Foote School

50 Loomis Place

New Haven, CT 06511

32 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-9
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 05, 2023

I have an 8th grader and a 7th grader at Foote, both who have been there since Kindergarden. I can't express how thankful I am to the teachers, the administration and the parents for helping to shape them into the amazing kids they are today. Fostering curiosity and wonder and a love of learning, and the support - from teachers, parents and the community, is unparalleled. My wife and I looked at a variety of schools when considering Foote for our kids, including public school, and there is just no comparison. Foote is the just the right size - not too big or small - with a good balance of academic rigor and creativity to allow kids to explore and become who they are destined to be. My 8th grader will be going on to high school next year and she is so sad to leave. She has an amazing group of friends and has experienced NONE of the pre-teen dynamics I hear so much about from friends at other schools - kids in her grade are inclusive, respectful and kind. Many years ago when I considered Foote for my kids I wanted to provide the best school I could possibly find for them. I wanted to find a place where they could learn and grow without the social or academic constructs that often hold back so many kids. Foote is this place. It has a hundred-year legacy of truly seeing and hearing kids, and a fantastic new Head of School and administration to continue to build on this legacy into the future.
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2022

I go to this school and The Curriculum is great. I love the teachers and I feel very lucky to go here.
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2021

I'm not sure if it's the school, but the behavior of the students is just horrendous. Would not recommend unless you want your child's attitude to change negatively, or be bullied online, and in school. One or the other.
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2019

My review is solely based upon my personal experience with the school, which has been discussed at great length with Beth Mello, the Head of the Lower School.The curriculum is seriously lacking, offering very very little to challenge the students. My third grader actually requested (on her own) that she receive harder spelling, math and reading. If your child is an advanced reader, he/she will only be able to take out books out of the Foote Library that the school deams "appropriate for their grade." The school does not actively try to advance your child by challenging him or her. Instead, the school seems to be more considered with everyone's feelings and driving a political narrative. As a parent, I'd like to see more emphasis on leadership skills and independent (critical) thinking. The school is not worth the 25K annual tuition. I've investigated what public schools are teaching at my daughter's grade level and Foote is very far behind. I've been working with my daughter on multiplication (at home) since the fall. Her class finally started introducing multiplication after the holiday break (halfway through third grade). Being a private school, there are many vacation days throughout the year, which directly impacts coursework. Whenever they have a day off, the teachers eliminate weekly spelling tests/quizzes. I've also pulled my child out of the after school program. It was essientally run by eighth and ninth graders, so it was quite chaotic. Definitely not enough adult supervision for my liking. I do not believe the policial views of the administration should be pushed upon the students/parents. Unfortunately, the adminstration has a very blurred line here and it shows at school functions. The head of the school has made political statements during on-campus assemblies that, in my opinion, have been totally inappropriate. The administration/faculty should follow the school's FALCO pride mission and both include and respect everyone- not just those that fall in line with their ideology. Foote follows a form of selective inclusivity in their highly-manufactured diverse campus. I've considered leaving Foote mulitple times. Each time an issue arises I get closer and closer to finding another alternative. We're giving it one more year and then are ready to explore other school options.
Submitted by parent on January 05, 2018

We are so happy as a family that our daughter is thriving at school. Our daughter has found her place at Foote, they have encouraged her to be curious, confident and creative.
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2017

Our family has had an exceptional experience at Foote. It's a nurturing and inspiring place where the teachers know the students and families extremely well. We have a child in the lower school and one in the middle school now and others who have graduated. Each child is a different type of learner and person, and Foote has been a wonderful fit for each of them, in ways that worked for each child. My children love that they have many shared experiences-certain projects (such as writing/ performing a Greek play in 5th gr. and tapping campus maple trees and turning it into syrup in K) and aspects of the curriculum, like the buddy system (students are paired with students in another grade for a year) and studying a particular country in depth during 6th). They also can tell that Foote has been a unique experience for each of them, one shaped by good relationships with their particular teachers and fellow students: they each feel known by the school. Foote is a place that is rooted in many wonderful traditions and also willing to reflect and grow. My children feel lucky to be there, prepared for next steps when they leave, and better humans, I think, for having been at Foote.
Submitted by other on December 10, 2016

