The Grayson School

211 Matsonford Road

Wayne, PA 19087

19 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK, K-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on March 19, 2022

My child is 2e and profoundly gifted and is absolutely thriving at The Grayson School. My child has been there for several years, has many valuable friendships, is safe, supported and is excelling academically. Any issues we have had have been minor and addressed immediately. The administration has been supportive, knowledgeable, and extremely approachable. We would be lost without this school.
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2021

Grayson is a truly exceptional school. My children are deeply challenged and engaged; they come home every day talking about how much fun they had and how much they learned. Grayson feeds their curiosity and passions, teaching them to be bold and not hold themselves back for fear of failure. The faculty, staff, and administrators live the mission and are 100% dedicated to creating an environment where gifted kids can thrive. It's clear that they care deeply about the students. I feel so grateful that my children are in a school where they are celebrated, supported as human beings, and intellectually inspired.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2021

We have a first grader at The Grayson School and we could not be happier. We chose to switch from public school to Grayson even though we live in a very good district. The public school was not working for our gifted child, even with a grade skip. Grayson specializes in gifted education. Each student is taught at their level in each subject. Our son is ahead in math, but grade-level in reading; he receives instruction at his level in both subjects, so he can be in class with kids his own age while having his academic needs met. Grayson also focuses on social, emotional, and creativity growth in their students. We noticed a big improvement in our son's enjoyment of school, and his social skills with peers after he started at Grayson. If you have a gifted child, there is no better school in the area. We cannot recommend Grayson more highly. It is worth every penny and more.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2020

The Grayson School has been life changing for my daughter. It has helped her build confidence by providing a safe environment to take risks and by giving her the tools to pursue her curiosities and passions. Every day, Grayson challenges and expands her thinking, gives her opportunities to collaborate and surrounds her with people who care and inspire. She has finally found her place and is thriving.
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2020

A perfect fit. We hear stories from our kid everyday about a cool project, a thought-provoking novel, a great discussion, and, most importantly, a total failure that she worked through to find another solution. I know my kid has found her tribe here.
Submitted by student on November 20, 2019

Amazing. This school is easily without a doubt the single best school I have ever seen. At public school I did not fit in with my peers but here next to everyone is welcoming and nice to everyone.
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2019

Grayson has been wonderful for my daughter. This will be our third year and I have been very pleased. The teachers have such enthusiasm for learning! The classes are very project based, which works well for my daughter. We hope for her to continue her school career through high school, as Grayson just got approved up to grade 12.
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2018

I couldn't be happier to send my child here. She is thriving and growing and happy. Who could ask for anything more??!!
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2017

It's been great. I've watched my kid grow in confidence. And he's definitely found his tribe here.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2017

Our highly gifted child is finally happy to go to school. We and he wanted a partnership model for school where he would fulfill his responsibility to work respectfully to get a well-rounded and fundamental education while the school would embrace his abilities and work to meet them by accelerating or deepening his pursuit of understanding in multiple areas and in multiple ways. We have moved from a school where the answer was always: "NO, we can't give your son more math or project work or more anything, we'll continue to do it the way we've always done it because it works for MOST of our population even if your son is bored to distraction" to a YES model where our son feels accepted, challenged and even celebrated for his innate capacity for kindness, humor and intelligence.
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2017

The worst. Could not be any worse. Awful, terrible, disgusted, disappointed are some of the words I use when I am asked about the school. I openly share my regret with parents. We are looking for an new school. For the families who left, I hope you will share where your kids are going and what you think about your new school. If the Flex School opens here next year, please keep us in the loop.
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2017

I’ve witnessed moral and ethical issues that have gone unchecked and ignored. The dishonestly comes from the top down. The Founder micromanages everything and is constantly asking for more money. I definitely have the sense that everything said is misleading or exaggerated. After a short time, I realized bios reported by the school are seriously misleading. Would you imply you’re one of a handful of federally trained advocates in the country, if you’re really just one of the first to complete an online certification program? Where’s your degree? College? Training? What else are you misrepresenting? You have to read between the lines. The more you look, the more you see. There isn't a more dangerous environment for your child and if you can’t trust your child’s school, why pay $27,000? Incidentally, that $27,000 is so your child can go to school in shared church space, have a shell game for teachers, receive no differentiation or individualization and use a tiny make-shift “playground” on a patch of grass and part of a parking lot? Mind you, others pay this same amount for top performing schools with state of the art facilities, athletic programs, etc. I felt I could overlook some of the things in the beginning but unfortunately, it just went down from there. Don’t be fooled by teacher’s knowing the buzzwords. When you meet one on one, don’t be surprised if you see blank stares, judgment and defensiveness. Report cards are meaningless and they do not give IEPs. They send progress reports and call them IGPs (more smoke and mirrors!) They test kids routinely and are constantly seeking ways to take credit and self-praise. Don’t be surprised if your child’s scores go from the 90%ile to the 60th%ile!
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2017

