Boulder Country Day in Boulder, Colorado

“Wow! I just attended the BCDS open house for the newly expanded middle school-- it was fabulous! A great new building for a terrific program--wonderful teachers. The IB program is impressive and everyone was so nice and friendly.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Sending our children to Boulder Country Day School has been by far the best decision we have ever made for our children. I only wish we had done the move sooner. As we begin to look at High Schools, I realize that our children are prepared to excel at any competitive High School they wish to attend. The school has fostered their love of learning and the faculty has become family. With the direction of the current Head of School, Administration, Faculty and Staff I have no doubt that BCD will continue to be a leader in education. How often do you hear middle school age children exclaim that they love their school? I hear that very often at my house. BCD has become a second home for our children and in my opinion that is how it should be.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Boulder Country Day has come a long way in the past 5 years and is now, without dispute, one of the finest schools in the Boulder/Denver area. Their attention to individual child/family needs, focus on high quality academic standards, creativity in curriculum design, course content and in-class delivery are second to none. After sampling both private and public schools in the greater Boulder area, and having come from one of the finest school districts in the country, we found BCD to be the most open to working together as a team to ensure our children's needs were met. BCD has exceeded my expectations and I strongly recommend all parents who are dedicated to helping their child succeed in life to seek out a partnership with Boulder Country Day.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Reviews like this scare people away from what is one of the highest quality, best value schools not just in Colorado but in the region. There is nothing here to substantiate these claims. I suggest strongly you read all reviews for more thoughtful comments.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Boulder Country Day truly provides students with a well-rounded edcuation that is exceptional. BCD students learn foriegn language (French, Spanish and Latin!), take courses in art and pottery, engage in computer lab, science lab, PE, musical productions, the list goes on and on... BCD is a place where school is fun and meaningful, teachers are passionate and engaged, and students are excited about learning.”
This review was posted by a other.

“BCD is a wonderful, complete, and challenging educational experience, and my wife and I couldn't be happier. We have three kids there now, all in Elementary, and we look forward to our eldest transitioning to Middle School next year, especially after that school's recent expansion and energetic new leadership. If you're looking for an independent (private) school in the Boulder/Niwot/Longmont area, I am confident you will be extremely pleased with what BCD has to offer.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My child is in the BCD Middle School and I must say that BCD is handsdown the very best school in the area. Our son attended a near by private school and we were very disapointed! BCD has been so wonderful with truely challenging classes, amazing teachers and an excellent sports program. If anyone spends the time to truely compare BCD with any public or private school in the area one will clearly see that BCD is second to none.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Hit or miss depending on the teacher.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I've had 4 children attend BCD for over a decade. Each child enjoyed his/her experience at BCD until the Middle School. We have never attended public school in Boulder, but have many friends that have made the transition successfully through the years. The elementary school is a great place if you like structure, traditional teaching styles and the uniforms. The teachers have been good, but not excellent. The middle school is too small, with a poor english/ literature program. The math program has gone through a big transition, and is still working out it kinks. There are more options for the excellent student and the struggling student in a public school setting.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Pros: Solid math instruction. Nice facilities. Cons: Lack of timely, consistent communication from key MS instructors; Pompous, disingenuous principal leadership.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The school has potential to be a good school, beautiful facilities and great teachers. However, the school day is bogged down with music, choir, art, French, reading buddies, and assemblies every Friday. There is not enough time in the day for classwork, so it is all expected to be made up at home. There is an emphasis on bland worksheets and rote memorization. This style did not work for my daughter who learns through visualization and hands-on projects. She loves to write and wants to be a doctor. This school is weak in both creative writing and science.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Small classes, great teachers and a very nice and safe campus are just a few of the things that attracted me to BCD. The kids really love to come to school each day. As a newcomer to Boulder I found it to be one of finest in the area.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am very intimately associated with Boulder Country Day School in several aspects and would highly recommend it to anyone with students at any age level. The closeness and accepting attitude of the BCD community is something that is not easy to find, and the quality of the teaching staff is far and above the best that I've seen!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have been asscociated with the school for over two years. The faculty is exceptional and the leaderships at the school has drastically improved during that time. The children at BCD work hard and are happy. What more could you ask for as a parent!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I pulled my kids out of this school. It is terrible. The atmosphere is very rigid and doesn't allow for any creativity. The faculty is joyless.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We had a terrible experience at BCD. The administrators and a few parents were cruel, heartless to the teachers and to my young children. Notice the high turn over of teachers and families. BVSD contains so many quality schools. I don't understand how any caring parent could send their children to this overpriced and mediocre private school. I cannot recommend BCD.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Our child described her 1st grade experience at BCD as 'the eternal rollercoaster of blah.' This is not a place for kids who thrive on creativity and thinking 'outside of the box.' This school is lacking soul...reminded me of the movie, 'Pleasantville.' Parents not welcome, poor teaching methods, curriculum based on work books, rampant bullying in and out of classroom...A fellow parent accurately described BCD as 'a school teaching yesterday's CEO's.' If they did as good a job teaching as they do marketing, this might be a better school. This school experience was so awful that we walked away half way through the school year!