a teacher needed help to carry something, I would never hear the words “can I have a couple people help me carry this?” It was always “can I have a couple STRONG BOYS to help me carry this?” They openly stated that if you’re gay, or part of the lgbtq+ community, you don’t belong here. Or if you even support it. Then they say how they are a loving community and support anyone. They threatened me and a couple other of my friends once, saying “if you don’t go to church, your gonna go to hell” and poor me was begging my parents to go church after that. They are not inclusive to people of other races. I’ve seen some 1st graders, who are another race, sitting in a corner playing with legos. They are not inclusive to students, either. I’ve been left out a lot, or just sitting in the freezing cold at recess, teachers who are watching don’t do anything. Please do not go to this school!!

We've had children at Riverbend for many years, and it's been the single best choice we've made as parents. What Riverbend gets right is its emphasis on relationships, meaningful academics, and authentic responsibility. The multi-age classroom model is key to this — older children mentor younger ones, and younger children have models to emulate. Teachers loop with students across multiple years, so they develop a depth of understanding about each child that's hard to find at other schools. When I watch my kids lead assemblies, organize service projects, attend Model UN, or spend a full year on a self-chosen research project, I see how agency and curiosity result in deep learning.I'm also grateful for the administration at Riverbend — they have their pulse on the needs of children, and they are strategically positioning this school for the future. This school is a gem!