See what our parents have to say!
“This year we are excited that our son will have his Kindergarten graduation at the school he started with. This continuity has allowed him to become more mature, confident, and enabled him to really grow as a student. In fact, during the first few months of Kindergarten, the teachers recognized that a few of the children were ahead of their peers in reading and mathematics. Therefore, she has a few students including our son, work from first grade books. This type of directed attention is a normal occurrence at St. Margaret’s Day School and something that all of you should be proud of." — Meghan Rambo & Michael Flanagan
"My current first grader was completely prepared and confident to face the environment of a new school, curriculum & even the bus rides this year. He has been taught academic and behavior skills since he was 2 years old at SMDS! My current kindergartener at SMDS is loving the STEM, Art, and Music programs! We have been so pleased with all the different educational classes that are offered to the students. Both of the boys have developed strong friendships with fellow classmates over the last four years that we have been attending the school. I even got the added benefit of meeting some of my closest friends through SMDS. It's so much more than ‘just a school,’ it's a community! We are looking forward to sending our daughter to the school in the 2s program next fall!" —Leslie Stangle
“My two eldest grandchildren have attended SMDS. One completed four years and is now in first grade. The second child is now in kindergarten. SMDS taught them respect for their fellow students, sportsmanship, a child's faith in God and a love of learning. They have learned to meet adults well, and are very positive about their teachers. The children have acquired a tremendous 'world knowledge' base and are interested in the news and what's around them. The loving, supportive atmosphere at SMDS has been a very positive influence on the children. We are looking forward to four more years with the next child at SMDS.” —John Joynes
"When we first decided to enroll our son in preschool, we visited more than a dozen preschools in the area. Something about St. Margaret’s (SMDS) felt different than all the rest. They offered stem classes and promoted green initiatives and understood the value of balancing academics with outdoor play for small children. I often joked that it felt like the Ivy League of preschools. Fast forward to now and our son is in his fourth year there and we have already enrolled him to be in Kindergarten there next year. As parents we just want to put our children in the best position to be successful and we have certainly done that by attending SMDS. We have witnessed immense personal growth during our time here. It just warms our hearts when our son comes home and talks about the sizes of the planets, the importance of recycling, and what happens when you mix different items together and you can see this desire for knowledge and understanding of the world around him that’s fostered by the school’s curriculum. We get to see him learning his letters and how to write and his excitement when he sounds out words on a page as he progresses towards reading. He has built fantastic relationships with both the staff and other students and he has learned the appropriate ways to interact with both children and adults. Our son continues to build his confidence and rightfully so as he will have 5 years of real classroom experience before he enters first grade. That’s invaluable and we owe it to St. Margaret’s." - Frank Bolinsky
"I truly cannot rave about SMDS enough! I have had two children enrolled in the school since 2015. Our son has had a speech delay as well as some developmental delays, and Tricia and the wonderful staff have been so accommodating to his needs. They helped right from the get go, and helped him get to where he needs to be! Never once was he singled out or labeled as “different”. Every single person at the school truly cares for each and every child, as if they were one of their own. We also love the school curriculum. I never in a million years thought that my kids would have such a love for science and math at such a young age. SMDS is a green school, which has added so much joy to our kids, helping make the earth a better place. They are now well aware as to what is good for our earth and what is not. Being enrolled at the school has made our kids well rounded. Not only is the school amazing for my children, it has been a wonderful experience as a parent. I have made some wonderful friends, been apart of amazing committees and have had a great deal of fun being in the SMDS family. If you are on the fence looking for a place for your children to attend, look no further, and come to SMDS. The staff, campus and community is by far the best." - Kristen Troup
"We’ve never seen such an excellent group of professionals who obviously love children and want them to succeed. With all the ups and downs we parents go through with our children, it was wonderful to have a group of honest, kind, and caring people on our team; and we truly thought of them as part of our team.
