Waring School

35 STANDLEY ST

Beverly, MA 01915

9 Reviews

School District
Grade

6-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 22, 2019

Our family has been at Waring for 7 years with 2 kids and our 3rd on his way. This school is just different from the other options. While there are graded tests and assessments in some classes, overall grades aren't given. Instead the teachers provide thoughtful written evaluations for each class. Each student is asked to strive for their individual potential rather than reach a generic benchmark. Many students graduate as fluent French speakers. The international travel and exchange program that are part of the program in 9th and 11th grades is transformational both developmentally and intellectually. Students are asked to be real thinkers. Classes are generally discussion based, asking students to become skilled in respectful, voluntary communication without a teacher choosing which students may speak. There is no hand-raising. Students are required to keep and use a sketchbook which quickly fills with observational drawing and impressions of various experiences. Careful attention is paid to developing skills in drawing. Music theory is taught to all students for several semesters. And despite Waring's emphasis on the humanities, teaching in math and science does not suffer-- on the contrary one of two of the strongest and favorite teachers is in math and physics. Everyone participates in athletics. Team sports have been demanding but also a lot of fun. Classes are small and the students are extremely bonded by the end of their time at Waring. It's been a great fit for our family.
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2016

I agree with the January 15 and September 2014 postings. The changing of the guard did not have a negative impact on the school. Conversely, the new head of schools is readily available and fully engaged with the students and parents. My child was new to this school this year, coming in at 9th grade and from public school. We are very pleased with the discussion based learning, the small class sizes, the tutorials. The emphasis is to keep the student fully engaged, and critical thinking is highly encouraged. The academic standards are high, yet the school also nurtures performing and visual arts as well as participation in sports. I am pleased with the results of learning French by immersion and the opportunity for international travel. Highly recommended!
Submitted by parent on January 12, 2015

My children have each attended The Waring School since sixth grade. We currently have a senior and a sophomore. I couldn't agree more with all of the positive feedback of previous posters and disagree completely that the "changing of the guard" has put the school on a negative trajectory. The new head of school has carefully moved forward, trying to maintain the integrity and genuineness of the Waring experience, whilst simultaneously bringing it into the millennium with regard to the administrative side of things. The education is, and always has been, thoughtful, engaging, experiential, and discussion based and it is guided by an amazing group of caring faculty whom I cannot say enough about. The absence of "perfunctory learning" is sincere. And, daily, students are provided opportunities to seize many unplanned moments that provide a better setting for learning than the hours spent preparing for "passing the test" that occur in more standardized schools. I am so please my children chose this school.
Submitted by parent on September 02, 2014

As a parent with a child about to enter her second year at Waring, I cannot disagree more with the June 2014 and June 2013 posters. The school is outsanding, and the new headmaster is exactly the right leader for taking this school forward and continuing to strengthen its incredible impact on the students. I understand people don't always like change, but change and progress/positive evolution are very different things. The posters below from March 2013 capture the true Waring experience in a nutshell. The school is not for everyone - but it is right if you want an academically and culturally intensive, multifacted education in a small, community oriented and liberal arts atmosphere. The school does ask a lot of its students, but it gives a lot more in retrun. My child relishes the hard work (across academics, music, sports, art, language), the socratic approach, the independence, high level of accountability and community throughly. She cannot wait to go back, despite the high demands placed in her each day. I only wish I could have attended Waring myself. Terrific leaders, teachers, staff, students, parents. We are thrilled to be a Waring family.
Submitted by parent on June 19, 2014

I cannot put it better that the June 14, 2013 reviewer below. The June 2012 replacement of the longtime head has definitely impacted what was a superb school to which my family will forever be indebted. I would encourage parents of any applying student to seek the counsel of the parents of a recent graduate, as there is no question but that Waring's best years are behind it.
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2013

We have had concerns about Waring over the last year, which is perhaps due to the old headmaster leaving His loss is keenly felt and the dramatic shift in tone at the school possibly is preferable by some though we are quite saddened at the loss in vibrancy, mutual respect and community. I think it is important for new parents not to rely on the history of the school and to have their children speak with other students before they consider attending. As with all schools it is right for some and not others.
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2013

This school is a rare find in the world of schools! I am continually impressed by what and how my child is learning and how engaged she is. The teachers encourage students to think and learn as opposed to memorize. The standards are high and students are expected to accept responsibility for their learning. Teachers, hands on activity, seminar style classes, group tutorials and upperclassmen mentors are employed to fully engage students. French language fluency is fostered and international travel is a part of the high school curriculum. All graduates go on to 4 year college or university; this is an impressive statistic on its own. The administration is available and approachable by parents and students alike. The new headmaster interacts with all the students in various ways and the school community is happy with him. My child loves school, loves the Waring school and she is going to return for another year. All of the children in her class and most of the student body are returning as well. We feel lucky to have found such a wonderfully engaging school with a proven method of educating.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2013

Waring turns out graduates who are independent, thoughtful, and multi-faceted, not to mention fluent in French and comfortable with international travel! The school demands a lot from students, including not only rigorous classical academic work, but also music, and music theory, participation in sports, and in theatre. Waring asks children to perform outside their comfort zones. But it gives a lot back: the faculty nurture children in multi-age group tutorials, and support them as they try new things -- including for upperclassmen, mentoring young writers and math students, under the supervision of a faculty member. Waring asks a lot -- and in so doing, Waring produces exceptional young adults.
Submitted by parent on August 14, 2009

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