Saratoga Independent School

Posted: February 14, 2022

SIS was a truly incredible school experience for my son. He attended from 1st through 8th grade and thrived in the nurturing, academically engaging environment. He loved going to school each day, bonded with his teachers, and is still close with many of his friends from SIS. He entered public high school in advanced science and math, and made high honor roll his first two marking periods. I will always be grateful for the positive learning environment, fantastic teachers, and tight-knit community at SIS. It gave my son the foundation he needs, both academically and socially, to succeed in high school and beyond.

Posted: February 14, 2022

Posted: February 14, 2022

Posted: February 14, 2022

Posted: February 14, 2022

Posted: February 14, 2022

Posted: February 14, 2022

Posted: February 14, 2022

Posted: June 20, 2020

The teachers are really invested in each individual student, and it shows in how well the kids learn and grow.

Posted: June 20, 2020

The students at this school are amazing. In all my times walking through the school building for pre-k drop offs and pick-ups students were always polite and friendly in the hallways and attentive in the classrooms. I felt like our child was surrounded by good influences at this school and that really contributed to his own personal growth.

Posted: June 20, 2020

Posted: June 20, 2020

We really struggled with whether to send our child here for kindergarten, as we were under the impression that some of the support services he needed might be harder to access at a private school, but SIS was very accommodating we didn’t run into problems with his IEP.

Posted: June 20, 2020

Hard to say, since I don’t feel like we ever encountered this here. It could be they are very effective at preventing it, or maybe we were just lucky with the great kids around our son!

Posted: June 20, 2020

SIS is a really special place. I can’t even begin to describe how blessed we feel that our son got his start in education here. We did two years of their pre-k program, and our son just finished up his kindergarten year here. The pre-k was a great balance of learning and fun with a well thought out curriculum and a small class size. His teacher (Ms. Tammy) is a joyous soul who really goes above and beyond with all of her students. When our son was hospitalized at one point during the school year she was the first one to visit him, and she always took the time to advocate for his needs during the IEP process. We honestly thought our journey with SIS would end there, as we had stretched ourselves too thin financially just to get him through pre-k. However when we applied for financial aid we were shocked at the generosity of the aid package, but still heartbroken that it was just out of reach for us. To my surprise the school offered to work with us further to come up with a number we could afford. I shed happy tears when we realized our son would get to stay there for kindergarten. They took extra time to address concerns we had over some of our sons learning differences, and to make accommodations for his extreme anxiety. I never once felt like he was less welcome there for not being a full paying student, or like he was less welcome for his extra needs...they welcomed him with open arms. He really thrived in their kindergarten program under the warm guidance of Ms. Pfeifer and Ms. Shauna, and despite his social difficulties his anxiety almost never came up at school because they made it feel like a second home for him. I feel like what he gained in social skills over the course of the year was priceless, and he enjoyed every day of learning. The fact is he grew so much over just one year that by the time it was time to apply for first grade we realized he would now be “ok” in a public school setting, where just a year before I think he would have drowned in a bigger classroom. We made the gut-wrenching decision to at least give public school a try, since his younger sister is soon approaching pre-k age and there is no way we could juggle the finances for both of them to go there. I think his time at SIS has really set him up for success, I hope he loves 1st grade in public school, but we are going right back to SIS if he doesn’t!

Posted: June 20, 2020

In kindergarten homework was almost non-existent, and when there was an assignment it was never busy work...usually just to bring in something for a special project etc. and always clearly communicated to parents. This is how it should be for little kids!

Posted: November 15, 2018

We haven't even had to deal with any to be honest. It is well known that that kind of behavior isn't acceptable and they are very strict about it. They have a protocol that they stick to in order to deal with bullys. Such a relief!

Posted: November 15, 2018

I am not a big fan of homework, but they start it late and it is not onerous.

Posted: November 15, 2018

My daughter's learning has greatly accelerated in comparison to her last school and she is excited about learning! Because her last school was so poor she needed extra help in reading and math. The teachers have taken this on wholeheartedly and have made it such a non-issue that she doesn't feel bad about it at all!

Posted: November 15, 2018

Posted: November 15, 2018

Their current administrator is experienced and knowledgeable. Her enthusiasm for education is incredible. This school is well organized and effective.

