Ridgefield Academy

223 West Mountain Road

Ridgefield, CT 06877

27 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 11, 2025

Our kids are having an exceptional experience at Ridgefield Academy. The school truly cares about each student. The teachers are friendly, helpful and genuinely want children to succeed. They go above and beyond as they inspire curiosity and kindness. We look forward to our children continuing their education in the years ahead.
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2025

Our family joined RA/Landmarc in 2021 when we enrolled in the Landmarc 2s program. Now, our son attends Kindergarten at RA, and our daughter is part of the Landmarc 4s. Our experience has been outstanding, and here are just a few reasons why:1.Small Classrooms: On average, classrooms have around 10 to 11 kids, with one teacher and one assistant teacher per class. This setup ensures that each child receives individualized attention tailored to their unique needs.2.Small School Community: Our days begin with faculty and senior students warmly welcoming each family at drop-off, fostering a genuine sense of community and belonging that is present at all times.3.Joyful Atmosphere: The school is a truly happy and welcoming place. Most faculty, staff, and older students know you by name and greet you throughout the day, creating an incredibly warm environment.4.Peer-to-Peer Learning: Programs like the 8/K buddy system, student assemblies where birthdays are celebrated, and the 8th-grade morning welcome protocol exemplify how RA emphasizes building connections and fostering bonds among students of all ages.5.Dedicated Teachers: The teachers are exceptional—dedicated, knowledgeable, and caring. They provide constant and detailed feedback and are deeply committed to bringing out the best in every student.6.Caring Learners: The students embody kindness and solidarity, creating a loving and supportive environment for everyone.7.Parent Community: Many of our closest friends in town are fellow RA parents. The communication among parents is fluid and frequent, with plenty of opportunities for family interaction and community-building for those who are interested.
Submitted by parent on January 15, 2025

We have had a welcoming and wonderful experience since day one at RA. I have a son in lower school and a daughter in the Landmark program, both are enjoying their time at the school! RA is challenging and nurturing at the same time. My son comes home with appropriate hw he enjoys doing and we’ve been impressed how involved his teacher and the faculty in general have been. Diversity and inclusivity are important to us as a family- the school has welcomed any suggestions I’ve offered and has introduced an afterschool Mandarin club to students. We love the community and highly recommend the school!
Submitted by parent on January 15, 2025

My daughter is currently in kindergarten at Ridgefield Academy (RA) and loves it there! We could not be happier with her experience so far. She is in a class with only 11 other kids, and within the first week or so, her teacher called us directly to get to know us better. This personal touch helped us feel like our daughter would be safe and cared for at school. We are in constant contact with the school, and within the last 5 months, the kids are already reading and doing basic math. I am so impressed with how much my child is learning and how wholesome and friendly the staff and other families are. They already have other specials in kindergarten, like technology, music, Spanish, and art, with teachers other than their main kindergarten teacher. We were oscillating between several other private schools in our area and are so happy we made the right choice by choosing RA. Look no further if you're looking for a school that cares about your child's emotional well-being and educational rigor.
Submitted by parent on January 15, 2025

Ridgefield Academy has offered and delivered an education and environment above and beyond expectations. RA excels in academic structure and engagement, offers an inclusive community-based environment and communicates well with both child and parent. The transition from the in-house Landmark pre-school program to RA kindergarten was seamless and upon reflection, crucial to a successful launch in our son’s formal education. What differentiates RA from others is their emphasis on public speaking, the attentive teacher to student relationship and fostering confidence and kindness in a child. And finally a quick mention for the amazing parents association (RAPA) who actively supports the school in their ongoing missions. We highly recommend Ridgefield Academy.
Submitted by parent on December 13, 2024

Our family has had a wonderful experience at Ridgefield Academy! The school offers a warm and fun learning environment where students are genuinely excited to learn and grow. The teachers are passionate, creative, and truly care about each child’s success, both academically and personally.Ridgefield Academy fosters a sense of community by encouraging parent involvement, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. Through the Ridgefield Academy Parent Association (RAPA), I’ve had the opportunity to volunteer for school events and classroom activities, allowing us to actively engage in our child’s educational journey. The sense of community extends far beyond the classroom—over the years, we’ve built meaningful relationships with other families, many of whom have become lifelong friends.Highly recommend this school to any family looking for a nurturing and enriching learning environment.
Submitted by parent on December 13, 2024

My daughter has been at RA for 9 years and will be completing the program next year in 8th grade. I also have a kindergartener who is early in her journey at RA. It's hard to imagine going anywhere else, as the support my girls receive at RA is unparalleled. While my older daughter excels academically, my younger one needed more support, and RA has been able to meet them both where they are.The teachers are enthusiastic and make the learning process enjoyable. We love that the school offers foreign language classes, and even in preschool, the kids have access to various elective classes. There is a strong focus on public speaking, which is such a valuable life skill, and it's thrilling to see each student speak at graduation. The campus is beautiful, featuring multiple playground areas and is renowned for its stunning sunsets
Submitted by parent on November 02, 2022

We highly recommend this school. Ridgefield academy is wonderful for our two children (in the lower school). They love attending school each day, and their natural enthusiasm to learn is protected and cultivated at RA. The teachers provide individualized instruction and also create a warm supportive environment, enabling our children to stretch and take risks. We are thrilled at the social/emotional and academic progress our children are making there.
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2021

I have two school age children that graduated from the Landmark Preschool, and are both in Ridgefield Academy in the Lower School. Our third child will start Landmark Preschool in the academic year 2023-2024.The distinction between Landmark Preschool/Ridgefield Academy and other schools (public and independent) is that Landmark Preschool/Ridgefield Academy teach the whole person. I'm sure many schools (public and private) can teach subjects very well, but I did not find the depth of education that this school offers elsewhere. I did not find another school that teaches self-awareness and emotional intelligence in a way that is palatable for these young children. For me and my family, this is the reason why we started the preschool, and the reason why we remain. I would highly recommend looking into this school to see the difference small class sizes make, and the independent programs created for the entire individual.
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2021

