Seneca Academy

Posted: May 7, 2026

My family has been part of the Seneca Academy community for the last five years and I will forever be thankful to have found this special school. We fell in love with the school’s beautiful campus and small class sizes, but the greatest gift Seneca has given us is the way our kids feel known and valued every single day. They wake up happy to go to school and come home with smiles on their faces, having been engaged and challenged in a place that makes them feel safe, supported, and free to be themselves.

We really value the teacher-to-student ratio and inquiry-based approach to learning because it allows teachers to meet each child where they are and nurture their strengths, while encouraging them to reach even further. We find the academics, particularly the early reading instruction and mathematics curriculum (former math teacher and current engineer here!), to be excellent. As a former teacher myself, I know how beneficial a love of learning is and am thrilled with the strong foundation Seneca is providing for my kids, not only in academics, but also in social-emotional growth, curiosity in the world around them, and confidence in themselves as people and learners.

As parents, we’ve found something just as special – a real village. The community of teachers, staff, and fellow parents has given us friendship, support, and a shared sense of purpose as we raise our kids together. We feel lucky to have found a school where academic excellence goes hand in hand with such warmth and care.

Another really important aspect of Seneca is the dedicated and supportive admin team. I’ve never hesitated to reach out with questions, concerns, or ideas and I feel that our family is known and valued by them, as well. We loved and appreciated the strengths of our previous head of school and are extremely excited and optimistic about the direction in which our new head of school is leading Seneca. As active members of this special community, we’ve met many families across different grades, and I am confident in saying that our positive experience at Seneca has been shared by each of them.

If I have one complaint, it’s that our time at Seneca Academy won’t last forever – but I’m beyond thankful the memories, friendships, and academic & social-emotional growth will.

Posted: May 7, 2026

Posted: May 7, 2026

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Posted: November 20, 2025

Posted: November 20, 2025

Posted: November 20, 2025

Posted: November 20, 2025

Posted: November 20, 2025

Posted: November 20, 2025

Posted: November 20, 2025

Posted: November 20, 2025

We love Seneca Academy and have for the past 7 years we’ve been there. All of our kids go there and we’ve had a really positive experience. The teachers and staff are genuinely caring, they know the kids, encourage them, and make the classrooms feel calm and personal thanks to the small class sizes. The IB approach here actually works for us: kids are encouraged to think globally and be curious. The school has also added solid programs like Singapore Math and RULER from Yale, which we’ve seen make a practical difference in both academics and socio-emotional learning. The school community itself feels welcoming, friendly families, engaged students, and a culture that leans toward kindness. We also appreciate the leadership change. The new head of school has been listening to families and making clear, sensible improvements; it feels like the administration is more responsive and open to feedback now. If you’re thinking about Seneca, go see it in person and talk to the teachers, that’s what convinced us. Overall, we’re grateful for the supportive environment and optimistic about where the school is headed.

Posted: June 9, 2025

Seneca Academy has serious bullying problems that the administration refuses to address, with kids physically attacked and verbally abused at school. Very little learning takes place and the principal is aggressive, untruthful, condescending, and belligerent.

Almost every student in the class is taught at home or goes to tutoring to make up for the lack of learning at school. There are some good specials teachers including in Spanish and PE but they aren’t treated well by the administration.

The building and grounds aren’t properly cared for with kids coming home with gnats in eyes, ears, and nose, mosquito bites and having to be checked for ticks. The school water has a milky texture and foul taste and the kids refuse to drink it.

The school doesn’t emphasize phonics and has some of the worst math instruction. It also seems to have perpetual financial problems and low enrollment with only a handful of kids in the class by 5th grade. I have watched the principal exacerbate the low enrollment by driving families away. There are many nice kids and families that we are sad to leave, but the poor leadership, poor main subject teachers, and bullies let the community down. The principal told me how “the school is a village” and then went on a 3-week international vacation while school was in session, during which the school ran much better without her.

Our experience was in the elementary school so I can’t comment on the pre-k and K situation. I hope Seneca Academy gets new leadership and turns around for the better in the future.

Posted: June 9, 2025

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Posted: October 29, 2023

We are so happy with our decision to transfer to Seneca Academy! When we first joined the school, our daughter immediately felt welcomed by all the other kids and their families, which has been wonderful! The teachers do an amazing job of making learning fun, so that the kids are excited to come to school every day!

Posted: October 29, 2023

Posted: October 29, 2023

Posted: October 29, 2023

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Posted: October 28, 2021

Posted: October 28, 2021

Posted: October 28, 2021

Posted: October 28, 2021

Posted: October 28, 2021

We are so grateful we found this fantastic school! There are so many reasons we love Seneca, but I'll try to keep it as short as possible. First, the staff is incredible and truly feels like an extension of our family. The teachers are amazing and incredibly responsive any time we reach out. The Head of School is a child psychologist so all the curriculum, etc., is based off what is best for the kids developmentally (no technology for the lower elementary, inquiry based, if kids are antsy recess is not taken away as punishment, but instead encouraged to get the jitters out so they can focus on learning, etc. ). Seneca truly focuses on the *whole child*: while the academics are strong, there is still a large concentration on ensuring the kids grow up to be good citizens. The school sits on a beautiful, 6 acre campus that the teachers are able to use as they wish (when my daughter was in Kindergarten I stopped by the school and saw her class laying underneath a tree... when I later asked her what they were doing out there she said "Mrs. Hauck said that we can write more creatively in the fresh air." - I love that they make great use of the outdoor space!) The classes are small enough that each child gets the individual attention they need (my daughter was a late reader and got the age appropriate support she needed; while my son was very advanced and was challenged enough that he never got bored/restless.) I am also grateful for the close community feel. I could go on and on but the bottom line is my kids are thriving and I can't imagine a better school exists. Highly recommend!!

