Whitby School

969 Lake Avenue

Greenwich, CT 06831

35 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 23, 2024

I am a parent with two children in the children's house (the name of Whitby's school that run through Kindergarten) and could not be happier with our experiences. We toured all the school in the area and chose Whitby because of the child centered learning, emphasis on independence, fostering of curiosity, and relatively more diverse student body, The curriculums and classrooms are well thought out and adhere to the Montessori philosophies. The teaching staff is exceptional and pays close attention to the children and their developmental progress. Our children look forward to Mondays and are excited to see their classmates and teachers (their music teacher and art teacher are personal favorites). We already see the tenets of Maria Montessori manifesting our children who are quite independent and curious but at the same very respectful and well behaved, we constantly get compliments at playdates with other families. The parents are very friendly and there are plenty of opportunities to be social and build a network that feels properly pace vs. some schools where social functions seem more important than academics. The opportunities for extended days and afterschool activities are amazing where kids can spend time each week learning an instrument, foreign language (in addition to the classes during the day), dance, chess, etc. Would highly recommend the school.
Submitted by parent on November 29, 2023

If you care about the mental health of your child please do not send them to Whitby. After many years at the school we are leaving this year after our child was bullied and the administration did nothing about it. In fact, they seemed angry at us that our child is being bullied and intimated it is our child's fault. We have heard this story from numerous former parents and unfortunately we did not ever think it could happen to us until it actually did. The Head of School comes across as an affable leader but when a decision needs to be made, he defers any action. Please do not send your children to Whitby. The turnover at the school is high for a reason. If you are considering it, please speak with a former parent as they will illuminate just how detrimental this school can be to a child's well being.
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2023

The teaching and learning is of the highest quality at Whitby. My child graduated advanced in every subject they studied and it attending a top tier high school. The problem, however, is on the social side. The school blames its small class sizes on the cruel and bullying behavior of many of the students. The real problem, however, is that there is no discipline and no consequences for bad behavior - physical aggression, use of racial slurs, stealing items, campaigns to shun certain students and keep them away from activities, name calling (loser, wimp, stupid, etc) and so much more. The school's response is either your child is "sensitive" or has some mental health issue. I can't tell you how many stories I heard about families leaving because their child was bullied in the school, and their supposed mental health issues disappear at the new school. Do not send your child to Whitby, especially above the first grade. There is nothing more important than your child's mental health.
Submitted by parent on September 24, 2020

It's a wonderful welcoming place. My child can't wait for Mondays. And he loves learning.
Submitted by parent on July 17, 2020

We are entering our 6th year at Whitby and love this school so much. There is an amazing sense of community and my children love going to school. As a private school the teacher to student ratio allows kids more direct attention from their teachers. The multi age classroom also allows children the ability to mentor and assist younger classmates. The younger years are Montessori based which promotes independence and allows the children to take some ownership over their work. I was shocked that my daughter was learning multiplication in Kindergarten.
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2019

Love the teachers, the environment and the program.
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2019

We have two children at Whitby - one in Stepping Stones and one in Primary. We are thrilled with our experience at the school. The teachers are world class and our kids literally run into school every day. They are learning so much, so critically, and so engagingly. They learn Mandarin while singing and exploring nature, after a lesson about the environment. They re-create famous paintings in a live action outdoor day after studying art history. Everything is so well-thought out and so engaging. We know from other families that all the 8th graders were admitted into their top high school choices and we are excited for the doors Whitby will open.
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2019

If you want a high level and advanced education for your child this is the best school in the Greenwich area. Starting at kindergarten they are breaking students into groups based on their current levels and starting progress from there. The upper school (5-8 grades) has the focus of a high school because they don't have one. Students are preparing applications and going on shadow days similar to college experiences. We have been at the school for 6 years, we have 3 boys and 1 girl attending Whitby. My children have a love of learning thanks to the approach Whitby takes. It also has wonderful diversity with many international families. As a family with 3 ice hockey players and an active country club schedule, I appreciate the perspective my children receive from their international friends. I.e., My daughter said her next trip is to see the Taj Majal and my son is eating Sushi in his lunches every week, but really the international approach to communication, inclusion, academics, and social experiences. This schools is truly magical!
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2019

Outstanding! We have really loved it - our daughter is delighted to go every day and we treasure our experience at Whitby.
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2019

If you are looking for a school with a 19th century model of learning through lecture and rote memorization, this is not the school for you. But if you are looking for the 21st century school that teaches your kids to be engaged and motivated learners with teachers who inspire their innovation and creativity, look no further. Both my kids have thrived here. My younger child is still at the school and my older child is graduating from 8th grade and is starting high school. Whitby has a top notch secondary school process and guides you through all steps. She could not have been more prepared for this transition. Whitby kids as a rule are known to be confident, well-spoken, advanced in their learning and to excel in the schools they move on to, which is no surprise at all to the parents of children who have gone through the Whitby continuum.
Submitted by parent on May 13, 2019

Absolutely amazing! I would recommend to any person to have the experience I have with my 3 daughters
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2017

We have had a wonderful experience at Whitby. This is our 7th year in the school and each of my three children has started in the Stepping Stones program. We have been very happy with all of the teachers at the school and feel that all our questions and concerns were answered professionally and in a timely manner. I love that all the teachers and staff can greet my children by name - from the Head of School to the teachers, to the custodial staff. It really feels like a family here.
Submitted by parent on July 08, 2017