Posted: November 15, 2018

They have done an incredible job. My daughter needed help in reading and math and her teachers take the time to help her. She has been thriving and her attitude towards reading and math has improved exponentially.

Posted: November 15, 2018

Very, very good. The teachers are well educated, attentive and think outside the box. They have behavior standards that require respectful, kind and caring behavior that they are fully embody. Their facility is very nice, well-kept and clean.

Posted: February 11, 2016

My very active four year old son is absolutely thriving in the very special learning environment at SIS. He loves going to school every day, is making friends, and learning in an engaging and stress free manner. He is also clearly learning about kindness, enjoying multi age camaraderie, developing confidence and becoming aware of the world around him. I cannot express my satisfaction enough.

Posted: January 20, 2016

Posted: January 20, 2016

Posted: January 20, 2016

Posted: January 20, 2016

We switched to SIS after my son spent two years at a public school, and we are so happy with the decision. The smaller classes, individualized instruction, focus on the whole child, and sense of community all make SIS a great fit for our family.

Posted: January 6, 2016

Posted: January 6, 2016

Posted: January 6, 2016

Posted: January 6, 2016

My daughter is in her first year of the Saratoga Independent School Pre-Kindergarten program and she is flourishing! The teachers are creative, loving, and dedicated. The classrooms are bright and the building/campus is beautiful. I have been very impressed!

Posted: January 25, 2015

As parents, we love SIS! Our son cheers every morning when we arrive to school. Some of the things we love are: multi-age learning, tailored teaching to individual needs, and hands on education. The classes are small and the teachers are dedicated and loving. We couldn't feel any better about where our son spends his day or how he is educated. SIS is hands-down the best school out there!

Posted: November 3, 2014

My children have been absolutely THRIVING at Saratoga Independent School. Rather than focusing on test taking and/or 'teaching to the test', they teach to the child and focus on the process. The kids don't just learn lessons, they learn HOW to learn. They learn to be responsible, organized, diligent students. The focus is on each child's personal best, and there is great pride in their own achievements and celebrating the achievements of the other students. I love the way they work together, help and support one another and truly thrive. The teachers really know each child and how they best learn. I also love that there is continuity - the same group of teachers have known my kids since they started at the school, and rather than having to start at square one each fall, they can pick up where they left off. And the teachers are absolutely wonderful - from the ones who have been there for years, to the new hires that merged seamlessly with the team, you could not ask for a better, more qualified staff. My kids LOVE school, and are truly happy to be there, and I find it to be worth every penny we spend to keep them there.

Posted: October 30, 2014

I have happily signed a contract with SIS for 5 years now. I feel bad listening to parents whose children are in the public school; we simply do not have those same conversations regarding ranking, testing, tenure. We discuss our delight over our children's vocabulary, the fun they had in math class (?!), the ever increasing extracurricular opportunities ( such as running in the morning before school!), and the dedication of the faculty and staff. There simply is not a better elementary education program in the Capital District.

Posted: October 29, 2014

As a parent of two students, I am very pleased with the opportunity that has been offered at SIS for my kids. The high quality and integrity of everyone involved with the school has been important to our family. From the educators and students to the administration and board, the community goes above and beyond to make you feel welcome. Our kids are challenged every day and are excited to learn. They are energized by what is offered. We considered the options available for our kids in the Saratoga Springs area, Saratoga Independent School is the best choice for us.

Posted: October 29, 2014

My daughter turned eight last week. When asked what her perfect day would look like, she said " We,, I would start with an hour of math, then have an hour of language arts. I would definitely have art after recess and an hour of music and gym. Would there be more time or could I go to aftercare?" This was certainly not the response I had expected, but it goes to show how much she loves going to Saratoga Independent School. I am so grateful.

Posted: October 29, 2014

Be very careful if you sign up to go here. If things do not work out and you leave, you are on the hook for all the money! We started our daughter here in the preK program for the afternoon. Almost 3 years old and we are told the kids here can take a nap. After a week of crying and acting up and falling asleep as soon as she got in the car, they say that she never takes a nap and that is normal. All the kids in the morning class do take a nap, however those in the afternoon class don't. We put her back in her old program where she is doing well. We signed their contract and are on the hook for all of the money. $1000 per day! They say they depended on our money for their budget, so cannot give a refund. We did not sign up until the tail end of August. They don't do budgets until the end of August? Horrible school with horrible business practices. Beware!

