The Gooden School

Reviews

• Submitted by parent on February 22, 2025
  The Gooden School is an incredibly caring and supportive community. Our family joined this year with children in 6th and 8th grade, after spending nine years at their previous school. We sought a more challenging academic environment but worried about potential drama, as their last school had more than its fair share of issues. However, the transition was smooth and remarkably positive.My daughter, who once doubted her abilities in science, has gained confidence and developed a newfound interest in medicine. My son has thrived in a structured and supportive athletic program under the guidance of an outstanding athletic director. My children wanted strong academics and strong athletics, which we found. Across all subjects, their teachers have been engaging, encouraging, and genuinely invested in their success. I only wish we had made the switch sooner.Beyond academics, the warmth of this community has been extraordinary—especially in the wake of the Eaton fire, which took our home. From the moment it happened, the Gooden School community surrounded us with kindness, generosity, and unwavering support. The school therapist has checked in on our children, and the school itself provided them with backpacks and uniforms. Parents have organized meal trains, offered transportation, and even helped us store essential items. Many families, even those we hadn’t met, contributed meals and put together personalized care packages for our children, reflecting their individual interests in the most thoughtful way.The outpouring of support extended beyond just our family. The school has rallied around all affected students, raising funds for fire survivors and organizing book donations for displaced families. My daughter's classmates and their parents have embraced her, while my son's classmates and their families have done the same for him.Even as we navigate life from an Airbnb, our children continue to receive patience, understanding, and a much-needed sense of normalcy from their teachers. The Gooden School doesn’t just educate students—it nurtures them academically, physically, and emotionally. It is a rare and truly special place. (And, according to my daughter, the chapel looks like something out of a fairy tale—like Snow White’s!) ...More Reviews

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