Touchstone Community School

54 Leland Street

Grafton, MA 01519

32 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 01, 2021

Touchstone has experienced a lot of change over the past five years, not to mention Covid. The new head of school has a long history with Touchstone, as a parent then a teacher, and has worked tirelessly (and I mean TIRELESSLY) to bring TCS back to its roots in progressive, joyful, challenging, emotionally sound education. We were already thrilled with our child's experience in the Nest (prek/k - Sheryl and Nancy are the best!) and then Covid hit, and we have felt so cared for by the head of school and the entire faculty and staff. They adjusted so quickly to continue to provide education in line with the school's mission and have discovered so many new ways to help children thrive, both because of and in spite of a pandemic. I think the school has experienced some growing pains, but have truly been able to be reflective on what needs improvement and is actively working to make TCS the best school that it can be. This includes professional development for teachers, more supports for students in need, and a renewed commitment to eco-literacy. If you have any thoughts or wonders about Touchstone for your child, I would highly recommend to just come and see for yourself! Take a tour, hear children laughing, see teachers connecting with students, feel the joy. You'll be so glad you did.
Submitted by parent on July 09, 2020

Excellent! As a student there for 7 years, it provided a foundation for my own confidence and leadership skills that have served me throughout my life. I fondly remember my teachers (are still in touch with many) and friends who are now like family 20+ years later! As a parent today, I am thrilled to share that Touchstone still offers the supportive educational environment that allows children to learn in the way that suits them best, while encouraging exploration of topics that interest them — curating lifelong, engaged learners!
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2020

Superb curriculum with hands on learning across all ages. Students learn to celebrate each others differences, and work together to accomplish whatever the task may be. Older students have the opportunity to attend farm school for 3 days, and then eventually hiking trips to the white mountains for team building. Small class sizes, amazing instructors and parent involvement are just a few of the reasons why students love TCS.
Submitted by parent on July 31, 2019

I cannot say enough positive things about our experience at Touchstone. We enrolled because we were seeking a more positive, enriching and supportive environment for our son, who was unhappy in our local, public middle school. Touchstone's fantastic teachers and its friendly, accepting environment transformed him from a bright but unenthusiastic student to a kid who loved to learn and could not wait to get to school each day. The small learning environment allowed him to get more one-on-one time with teachers than what was possible in the previous public school setting, and he was also able to pursue individualized projects that suited his unique interests and learning style. We easily felt like the community was family right from the outset of our time at Touchstone and our son quickly made wonderful friends. Now, as they head off to high school, I'm confident these friendships will last a lifetime. And my son is headed to a top-tier private high school in the region - a challenge the education at Touchstone has prepared him for going forward. Touchstone was life changing in the best of ways for my son and enrolling him there was one of the best decisions we ever made.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2019

Excellent! Touchstone is a small school where students are respected and heard and valued. Students are happy to come to school, and they become compassionate friends and passionate learners. My two children loved Touchstone and learned to be active, engaged students responsible for their own education and excited about pursuing their passions.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2019

A school that has been around for years and years and produced smart, caring young people who have succeeded in college and beyond.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2019

Our daughter is just finishing her second year at Touchstone and we have had a fantastic experience. Their Pre-K/K program is absolutely wonderful and the teachers have been very supportive of our child. The child-to-teacher ratio is excellent and our daughter loves all of the teachers in the school. This is a progressive education school--there's a lot of flexibility, innovation, and outdoor play. When our youngest children are old enough, we definitely plan to send them to Touchstone.
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2018

We love the warm, caring, community way that Touchstone nurtures and cares for our children and family. Integrated project based learning is a great fit for clever, inquisitive children. Who want to delve deep into subjects and follow their passions. Highly recommend this school!
Submitted by other on August 14, 2018

the highest! i wish i could have gone there through high school.
Submitted by parent on August 14, 2018

I'm in the fortunate position of having been a parent at Touchstone as well as being an educator. I've seen schools all over the country and the combination of true in-depth learning of curriculum along with a deep commitment to the development of social skills is rare and is extremely valuable. During their Touchstone education, my children gained the ability to follow their passions, to not be afraid to learn from their mistakes, and to navigate social dynamics. Touchstone is not for every child. Because the goal is to help children develop internal discipline in order to meet their goals in life, there is not an emphasis on heavy top-down control. I believe that children who need that heavy outside discipline may do better somewhere else. But when my children left Touchstone and went to other schools, their teachers were amazed at their ability to be self-directed, excited learners. Their ability to navigate a wide range of environments has stood them well in their lives as successful adults in their fields.
Submitted by student on July 30, 2018

