Montrose School

29 North Street

Medfield, MA 02052

17 Reviews

School District
Grade

6-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 06, 2024

The teachers at this school are terrible, they do not know what they are teaching and leave students to learn it themselves at home. This leaves students with at least 5 hours of homework per night and they are not lenient about deadlines. A teacher of an AP course outright said to her students that material would be on the exam in the spring, but it was not something they would learn in class. Teachers are either alum who could not find other jobs or moms of students. They do not know what they are teaching, and a teacher that is supposed to be teaching girls at a college level only knows the subject because it is her "hobby". The administration of the school is insane. The so-called head of upper school, screams at girls who do not wear the uniform correctly, and makes girls strip down out of winter clothing outside of the school(it is freezing outside and they expect the students to wear a skirt and a thin sweater). They also take students phones before school hours start and keep it after school hours when the students need to leave. The sports are horrendous, letting girls onto their varsity team that have no idea how the sport works. They force their religion onto girls, and force girls to daily mass or to a reading period where they only let girls read certain books. They claim they only give girls 45 minutes of homework per class, but they classify half of the homework the students have to do as "enriching", thus making it not qualify as homework. The money that parents pay for this school goes to things like new desks and chairs, rather than fixing up the school, which is falling apart, or hiring teachers that are actually educated on the subject they are paid to teach. Teachers are also extremely rude to students when they are not doing exactly as the school wants, and attempt to encourage girls to get rid of their social lives so they can do more work for school. This school is absolutely awful and will not prepare your child for the outside world, it shelters girls from every outside aspect of life and does not teach them how to interact with strangers. It managed to make my daughter and all of her classmates depressed with its unattainable workload, over-bearing teachers, and psychotic rules. On top of this they have no mercy for the students mental health never asking students whether they are doing ok, but they claim that their "mentorship" program is one of their best qualities, but it does not help students whatsoever.
Submitted by parent on November 28, 2022

I am parent of two daughters who attend Montrose. Our experience has been very favorable. Specific highlights worth calling out is the culture amongst the girls which balances academic rigor, support for one another, good times, and consistent themes focused on character and leadership development. In addition, Montrose provides a great community where parents want to stay involved with the school. I highly recommend the school.
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2022

My daughter has attended Montrose School since sixth grade and is currently a student in 9th grade. I would highly recommend Montrose School to any students who are academically motivated and interested in developing as strong women of character. Montrose is challenging so be sure you're willing to work before making a commitment. Teachers are engaged and available. The mentoring program is outstanding and it's meant a lot to my daughter to have one go-to person who really knows and advocates for her when needed. Everyone at the school seems to really want the students to succeed- but they need to earn it. Opportunities are there for leadership, sport, arts, and more. Families are welcomed and encouraged to get involved in the school in any way that works for their schedules.
Submitted by parent on November 29, 2020

My older daughter has been very happy at Montrose. She has great friends, is academically challenged, and has supportive teachers. My second daughter started at Montrose recently, and our experience has been similar with her so far. Montrose has done an excellent job managing given Covid. In the spring, my daughter felt connected to her friends and classmates despite learning online. I also don't think she lost ground academically. Now, they are in person four days per week (Wed. are remote), but students can attend remotely if necessary. The new schedule is working out so well. Yes, it is a proud Catholic school. The administration fosters kindness, respect, and dialogue among all of the students.
Submitted by parent on April 16, 2020

This is our third year at Montrose and we have had a great experience and always recommend it to other girls seeking a great community and top notch education. Our daughter has enjoyed the teachers, sports and community. We are also thrilled with the remote learning since schools have closed in March. There was no delay in the start on line classes and the school monitors the effectiveness of each school week with weekly surveys to the students and parents. My son is currently attending public school which just finally started remote learning. He is not challenged and has very little homework. We have compensated with an on line English and Math tutor. My daughters education at Montrose will continue uninterrupted and my son's education experience and quality does not compare.
Submitted by other on December 17, 2019

I will say that the philosophy/metaphysics class I had at Montrose was extremely formative for me. But as a Catholic, I found it bizarre that the school brags about the percentage of students that go to mass daily. Their alternative was to read a selected book and write an essay, so of course most people went to mass (even non-Catholics)! This school has the potential to empower women to be compassionate, intelligent members of society. But the judgmental attitudes and the lack of freedom and openness to diversity are holding the school back from becoming something truly great.
Submitted by other on April 10, 2019

They make every student go to Mass each day, and if you wish to not go, you have to sit in a classroom for 40 mins reading a book that is "approved". If you do not have a catholic background, the teachers look down on you and same as other students. The uniform rules are ridiculous, you can't have a rolled sleeve, skirt needs to be past your knees, can't wear outside clothing as soon as you walk into the building, even if it during winter. They assign you an advisor, but they do not help academically, yet they try and force you to become more religious and it becomes very uncomfortable. Most of the girls believe they are the best because they have money and can rule the school because their parents are on the board and they know they won’t get in trouble. The only place you are allowed to eat is in the cafeteria, and if you are seen eating something you will get a written warning and three warnings is a detention. This school did not prepare me for the outside world, I learned that from becoming friends with an all boys school where their life seems to be much better. Overall, this school does not help you become a social person, yet it scares you aware from men in general because the only men in that school are priests. They don’t care if you have a family issue, they still want you to do all of your homework and want it in when it is due. The homework load is beyond what any high schooler, middle schooler should have to do. The amount of homework that I had to do each night was way too much and they did not care if you were apart of a sports team or not. They only thing they cared at that school is if you had money and if you could get into a smart school so the school would seem as if they were helping you out, when in reality they only want your money. The school has gone down in size because everyone is realizing the negative effects on their kids. If you wish to send your daughter to a strong all girls school, send them to Dana Hall or Newton Country Day School. The girls I know from that school are much more ready for college and the outside world. This school has given me nightmares and I wish I never went and will never recommend this school to anyone. The only thing I looked forward to was graduation and never going back again.
Submitted by parent on March 29, 2018

