Jackson School

200 Jackson Road

Newton, MA 02458

19 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-6
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on September 27, 2024

We now have our oldest son here after being so impressed with our daughter’s experience at Walnut Park ( their toddler to 6yr old counterpart), and it seems pretty clear this is a great environment for him as well. His class isn’t Montessori, but I have the utmost confidence that his teacher connects with him as an individual and works with his unique character. In just a couple weeks, we see that he’s generally happy about school and doesn’t complain much when going or leaving - a huge difference from his last school. He’s really coming out of his shell - becoming quite the confident speaker, engaging with his classmates in gym and at the first birthday party of the year, and becoming much more creative with the stories he tells and questions he asks.Our experience at Jackson Walnut Park has been great for my wife and I as well - the faculty and staff are wonderfully supportive and friendly, and with all of the activities for parents and families I've gotten to know a great deal of fellow Jackson Walnut Park parents. We love being a part of this school and really feel like we're in good hands here.
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2024

My daughter enrolled in JWP as a "senior" and she could not have had a better experience! She was welcomed with kindness from the students, teachers, and the JWP community. She has been academically challenged and supported during this transition, and she has embraced all that JWP offers. She is eager to join new clubs and groups, and she has made wonderful friendships. She feels well prepared for the next steps in her academic journey and our only regret is that we did not enroll her at JWP sooner. What a wonderful experience and I could not recommend JWP more!
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2023

Cannot be happier that my kids attend JWP- only regret that I did not enroll them sooner (they entered into 3rd and 4th grades). Wonderful community, great education.
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2023

We are parents of two students at Jackson School – and will soon add a third student. We have had 5 years of experience with the Jackson School team and have had a very positive experience. The school has special notable characteristics. First, the team of people – both administration and teachers – are very skilled and top quality. The teachers have been excellent with our children: They spend time to know the child’s individual needs and partner with parents to enable the child to excel academically. The school also keeps class sizes smaller to ensure this highly individualized attention.The school invests in the facilities and in the technology, keeping children exposed to and learning in a necessary computer driven world. However, at the same time, the children are limited in their “electronic time” learning and still receive a large portion of “teacher-taught” personal teaching. The Jackson school administration is very focused on keeping the curriculum very competitive in today’s environment. The school building and campus are happy and welcoming.Most importantly, our children are very happy at the school, both with fellow classmates as well as their teachers. As parents, we have also found the whole community to be very high caliber and driven people who have strong ethical values, translating these values to their children. The school is a Catholic school, which is important to us, and the school does focus on keeping the Catholic faith present in daily life.Also worthy of note is how excellent the school’s approach was during COVID, not closing but staying open and strong through difficult times. As a parent, they kept us “sane” in keeping school open in ways that other schools were not. We would definitely recommend Jackson School to any parents considering this for their child/ children.
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2023

What a hidden gem in the Boston area! We truly feel that the Jackson Walnut Park experience was the best gift we gave our kids. The fully accredited Walnut Park Montessori preschool is absolutely the best jump start program ever developed. The Catholic elementary education at Jackson is top notch, with a strong academic curriculum that is second to none. The kids get out of six grade ready to attend the most rigorous and prestigious independent middle and secondary schools in the area. My daughter absolutely loves all her teachers, and the many fun projects they have at the end of a chapter or unit. From a volcano project in science to a book writing in math (yes, math!) and churros making in Spanish class, JWP know how to get the kids excited about learning!Aside from that, and probably most importantly, the people are kind and inclusive. The kids become really passionate about serving others and help those in need. The character formation along with the numerous volunteering/charity opportunities throughout the year start early - as early as in preschool!! The community at JWP is incredibly welcoming. From the teachers to the staff to the maintenance people and the Head of Schools, everyone is amazing. It’s like a big diverse and loving family.
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2023

We’ve had a wonderful experience at Jackson. We currently have a sixth grader, a third grader and a kindergartner. We moved to Jackson during covid, where they handled things beautifully with clear communication and safety first. The teachers have been highly engaged, the classes are small and our kids come home happy.
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2023

My daughter started in the toddler room at Walnut Park and is now in the 5th Grade at Jackson. We recommend both schools highly and without hesitation. Simply put, Jackson Walnut Park produces graduates who are incredibly prepared for the next stage of their scholastic lives. Perhaps more importantly, the school has a culture that cultivates kindness, thoughtfulness, and all the traits necessary to becoming a great contributor to society. Jackson Walnut Park has helped our daughter become the person she is meant to be and has prepared her well for whatever challenges lie ahead.
Submitted by parent on January 18, 2023

Jackson has proven to be a remarkable school where my two sons (grades 1 and 3) have flourished. The challenge of successfully educating young students in the Covid age is no small undertaking. It is with fine attention to detail, coupled with multidisciplinary learnings, set in small group situations, that has separated Jackson from the peer group. As a parent, it gives me great comfort to know that both of my boys love school and the Jackson community. I suspect our youngest, age 4, will one day call Jackson “his” school as well. I would highly recommend Jackson to all families looking for small, supportive classrooms that nurture both traditional components of education as well as a deep sense of community and responsibility to others around them.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2023