I enrolled my child at this school after careful consideration and many discussions with friends, teachers and the school’s founder. We left a very good school but I thought Grayson would be an even better fit because of the small class sizes. The first year ended with several families leaving in disappointment and a few others on the fence. I was also on the fence. Looking back, I wish we were one of the first to go. The issues my child experienced only got worse. There are some students who act out constantly and though they may not be old enough to understand bullying, what they are doing is bullying. My child showed all of the emotional signs of a child who was bullied, isolated and demoralized. I am now working hard to rebuild a trust in teachers and others who said and did things that were unconscionable. I regret that I did not realize those early warning signs were just the tip of the ice berg. I would not recommend this school for any child. Sadly, the shaming, insensitivity and bullying are covered-up and tolerated from the top down. The school does not deserve any stars.
Submitted by parent on June 09, 2017

As a parent of this school I can say I have never seen such a lack of transparency and communication. The staff is not adequately equipped to handle the type of students that are being admitted. There is no structure here and it is a complete free for all. The administration lies repeatedly and makes promises that are never kept. Stay away, you're better off in public school.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2017

As a parent of a Grayson student I feel compelled to share our experience after reading some of the negative reviews here. Grayson is a place where kids can act their age emotionally even though they may be well ahead of their peers intellectually. They have permission to be their age but are intellectually challenged to ensure their growth. The staff recognizes that every student has very individual learning & emotional needs. Do some of the students have a learning disability or are they twice exceptional? Probably... there are students with learning disabilities in every school, aren't there? Humans aren't perfect and we're not all the same. The difference at Grayson is how the students needs are being met and the growth that each student experiences. The students are nurtured, they are taught strategies to cope with whatever they have going on and every child gets to advance at their own pace. Students are taught not only acceptance, but to celebrate what each of them has to offer.The staff are always helpful, they are approachable and reachable. I commend the founders for doing what they have done. Even though the class sizes are small, the teachers must ensure that all students needs are met and that they all are appropriately challenged regardless of their individual level in each subject. Both teachers and staff are willing to listen to the parents, they'll take your advice and your concerns regarding your child and come up with a plan that ensures your childs success. The staff counselor will act silly with the kids and have fun with them while earning their trust and is an integral part of their support system. A previous review mentioned a "make-shift playground"... although the kids have a nice playground, gifted kids tend to be imaginative. They created their own little world out there complete with their own economy. Everyone had a "job." It was actually pretty incredible. Our daughter is growing in leaps and bounds. Test scores can't tell me that. I see it in her and I hear it in how well spoken she is. If you want a stuffy private school that squashes your childs personality, Grayson isn't it. At Grayson kids can be kids, they can be silly and have quirks but can also work well above their grade level all while developing a well rounded personality.
Submitted by other on May 14, 2017

I am a parent of a second grader at Grayson and we are proud to be one of the families who have been at the school since the first year. I am happy to say that my son is now able to receive an education that matches both his academic level as well as his social and emotional needs, both of which are crucial to a gifted child's success in school. When he entered kindergarten in his former school, his reading, writing and math skills were several grades above level. Due to their standardized teaching model he was becoming frustrated, and although he enjoyed socializing with his peers each day, was not thriving academically. We were very fortunate that we were able to move him to Grayson the following year. The difference is truly amazing. He is engaged and excited about learning. He feels like he is truly part of a family. He has teachers and staff that care deeply about his success. As a parent it is reassuring to know that I have a voice that will be heard in regards to his academic model. It is a pleasure to speak with fellow Grayson families as they share their stories. I have heard time and time again what a positive change parents have seen in their child since attending Grayson. Grayson's founder has been able to give the gifted and talented student not only a true organic learning experience but also a "village". No one else in Pennsylvania has had the desire and/or ability to devote years of their life to making this village a reality, and our family will be forever grateful for her tireless dedication to the students. When I drop my son off in the morning I no longer have that knot in my stomach that I did when he was in kindergarten, I know that he is in caring and capable hands.
Submitted by parent on May 13, 2017

