Free Union Country School

Posted: March 4, 2017

We have a son and daughter who were both in the public school system and GATE program. They started at Free Union 2 years ago and I only wish we had found this lovely school sooner.

Both of my children have been challenged academically and both are, once again, interested in school and learning. The academic program is engaging, appropriate and stirs curiosity and review outside of school time.

My daughter is going on to Grade 6 and will leave Free Union for middle school. She has had no issues with applications and admissions to prospective schools. It is obvious that Free Union has kept pace with the area schools academically and I have no concerns about her transition.

The teachers at Free Union are an incredibly special group of people. They treat the children with the utmost respect and encourage kindness and thoughtfulness among the students. My son left his previous school with a fairly poor self-image and that has improved dramatically since starting at Free Union. I have found all of my concerns addressed quickly and appropriately.

My children have very different interests and learning styles yet both love to go to school. It's amazing to hear the complaints when there is no school because of a holiday. I know my children will have a wonderful end to their elementary school years and will be ready to move on to middle school with a positive outlook and a strong academic background.

Posted: March 4, 2017

Posted: March 4, 2017

Posted: March 4, 2017

Posted: March 4, 2017

Posted: March 4, 2017

Posted: March 4, 2017

There is no busy work- homework covers what was not finished at school.

Posted: January 22, 2016

Posted: January 22, 2016

At the lower grades, homework is enjoyable and geared toward family participation (reading to a sibling or parent, math games, family journals). This builds to the upper grades where children are responsible for their own work which our son finishes handily. It is a nice balance of reading, core math/spelling, and creative literature assignments each week. Special projects are interspersed throughout the year.

Posted: January 22, 2016

Each child is known here, and known well. Free Union has a familial atmosphere where teachers and staff take the time to help children make good choices. Additionally, there are many opportunities for older children to interact with and mentor younger children -- and much like our neighborhoods of old, good behavior is modeled and poor behavior is unappreciated. A great social learning environment.

Posted: January 22, 2016

We have two boys attending Free Union Country School. Our oldest has been there from PreK through 5th grade and our youngest is currently in 1st grade. We can't imagine a better place to raise our children. The teachers are committed and inspiring -- the community is loving and supportive. We have never experienced a mediocre teacher in our nine years there -- they are all amazing. Our boys love to read, write, create, figure, explore AND they are kind, confident and caring. Free Union offers the type of word we had as children, a place where you were lovingly lead to become accountable for your actions. A place where recess meant sand and mud, forts and castles. A place where imagination reigns. Isn't this what childhood should be?! We are now moving on to middle school and our son is on par academically with others his age -- his creativity and confidence well above average. We consider Free Union one of the best decision we ever made.



Free Union offers the kind of childhood that we experienced.

Posted: November 17, 2015

Posted: November 17, 2015

My daughter has attended Free Union for 3-1/2 years, and she looks forward to going to school each day. Part of the educational culture at Free Union is integrating a child's natural curiosity with academic learning. This has inspired my daughter to explore, learn, share and grow. She has also developed tremendous self confidence at the school, largely because the teachers and staff are unfailingly encouraging and supportive of the students. There is a strong sense of community at Free Union, in large part due to the commitment and dedication of the school's leadership and staff.

Posted: November 16, 2015

Posted: November 16, 2015

Posted: November 16, 2015

Posted: November 16, 2015

I have been a parent at Free Union for the last 10 years. It has been a wonderful school for both my children, the older who is extremely gifted, and the younger who has learning disabilities. I have worked in private school education for over a decade, and so I know that it can be challenging for a school to meet the needs of both gifted students and those with learning challenges. Free Union has supported both kinds of students very well. Not every school is right for every family, but Free Union is a wonderful place for many families looking for a school with small class sizes, dedicated teachers, and a place where kids get to be kids.
The school was able to keep my gifted child fully engaged and she made a wonderful transition to middle school where she has been a straight A student. I attribute her love of learning to her early education at Free Union, where she was encouraged to pursue educational interests in a variety of ways.
My younger daughter is currently there, where she is working hard to overcome her learning issues. The school could not be more supportive of my child, they all go above and beyond to nurture and support her. She is driven to school and back to me each day by the most wonderful member of the school staff who is a 2nd mother to my daughter. That is priceless to me, as a full-time, working single mother, this school has met my children's and our family's needs. As to the comments about diversity, both of my children are Asian. For the past 3 years, all three of us have been involved with the very dedicated and active Free Union Country School Diversity Committee. Diversity important to the school, and they are eager to improve the number of diverse families, but that takes time.
The most wonderful part of Free Union is the dedicated teachers, many of whom have been there for years, and who love to teach and love children. The ability for kids to spend lots of time outdoors is an added benefit in today's world where so many kids don't get enough outside, fresh air time. And in the winter, when it snows, my daughter cheerfully takes her sled to school, where she is carefully supervised while she and her friends joyfully sled during recess. I can't think of a better way for my daughter to spend a winter recess.