Terrible experience. They lack the ability to practice what they preach.
Submitted by student on October 10, 2017

The atmosphere at Montrose is like no other. The girls are kind and welcoming and the teachers make you feel at home from your very first day. While Montrose is challenging academically, every homework assignment has a purpose and I have never been assigned busy work. I feel prepared for college and beyond!
Submitted by other on September 17, 2017

I am extremely grateful for my Montrose education. I arrived at my university far ahead of my classmates academically thanks to the rigorous liberal arts education I received at Montrose. More importantly, I was equipped to face the challenges college life introduces thanks to the support I received through the advising and character development programs at Montrose. I was surprised why many of my classmates in college were hesitant to ask or answer questions in class. Thanks to Montrose, I decided to pursue STEM in college, where I was one of very few women. At Montrose, I was encouraged to take risks and was taught the value of making mistakes. I am confident in my values and had many amazing women role models at Montrose who were remarkable living testimonies of faith, character, and vision. Montrose gave me some of the best friends to whom I can call in times of need or just to laugh and reminisce years after graduation. This is truly a remarkable place that changes lives. Of course, the school is not immune to problems but you can be assured that those in charge- particularly the Head of School- has in mind the best interest of those affected. I found the administration to be very principled and true to its mission. Montrose is a place that truly forms girls into young women of faith, character, and vision. When I look back on my experience at Montrose, I feel an immense debt to the school that formed me into the woman I am today.
Submitted by student on February 28, 2017

I am frustrated at the lack of individual attention anyone receives. Unless your child has a legacy at the school or is popular with teachers and friends, they will be continuously dismissed and disregarded. Girls are sent here assuming a small school would provide a firm foundation in growth through the years, but are unfortunately disappointed.The young ladies at this institution will sadly not know how to cope in the real world. The bullies will be unpleasantly surprised that their tactics will not work. The girls told they are not capable enough will be unsure of themselves and insecure. The girls who are objectify men (this is because 'all girls' creates an idolization and fantasy when it comes to males) will be hurt after they throw themselves on the first boy they can find.Lastly, although one may think inappropriate 'weekend behavior' can be avoided by sending your child to Montrose, it is the exact opposite. Some students use Montrose to get away with doing illegal acts and misbehaving because nobody would suspect them of those things if they went to Montrose. Many girls throw away their lives to make up for lost time, in the end alone and lost because Montrose never offered a helping hand, but grabbed some popcorn and enjoyed the six years of entertainment for them and torture for the girls.
Submitted by student on February 26, 2017

The community appears to be friendly, but everyone is fake and cliquey. I am not allowed to choose the classes that I truly want, and the selection of classes is terrible. The unreasonable "high standards" cause incredible amounts of stress, and I feel like my high school experience has been ruined. Please do not send your daughter here. If you do decide to transfer here, DO NOT listen to them if they tell you that you need to repeat your previous year. You absolutely do not have to. The administration convinced my parents that I had to; they said I would have a better education and I would be more apart of the community. I cannot stand the stressful education Montrose has, and the community at Montrose is anything but welcoming; I do not have a single good friend here and I have not been invited to a single outing in over a year. I wish I would be able to remember my high school years as cheerful and bright, but sadly, the past couple years have been filled with many tearful and stressful nights. I cannot wait to graduate and move on with my life.
Submitted by student on January 17, 2017

Such an incredible school that challenges you to become the best student, friend, and servant of God that you can.
Submitted by other on January 16, 2017

I went to the school for middle school. At first, I thought it would be a perfect fit. I loved the school on my day visit and was more than excited to start 6th grade. Soon after I started at the school however I realized that not everything was always as perfect as advertised. First of all, the math class that you would be put in for the next 7 years was all decided on by a placement test that I took the Spring of my 5th grade year. I think it is absolutely insane that a test that I took when I was 10 would affect me when I am 17. Second, I met some of the meanest girls you will ever come across at Montrose. I'd say at least 3 of the 5 days of the school week I'd come home in tears because of how mean the girls were. Third, I'd say nearly half of the teachers did not have advanced degrees. Moms are teachers. The enrollment at Montrose has been steadily reducing over the past few years and now, I can tell why. Leaving has been the best decision I have ever made.
Submitted by parent on December 04, 2014

Montrose is an outstanding private girls school that is focused on developing women of character! The headmistress, teachers and staff are thoughtful and intentional on educating the whole person. Montrose students are fortunate to have advisors that not only support their education and learning, but also to help encourage them in their everyday activities and the pursuit of excellence in all things. You can feel such a spirit of goodness when you enter the doors of this inspiring school!
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2014

A school of character that gratudates young women leaders. No other place I want my daughters. The academic rigor requires study skills that are transferable to life after Montrose. Add in very competitive sports and supportive facility and staff and you have a gem of a school. We are lucky to have our girls at Montrose.
Submitted by parent on July 20, 2014

This was an awful school. Moms are teachers, the administration is money hungry and tuition and gifts are their primary focus. They ride on a reputation from Boston Mag 5 years ago.