I was a student here. I am behind in math because of this school. I am self conscious because I went here. PLEASE do not go to this school! I mean if you hate your child go right ahead! There's a sign on the way there. It says WELCOME TO PURGATORY.
Submitted by parent on July 22, 2018

So glad for and grateful to Tochstone!
Submitted by parent on July 11, 2018

Our experience at Touchstone has been an amazing place for my son and our family. His curiosity and love of learning has returned. He feels accepted and respected by children and staff. He LOVES going to school each day. He's happy and made great progress.
Submitted by principal on June 24, 2018

Touchstone is an amazing place for many children and families. It doesn't work for everyone, but this small school is a gem. It has saved so many children who gave up on learning, who felt that school was not a joyful place, or who lost their spark.
Submitted by parent on January 20, 2018

My son has been going to this school for the past 7 years and has enjoyed every moment. He has learned a ton but more importantly he has learned to love to learn. And he is happy. I don't think we put enough weight on happiness in this society and this school does an excellent job of looking out for a child's social and emotional well-being. The teachers and staff also stress the importance of making the world a better place and instilling a social conscience in their students. These are the 3 most important things I wish for my child right now and when he grows up: that he loves to learn, that he is happy, and that he is part of the solution for improving society. Touchstone has been a great match for my values.
Submitted by other on November 20, 2014

I am a recent Touchstone Alum and high school Junior. I started at TCS in first grade and I'll say that being a little kid in TCS is absolutely the greatest, especially coming from an awful public school, it helped me grow and develop my own interest without most of the social pressures and regular "school stress." Once i entered middle school things changed, yes i had a mostly good experience but i started to learn what TCS is really about, which is money. Yes it's a small school and needs help but it suddenly became the leading factor of the entire school and it was almost like as a student, I couldn't go one day without hearing about how WE as students should donate to the school. Secondly there was high school fast approaching, and while i was told in all my previous years that I would be well prepared for high school, I really wasn't in most cases; I had only ever taken one test and wrote like two essays so it's a major leap from TCS to high school and yes it's quite the transition. My parents also got just as fed up with the school if not more. My word of advice is start your kids here at a young age and take them out by 5th grade.
Submitted by parent on June 09, 2014

Touchstone Community School (TCS) provides children with an excellent balance of cognitive, social, and emotional growth. TCS's mathematics program promotes advanced processes such as mathematical reasoning and application, and TCS's literacy program promotes higher-order linguistic processes such as integration, interpretation, evaluation, and critique of texts. These abilities are nurtured concurrently with artistic creativity and play, as well as respect for self, others, and the environment, which combine to promote exploratory, holistic personal growth. TCS s primary strength are its teachers highly educated individuals who focus on individualized instruction while supporting and modeling an inclusive, constructive community. TCS teachers take the time to truly know your child and work with you to tailor a challenging curriculum that best leverages your child's strengths. Throughout the year, teachers continuously assess your child's achievement, modifying goals and instructional approaches to stimulate intellectual, social, and emotional growth. Thanks to TCS, our children have become conscientious, confident, independent thinkers.
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2014

Touchstone Community School is a wonderfully supportive learning environment that supports the whole child. As a family, we've had children at the school for the past 8 years and love it!
Submitted by other on June 03, 2013

Touchstone is a place where students are inspired to learn and grow every single day. With their small class sizes, hands-on and theme-based curricula, and highly trained teachers, the opportunities for inventive thinking and meaningful learning are endless. Since classes are made up of mixed age groups instead of grades, students are given the opportunity to challenge themselves at their own pace and learn both academically and socially from their peers. Additionally, students are encouraged to reflect on their own learning, both on a regular basis through classroom activities as well as in the student-lead parent/teacher conferences held twice annually. Respect of peers, teachers, and selves is expected at Touchstone the #1 rule is, You can t say You can t play . In short, if you were to open a textbook on progressive, holistic, child-centered education, Touchstone would be on the first page with the caption, Exemplary. I am a Touchstone alumna who attended the school from ages 5-12. Now, 9 years later, I'm an Education major at Smith College and I still visit Touchstone regularly. Touchstone is like a second home to me and to all TCS students of the past and present.
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2013

I am a parent who witnessed the transformation Touchstone made in my daughter s educational and emotional life. It is a school which values the process of critical thinking; where experienced teachers nurture the developmental and academic stages of children. Above all, it is as it should be, about the children. My daughter graduates from Touchstone this year. In preparation, I have spoken to many parents of alumni who have moved into high school. The high schools include public, private and vocational-technical schools. The response has been that these students take the skills learned at Touchstone and transition well into other academic environments. If you have had the chance to witness what I have over the past five years, you too would appreciate the curriculum, faculty and staff Touchstone has to offer.