Four Winds School

The care taken by all students and staff at this school is remarkable, as is their approach to learning. It is student-centered, allowing middle-school-aged citizens to make their own decisions and to be held accountable for their own progress. The students are supported with knowledge, guidance, and care, and the community that is built within the school is intentional and supportive. We love it.

I can't tell you how appreciative I am of Four Winds School! My son has come so far - both academically and socially, in the years he's attended Four Winds. Executive function is bolstered like no other school I know of, academics are geared to your child's personal abilities (there's no such thing as "grade level"), there is kindness and understanding, but also a lot of personal accountability. And maybe most importantly, the students are happy. Imagine that... really happy middle schoolers! It was absolutely the very best choice for my kid; I don't have a single regret about sending him here. 5 stars!

Four Winds has given my middle schooler the opportunity to work at his own pace in a supportive and caring environment. He is not being pushed ahead or left behind with any curriculum. He is also developing critical management and executive functioning skills which will serve him well in high school and beyond. We are absolutely positive we made the right choice to bring him to Four Winds.

Four Winds is one of the best things that happened to my son. Our mornings shifted from dragging him out of bed and long faces and sighs to a perfectly content teenager getting up and happily going to school. The smaller and quieter environment let him explore his interests, get to know his fellow students, and gain confidence. The staff was amazing and we could tell they knew him so well. I cannot rate this school highly enough.

I spent 3 years at Four Winds, and I can say with confidence that my life would be worse if I went anywhere else. I was a very anxious kid, and I struggled greatly with interpersonal relationships, but this school helped me come out of my shell. My confidence was bolstered, and my academic and social success was bolstered along with it. Despite the non-traditional school structure, I was able to smoothly integrate into a more traditional school environment and achieve success there.

I love working at Four Winds School. As a teacher, it's so wonderful to have an opportunity to make deep, years-long connections with my students, and to know that they are truly in an environment where they can learn and grow at their own level and pace. Unlike when I taught in a traditional public school setting, I can honestly say that each and every student learns every single day, which is extremely heartening to me as an educator. If I had children, I would absolutely send them to Four Winds School because I know they would not only receive an excellent education but that they would be supported socially and emotionally. Please don`t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions about our small school!

Four Winds was the best place we ever could have found for our son. The 3 years he spent there helped him gain confidence and competence, they gave a quieter, less overwhelming middle school experience focused on allowing his own talents to emerge. He set his own academic pace and learned self-discipline and time management all under the expert guidance of some of the finest teachers in the Valley. The program includes much-needed time for art, music, physical activity, and the essential downtime kids need to refresh and reset. I wish we'd found it sooner so our other two kids could have gone there!

Four Winds allow students to thrive in a way larger academic programs could only dream of. The "bi-weekly goals" model allows students to work at their own pace while gaining skills in time management that most students don't gain until college. This model also allows gifted students to accelerate as fast as they'd like, while simultaneously supporting students who struggle academically by moving at a pace that doesn't overwhelm them and lets them feel accomplished, whereas other pedagogical models can hinder their confidence. This is a school that feels academically enriching and emotionally safe for all students.

This school is the best! It is small enough that you constantly get one on one time with the teacher, you go at your own pace for most of your work, everyone is really supportive, and there is no bullying. It is like one big family, mainly because it is such a tight nit community.