Posted: April 6, 2014

5th graders that graduate have a good deal of struggle in their new schools, both public and private with homework, behaving appropriately in class, math and organization according to their peers and past parent's reports. Some have had to hire tutors to get their children at grade level in the new school. The private high schools in the area seem to have a connection or historical understanding that Free Union students are not high achiever students, but are eager to learn and just have been accepting them under these old terms. School standards have changed and this is a wonderful little school has not. It stuck in the past and is having trouble preparing today's students for real challenges in a testing and competitive world. The new director was hired to improve the standards but has been met with great resistance from within. Many fear that change will take away some of the charms of this little school that is like a home to so many. A great place for preschool (my kids loved it). Stay if it works for your needs.

Posted: September 8, 2013

Fun because it is very easy academically and unchallenging. No idea how students transfer smoothly to other schools that test and give real grades. A few kids (and parents) present with an attitude of "entitled" to fun. They are disruptive to the overall atmosphere of learning. This has not been handled well over the years, upper school notably. "Happy" for them tends to rank higher than the other children's and parent's rights. A good place for a student with disabilities or needs a small environment. Not for gifted students or sports & after school clubs families- this is truly an "old fashioned" school, which may or may not be good for today's standards. No proof about that "inner circle" comment, but do get it. All schools have their own social politics. This one isn't any different . FUCS is different in that every teacher is engaged and cares for each child... perhaps priceless in 2013? Zero diversity, low academics if you need them to compare to other schools, rely on test results, need to transfer to other schools, or think that reading, math and spelling need to be solid in elementary school by second grade (it's so not here). Terrific for preschool and kindergarten.

Posted: June 2, 2013

I have mixed feelings about Free Union. I am a believer in progressive education, but believe it should be balanced with an emphasis on safety and some rigor; I'm not sure those elements are fully present (even the smallest kids aren't always well supervised outdoors, safety is a concern). I do believe the teachers and most of the administrators really love the kids and get to know them. My child was bored here, though, and wanted more challenge than was available there; never looked forward to going. No school is right for everyone -- and this sweet little place was not right for us.

Posted: May 15, 2013

My child is excited to go to school everyday, engaged academically and socially, and honored as an individual. The environment is rich with multisensory and interdisciplinary learning. Thankfully, the school is free from sectarian or pedagocially-restricted influences. The staff and parent body welcomed us warmly and continually reach out in myriad ways to support us and our child. One day, in a mix-up with pick-up, a parent offered to help provide a ride. There is a true community feel to the place. I also appreciate the way the teachers handle conflict within the student population. Students are held responsible for their actions without shame and with an emphasis on mutuality and compassion. I trust that this type of progressive education bodes well for my child's future engagement with the world -- intellectually, emotionally and socially. I wish I had spent my elementary years at Free Union!

Posted: April 11, 2013

The Sept 2011 review is very fair and accurate. The new director has a challenge of blending the old free union (hippy?) culture to meet the academic challenges of today's school system. Hopefully, she will elevate the academic bar and discipline needed. The "inner circle" is still there. This is a small group of moms that remain at school or in the front office for socializing and helping. They are essential help, but also create an atmosphere that is reminiscent of high school cliques- false smiles, not welcome to new ideas, exclusivity, and even elitish snobbery- yes- all carefully hidden under the granola bar clothing. The school is progressive only in theory and it's future progess is being slowed by the very people that seek to preserve it. Cultural diversity is zero- all white. That said, focus on the pros from first review. I agree with all of them. Teachers are terrific and nuturing, just too relaxed in academics and correcting inappropriate student behaviors.

Posted: September 8, 2011

Pros 1. Atmosphere: children always seem happy, they socialize with each other and teachers, they are respectful of others. 2. Free play time, especially outdoors. 3. Naturalistic grounds (stream, fields, nice play structures, gardens etc). 4. Nice facilities: cozy and functional. 5. Approachable teachers. 6. Sense of community 7. Small class sizes. Cons: 1. inner circle of 'friends' making key decisions such as faculty hires, sometimes flawed ones 2. Uninvolved playground supervision: 'let them figure it out on their own' undermining safety. 3. Academics not as good as they could be: no grades; no recognition of individual achievement; 'challenge' is a dirty word. 4. Lack of diversity: no scholarships based on ethnicity; financial assistance typically goes to white families (99%); little concern for the working/traveling parent (last minute trip notifications, mid-day teacher meetings etc). 5. No transportation for events: conflicts by not caring for the random volunteer driver. In sum, great school for very young kids: cozy atmosphere, emphasis on social development. Note: the former director of the school tended to be abrasive to parents. No longer an issue.

Posted: May 13, 2008

Posted: January 14, 2008