Our duaghter is in her 2nd year at Foote School. Knowing that my daughter is fully engaged and happy to be going to school each day is the best review I can give and she is.The faculty and volunteers are 100% focused on the children. They are a nurturing and at the same time disciplined, helping to develop our child into a first class human being, while letting her imagination fIurish and develop. Helping us to teach her the values of respect, friendship, trust and social awareness through creative learning, group projects and cultural arts. We couldn't imagine making a better school choice for our daughter. We as parents are truly happy to be a part of the Foote School experience and believe anyone that enrolls their child here will be as well.
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2016

Our son is in first grade at Foote, and this is our second year at the school. We have many Foote School friends whom we know from another private school community (where my wife works). So we have known about Foote for years, always hearing great things. But we didn't fully appreciate the school until we enrolled our son. He is in love with his school, his teachers, his friends, and he loves to show me around HIS campus when I pick him up. For our family, this is the most important piece... as Winston Churchill once wrote, "the most important thing about education is the appetite." And Foote School has fanned our son's appetite. Beyond that, my wife and I are enamored with the place and the community. We feel supported, engaged, and welcomed. We cannot recommend it highly enough.
Submitted by student on April 25, 2016

I love this school!!!! The academics are incredible and the teachers are so qualified! How anyone could not love this school is beyond me.
Submitted by parent on October 19, 2015

As a parent of 4 children ( all at Foote), it seems the school has lost its charm and uniqueness. The curriculum has not evolved through the years. Foote is stuck at holding on to all traditions, and it has gotten old and not appealing. Therefore, my children grew tired of the school.
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2015

The children are happy, but the teachers seem miserable. What has happened to this school? My son (currently in 7th grade) is very happy and loves it here, but I have been thoroughly unimpressed- especially with the "Learning Support" program which only seems capable of supporting stuggling readers. The math and science support is non-existent. And one LSP instructor uses impropper grammar and seems incapable of helping my son with basic algebra. Honestly for the price of this school, it is a shock that the curriculum is so traditional and lacks creativity-- they have literally not changed the humanities projects for three decades! The administration is completely disconnected from the faculty who seem to be dropping like flies. It makes me sad to see what was once such a great little school struggling like this!
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2014

We feel very blessed and fortunate to have found Foote School. There are so many wonderful things to say about Foote. Foote fosters an environment of loving to learn and focusses on educating the whole child - emotionally, socially and intellectually. In addition, to creating creative thinkers, these students are taught how to become better citizens in our world. As parents we all do our best to teach how to be curious and respectful and Foote helps support that mission in every way. It takes a village to raise a child and history has shown how Foote alums continue to impact the world in such amazing ways. Foote is helping to prepare my children for tomorrow through its project based learning curriculum which teaches them how to corroborate, listen, compromise and problem solve, as well as help them become better public speakers. These are what we as adult do everyday in our own working environments. There are financial choices we make to send our children here and they are all worth it. Most importantly, my children are happy!
Submitted by parent on October 09, 2014

For my family Foote has been an amazing community. The focus on respecting and supporting individual children and encouraging kids to stretch beyond their own expectations has had a lasting impact on my kids' confidence and ability to pursue their interests. Foote is diverse in a lot of ways. Culturally for sure, as they occasionally demonstrate with 20+ languages spoken - also socioeconomically. Two years ago I saw a listing of financial aid at independent elementary schools nationally and it showed Foote as number one school in financial aid offered per capita. My own children have developed friendships with kids who have more than they do and kids who have less than they do. There are definitely challenges in having kids together who have a broad range of socioeconomic experiences. They will have different vacations, options etc. But I found a lot of support for the individual interests of kids and the idea of "being yourself" that helped with those things. Overall, my view is that no place is perfect, but Foote's teachers and a lot of Foote families put a lot of effort into building a strong, supportive school community so the kids are comfortable and happy.
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2014

