Franklin Elementary School

We love Saint Stephens. Middle school is amazing...great group of kids and teachers. Great family feel as well. Teachers available for individual assistance. All places will have issues...but here you are known and will get help.

Fantastic school. Amazing leadership that listens to parents concerns and addresses issues. I see some parents comments on bullying, but I've seen quite the opposite experience. Bullying is not tolerated and they clearly push back against it. They punish kids who demonstrate inappropriate behavior and help to correct it so it won't happen again. Coming out of the public school systems that do absolutely nothing about bullying, this was a breath of fresh air. I also live the community at Legacy, we've already made a number of great new family friendships in the couple years ever been there.

Minnesota Renaissance School offers students and families an incredible educational and community experience. I highly reccomend the school based on our experience from 2002 to 2014. Our two sons started in Children's House and progressed through E1 and E2 and middle school. They learned so many valuable skills in addition to the usual subjects-English, Math, Science and World history. They learned to ask questions so they could understand; they did not simply memorize math facts and words. They practiced math using objects like beads and blocks...starting in first grade! Learning by doing lessons using their hands meant they had fun while learning. I still remember the day both kids got their first workbook in E1. The staff and teachers treat children with respect and I always felt our kids were in a safe and caring environment. While this is a private school, the tuition is a great value compared to other private schools. We feel our children's eduction is an investment in them and it is worth every dollar. The school community offers many options for fun, such as Parents Night Out, book fair and FunFest. Because of the education our kids received at Minnesota Renaissance School, both boys are at or above grade level in high school. They both agree that doing work using manipulatives like beads and blocks opened their minds, because the brain remembers by doing repetitions. The Practical Life work, discipline and etiquette skills they learned during school have carried to their daily lives even as teenagers. If you are looking for a unique education for your child, based on the proven Montessori method, this is your school.