Jackson has been a wonderful school for my children. The curriculum provides for a solid foundation in all the essential areas and the teachers focus on getting that foundation right with each child. This formation is so critical to not only have students confident about themselves but also capable to build their learnings to more complex topics. The teachers are caring, warm, and friendly. There has been some turnover in the teachers and that is, in my opinion, wonderful as it has resulted in a much needed infusion of new energy. Tradition is great and it is strong at the school but now, I believe, it is at a good mix of tradition and progression, which is what will make this school continue to provide a top quality, well rounded education. My children started in the Montessori division, Walnut Park, and then progressed through the elementary school at Jackson. I have one who graduated and continued on to an ISL school, where he is thriving. Jackson prepared him well to take on the leap to middle school and he continues with confidence and diligence from the base he had at JWP. I continue to choose JWP because my child is greeted by name every morning by the Head of School and then proceeds to spend a day with teachers who notice when he is struggling, notice when he is doing well and enjoying a topic in school, and who give him a voice to express himself in class. Class sizes are small, ranging from 12-15 students to one teacher. Overall environment is friendly, the kids are nice, and my kids have always been excited to go to school in the morning. As a parent, I can’t ask for anything more.
Submitted by parent on April 26, 2020

Jackson is an exceptional school. The coursework is academically rigorous, the teachers are thoughtful and caring, and the campus is a loving, welcoming place for young children. The small classes allow the teachers to really cater the coursework to your child and know your child very well. We have been pleased to see consistently outstanding secondary school placements since its founding and these schools all comment on how prepared our students are . Our school has been responding to distance learning better than most schools I have heard about. This speaks to the dedication of the faculty and staff. We've been very happy to be part of such a diverse and supportive community.
Submitted by principal on April 17, 2020

'I feel warm here' was the first impression of our older son who transferred to Jackson School in the middle of 4th grade. This is a school that not only provides rigorous academic curriculum, rich art and music programs, fun and learning extracurricular activities, but also embeds high moral values such as integrity, courage, respect, fairness, honesty and compassion in daily school life. It is a great inclusive community that we are grateful to be part of.
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2019

The school offers a nurturing and academically rigorous environment. It motivates children to do their best. My son transferred from another school and his attitude towards homework visibly improved within the first weeks of starting at Jackson. He is now independent and does his homework conscientiously. The teachers know how to develop the children’s character and a good community spirit, and I haven’t heard of any issues with bullying. The children have fun and develop friendships. In winter, the school participates in a basketball league against other private schools and everyone can play.
Submitted by other on March 30, 2019

Some good yearsIt was not all bad. The academics are good and all the teachers really cared. It is nearly all worksheets. A few projects. But not a great environment for creativity. If you have a kid who is a critical thinker and likes to question things, this is not the place for them. They are not super open to feedback and the kids feels suffocated. Plus they have to put up with super pampered kids. Please save your money for college and send your kid to a public school! They will learn how to work with all different kids. I didnt value diversity as much as I did, until we were in an environment that didn't have any. There is zero socioeconomic diversity at the school. The kids make fun of other kids for being different. A class size of 9 or 10 kids is not normal or healthy. Just because the classes are small doesn't mean it is good quality. It means they have an enrollment problem and for good reasons!
Submitted by student on November 06, 2018

On a scale from 1 to 10 I would rate this school at a 9, because of their devotion towards maker your son or daughter not only a better student, but a better person to others.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2018

We have been at Jackson School for two years and have watched our child's curiosity, confidence and academic skill develop beautifully. The school leadership and teaching staff has taken a strong interest in meeting our child just where she is, and working effectively with her to help her grow. Class sizes are small, and with that: all students have the teacher's attention and are held in mind during the day; and the students in class naturally form an inclusive community. We feel so fortunate that we found this school!
Submitted by parent on August 08, 2017

Excellent. Our children have been at Jackson for 3 years now and we couldn't be happier. We transitioned them from our local public school and couldn't be happier. Our children receive the individual attention they need to thrive overall and excel in math and science. The teachers know each child very well and work hard to bring out the best in each. Our children have made great friends here and have been very happy.
Submitted by other on August 08, 2017

Having witnessed fist hand the way the children are taught and seeing the children thrive at this school, makes me wish I had children young enough to attend, The teachers and staff are wonderful and the principal is an outstanding individual. Another review referred to this school as a "Hidden Gem" and I could not agree more with that statement! Overall I will give this school 10 out of 10!
Submitted by parent on October 14, 2016

Our son has thrived here over the last 6 years primarily because of its low student to teacher ratio and strong academic program (they were recognized nationally for their STEM program). Its standards are high but it works with each kid. We are from JP, so diversity, values and acceptance of all life styles were critical to us and Jackson has not disappointed. Any comments about kids acting like kids is an universal observation and should be taken with a grain of salt.
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2012

My son, Matthew, attended Walnut Park Montessori School for three years including pre-school and kindergarten. He had a wonderful experience and was well prepared to enter Grade 1 over at the Jackson School where he is currently in his final year as a 6th grader. His education at Jackson has been exceptional. My son, John went through the Jackson School and graduated several years ago. He and his classmates were admitted to excellent secondary schools as a result of the strong academic curriculum, small class sizes, and teaching excellence. For our family, the sense of community on the Jackson Walnut Park campus has been an essential feature along with all of the other aforementioned benefits. Julia D. Newton
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2012

Jackson School and Walnut Park Montessori provide outstanding foundations for academic success. Students are known, loved and challenged daily to reach their potential in a supportive environment. Our oldest was very well prepared for middle school thanks to the amazing teachers and staff at Jackson and Walnut Park. Kerry N. Boston