Seneca Academy

15601 Germantown Road

Darnestown, MD 20874

12 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-5
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on 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!
Submitted by parent on 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!!
Submitted by parent on 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!
Submitted by parent on 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.
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2016

The teacher to student ratio is excellent, and the focus on respect and boundaries is so important to young students.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 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!
Submitted by parent on September 18, 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!
Submitted by parent on September 18, 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
Submitted by parent on June 24, 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.
Submitted by parent on September 19, 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.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 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.
Submitted by parent on February 01, 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.