Posted: October 29, 2014

Saratoga Independent School will tell you anything you want to hear to get you signed up. Really take the time to find out what you're getting into, because once you sign on the dotted line they are ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. If the school does not work out for you or your child for ANY reason, you are obligated for the entire tuition. We found the school to have a disjointed school/daycare option for working families. If a child is there for an average 8-5 day, they will find themselves in a whirlwind of 3+ different programs to make up for that time. The school is out of touch with what preschoolers and parents need. In their words, "the parents really end up bearing the brunt at the end of day with an exhausted child that sleeps in the car on the way home as there is no way for us to accommodate for a rest period during the day." We withdrew after only a few days and enrolled in a program with continuity, nurturing and some clue about parents and preschoolers. When we went to the school with our family's concerns that our child was in distress there, SIS immediately brought up our financial responsibility and the legal action they would take if we did not make good on the tuition.

Posted: October 29, 2014

My daughter loves this school! During weekends she will ask when she gets to go back to school. This is our third year (two years in Pre-K and now in Kindergarten). The school is small and I love the fact that my daughter knows all the kids in both K classes and most of the Pre-K and K-6 students since learning is multiage and the school has a great community feel. The school is growing (additional building being planned) and in the meantime space is tight in the parking lot and in the school, but it is a necessary growing pain. Administration has an open door policy and there are many avenues for parents to provide input and be involved in helping to make changes.

Posted: March 23, 2014

You will not find a better school than this! The teachers are amazing, class size is small, lessons are geared towards individual learning styles. So much of what they do is hands on, and emphasis is placed on individual responsibility (at age appropriate levels) from the beginning. Even more than that, there is an incredible sense of community.

Posted: October 31, 2013

We moved our daughter to SIS after 3 years in public school. We were concerned that once she made it to a certain level in a subject, less attention was paid to her educational needs. At SIS, she is challenged everyday and teachers provide frequent and detailed feedback on her progress. It was a difficult decision to remove her from public school where most of her friends went, and enroll her in a private school where we had to pay for her education. She has made a lot of new friends, and her focus at SIS is learning, not socializing (although there's still plenty of that too)! As far as paying tuition, it is a great value for the level of education she is receiving and financial assistance is available for those who need it. Don't let cost deter you from pursuing SIS - it is truly worth every penny! The staff at SIS cares deeply about the kids, and is passionate about making every student succeed educationally and socially. They provide a stable, fun environment where my daughter is thriving. I give SIS my highest recommendation. Our only regret is that we didn't enroll her sooner!

Posted: October 22, 2013

Freedom to learn Freedom to think out of the box Challenged individually Respectful, gentle, and kind atmosphere Unique Devoted and intuitive teachers New experiences daily Welcomed into the community I smile each time I drop them off. I know they are in good hands.

Posted: October 18, 2013

We love SIS! The teachers and curriculum are fantastic. The emphasis on individualized instruction combined with a thoughtfully designed curriculum is not matched by any other school in the area. Science and social studies are as valued as language arts and math in K-6, and students get plenty of arts, music, Spanish, and physical activity every day. Community building occurs through daily activities and a theme that the whole school focuses on for the year. Our child loves going to school every day!

Posted: October 18, 2013

Small class sizes leads to lots of individualized attention to the kids. Good diverse offering of enrichment classes. Personally would like more sports activities and French courses.

Posted: October 17, 2013

I have been at the school for 8 years. The education that the children receive is the best I have seen. The children actively participate in learning with hands on activities. All the children learn at their own pace and the results are amazing. The teachers are dedicated and their love of teaching shows through every day. Each child has a story to tell about something that has made their experience special and their smiles say it all. They also have a great lunch program with home cooking that takes each and every child into consideration. There are vegetarian options each day and children love to be "buying" lunch. The art program is one of the students favorite parts of school and eager budding artists have shown their expertise in many forms of art. Parents are highly involved and students are thriving here.