In my view, what makes this school stand out is it’s enthusiastic teachers who go above and beyond their role to engage, support and challenge your kid in his journey of learning. And it doesn’t end with the teachers, the entire staff is fully charged with complete dedication to the students, parents and school. Our experience with school is that things CAN be different, and if there is a will there is a way to get it done. Our one boy lost interest in school because of lack of challenge, he is now striving and back to his endless curiosity and energy. My other boy needed more individualized ‘close up’ to keep him afloat. We are now seeing his true potential coming into life. Education is our outmost priority, we feel that we have made the right choice.
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2021

My daughter started kindergarten this fall and we could not be happier. She is interested in learning and comes home exploring new skills each week. We are impressed by the depth of activities that complement work in basic skills of reading and math.
Submitted by parent on December 19, 2020

Six years ago, we moved from NYC to CT primarily because of the good public schools. Our girls were young and we wanted to put them in a preschool where they would feel loved and supported. We toured many programs in the area and Landmark was far and away the best in our opinion. When it came time for kindergarten, it was a natural transition into RA. We looked at two other independent schools in the area but they seemed like academic pressure cookers and we worried the children wouldn’t get as much love and support as at RA. For us, RA gives the perfect balance between challenging the students academically and supporting them in a loving community. Some things we really love are the focus on public speaking, dedicated tech and science, foreign language since preschool, and the ability to adapt to childrens’ particular needs.
Submitted by other on December 29, 2016

RA is the most amazing private school! They offer arts, french, science, music, engineering..... Honestly they have perfected proper schooling in my opinion! Perfect teachers and zero bullying policy!
Submitted by parent on June 17, 2016

Our two children both went to Pre-school at Landmark Academy, we had very good experience there, but we then stopped due to the commuting distance to RA campus at Ridgefield. Now RA has the school bus from our town to Ridgefield. Last year, our son complained that he could not learn much from public school, so we transferred him to RA in 6th grade. Now he is having fun learning at RA every day. He constantly tells us that everybody at RA is so nice and he likes all the teachers there. The big smile on his face tells us that it’s the right choice to attend RA. Our son told us that RA is like a family, that everyone is nice to each other. If we have another child, we would definitely send s/he to RA from Pre-school all the way through middle school. We just can’t say enough THANK YOU to RA, because it is truly transforming experience to our son, and brings much happiness to our family.
Submitted by other on February 26, 2016

All of my children went through Landmark Preschool and Ridgefield Academy through graduation, and I can say they had an amazing experience. They looked forward to going to school each day and were nurtured and inspired by caring and talented teachers. The administration is approachable and friendly and partner with the parents to make sure their child's experience is the best it can be. Our children graduated as confident, civic-minded, caring individuals who were eager and ready to learn. Great, great experience!
Submitted by parent on December 11, 2015

This is our second private school experience (the first one is no longer in business) and we searched high and low for just the right fit for our family. We are so glad we chose RA. For us, it means making a number of financial sacrifices and driving a bit further than a local public school. However, it is ALL worth it. My kid (middle school) looks forward to going to school each and every day. The cliques of public school are not even in focus here -- the educational activities, public service, and just being a "good human" are what counts. The respect shared among teachers, parents, students, janitors, cafeteria staff, grandparents, alumni -- all equal and important. The campus is beautiful, the academics are superior, the after-school activities are fun and challenging. Any issues are addressed promptly and thoroughly. A true sense of community and parents are expected to be involved and contribute. What's not to love?
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2015

Ridgefield Academy helps ignite flames of passion and abilities unique to the individual person each child is. Each member of the faculty and staff is supportive of this. My children love going to school. They skip off the bus when they arrive home, excited to share what they experienced during the day at RA.Teachers take the time to share with me, the parent, when my child has a particular success during the day. The lower school teachers facilitate greeting the students and their peers in the morning with a good morning. Teaching children to greet one another. These are the small things that become part of a child into their adulthood. The teaching community knows each student by name. There are so many personal touches they give to our children & family. They truly help not only educate & challenge students with the curriculum, they also are a parenting village, nurturing self esteem along with education.My daughter told me that she's sad that she will have to go to another school after 8th grade. We are so grateful for the Ridgefield Academy community of elders (young and older!) as they represent true role models for our children. As a parent, I love knowing my children are growing and being nurtured at RA each day. I never felt this way at any other school ever.
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2015

Caring teachers. Small classes. Excellent curriculum and instruction based on how each child learns. Amazing place!
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2015

I have 2 children that attend Ridgefield Academy. Every Day they are greeted at the door by faculty. My kids and I have noticed ALL of the kids, walk in with BIG smiles, and can't wait to start their day. The Faculty and Staff know all of the kids and families, they children are welcomed with much love. The children are challenged academically and learn from the moment they walk in the door. They are proud of their work and the work of their peers, as they show us parents as we walk through the beautiful hallways that are decorated with their amazing achievements. RA is a very special school, they take the time to learn about each child and their individual needs. Creating a safe, happy, WONDERFUL environment.
Submitted by other on December 09, 2015

My son thrives in the small class room setting. He enjoys the learning and genuinely respects and likes his teachers. Also, there is the great lack of peer pressure and highly divisive cliques and more community than you get at large public schools. With all the physical and growth changes happening to 6th,7th and 8th graders, it's nice to not have all the other negative distractions and the kids can simply concentrate on learning in a supportive and respectful environment. - Parent of a 7th grade boy.