The Woods Academy

I think this school is terrible because they put my child through child labor and the teachers would bully her and they would hate her for no reason. If I were a parent I would never send my child here. My husband is a lawyer and if I hear anything else bad about the school I will sue.

My child left this school last year. I was deeply alarmed by what became clear when she was enrolled at a new school. Her reading comprehension was abysmal, as was her spelling level for her age. And as for french, she knew basics but nothing beyond that! French relatives and online programming have taught them more. They also don't inform me of any issues with spelling or reading, even though I can see it in previous work. I should have paid more attention. That's my responsibility. But there's absolutely no excuse for this. Additionally, they weren't proactive in resolving bullying and gendered harassment our child experienced, and didn't stay the course in creating healthier emotional development. Don't invest in this school. If multi cultural, bilingual learning is important to you, or actually necessary, please seek other resources in Philadelphia, or the surrounding areas. Find french tutoring. Enroll them in local programs. I'm speaking from my heart, from my family experience, and I wish you and your family the best in making these very difficult decisions.

I highly recommend Fernwood Montessori School. The before/aftercare program offers flexibility for working parents (drop-off from 7:30 AM, pick-up until 6 PM). The school offers extracurricular programs for the kids each semester, such as soccer and basketball. Both the AMS-accredited toddler (age 2) and primary (ages 3–6) programs build a strong educational foundation well beyond what a typical daycare can offer. My kids started in the toddler classroom and quickly developed foundational skills they simply wouldn't have gained in daycare. What truly sets Fernwood apart is its exceptional staff - genuinely caring, creative, and deeply invested in every child and family.

I came to find Fernwood through word of mouth in my neighborhood. Several of my neighbors recommended the school, highlighting the benefits of the Montessori principles and the dedicated staff that go above and beyond to support the growth and development of the children following this methodology.It sounded too good to be true and so I did my due diligence and setup an in person tour before I made any decisions. Ms. Shaheen led the tour, I was pregnant at the time and in tears at the thought of my son being away from home for the first time (2 at the time). The amount of care and patience she took with answering all of my questions without being pushy or short ultimately led to my decision to enroll my son.Here I am, two years later and my older son is thriving. He is able to learn at his own pace with the full support of the teachers and supporting staff. Every single staff member knows my name and my child's name. My younger son is enrolling this Fall and I am feeling confident knowing both of my sons will be with staff that I love and trust. If you are hesitant, do yourself a favor and schedule a tour to see for yourself why Fernwood is such a special place.