The Waterford School

I have three kids at Waterford am impressed with their commitment to diversity and inclusion which is refreshing in Utah. Their incorporation of service to the community is a valued part of the experience.

I have children in Kindergarten and Class II, and they love coming to school. The Waterford community is warm and welcoming, but excellence is taught and expected in all endeavors. I like that creativity and imagination are valued, yet there is also structure in the class and in the day--it seems the perfect balance. A true liberal arts curriculum, the children have interesting math problems, and learn to read and engage with history at a high level, and also attend classes with specialists, such as engaged science teachers that are doing hands on experiments and discussion--my Class II daughter's favorite class is science--and talented music teachers who just put on a wonderful choral performances, including a Vivaldi concert for Classes 3-5 that was stunning. And, passionate art, PE, and computer teachers, and librarians make for rich days for students. Classroom faculty are caring, organized, and meet continually refine a thoughtful curriculum. One thing I value is the diversity of families--different ethnic and religious (as well as non-religious) backgrounds are comfortable and well-represented here, connected by their interest in a great education.

We are grateful for WATERFORD, our private college preparatory school in Utah! We consider our time there as a daily investment, with paybacks that continue to amaze us. With a refined liberal arts curriculum and remarkable faculty, our children are receiving a passion for life-long learning and developing integrity, and accountability. We appreciate a school culture that thinks and executes well in Elementary, Middle and High School. We have benefitted for 11-years, and expect to benefit for a lifetime.

There couldn’t have been a better place for our children to explore and learn about the world than Waterford. They have been taught by talented and passionate teachers who have challenged them to think more deeply, have required them to apply themselves more diligently and have shared insights that they will appreciate for the rest of their lives. Most importantly, our children have learned what it means to struggle and then succeed through hard work. Our 3 kids have attended Waterford since kindergarten and our oldest son graduates this year. He couldn't be more prepared for college!

We moved from San Francisco to Utah right before my oldest son was preparing to begin Kindergarten. Before moving I had just finished touring and applying to twelve incredibly distinct and outstanding schools. I wondered if I would find anything as good in Utah. This was imperative to me, as my children would spend more time at school than they would with me! I needed to know the environment was wonderful. As soon as we toured Waterford I knew we found the perfect fit for my three boys. Two years later I feel as excited about the school experience as our first day. While no school is perfect, it has delivered on its promises. My children are gaining a well-rounded, robust academic experience combined with a celebration of values to be good citizens with empathy for those around them. A great deal is expected – allowing them to realize how much they are really capable of, growing in self-confidence and developing a genuine love of learning. Driving home from school the other day my seven year old and five year old were singing their version of opera after attending a music concert at school. As a mother, I couldn’t ask for more.

When my family moved from New York to Utah a few years ago, we didn't have to think twice about where to send our kids to school. My husband and I attended Ivy League schools for college and graduate school and we had heard about Waterford's exceptional environment from our classmates. It is truly the paradigm of a modern liberal arts education, and I become giddy any time I have an excuse to roam the halls with my kids, visit their classes, meet with their teachers or hear the administration speak. It brings me so much joy to know that my kids are finding the same love of learning that I've enjoyed in my own life. I am daily grateful that I can send my children off to such an amazing place.

In a world where mediocrity is often acceptable, my family is fortunate to have had a long standing relationship with Waterford, where everything from faculty to facilities is exceptional. My four children's lives have been enriched by the liberal arts education taught by truly talented faculty who are passionate about the subjects they teach. My four children are learning to be critical thinkers from teachers who know and challenge them. From elementary school where children can sleep over at the zoo, dissect owl pellets, dress as Egyptians, make ceramics, learn to write music and participate in colonial day, to high school where they can take a trip to India, play the violin, study Latin, backpack and climb the Wasatch Mountains, join the crew team or organize community service projects, Waterford is second to none.

Everyone in our family are die-hard Waterford School fans! We have 3 children in Waterford, grades 8, 5, and K. Our 14yo son has been going there since he was 3. They all love going there and cannot imagine going elsewhere. I agree with all the other positive reviews on the strength of the academic program, but what puts this school above others is all the other amazing experiences their students get there: from learning yoga moves in Nursery 3 (preschool), to dissecting a cow's heart in 3rd grade, to putting on an incredible Shakespeare play in 5th grade, to designing their own computer game program in 7th grade...the list is endless! We feel so good knowing our children spend most of the days in their lives in a place that encourages independent thinking and fosters such love of learning that I'm sure will last a lifetime!

The Waterford School came highly recommended to us, but the actual Waterford experience has been top-notch and beyond our expectations. We moved to Utah at the midpoint of my son's kindergarten year, and visited many schools, public and private. The Waterford School stood out immediately as the best school in the Slat Lake/Sandy area. We were and continue to be impressed by the facilities that support a rigorous and liberal arts education, even (and most importantly) at the Lover School (elementary) level. My son, now in Class II was quite shy coming into the school, but the low class size and well-funded enrichment classes of science, PE, music, dance, computers and library have allowed him to thrive socially, intellecutally and physically. As an adult in a new city, I am also grateful to have found a community of bright and thoughtful parents committed to education. I found it easy to meet people, make new friends and become involved in parent events and volunteer opportunities. We will continue to choose Waterford knowing we are providing the best option for the growth and education of my son.

This is our 2nd year at Waterford and we have 2 children enrolled in elementary school. Our oldest in now in 1st grade and our youngest in Nursery 4's. We have been so happy at Waterford and feel very lucky and blessed to be able to be part of such an incredible community. We especially appreciate the small class sizes, which not only allows our children to get ample one-on-one time, but also allows us, as parents, to develop crucial relationships with our children's teachers. Waterford is a school with the perfect balance of a caring atmosphere and rigorous studies. Our children enjoy being able to visit specialty classrooms such as Art, Science, PE, Dance and Computers, each with their own specialty teacher. I would recommend Waterford School to anyone who is interested in the best possible education for their children.

I have 2 children attending Waterford and I am continually impressed by what they are learning and being exposed to. My kids love going to school and learn. I see it everyday when they get excited telling me about what experiment they did in science, or how they are learning to play an instrument in music class, or learning/trying new aspects of drawing or painting in art class. It is amazing! The school community is filled with parents, faculty and students who all work together in a positive and safe environment. We feel blessed to be able to send our kids to Waterford and invest in their future.

Waterford offers an outstanding education experience for its students. As a parent, I have been continually pleased and impressed with the depth of the curriculum taught to my children and the competence and caring displayed by the faculty. Waterford offers students a chance to study a wide variety of subjects in a positive, thoughtful environment. The teachers provide both academic challenges and the support necessary to achieve success. The Waterford experience continues to be everything I could ask for.

The Waterford School is simply outstanding. My children have attended school here for 8 years, and they have developed a love of learning and a insatiable curiosity about the world (from science, to history, to Shakespeare!). The faculty is extraordinary, class-sizes are small and the academic curriculum is effective and challenging. The campus feels like a small college campus and there is an amazing feeling of community among students, faculty and parents. The teachers truly know and care about each child. It is expensive, but it is an investment in our childrens' future. We feel so fortunate that our children have the opportunity to attend this wonderful school.