The staff at SMDS are excellent teachers in addition to being thoughtful and empathetic. They absolutely embody the “all children are welcome” spirit. Our preschooler was struggling with his behavior, especially when he first arrived. At one point we considered moving him from SMDS to another school, thinking that we just couldn’t make it work there. Ms. Tricia wouldn’t allow it. Even though it was obvious that he was disrupting the normal flow of the classroom, the teachers and staff rallied around him. They were confident that they could bring out the charming positive qualities in him and make him a better child. They were right. They could have taken the easy way out, but they didn’t. We will never forget that. We won’t forget the support they gave him when he needed it. We won’t forget the way they worked with us and with him to give him the best education they could provide.
Our son loved the school and all of his teachers. Even though he has moved on for first grade, he regularly asks to go back and visit the staff at St. Margarets. He’s proud of how far he has come and wants to go back and show off the skills he learned at SMDS.
This community is blessed to have such thoughtful individuals who are dedicated to raising our children to be strong, confident, loving people. SMDS is truly a special place." - Keith and Amy DeWeese
" I want to thank you so much for inviting me to preview and discuss my book at your school. Your teachers and students were very receptive and accommodating and seemed to enjoy the presentation as much as I did. You have certainly fostered a positive learning experience at your school based on my observations. The students were all great listeners and participated in the question and answer portion of my presentation. They demonstrated wonderful audience behavior. Your parents have chosen a great school to attend for their children and certainly benefit from your leadership. Many thanks for your hospitality and support." -Bill Sharkey, local child author
"It is hard to articulate an appropriate thank you because I will be witness for all his years to come of your great work as Graeme builds on this tremendous foundation that you have helped build for him. He has a trust for his teachers and a confidence bolstered by your team that will stay with him always. Everyone who enters the SMDS door is greeted with an environment that is safe, loving, healthy and positive for all people, both children and adults alike. You all have created a place that is not only dedicated to educating young people, but also offers individualized resources and support for anyone looking to grow as a parent or better help their child, family or greater community.
I am so sad that Graeme is graduating Kindergarten because I do not want to give up the most amazing, dedicated, patient, resourceful, knowledgeable and loving human resource that SMDS is. The staff have the expertise and experience to handle anything with grace. I have come accustomed to a peace of mind knowing that I need not worry about anything at all. You all have it covered. In fact, it is best (in my opinion) if I stay out of your way and just let you do what it is that you do so very well.
Every child you touch enhances our community and society. I am profoundly grateful that Graeme had the opportunity to cross paths with this extraordinary team." -Brandon and Natalie McDowell
"My current first grader was completely prepared and confident to face the environment of a new school, curriculum & even the bus rides this year. He has been taught academic and behavior skills since he was 2 years old at SMDS! My current kindergartener at SMDS is loving the STEM, Art, and Music programs! We have been so pleased with all the different educational classes that are offered to the students. Both of the boys have developed strong friendships with fellow classmates over the last four years that we have been attending the school. I even got the added benefit of meeting some of my closest friends through SMDS. It's so much more than ‘just a school,’ it's a community! We are looking forward to sending our daughter to the school in the 2s program next fall!" —Leslie Stangle
“My two eldest grandchildren have attended SMDS. One completed four years and is now in first grade. The second child is now in kindergarten. SMDS taught them respect for their fellow students, sportsmanship, a child's faith in God and a love of learning. They have learned to meet adults well, and are very positive about their teachers. The children have acquired a tremendous 'world knowledge' base and are interested in the news and what's around them. The loving, supportive atmosphere at SMDS has been a very positive influence on the children. We are looking forward to four more years with the next child at SMDS.” —John Joynes
"When we first decided to enroll our son in preschool, we visited more than a dozen preschools in the area. Something about St. Margaret’s (SMDS) felt different than all the rest. They offered stem classes and promoted green initiatives and understood the value of balancing academics with outdoor play for small children. I often joked that it felt like the Ivy League of preschools. Fast forward to now and our son is in his fourth year there and we have already enrolled him to be in Kindergarten there next year. As parents we just want to put our children in the best position to be successful and we have certainly done that by attending SMDS. We have witnessed immense personal growth during our time here. It just warms our hearts when our son comes home and talks about the sizes of the planets, the importance of recycling, and what happens when you mix different items together and you can see this desire for knowledge and understanding of the world around him that’s fostered by the school’s curriculum. We get to see him learning his letters and how to write and his excitement when he sounds out words on a page as he progresses towards reading. He has built fantastic relationships with both the staff and other students and he has learned the appropriate ways to interact with both children and adults. Our son continues to build his confidence and rightfully so as he will have 5 years of real classroom experience before he enters first grade. That’s invaluable and we owe it to St. Margaret’s." - Frank Bolinsky
