Hillside Elementary School

I have resided here for seven years, and based on my observations, it seems that the school principal maintains the "blue ribbon" status by transferring students in need of extra support to other schools. I have encountered numerous parents who have experienced this, and a significant portion of them appear to be from ethnic backgrounds. It's challenging to believe that a school in such an affluent area cannot allocate resources for paraprofessionals or bilingual teachers.I personally witnessed a family being informed that their daughter wouldn't be accepted because she had been taught her native language first. This raises concerns about the acceptability of such practices. Furthermore, my son was a victim of post-school bullying, and the principal focused on asking about my son's whereabouts during the incident rather than addressing the aggressor. This lack of follow-up and concern for the well-being of the bullied child is troubling.The nurse also appears inexperienced, as she downplayed a serious injury my son sustained, resulting in him being lethargic by the time I arrived. Another incident involving a parent's head injury after school was similarly mishandled, with the principal refusing to call an ambulance during dismissal. This lack of urgency and care reflects poorly on the school's administration.In my opinion, this exceptional school and its dedicated teachers deserve a more compassionate leader. I strongly believe that the current principal should step down and allow someone with better empathy to lead the school. The principal's focus on maintaining the "blue ribbon" status at the expense of individual student well-being and the disregard for concerned parents' input is disheartening. A more inclusive and compassionate approach is necessary to ensure the well-being and success of all students.

We have both our daughters at the Village School (in the Toddler and Primary programs) and it is such a joy to see them excited and eager to go to school every day. The teachers are kind and skilled - they truly make an effort to get to know each one of the children and encourage their learning and growth according to every child's individual traits. The Montessori philosophy is applied through and through. I also love the multi-age classroom model which allows for younger children to learn not only with the guidance of the teachers, but their peers as well and older children get to exercise their leadership skills. The Village School is not just a school but a community, where the whole family is encouraged to engage in activities and events; once a month parents are invited into the classrooms for a limitted time to observe and engage with their child'd work. This level of connection between the whole staff, the children and the parents creates a truly warm and friendly environment.

This school is fantastic for so many reasons. It has been a part of the community for so long. The teachers are highly qualified, which you do not always get at a school that has a preschool. Academically, our children received differentiated, hands-on learning experiences in whole group and small group settings. They met and exceeded my children's needs academically. Often the class sizes were small, which was great for academics. Socially, the school provided opportunities and events for additional socialization, like "Lunch and Learn", field day, fall fest, and much more that I don't even remember. My kids loved yoga, music, soccer, Spanish class as part of their regular school day. The school navigated through the COVID pandemic and adjusted to meet the new emotional changes COVID brought for our children and their classes. Going through the twos program, preschool, and the elementary school my children have been more that prepared for the challenges of middle school.

Wonderful school, wonderful teachers, wonderful students and community! My children love it here ! We came from public school and never looked back! Highly recommend! Excellent education while keeping faith at the center of learning.