Lucy School

9117 Frostown Road

Middletown, MD 21769

37 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on August 22, 2024

I would recommend Lucy for preschool. However, there is a major lack of education. My daughter once told me “we didn’t do math today because no one wanted to”If you are looking to put your child in a private school that will set them up for success for high school, this is not for you. Teachers are fabulous. There is however a TON of turn over. In the two years we were there, they had three head of schools. Many different people in the front office. Communication is poor. The best way to describe this place is an expensive way to homeschool your child with no say in the education piece. Def not the school for everyone!
Submitted by other on June 16, 2024

Lucy School is a little piece of heaven, inspiring students to embrace learning, nature, and curiosity. Its focus on the arts and on the environment, on play and hands on learning, combines with strong academics and experienced educators.
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2024

Incredible school. If the Montessori approach is what you are looking for there is no better school in the area. Students are actively engaged, the environment is learning and respect based with many areas of interest for students to pursue.We have been thrilled with the school, the teachers and our child’s learning.
Submitted by parent on July 30, 2022

After being disappointed in this school we regretfully have decided to go with the public system. Concerns with bullying were not addressed in a satisfactory manner. When I let the school know I would be leaving negative reviews they threatened to sue me ( in writing no less).
Submitted by parent on August 14, 2020

We fell in love with the beautiful, sweeping grounds of Lucy School and were wooed by the wholesome, eco-friendly aesthetic of the facilities. This could have been an ideal, long-term fit for our child, who we'd planned to keep enrolled all through Middle School. However, the incompetence and greed of the administrative staff during their handling of the COVID crisis peeled the curtain back for us and let us see the school for what it really is: a for-profit cash grab that doesn't value its families as much as it does their tuition checks. The school's owner and financial "manager" (and I use that term loosely, because handling financial transactions via snail mail with absolutely no digital paper trail in the year 2020 is inexcusable, especially considering the hefty price tag of tuition) has no business running this function. He's disorganized, rude, and antithetical to everything that this school claims to stand for and teach its students. His treatment of families is not unique to ours, unfortunately, and goes completely unchecked by the rest of the administrative staff. It's a toxic environment and not something we were willing to put up with considering how much we paid to be there.
Submitted by parent on December 03, 2019

EXCELLENT! I have 3 kids who attended Lucy School for middle school and it was a great experience for all 3.
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2018

See above about my happiness with the preschool teachers and my unhappiness with the financial office.
Submitted by other on October 31, 2017

"Let the child drive their education" that is the most insane approach. Sadly an injustice to the children
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2017

Programming is amazing at this school. Teachers and aides give it a 110% effort and the specials are fantastic, not to mention the outdoor time and opportunities for free play. Three star rating is for: rigid drop-off policy and limited communication from/access to teachers. Rigid drop off: parents are not allowed to walk child in, unless you are paying for before care and coming in early - suggesting that it's more of a parking issue than a "its best for the kids" issue as the school suggests. Also, several parents appear to be given special approval - I have seen multiple parents walk kids in - one dad in particular.Limited communication from teachers: it's a challenge to get anything daily or weekly that is specific to your kid - the "weekly plans" email does go out regularly, but only addresses what the kids will be doing (which frequently changes last minute). Often the teacher walks out to get child at drop off, or brings child to car, but they are in hustle mode and make it clear that it's not a good time to talk. The administration needs to come up with a way to provide parents better access. It is a private school after all, and most parents who choose this kind of environment (and pay for it!) want additional information beyond parent teacher conferences once per quarter.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2015

We couldn't be happier! Such an amazing place for my kids to attend. The academics are very strong but presented to the children in such a creative way that learning is fun and the kids actually enjoy school. Outdoor time, after school programs, extra curriculars, social events all have been excellent. The best part about Lucy School is that my kids are respected and able to learn and grow in a safe environment.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2014

My child loves Lucy School. The Preschool Program is absolutely outstanding and the teachers in this program are exceptional. I believe that early childhood education is the most important step one can take to help ensure success in K-12 and beyond. We are extremely happy that our child looks forward to going to school at such a early age.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2014