"I truly cannot rave about SMDS enough! I have had two children enrolled in the school since 2015. Our son has had a speech delay as well as some developmental delays, and Tricia and the wonderful staff have been so accommodating to his needs. They helped right from the get go, and helped him get to where he needs to be! Never once was he singled out or labeled as “different”. Every single person at the school truly cares for each and every child, as if they were one of their own. We also love the school curriculum. I never in a million years thought that my kids would have such a love for science and math at such a young age. SMDS is a green school, which has added so much joy to our kids, helping make the earth a better place. They are now well aware as to what is good for our earth and what is not. Being enrolled at the school has made our kids well rounded. Not only is the school amazing for my children, it has been a wonderful experience as a parent. I have made some wonderful friends, been apart of amazing committees and have had a great deal of fun being in the SMDS family. If you are on the fence looking for a place for your children to attend, look no further, and come to SMDS. The staff, campus and community is by far the best." - Kristen Troup
"We’ve never seen such an excellent group of professionals who obviously love children and want them to succeed. With all the ups and downs we parents go through with our children, it was wonderful to have a group of honest, kind, and caring people on our team; and we truly thought of them as part of our team.
The staff at SMDS are excellent teachers in addition to being thoughtful and empathetic. They absolutely embody the “all children are welcome” spirit. Our preschooler was struggling with his behavior, especially when he first arrived. At one point we considered moving him from SMDS to another school, thinking that we just couldn’t make it work there. Ms. Tricia wouldn’t allow it. Even though it was obvious that he was disrupting the normal flow of the classroom, the teachers and staff rallied around him. They were confident that they could bring out the charming positive qualities in him and make him a better child. They were right. They could have taken the easy way out, but they didn’t. We will never forget that. We won’t forget the support they gave him when he needed it. We won’t forget the way they worked with us and with him to give him the best education they could provide.
Our son loved the school and all of his teachers. Even though he has moved on for first grade, he regularly asks to go back and visit the staff at St. Margarets. He’s proud of how far he has come and wants to go back and show off the skills he learned at SMDS.
This community is blessed to have such thoughtful individuals who are dedicated to raising our children to be strong, confident, loving people. SMDS is truly a special place." - Keith and Amy DeWeese
" I want to thank you so much for inviting me to preview and discuss my book at your school. Your teachers and students were very receptive and accommodating and seemed to enjoy the presentation as much as I did. You have certainly fostered a positive learning experience at your school based on my observations. The students were all great listeners and participated in the question and answer portion of my presentation. They demonstrated wonderful audience behavior. Your parents have chosen a great school to attend for their children and certainly benefit from your leadership. Many thanks for your hospitality and support." -Bill Sharkey, local child author
"It is hard to articulate an appropriate thank you because I will be witness for all his years to come of your great work as Graeme builds on this tremendous foundation that you have helped build for him. He has a trust for his teachers and a confidence bolstered by your team that will stay with him always. Everyone who enters the SMDS door is greeted with an environment that is safe, loving, healthy and positive for all people, both children and adults alike. You all have created a place that is not only dedicated to educating young people, but also offers individualized resources and support for anyone looking to grow as a parent or better help their child, family or greater community.
I am so sad that Graeme is graduating Kindergarten because I do not want to give up the most amazing, dedicated, patient, resourceful, knowledgeable and loving human resource that SMDS is. The staff have the expertise and experience to handle anything with grace. I have come accustomed to a peace of mind knowing that I need not worry about anything at all. You all have it covered. In fact, it is best (in my opinion) if I stay out of your way and just let you do what it is that you do so very well.
Every child you touch enhances our community and society. I am profoundly grateful that Graeme had the opportunity to cross paths with this extraordinary team." -Brandon and Natalie McDowell
