Waverly School, The

67 West Bellevue Drive

Pasadena, CA 91105

11 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on March 16, 2024

We wanted to send our children to Waverly before we even moved to California and we love it even more than we could have imagined. Our daughters are almost done with their first year and we are beyond impressed with how they have grown over the year. The teachers are thoughtful and kind and, I think most importantly, they do an excellent job of meeting students exactly where they are and go above and beyond to give whatever support is needed. Our children are so happy at Waverly. They have so much fun learning. My preschooler knows more about weather systems and space than I do! And she learned these lessons through a play based program! It’s awesome. The farm program is amazing- it’s so wonderful that these kids have hours designated each week to walk to the farm and learn and play there! Right here in Pasadena! I love the social/emotional work that the school does with the students. The kids are kind, creative, interesting, and seem to be totally themselves. This is a safe school for kids who might feel unsafe or weird in more traditional settings- Waverly has created an environment that gives a lot of room for children to explore who they are. They learn by doing, Waverly teaches them to stay curious. It’s also one of the most diverse private schools I have seen- and not just with the student body. Teachers and administrators come from all different backgrounds. It’s amazing. “Diversity” is a real buzzword in all private school admissions right now, but Waverly practices what it preaches. We love that social justice is a core principle of the ethos of the school. The parent community is engaged and made up of mostly creatives; kind and helpful people who aren’t pretentious. We have made a lot of great friends in our first year, people whom we feel blessed that our children get to grow up around. If you want your child to grow up in an environment where they are free to grow into their authentic selves while also being excited to learn about the world around them, Waverly is for you. If you want a traditional prep school, look elsewhere. There’s nothing traditional about Waverly.
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2024

We LOVE The Waverly School. Our son began in 5th, and has flourished ever since; growing academically, socially and emotionally. His teachers and faculty are dedicated and engaged, even curating curriculum around his higher reading level, interest in science and specific clubs. We appreciate the close knit community where teachers, staff and faculty take the time to really know him. Overall the atmosphere is one of belonging, engagement and growth. We can't say enough about how great it's been for him, and us -- it's been the perfect fit!
Submitted by parent on March 04, 2024

The Waverly School offers the opportunity for students to create an academic path that’s unique and tailored to their directed interests while providing a well-rounded education. The size allows for incredible student-teacher ratio and for excellence in students maximizing their learning in a supportive social environment. Our child survived the pandemic thanks to Waverly’s flexibility and transitional strengths.
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2024

A beautiful school with a wonderfully engaged community of students and parents. I consider myself very lucky that I happened to sign up for a school tour when I was looking at progressive education schools for my two children. Waverly is a school filled with teachers that are excited about education and the social/emotional growth of their students. I have recommended this school to numerous families. This is a school that fosters and encourages children to become intelligent, compassionate individuals.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2024

I didn’t think it possible for middle and high school years to be as calm & joyful as our experience at Waverly —though fair warning: if you want your MS & HS students to have 3-4 hours of daily homework, Waverly is not the right school for you!Small class sizesProgressive learning (—not endless tests and excessive homework!!) Teachers who know your kids and what they need - adapting their workload to push them at the right pace and depth of learning Supportive engaging sports program (-not intensely competitive & exclusive)12th graders who voluntarily hang out with 9th & 10th graders Head of School in 2nd year making thoughtful changes$4M donation led to buying building next door Strong tuition assistance programOrganic farm for education and funOur first daughter joined in 6th grade and enjoyed it so much our other two daughters joined the next year.We are in our 3rd year at Waverly and love the teachers, administrators, students & families in this community.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2022

If you have kids that are exploring their gender/sexual identity and you are looking for a safe place that encourages this exploration at a profound level without judgement, then this is the school for you. The teachers are great in supporting and encouraging woke gender ideologies as early as pre-school. In fact, the sex education in this school is so encompassing and thorough that my child is very comfortable interacting intimately with all genders. Our child has never been happier now that pronouns are prioritized and emphasized based on one's gender preference, instead of the very rigid and traditional metrics of academic education that one would find in other schools. Some may say that the school accepts every child, even those with behavioral problems, ADHD, and learning disabilities, but that is because this school believes in fostering inclusivity and equality, unlike other private schools that discriminate and practice exclusivity. I know that the high school is having some racial issues relating to teacher retention but students are encouraged to protest and have their voices heard. The teachers, administrators and the trustees are very supportive of activism at all levels. We love the Waverly School, which is why we are still continuing on in high school.
Submitted by parent on May 28, 2020

Waverly is unlike any other school in the Los Angeles area. It promotes community, education and the overall understanding that kindness matters. My son has had the most unbelievable experience with the teachers, students and faculty. How many people can say that their teenager considers school their favorite place to be. In addition he was accepted into all but one college that he applied to. The teachers not only teach, they care.
Submitted by other on March 18, 2019

We did not have a good experience at Waverly at all, we found the administration to be very ineffective and power-hungry. They didn't seem to care much about the overall well being of their community.
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2018

Absolutely disgusted with the fact that students reviving financial aid are openly known. This is a facility for self described "liberals" who openly show disgust for those with less privilege and financial status. My tuition money is better served getting my child therapy for being in a racist, classist environment. It's very disappointing how progressive this school presents. Staff and parents seem to be unaware of the hypocrisy of their image vs their actions. It is a veil of feel good pretension for those that truly depise anyone below their personal social strata.
Submitted by other on June 09, 2015

I can't think of a better place to send a child for Elementary School. In the course of one year I have watched my daughters confidence shoot through the roof. She is engaged every day with new ideas and new approaches to academics, art, and the world. She is learning how to learn, and loves it. I cannot say this for her previous school where her imagination all but shut down. The teachers have tremendous respect for the students and their families. Everyone is treated as a human being, not a test score. I don't really understand the reviews from years past regarding special needs children. My child is not one and there is no one in her class that I would view in that way. All I know is that we could not be happier with what she is learning and HOW she is learning it. I cannot speak to the high school. It is a separate campus, but if you want to call having a 7 year with an outstanding vocabulary who can write poetry on her own, explain how fractions work, be self-reliant with a sense of community, and LOVES going to school "special" then go right ahead.
Submitted by parent on January 20, 2013

This school is the sad example of what happens to progressive education when admissions go haywire. Since everybody who applies gets in (they need the tuitions for salaries etc..) most of the kids enrolled are problem kids who would not fit anywhere else. The ADHD population is huge and the lack of grades or consequences keeps them here. As a result the regular kids are not challenged or interested, get bored and fall behind. The lucky ones get to transfer out but many get stuck at Waverly because of their poor academic results. This school is a hot mess, despite a lot of promise in its educational approach. Although at least a quarter of my child's class has learning deficits, no teacher on staff is trained for special Ed. The school should be honest and present itself as what it is: a facility for special needs kids. The school has no set guidelines for its curriculums and the teachers are left to their own devices to come up with programs. It is sad to see such chaos in the name of progressive education. Waverly perpetuates an unfair stereotype.