I have 2 kids in the lower school, and will agree with other reviewers that my kids love to go to Foote. It is what they say and experience with their peer groups that challenges my husband and I. Foote is an elite school. My kids expect us to belong to swimming clubs, have a multiple homes, take amazing vacations and go to sleep way camps. This is not our reality and we work really hard to help our children have pride in what we have, My kids have told me they are embarrassed about the house we live in and that we do not have cool stuff. They both struggle with returning to school after vacations..they get really stressed out that they will not have a story to match their peer groups. As parents my husband and I feel disconnected,we feel the dividing line between parents and are hesitant to come to campus. We do not feel that parents are as welcoming as the school says they are . During school functions we are acknowledged, but not really engaged by other parents. There is a dividing line Again, my kids are happy, but every year we struggle if we are making the right decision to send our kids to Foote, and wonder would they be better served in a more diverse environment.
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2014

Fabulous Learning Support program. My daughter received invaluable help with writing, editing, and study skills.
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2014

We have 2 children at Foote and have been fortunate enough to be part of the community for the last 5 years. Foote is an amazing place in every way. The children love to learn, they are inquisitive and confident and able to self-advocate. The teachers are nurturing, warm, bright and outstanding; they are the heart of the school. They care so much about each child. Each year I am more impressed by the quality of the education and am overwhelmed by the dedication of the teachers. The small class size only furthers their ability to be so attentive. The exposure to diversity and culture has been a huge positive. The administration is equally as wonderful. The Head of School has an open-door policy and is truly involved with the students, parents and families. When we were first touring the school several years ago we met her- in a smock, in the art room, participating in a lower school pottery class getting to know the students- she is warm and yet a truly outstanding leader. The staff is equally as wonderful. Foote is a special place; not just a school- a community that creates life-long learners and enhances the values we all hope for in today's world.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2014

I cannot begin to describe the magical,joyous experience my children experience every day at the Foote School.We feel beyond grateful to be a part of such a loving, warm community,that strives and achieves academic and personal success within each child that attends this incredible institution.My three children are excited to go to school every day. Each of them thrives on the positive energy,avid learning,community building and confidence the school has given them to be the unique individuals they are.I myself feel that as a parent Foote has taught me how to be a better mom to my kids.I am forever in the school's debt because I come away each day thinking,"wow, how do they always get it just right!" From academic excellence to amazing social and community skills they instill in each child a love of learning that stays with them throughout life.Just looking at the success of alums you can see what this school does for a person.Its not common that grads look back and thank their grammar schools,here they do!Not only do children achieve academic success but they come out of Foote with a deep moral fiber and a passion to enrich their own lives and give back to the community.
Submitted by parent on September 24, 2014

My son is delirious with joy @ Foote. He is a second grader who loves every minute of his day. We love his teachers who are creative, passionate, emotionally intelligent, and rigorous. As working and middle income parents, we haven't experienced the rift that others on greatschools have found. Au contraire, have found a good community of people in similar situations. We particularly enjoy the high concentration of international or internationally-focused families. The sports facilities for our very active child were also a big draw in addition to the arts. We would like to see more attention to foreign language but you can't have everything. I only stumbled upon this site and was surprised by the negative comments because we have exclusively heard extremely positive views from highly informed lower school parents.
Submitted by parent on September 05, 2014

We withdrew our child after only a few years - couldn't deal with the bias against parents of middle income and those who actually work for a living. The school wants cookie cutter kids only and children of alumns / Yale profs...if you're not...you're on the outs. Too many children of faculty who are favored in all aspects. All in all, an awful experience for our kid.
Submitted by other on August 08, 2014

Totally agree with the poster who noted that Foote offers a painfully traditional education. The administrators think the school is progressive because there are a bunch of fake hippie baby boomers amongst the faculty members, but the school actually fosters very traditional, non-creative and non-abstract thinking. Why is it that I struggled academically throughout my entire time at Foote, yet in college and grad school I was praised repeatedly for my analytical thinking skills and considered one of the best in two highly competitive institutions of higher education? Makes you stop and think...