Posted: October 17, 2013

My children have been absolutely THRIVING at Saratoga Independent School. Rather than focusing on test taking and/or 'teaching to the test', they teach to the child and focus on the process. The kids don't just learn lessons, they learn HOW to learn. They learn to be responsible, organized, diligent students. The focus is on each child's personal best, and there is great pride in their own achievements and celebrating the achievements of the other students. I love the way they work together, help and support one another and truly thrive. The teachers really know each child and how they best learn. I also love that there is continuity - the same group of teachers have known my kids since they started at the school, and rather than having to start at square one each fall, they can pick up where they left off. And the teachers are absolutely wonderful - from the ones who have been there for years, to the new hires that merged seamlessly with the team, you could not ask for a better, more qualified staff. My kids LOVE school, and are truly happy to be there, and I find it to be worth every penny we spend to keep them there.

Posted: October 16, 2013

When you walk into the Great Room in the morning at SIS you can feel the students' energy and enthusiasm for learning and see the teachers' excitement to teach. The school provides an unparalleled learning community where students focus on academics and leadership skills (shaking hands, presentation skills, providing feedback to one another). The curriculum is multiage and focuses on each student's needs and abilities. Each year the school uses new themes for lesson plans so that even if your child is in his/her second year of Pre-K, the discussion points in class will be new. The teachers are excellent and the school administration cares deeply about the students and parents. We started at SIS as a Pre-K family with no future plans to stay but it has quickly become clear that it would be difficult to find a community like SIS anywhere else. We relocated to the area from out of state and have been so pleased to have our daughter quickly feel at home at SIS and also pleasantly surprised to make many wonderful friends ourselves through the school.

Posted: October 16, 2013

A great school with devoted teachers and staff. Intelligent learning in a hands on setting. A beautiful building. Safe, clean and warm. When I ask my kids how there day at school was the response in usually "awesome or super cool." I think that says it all.

Posted: August 24, 2013

I have been a teacher at Saratoga Independent School since 2001. It was my dream, as an educator, to find a place where community, character, and creativity were key elements to a successful program. Not a day has gone by over the past twelve years where I felt that this was not the place I was meant to be. I get to go to work every day and enjoy what I do. I get to spend time getting to know the children as individuals, learn their likes and dislikes, and connect with families in a way that is meaningful and rewarding. Saratoga Independent School is an incredibly special place and I am so grateful to be a part of this community.

Posted: August 4, 2013

Our daughters have the good fortune to be enrolled in this wonderful school. The team at SIS goes out of their way to challenge, stimulate and motivate our children to develop a lifelong love of learning. Our family is involved in the school, and it is a great source of pride knowing how committed the community is to SIS. It is an incredible atmosphere for learning, and we are so happy to have our children enrolled.

Posted: March 8, 2013

We have been very happy at Saratoga Independent School. We were unsure about when to start our daughter in kindergarten because she has a November birthday. SIS always taught to her ability and challenged her appropriately. She stayed at SIS until middle school and transferred easily into public middle school.

Posted: October 2, 2011

My daughter is in her second year at this school. The experience has been wonderful. She is gaining confidence, respect for others, and independence. The teaching style is very different from public school in that it is hands-on learning through fun experiences. Each child learns at their own level. The staff is accessible, responsive and truly care about the students. I feel very fortunate to have my daughter attending the school and know that it is fostering her a love of learning.

Posted: December 1, 2010

If only the public schools had what Saratoga Independent School offers . . . Children are taught at their level and expected to rise to be the best they can be. The children receive a lot of individual attention from the teachers. Behavioral standards are high and participation in the larger school group is expected at the child's level whether the child in in Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th grade (or Pre-K!) This school is a model for what all schools should (and could) be.

Posted: July 10, 2008

This school goes above and beyond in making sure each individual child's educational needs are met. Daily meetings foster a sense of community between year groups, and different subjects are taught based on level, not age, a concept which many other schools in the Saratoga area fail to grasp. There is a strong sense of community as well as personal development. Children strong in particular subjects are assisted and encouraged in helping peers, contrary to the policy in many other schools. Course material is appropriate and diverse while meeting or exceeding base levels in all disciplines. Every employee of SIS truly enjoys educating and it shows in every child. It is by far the best elementary school I have ever put a child into and worth every penny, at what is a reasonable cost in upstate NY.