The Tidewater School

Posted: November 17, 2021

This is one of the most caring institutions that I've ever been a part of. The Tidewater School has built a solid community of parents, children, teachers, and administrators who truly love what they do. I am always impressed at the depth of their detail and their willingness to let me be a part of making the school and the children's experiences the best that it can be. I highly recommend! I have two children attending who are in pre-K.

Posted: November 17, 2021

Posted: November 17, 2021

Posted: November 17, 2021

Posted: November 17, 2021

Posted: November 17, 2021

Posted: November 17, 2021

Posted: November 17, 2021

Posted: January 29, 2021

My first child has been attending the Tidewater School since 2017 and her sister joined her there in 2019. We have had a wonderful experience at Tidewater and feel like family. All of the staff and teachers know all the children and are attentive to each of their individual needs. My children have flourished socially and academically and they genuinely love and look forward to school. The Montessori method has been wonderful for them and has made learning fun.

Posted: January 29, 2021

Posted: January 29, 2021

Posted: January 29, 2021

Posted: January 29, 2021

Posted: January 29, 2021

Posted: January 29, 2021

Posted: January 29, 2021

Posted: January 29, 2021

Posted: January 29, 2021

Posted: January 29, 2021

Posted: January 29, 2021

Posted: January 29, 2021

Posted: January 29, 2021

Posted: January 29, 2021

Posted: January 29, 2021

My daughter came to Tidewater at the start of 3rd grade. We struggled in public school to make progress with her learning and growth in general. Her self esteem was already taking a hit at such a young age, I knew we needed a change. At the Tidewater school everyone was so great to meet with not only me but my daughter to ensure that she was a good fit for the school. Everyone is welcoming and it is truly a community of support. Because of Tidewater we have been able to isolate the learning problems and actually do something about them. They truly want to help and want your child to be happy, healthy and thrive. I encourage anyone who has a desire for a different learning environment for their child or who has a child who is an atypical learner to do yourselves and your child a favor and reach out to The Tidewater School.

Posted: March 30, 2014

Children are celebrated and nurtured at the Tidewater School. The staff understands that each child learns differently and they embrace the challenge that each unique child brings. There is a hands on learning approach that is invaluable to the way the student learns.

Posted: January 28, 2014

The Tidewater School is an extra ordinary school where children are respected and childhood is celebrated; it's a place where curiosity and exploration are top priorities and children learn the value of taking charge of their education. In short, children learn to love learning because it's fun and meaningful.

Posted: December 5, 2013

The Tidewater School was started by an amazing visionary who led the school for twenty-five years. Transitions can be difficult when a well-loved, long standing founder retires, but the second head of school is exceptional, an amazing visionary in her own right, following with the mission and philosophy of the school. My child is part of the elementary program and we are continually amazed by the extraordinary thought and research, planning, themes and progression of the materials and curriculum. The overall environment of the school, the depth of staff, the consistent feedback we receive, as well as the commitment to community programs and outreach is phenomenal. Volunteering weekly, I see how the children are extraordinarily engaged in their work in a respectful and encouraging environment. The strengths of this school are in the fostering of the autonomous self, the thoughtful, steady scaffolding that gradually decreases as the children develop and their abilities increase, the sense that every child is an individual with unique qualities and the ability of staff to meet them where they are at, all the while cultivating deeper, richer exploration and expansion.

Posted: October 2, 2013

This is an amazing school and the transition to elementary from primary has brought us great satisfaction. We have immense respect for the elementary teachers and feel that the environment is collaborative and welcoming of input from parents. For those parents seeking an alternative to traditional schooling, The Tidewater School provides a stimulating and progressive educational environment.

Posted: August 22, 2013

School has gone down hill. The upper elementary school has fallen apart. Last two years more older kids are leaving then staying. The teaching team and administration are not in sync or as strong as they could be. Great idea. Great history. Great curriculum. But, it's not living up to its potential due to inabaility to impliment and teach the cirrculm. So children are leaving.

Posted: August 22, 2013

My children attended this school for some time. In the beginning, it was really great and exactly what we needed, but then the school began to change when the previous head of school retired. The upper elementary teacher lost control of her classroom and seemed uninterested in connecting with parents. 4th and 5th graders have started to leave in droves. We were part of the great exodus and very glad for it. The original concept was excellent; the curriculum was amazing and we really enjoyed the combination of several educational theories, not just Montessori or Adler. But now, it seems not only have they lost direction in the administration, but the some of the teachers seem not to know how to manage normal child behaviors -- ignoring to the point of causing education disruption. We left because my children would come home crying and begging to leave due to the instability from their teacher. Such a far cry from the same children who couldn't wait to get to The Tidewater School first thing in the morning. Bottom line, they have lost the direction and focus of why The Tidewater School was created. So sorry to see a good school go down so poorly.

Posted: September 14, 2012

This is a fantastic school. My kids have attended for 3 years, they truly understand the meaning of individualised eduation plan. The teachers are wonderful & truly love to teach. Can any parent ask for more?