Birchwood School

4400 West 140th Street

Cleveland, OH 44135

9 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK, K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 16, 2017

The teachers and staff at this school have done so much for my boys. They have gone above and beyond what is required in order to ensure my children get the best education possible. My older son is in the 7th grade and has gone to this school since kindergarten. He is considered gifted and has been continuously challenged at just the right level. My other son is in 2nd grade and, although he is not considered gifted, he is thriving in the warm, caring environment Birchwood provides. I am thankful for the opportunity to send my boys to Birchwood!
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2014

My children have all excelled academically, emotionally and socially as a result of being students at Birchwood School. The staff has lovingly educated my children year after year. If you are looking for an environment where your children will thrive Birchwood School is the place to be!
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2014

My children have all excelled academically, emotionally and socially as a result of being students at Birchwood School. The staff has lovingly educated my children year after year. If you are looking for an environment where your children will thrive Birchwood School is the place to be!
Submitted by parent on September 24, 2014

Horrible school and teachers. They donot encourage the child's learning but only set them up for competition
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2013

My kids are in the BWS preschool and Kindergarten. We have been very happy. The teachers collaborate with the parents. The small class sizes mean that they know my children well and they focus on each child as an individual. I've been very happy with both the communal feel as well as the academics. I was worred at first that it would be too competitive or that somehow my children, who are capable but not gifted, would feel left behind. The exact opposite has been the case. My daughter is thrilled by her accomplishments and since her teachers praise each individual child for where (s)he is at, my daughter doesn't feel the difference between her successes and those of more "gifted" children. Instead, she's really flourishing, challenged and yet loved. Motivated and yet filled with a sense of accomplishment. The school is also phenomenally diverse! We had tried other preschools and were really disappointed. BWS' community and responsiveness has been phenomenal. I have never been asked to get a tutor or even had it suggested. Homework is entirely optional and is meant for those parents who want it. We do it when we can and otherwise we don't worry about it. All said, we are thrilled!
Submitted by parent on November 12, 2012

I am very pleased with Birchwood. My son has been there since first grade and enjoys the school. I have always been impressed that although most of the teachers are from the same church, it is not brought to the classroom. The school is multi-cultural and I am glad my son can learn about other nationalities and religions by being friends with those families. The school makes a point of pushing kids to their own potential. Students don't sit in class waiting for the others to catch up, but are given work for their own level. Is it a perfect school? No, but what school is. It has been a very good environment for my son and I know that the skills and character traits he has learned will serve him well.
Submitted by parent on October 11, 2012

Birchwood School is a daycare with an occasional lice problem. Very little learning is taking place there; the kids are simply handed down back to their parents to be homeschooled at the end of the day with enormous amount of homework. By the way the quality of the materials provided for homeschooling is poor and lacks consistency. Teachers are incompetent and rude to children and on occasion to their parents as well, which is not surprising considering the school hiring practices as indicated in previous posts. A particular group of parents and children is preferred over the others. Since very little learning is taking place at school parents are pressured by the school officials to take their children to private math tutors, so the kids could win prices for the school at competitions. The overall atmosphere at the school is very competitive in a negative way. Kids are not kind to each other. The school does not promote cooperation, but stepping over heads attitude in advanced students. The curriculum is mediocre, provincial mix suited to fit schools (not children) needs for filling up blanks during competitions.
Submitted by other on August 28, 2012

Great school, and I love going here... Although it's my last year here, I can tell you that going to this school has really built up my foundation for high school, and I feel really prepared. I recommend anyone who's looking for a great academic and social career to come here. There are always negatives and positives, but you will get the best treatment by the teachers, and there are so many opportunities available at this school!
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2012

The education provided at Birchwood School is exceptional. Based on a review that I read, it may be true that the teachers are from a similar background. However, I think this is to be expected as the school was started by a small group of concerned parents and has grown within this same structure. I do not see favoritism though. I see education tailored to current strengths and children from various backgrounds prospering within this framework. The educational environment is challenging and it is a large departure from the educational climate at most public schools. The school utilizes a number of competitions but these are selected well by the staff. The students can focus on key studies and also participate in the contests which I view as fostering a sense of real world competitiveness and a sense of personal accomplishment. The competitions are recognized programs that complement the students skills in terms of problem solving, research and essay writing. This school promotes a caring environment with a exceptional teachers and an excellent curriculum.