Skipwith Academy @ Forest Avenue (#50)

I cannot say enough good things about Skipwith Academy at Forest Ave. It came highly recommended to me by a friend with 2 kids who go there. Everyone from the management to the teachers to the chef is just awesome. The kids are treated with such care, support, and encouragement, and I have seen my granddaughter thrive in their preK program over the past year. She is more than ready for kindergarten this Fall. Best of all, she ADORES being part of the Skipwith family, and it is heartwarming to see how much she loves and respects her teachers. Thank you, Skipwith. Would recommend heartily and without reservation.

My kids have been going to Skipwith for nearly a year and after 2 daycare switches, we couldn’t be happier here! The management, the teachers, the facility, the curriculum, time spend playing outdoors, and food is all excellent! Most importantly though, the overall feeling you get from walking in the door somehow feels calm, bright and happy and it is clear that my kids feel this too!

Our 4th grader and 2nd grader have been attending Skipwith at Forest Ave since they were 3 and 1. The lack of significant turnover in the staff has created an invested community culture and sense of belonging that extends to each family. The Director and Asst Director are excellent planners and communicators. The classroom teachers not only spark joy but also prepared both of our kids brilliantly for elementary school. The Montessori emphasis from the 2yo rooms and up gives each child a sense of agency while also giving them skills that translate. They were both reading well ahead of their kindergarten peers because of the basics taught at Skipwith. The summer camps are also innovative and educational. Our oldest quit napping well before his classmates and I loved how his teachers helped/allowed him to read during that necessary quiet time. The after school program for elementary students has provided structure and a creative outlet during what could otherwise be a dead time. The Hogwarts-esque building, expansive playgrounds, and pool also provide a lovely setting for games, gross motor development, and outdoor time! The fall festivals and spring family events are heartwarming experiences that keep families engaged in the Skipwith community. Thank you so much for being a critical part of the village that is helping our kids become amazing humans and respectful citizens.

The staff is top notch! From the Director (currently Michelle) down to the house keeping staff, everyone moves with purpose and pride to support the children in all aspects. The facility is also very unique and the historic home of Admiral Skipwith, hence the name and logo. It’s fun to go to school at “a castle” as my children call it!

We've had our 2 daughters at Skipwith for 2 years and we love it. The staff seem to care about the kids. The building and playground are beautiful, safe, and fun. The other families are friendly. But most importantly, our daughters have done so well there. Both our daughters have learned and developed in wonderful ways. Our younger, introverted daughter has come out of her shell since being at Skipwith (this was an issue before she started there). We think the staff has done a great job of meeting our girls where they are, rather than trying to fit them in a box (which we've seen at other places). With all that said, the staff has got to work on the communication. It's gone down hill in the 2 years we've been there and is now spotty at best.