Bergman Academy in Des Moines | Military Town Advisor

Posted: September 28, 2023

My husband and I have four children who attend Bergman Academy. Therefore my experience spans the breadth of the school in terms of teaching staff, varied learning styles/needs (of my children) and the social emotional differences between a young child and a preteen. Bergman has been a wonderful choice for our family. I have found the teachers to be one of the most valuable assets of the school. They are responsive and make the extra effort to meet the needs of each child. I have felt that my opinions and perspective of my child's learning needs matter and the partnership between home and school has been extraordinary (especially for my kids that need specific types of support to make school successful). Given the small class size, I truly feel each of my children are well known and uniquely valued not only by their current teacher but by teachers and staff across the school. The curriculum is relevant, cohesive from grade to grade and I am continually impressed by the way the staff collaborates with one another in creative ways to teach with cross-curricular projects and opportunities for learning that extend into the community and beyond the classroom. As my children have gotten older there is a clear effort to build the student's autonomy and accountability for their work. And the way Bergman builds social and emotional learning into the day in organic ways is neat to hear... mentoring between older and younger students, community mindedness through partnerships with a nearby retirement community and the utilization of our natural setting in ways that keep our kids learning in bigger and deeper ways. The sole reason I chose to write this review is because we moved to Des Moines from a large city across the country. Reviews on schools were one way I worked to understand the options my husband and I had for education in a place where we had no network. Bergman Academy has been a key factor in our overall adjustment to moving to Des Moines. The education and the community are both things I feel grateful for often.

Posted: September 28, 2023

Posted: June 23, 2022

If you live in Des Moines, this is the only school you should look at. It is laser-focused on academics. Classes are capped at 16 students. The leadership and administration are responsive. The teachers are dedicated. The families are engaged. It really demonstrates the excellence of private education at the K-8 level and what it can do for kids.

Posted: June 23, 2022

Posted: June 22, 2022

Small classroom size and very focused on the individual needs of each student. The best way I can describe this school is a gathering place of families who are passionate about a quality education. You put all of those people together in one place and you're surrounding your kids with other kids for whom education is also a priority. It creates a great culture!

And the teachers are absolutely fantastic!!

Posted: June 22, 2022

Posted: June 21, 2022

My son is in his fourth year of attending Bergman Academy, and each year has been a wonderful experience. Small class sizes ensure he is truly known by his teacher and peers and also that he is receiving the differentiated instruction he needs to not only be successful but to exceed expectations. The overall school community truly is a family. Students have the opportunity to have "buddies" at other grade levels to foster relationships that follow them from year to year. Events throughout the year give families a change to interact with their student's learning successes and other families. We are so grateful that our son has had the opportunity to learn in such a welcoming school.

Posted: June 21, 2022

My daughter was attending a local public school - struggling is the best way to put it! I had been asking the school to allow her to repeat so that she didn't always feel like a failure and have to struggle so much. Her birthday is in the summer so she was always going to be the youngest unless there was a year she was able to repeat. After having her visit Bergman and being assessed, the staff agreed with me that she needed to repeat the second grade to give her a chance to build her confidence and get a good base line of the basics. After her second year at Bergman she is more confident than I have ever seen her, and hope that she will continue to grow. The staff at Bergman has also taken the time to really get to know her and make sure she is understanding all the new information each day. Since Bergman has small class sizes (max 16 kids per classroom, 32 per grade level), the teachers are able to structure their daily teachings to what the kids may or may not need and provide additional specialized resources as well.

NOTE: Special Education - I selected neutral as Bergman does not have the staff to manage many disabilities (or those that have a IEP), but does have the staff to help students with extra needs succeed with additional reading, math and counseling support. Bergman does recognize and work with students that are on 504 plans.

Posted: June 21, 2022

Posted: November 2, 2020

Im appalled at the complacency. Lack of student care, apparently finding someone to even answer the phone some days is challenging for them. It rings around the school till someone decides to answer it. $10++ k a year refuse.

Posted: November 2, 2020

Project after project, draw a comic strip, build a diorama, mandatory minimum 4-6 science fair projects. Draw a book of characters then build a character map, build a presentation and a book report on the book you just read. All due Friday. Plus spelling, vocabulary, math and science homework to build a 3D model of a cell.

Posted: November 2, 2020

Higher than normal turnover. Teachers are just there to find their real teaching job. They dont care.

Posted: November 2, 2020

The teacher will cut your child off if they have a different opinion and allow the class to bully another student until they dont speak and then deduct points for not participating.

Posted: November 2, 2020

The principal is a mendacious yes man. Her only talent is to smile and wave.

Posted: November 2, 2020

They just kick students out they dont like.

Posted: November 2, 2020

Seems more like they teach them how to backstab courteously.

Posted: May 2, 2019

Each student is challenged according to his/her abilities and efforts.

Posted: May 2, 2019

The best thing about Bergman is the staff. The teachers care about kids as people and students.

Posted: May 2, 2019

The theme for this year is Kindness is... and I believe that the school truly is helping develop compassionate kids.

Posted: May 2, 2019

I am not sure what resources are there for children with special needs.

Posted: May 2, 2019

Bergman is a wonderful school; outstanding teachers, a beautiful location and a culture of open-mindedness and compassion. Our kids look forward to every day.

Posted: April 10, 2019

This is our 3rd school year at Bergman Academy, we started there when my oldest began Kindergarten! We've been so happy overall with the school! Small class sizes, safety, engaged learning using the outdoor space, and overall wonderful teachers and staff!

Posted: April 10, 2019

Posted: April 4, 2019

My girls - in 8th and 6th grade have gone to Bergman since they were in preschool. The school is a small size and has an amazing student to teacher ratio. Spanish is offered in preschool and is continued in every grade. It is the experiences that the girls have had with some pretty exceptional people that I have to note. The expectation of excellence and hard work is something that is a priority at Bergman. Their teachers are dedicated and expect the best out of them. We value education and the opportunity to learn and Bergman is a place where that happens.

Posted: December 15, 2012

The best elementary school in DSM. 15:1 ratio. Excellent teachers. Terrific principal. Very tailored to the individual student. So lucky to have this school in DSM.

Bergman Academy

Des Moines, IA 50312

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Bergman Academy

Des Moines, IA 50312

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