I just heard about this forum and was asked to comment. After reading all three reviews, I find I have a slightly different perspective to share. I understand that it’s very frustrating for a new school with no experience to establish footing when parents are posting critical comments. However, I also know it’s tough for parents evaluating a school with very little to go on. I appreciate this forum and hearing other perspectives. Though I do think it’s a shame that parents feel their only voice is through this medium. I also weigh the comments against the disingenuous praise on Facebook by several people who are not parents of students at Grayson. I think part of the reason some Grayson students are having a difficult time with the bullying and the shocking and unsettling behaviors of many of the students there is that they come from homogeneous private schools or were home schooled. It's a big adjustment. None of the reviews deny that the problems are serious or that they exist at Grayson. My student talks about something new and disturbing nearly every day. The behaviors do not all come from 2e students, although I was confused by the second review because I do not believe any of the students are neurotypical and there are many 2e students who don’t identify as 2e. Adding to the reason for my single star review, and I admit I have not shared this with the school before now, is that my student is not happy at school. In addition to everything else, I was surprised to learn my student does not like or respect the teachers and he says the feeling is mutual. I regret my decision to enroll my student there. Things weren’t great where we were, but I now see the old school was the lesser of two evils. I feel there is a profound lack of ownership, transparency and authenticity.
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2017

Reading the vindictive comments posted April 7 motivated me to write a review. I don’t normally post to such sites, but feel the need to add another perspective. I am the father of a child who is thriving at Grayson and couldn’t be happier. We moved our daughter from a school that neither recognized her strengths nor challenged her. She was bored, frustrated, and lost confidence as a result of the rote memorization and repetition techniques that were being thrust upon her in the previous school. At Grayson, she has regained confidence in all her subjects and the only frustration she feels is the fact that she cannot stay at school longer. The teachers at Grayson are wonderful and truly believe in the kids. They are engaged in, and energized by, the children, and their enthusiasm motivates our child to have confidence in, and appreciation for, learning. The student-to-teacher ratio is great, and what’s more, the teachers and staff recognize each child’s strengths and tailor the curriculum to meet each child's needs. The range of material our daughter is learning along with the enthusiasm with which she relates it to us upon return home from school each day tells us Grayson is a great environment for her. Beyond the classroom, the community of students at Grayson are supportive and inclusive. Our daughter has friends in all grade levels and enjoys her interactions with the majority of the students. In response to the comments made on April 7, Grayson is a new school and like any new organization it is working through start-up challenges. At Grayson, there is more focus on the kids than the parents, which may not be the case in more established and endowed local institutions that have excess resources to deal with demanding parents. As a result, some parents may feel they are not getting the attention they require, but we feel our voices are heard and issues are genuinely addressed. As would be expected at a gifted school, there is some disruptive behavior from some of the students, but the school has taken steps to address the issue and manages it on a daily basis. Finally, I would add that we have known the founder and administrative staff since before Grayson was licensed as a school and have no doubts in the staff or the founder in terms trust, ethics, sincerity, commitment to the kids, or any of the malicious comments made on April 7.
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2017

Everything written here previously seems to be by one person (or one person and their child) -- it was all submitted on the same date, and there's a common theme running through the submission.One aspect of the previous commenter's feedback that I certainly don't agree with is the idea that Grayson shouldn't serve twice exceptional kids, or that such kids are by their nature disruptive of other students' learning. (If anything, my sense as the parent of a twice exceptional kid is that it's the neurotypical kids that are more disruptive of the learning styles of the twice exceptional kids.)On the whole, though, just find it depressing that a commenter, largely through personal attacks on other families and children, can really affect casual readers' opinions of the school. And it also worries me that those families who are contributing heavily financially (or in other ways) to the success of the school might think that the other parents at Grayson are ungrateful for all of their contributions to the school. I can say, from my family's perspective, that that is not the case.