Brookewood School

Great school! Love their conservative values!

We transferred our 2nd grader to Brookewood for the second semester of 2020-2021. She has now been at Brookewood for two weeks, and here's what we've seen so far:She comes home each day glowing with energy and happiness.It used to be pulling teeth to get her to share details about her school day but now she's volunteering all kinds of things:- pointing out types of clouds on the morning drive- telling us fruit names in Italian- explaining what the Minotaur is- happy to recite her first memorized poem to us and her grandparents- showing us the snowman she created in art class with better shading and artistic skill than I've ever seen her displayPeter Pan is the read-aloud book right now and she is LOVING it - it's been a challenge to get her interested in chapter books, but she's eating this one up! She told me the other day, "Mommy, you were right. Brookewood is the just right school for me."I knew the Brookewood curriculum was going to be a step up, but this is richer and more full of life than I even knew to hope for.

Brookewood is a fabulous school whose motto is Nolite Timere! Be Not Afraid! That is exactly what they have done during this pandemic. With small classes and individualized attention the school has been successfully open, during this pandemic, for 4 months. The community is working together to have a safe, cheerful and wholesome environment for in person learning. It is a true blessing!

It is extremely satisfying for a parent to see that the school chosen for his or her child is caring and innovative. Children need much more than a plain education. They need help with developing their feelings, with learning a proper attitude toward the world that they will eventually enter as contributing citizens, and with reaching their own potential. Brookewood provides all of this with a dedicated staff and an admirable approach to education; the school equips students to be independent thinkers who enjoy learning and see it as a natural part of life, which serves children well in pursuing their future education. It is a joy to ask our daughter each evening how she enjoyed school today the experiences and stories she shares are wonderful.

Strong common sense curriculum (in which teachers are free to have fun and the children benefit) emphasizing love of learning, real literature, poetry, natural history, art, music, and Italian. The girls go by the school motto "be not afraid", both spiritually and physically: reciting poetry in public frequently, climbing trees, creeping, going on annual camping trips, and hiking. They grow in confidence and seem really able to be themselves. The girls in our experience are very welcoming and it is not "cliquish" or snobby at all (not to say normal dramas don't exist). Quite traditional religious education curriculum but more significantly, authentically Catholic with teachers who model the same sincerity in their lives. The school is not perfect- I've had my personal disagreements about aspects of curriculum and there can be high teacher turnover due to many being young, catholic, and having babies, but overall this is a beautiful school with a truly important mission. If you don't want really authentic Catholic education, are into keeping up with lots of technology in the classroom, and you think the most important aspects of education include AP course variety and sports options, this school may not be for you. (Of course they are seeking to expand AP and sports, but I don't perceive them as the heart of a BW education, which I think strives for things that are more fundamental). However if you are open to or desire a real catholic Christian atmosphere, a small warm community of learning, and hold authentic love of and joy in learning, true literature, and education of the whole person as core educational values you will love this place. ( So you know my perspective: My family is a traditional liberal arts family with advanced coursework/degrees from a top University. We want the best education possible for our kids, and for us love of learning is paramount. We are at Brookewood for its healthy Christian atmosphere and because we don't like the modern practical emphasis on learning just to past tests and get a job or the emphasis on technology at a young age when kids should be reading. BW is growing its sports but we don't view Sports as so fundamental as we see them as liesure pursuits which develop teamwork that the kids can pursue outside of school anyway. So... That's us and why we love Brookewood!). My fifth grade daughter says to say: "Brookewood is awesome!!!" First grader agrees.

Brookewood is an independent all-girls school guided by the authentic teachings of the Catholic church. My three daughters all attend, grades 10, 6, and 3. The academics are rigorous and coupled with the benefit of small class sizes- I feel they will all be very well prepared for college. However, Brookewood is not just about academics. The spiritual and character formation they receive are essential preparation for the real world. I truly believe they will be well prepared to stand for what is right. The faculty and staff are to be commended for the nurturing educational environment they have created at this wonderful school.

Wonderful school. I spent 7th grade through high school at Brookewood and was intellectually challenged every year. Teachers are available for one-on-one help when asked. The school has a strong community and hosts many events throughout the year so the girls have a chance to get involved in the school. The environment is intellectually competitive in a healthy way and fosters a cheerful outlook on life. I enjoyed my time there and I am very grateful for all that was offered.

I have 2 daughters in the lower school, and one who will be entering first grade at Brookewood in a couple of years. Academically it's a fantastic school and I am very happy with that aspect. My girls are strong in math, science, and spelling/grammar. They enjoy art and music classes, can recite poetry, and have been well prepared for first communion by their religion teachers. But what I see that really makes the school shine is the way the girls interact with one another. It's beautiful to see how the older girls truly care for the younger ones. There is a friendship there that is something very special, and even though the daily commute is long for my girls, they are incredibly happy at Brookewood.Knowing a good number of the seniors who have graduated over the years, I have to say they are some of the finest young women I have come across - confident, poised and unafraid.

Brookewood has been great for my two elementary school aged daughters who we transferred after four years in public school. The class sizes are small, which was the main reason for the switch. My elementary school daughters loved the addition of Natural History and Italian to their daily schedule. They have a great balance between rigor and fun. My younger daughter has had a noticeable improvement in her confidence since switching to Brookewood. Being in an environment that is not focused on data and testing has been a welcomed improvement. While they are missing some elements a public school environment provides (technology, identifying reading levels through standardized testing) they thrive in areas public school fall behind (individualized attention, grammar, handwriting, math and understanding the world around them). I would highly recommend Brookewood, but at the same time, don't want the secret to get out!

Very good school, change my daughter life. Rigorous academically and very friendly environment. The girls have a bond between them. I don't regret it sending my daughter there it is the best investment.

strong academics, builds confident and cheerful well educated women, small class sizes.