My school is Lucy School in Middletown, MD. Wow! Such a great green environment to have my daughter blossom in so many ways. Her interpersonal, language, reading, and math skills have her excited to go to school each day. She talks about and demonstrates what she learns and continues to learn at home. She really thrives on outside play twice a day and our conversations are frequently on nature-she demonstrates her innate respect for all living things. Lucy School is a great fit for my daughter as well as my husband and me.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2014

Lucy School is a wonderful community of teachers, parents, and students. Our daughters have flourished there over the last several years. The 17 acres are beautiful, complete with a waterfall, woods area, organic garden, and pond. Children are encouraged to be peaceful, be good stewards of the earth, and the arts are used to supplement the curriculum.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2014

My children have attended the public schools in our area as well as Lucy School. In their words "at Lucy School, Im having so much fun I don't realize Im learning the bookwork". As a parent, I love that my child spends substantial time each day outside, in nature, expelling physical energy. I have 2 children who attend school there right now, and they come home each day fueled by a love of learning and excited to continue learning at home. Today my 3rd grader came home wanting to look up owl sounds on the computer. Last week she wanted to make signs to reduce littering in our area. My children are passionate learners, and attribute this to the environment they experience at their school!
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2014

Lucy school has been a perfect fit for my daughter. Lots of outdoor time in a beautiful setting, with help or challenge academically when she needs it.
Submitted by parent on December 08, 2013

My daughter struggled with the transition to preschool but when we enrolled her at Lucy School she thrived. She has been lucky to have had very good and caring teachers. I agree with a previous comment about a lack of transparency however the school has worked with us to provide financial assistance and I believe the director tries to work hard with each family on a case by case basis. I've talked with other families that feel the academics are too light and others that have thought they were a bit stringent for pre-schoolers. We have found it to be just right for our daughter but I can see why it might not be a good fit for some. The campus is absolutely beautiful and I love all the time the kids spend outdoors.
Submitted by parent on November 25, 2013

Magical. Lucy School isn't just a place to go for learning. The teachers are inspiring. I believe their enthusiasm and joy of teaching is genuine. They know & love my kid. It is a giant family, and like any parent knows: the best learning comes not from flashcards but from doing. In preschool, my daughter's class was weighing and graphing the amount of trash/compost they produced on a daily basis, and predicting future outcomes. One lesson involved scientific method, math, weights and measures, ecology and plant science. Then they drew pictures of the compost! Amazing integration. I've always found the administration and staff easily accessible. If anything, I feel like they should have more time available for themselves. Never has it taken more than 24 hours for anyone to get back to me.
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2013

We have been at Lucy School for a few years and our family is extremely pleased with our experience. Teachers are extremely committed to meeting the needs of each individual child and are very responsive when we have questions or concerns. The emphasis on the arts and environmental curriculum is well organized and executed well. Our children have always looked forward to going to school and are excited about what they are learning, whether it be in math, language arts, art, music, drama... The campus is beautiful and when contemplating preschool or elementary school options, setting up a tour at Lucy School should be on top of the list.
Submitted by parent on November 06, 2013

My children love the Lucy School. They are engaged and excelling academically. They love to run in the fields and play in the woods. They excitedly tell of art projects and adventures in drama, and sing their songs from school. Their teachers show great care for the students, with effective classroom instruction as well as attention and support for students' social development. This is our second, wonderful, year at Lucy School. I have always found the director, the administration, and the teachers to be accessible, attentive, and responsive to any issues I have raised, questions I have asked, or special circumstances that I needed help with. Our children are happy and thriving at the Lucy School.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2013

There are many wonderful things about this school. The teachers are overall excellent, the educational approach is superior to the "prep for the test" orientation of public school these days, and the facility is gorgeous. My children have largely enjoyed their time here. But. there are some major problems. The director is completely tuned out and never present, and yet won't delegate authority; the school feels like it has no direction and getting basic issues addressed -- like problems in aftercare or even getting an email answered - is a nightmare. There is no transparency: no board, no public budget, no meaningful parent involvement in crucial decisions. We are not told when our kid is hit by another or gets hurt while playing. The focus on "sustainability" is ecological and not social: expensive buildings that can be shown off, but underpaid staff who have no benefits. In short, it is billed as a cutting-edge school but in many respects is extremely traditional and authoritarian. It does spill over into the children's experience. We're moving on.