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“BCD has a new mathematics program, introduced in 2007-2008. The curriculum and teaching methods were scrutinized at every grade level. Each child from 6th grade on is offered an individualized math learning plan. Pre Algebra (regular or advanced) is introduced in 6th grade. Middle School students take Algebra and Geometry. BCD now offers accelerated math classes and summer school Algebra. BCD has had some problems in the past, but the school has improved so much in recent years and is currently the best in the area.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Now that my children are high schoolers I realize the deficiencies in BCDs Math and Spanish programs. My kids needed to work very hard to catch up to the standards for IB 9th and 10th grade classes in these subjects. French, History, English and Science programs are strong as are the sports programs.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have one child in the preschool and one in the elementary. I am ecstatic with the school. A ton of parents who are involved, dedicated teachers, a great headmaster. If you're looking for the latest 'trends' look elsewhere, but if you're looking for a first rate classical education BCD is fantastic”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My child is in kindergarten at BCD. It is the best school for her since she is quiet and needs the individual attention and small intimate environment the school provides. She would be lost at our local public school. I agree that BCD is not for every child. It is not a Waldorf school. There is a lot of sitting and a ton of sugar. However, if you are looking for a quality academic school, then BCD is your best option in Boulder. The Carden reading method is introduced in preschool. Most children are reading or are close to reading in preschool. The French language instruction supplements reading development. The children are at least two grade levels ahead of the public schools in math and science. Finally, the headmaster, a former elite marathoner, intends to formalize a nutrition policy for the 2008/2009 school year along with other positive changes.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have 2 children at the school and have been extremely impressed from start to finish. The headmaster is highly involved and knows all the children by name. The teachers are exceptionally caring and motivated. A great experience all round. I should also point out that one of my children is in the same classroom as the disappointed parent who posted a review on March 4th. My child has had a wonderful time in that class - gaining in confidence and skills.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We love BCD and have had only positive experiences with teacher and administrative communications regarding our child's needs!!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My children have attended BCD for close to seven years now and, quite simply, the institution can not be matched within its geographical area. Its classical approach to a rigorous academic curriculum is superb. And with the IB program in the middle school, students excel at all other educational institutions upon graduation from BCD. With small class sizes and the limited influence of outside social pressures that are so prevalent in schools today, we can not commend the staff and administration enough for making BCD what every parent dreams of for the education of their child.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“BCD is a wonderful school with small classes and warm caring teachers. The teachers get to know each child in thier class and work closely with the families to enable the success of each student. This was recently evidence by 90% of the students who joined the Niwot High School IB program achieved the honoor role. The leadership of the school, under Mr. Shields, Head of School, is first rate. Faculty morale is high. There is a great deal of passion and energy in the parental community directed towards making the school a wonderful place for children and families.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is our first year at BCD and I have major issues with 1) excessive amounts of candy and junk food provided by the teachers and other parents to my children without knowing in advance or being asked 2) too much media - videos at a minimum once a week and generally more frequently, sometimes 2- 3 in one day! 3) lack of communication from the teachers to the parents 4) lack of awareness of what my children are doing (my daughter comes home frequently having wet herself and her teacher has never ONCE noticed!). An expensive school not in tune with current trends (e.g. health, media's negative impact on kids, and teacher's out of touch with their students).”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Both my boys have been a part of BCD since pre-school! Each year things just get better! I love the uniforms, the teachers, the classmates and families. My boys NEVER not want to go to school! This is a great place to watch your kids grow into amazing young people!! This is what every school should emulate, we are so blessed to be a part of this incredible community!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Boulder Country Day offers an exceptional program of top-notch academics, character development, fantastic arts education with many performance opportunities both dramatic and musical, a pottery studio, foreign language (French, Spanish and Latin), lacrosse, basketball, volleyball, soccer, cross-country, chess club, science week with a Nobel laureate (physics), and small class sizes all wrapped up in a beautiful 5 acre campus. Boulder Country Day is ACIS accredited and an IB Middle Years certified program. It is a wonderful community of families who truly value their children's education and have made a commitment to give them the best educational value around.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My child has gone to this shool for two years. The music, art and theater programs are stellar. Itis quite challenging academically, but really fun for him as well. Money well spent!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My kids attended this school for several years, and it's only gotten worse with time. The elementary school has major communication problems with parents, assigns homework sometimes without explaining the lesson, and promises academic excellence but doesn't deliver. Numerous parents besides us have complained that, when they finally pulled their kids from BCD, they were actually BEHIND in reading, writing, and mathematics when they enrolled them in PUBLIC SCHOOL--this despite all the material trappings and claims that BCD's kids test so high amid low teacher to student ratios. Save your money. This place does a great dog and pony show, but that's all it is: show. Find a charter school with standards; you'll be better off.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school is not worth the money. There is no parent involvement in the classroom.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school is superb. I have two children enrolled and their progress and excitement about learning is wonderful. The Carden principles which are applied to their early learning provide an excellent base and push the children's reading, writing, and analytical skills.”
This review was posted by a parent.