Posted: October 28, 2021

Posted: October 28, 2021

Posted: October 28, 2021

Posted: July 23, 2020

Seneca Academy feels like family, and they take care of your kids as such. They offer small class sizes, and they pay attention to the whole student. The head of school is fantastic, and offers parenting seminars free for the greater community!

Posted: July 23, 2020

Posted: July 23, 2020

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Posted: July 23, 2020

Posted: February 26, 2019

We transferred here from MCPS, and the improvement in my kids’ attitude towards school/learning and overall happiness has really surprised me. My kids would actually thank me for sending them here. It’s a great atmosphere, the kids are happy, and the curriculum well rounded and trans-disciplinary. If you’re not happy with teaching to the test and lack of creativity in publics, check out Seneca.

Posted: February 26, 2019

Posted: February 26, 2019

Small classes are great, the teachers can really get to know the kuds.

Posted: February 26, 2019

Posted: February 26, 2019

The head of school is wonderful, a great resource.

Posted: February 26, 2019

I don’t have experience with any kids in this situation.

Posted: February 26, 2019

Posted: May 17, 2016

Posted: May 17, 2016

Posted: May 17, 2016

Posted: May 17, 2016

The teacher to student ratio is excellent, and the focus on respect and boundaries is so important to young students.

Posted: September 24, 2014

My son started at this school as a Preschooler and it is a warm, nurturing and active environment that kept him challenged and happy. He is now in 2nd grade and it is wonderful to know that he loves learning and exploring with his classmates. It has been my experience that while the public schools in the area are highly rated, they are not able to give individual attention, which allows students the freedom to explore in-depth topics that interest them. Seneca Academy has a unique advantage of allowing each child to grow through their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. I feel truly blessed to be part of this educational community!

Posted: September 17, 2014

Spectacular school Our daughter was being ignored in public school since she was a good student, but introverted. She really shines in the environment at Seneca Academy. Her potential has been unlocked!

Posted: September 17, 2014

Great school. I have noticed a positive change in my daughter since she enrolled. She used to be shy and withdrawn but now tells me she is talking and participating in class

Posted: June 23, 2013

My child just finished kindergarten, and had a wonderful experience. The curriculum is developmentally appropriate, creative, and to me, really what a kindergarten should be. It has a wonderful mix of history, art, language, movement, music, crafts, and physical activity. Nature blends in perfectly with the class curriculum. For example, the class incubated chicken eggs, observed changes, watched them hatch, recorded observations, then sent chicks back to the farm. With 2 teachers for 16 students, the kindergarten teachers were easily able to provide differentiated instruction. School, teacher, and parent communication were excellent. There is a nice variety of afterschool activities, although no organized sports teams. The only true drawback for me is that the school does not have a real gym. But overall, my child is looking forward to 1st grade and beyond.

Posted: September 18, 2012

I just attended the Parents School Night yesterday, 9/18/2012. After hearing what Dr Carroll and what my son's 1st grade teacher does in her classroom, We, as parents, are so glad that we made a right decision for our son to attend the Seneca Academy. We really like what they (staff and teachers) believe in terms of teaching kids in the element school level; yes, the results are important; however, the class as a participant(s) in the learning process is so crucial to kids for their future. The Seneca Academy does that... If you have any doubt, any one can check the school out his/herself by visiting and talking to Dr Carroll and others.

Posted: February 26, 2012

My kid was in Seneca Academy from the 1st grade to 6th grade. What I think is the teachers do not buy in the IB program, so the program completely varies from class to class. They take in any teacher who takes a less pay, so my child found that the class students have to first adapt to the teacher's style first in order to understand and follow what the teacher is teaching.j It is aloso very frustrating , that the teachers do not have training in the IB program, and it is a hard curruculum to integrate without training. Another major issue is Math, their math program is, Everyday Math and it barely completes the regular elementary math curruculum, let alone challenge the kids. We had to supplement at home a lot. It feels like the PTA is only there for nick and dime parents for funds. I wish the school takes it seriously about hiring competent teachers who can handle the curriculum better and understand kids better. All the teachers we've had were not trained. Hope this helps.

Posted: January 31, 2012

My husband and I are struck daily at the change that has occurred in our daughter since her return to Seneca Academy for first grade. After trying public school for 8 weeks, we knew that the crowded classes and uninspired homework assignments, were not working for our daughter. The light and joy that had always filled her at school was dimming. She wasn t happy to get up in the morning anymore. After a few weeks, she would stare at the photo taken of her Seneca kindergarten class and cry. At first she would talk of missing her friends, but that evolved to descriptions of missing something much bigger. She said she missed singing songs in class, she missed counting the days of the school year on Mrs. Hauck s bubblegum machine, she missed the sandbox and the gazebo and the playground. She missed Seneca Academy, and we did too. Now back at Seneca, she is happy, confident, and full of breathless enthusiasm. The gratitude that I feel to the school for welcoming us back so warmly is immense; but even more than that, I m thankful that a place like Seneca exists and that we are fortunate enough to be able choose it for our children.