Terrible at best. We could stand this school for only 2.5 months in 2017 and we left in the middle of the semester. I would like to give more details in each section and below and maybe help some people make the right decision. (We are an international family that graduated from well-respected colleges in US so we know a bit about the education system in US, but we were vastly disappointed at the elementary school level.)1)The teachers also have their kids at school which is to be expected; but that means that they don’t want to reserve any time to parents after school. They give the impression they are not dedicated, as a teacher should be. Or maybe that was only our teacher.2)I believe this may be a good school at the kindergarten level and maybe for girls? However, that is all there is. This is definitely not a school for boys. They don’t want boys or let boys be boys! (The school or Montessori or American policy of holding boys at second grade before they reach 9 years old is another travesty if you ask us.) They lose most of the kids after the first few grades anyways based on a variety of factors. If you don’t believe me, check their school brochures.3)They claim to be an international school but the public schools are more international than this school. Most of the kids are American or come from an English or American educational background or system which is not bad of course but the teachers don’t show the effort to adapt an international kid to a new environment. Empathy is just another word on their school brochures.Conclusion: I would rather send my kid to a public school than Whitby as I believe that he or she would get more education, guidance and learn more about tolerance and empathy at other schools. That would also save you 40k and you can spend it on a really worthwhile school or for his or her future education.
Submitted by parent on February 21, 2017

I have been a parent, teacher, and student (professional development) at Whitby for the past 5 years. We have two children attending Whitby. It is simply a magical place to be. The students are passionate about their learning and caring in their relationships. The teachers are constantly adapting lessons to serve the changing needs of the students, and learning along-side the students. The parents are given plenty of opportunities to learn together and to become involved in their children's learning. Whitby is a learning community that feels and operates like an extended family.
Submitted by other on February 16, 2017

we are an expat family from Argentina. I have an 11, 7 and 4 yo children. I have been at Whitby for nearly a year now and I can say that it hasnt dissapointed me not even once. I am in love with the school. My three kids are thriving, learning whilst having fun, enjoying every minute they spend at school. Caring, motivating, stimulating, I wish all my 3 kids could spend as much time in this school as possible - no doubt its the best school they have attended.
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2016

I have two children at Whitby for the last four years. I have found the teachers to be approachable, thoughtful (in their approach to teaching and the way they motivate your student), and expecting the best from my children. I feel grades are earned and not given. In the Upper School, I am most pleased that questions don't merely require a parroting of the lesson. They always aim to incorporate the "why" and ask the child to think. This is very true in math and science too- where I think it leads to a greater level of understanding. That is more important than getting an A on an exam and feeling overconfident about one's abilities. I feel the teachers are more than accessible for parent and child inquiry and supportive of each student's success. The new athletic facility should help improve that area of the school, which is important to my children. That said, they always have had a good time in their respective sports and the staff is very supportive.Socially, I think the IB program helps diversify Whitby more than other similar schools and helps to better support differences in culture, language, and create more acceptance. My children have had small moments of uncertainy (as most adolescents do), but my experience has been that they have a relatively small amount of "drama" and feel largely confident with their peers. There isn't one "type" at Whitby.Our Head of School is present and supportive and knows all the kids and not just some of the families. I feel he has made a broad impact on cultivating a community at Whitby and helping school pride, outreach, and the overall warmth of the school.
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2015

Whitby is a dual philosophy school, encompassing both Montessori and International Baccalaureate programs. It really focuses on a childs self development and self-directed initiative (with guidance) that I think is absolutely outstanding for early learners. It is an extremely international, with many children speaking several languages, and all kids learning Chinese and Spanish at a very early age. Mother tongue classes are also available, free of charge, which are incredibly well organized and taught.
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2014

In moving to the NYC area and needing a top notch IB rated school, this school was by far the best in the Tr-state area. We were surprised to find a limited number of options of internationally ranked schools in NY area, and concerned about keeping our kids on par with the IB system. Whitby not only is a school our kids are thriving in, it is a school in which we feel part of a wonderful community as parents. One can't compare it to other top Greenwich or NYC schools. In our view, it is in a category of its own. Progressive, setting up our kids to compete internationally, which the world is more becoming. Our kids are learning how to think for themselves and develop strong study behaviors. Things we either never learned or only encountered too late in our own generation. If you are a parent that wants the best for your children, this is the school of the future!
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2014

Whitby has proven to be everything its claims to be. Our daughter goes to school with a smile and eager to get into her classroom to start the day with a new challenge or material. Teachers guide and facilitate providing the earliest opportunities for her to own her learning and each day she comes home with something she has completed. The teachers are the most friendly, nurturing and caring people I've yet to meet in education and the principal without fail is there everyday to meet and greet parents and students - he truly gets the human touch and connection. He is visible and leads this school from the very front. Whitby I believe is almost a fully enrolled school at all grade levels and I am glad my wife and I sought out this school when we did. At the end of the day she comes home with a smile about what's she achieved during the day and the stories attached to them. One of greatest things a parent can hope for is their child being happy going, during and at the end of school and each day she is.
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2014

Whitby School has been exceptional for my daughter. The student teacher ratio is great. The teachers really understand my daughter's educational journey.