Emerson School

Emerson is about so much more than academic excellence, which is the reason we originally chose this school. It is a caring community of educators who truly love my children, are passionate about teaching, and inspire a lifelong love of learning. Equally important, Emerson teachers build character in our children by reinforcing values that we teach at home-- respect, honesty, inclusion, cooperation, integrity, commitment, compassion, and gratitude. We couldn't be happier with this outstanding school and the wonderful families who are part of this community.

I never thought I’d send my kids to a private school—both my husband and I are products of public schools and I always had an image of secular private schools as being exclusive/elitist. But after visiting the kindergarten round up at our neighborhood public school, we left feeling fairly certain that our son's needs would not be well met there. (He was extremely bright and academically advanced, and also rather quiet—the type who would check out and withdraw rather than act out to get attention if he was bored and not challenged. That public school gave a beautiful description of the ways they help kids who come into kindergarten below grade-level get up to where they are supposed to be, but they were at a loss when asked how they help students who come in above grade-level to remain challenged.) Emerson School turned out to be exactly what we needed. We have now had both our kids there for seven years. Contrary to my previous assumptions, Emerson has provided us with a wonderful community of down-to-earth friends who value education and creativity. The materialism/elitism I feared has been non-existent. Both of my sons have never once been bored—they love their school, their teachers, and are engaged in the assignments and projects they get to do. The class sizes are small enough that every teacher has really gotten to know my children and provided them with what they need, but large enough that there is a lot of diversity and variety in friendships. In a time when I hear about recess and specials being cut back, Emerson has continued to provide ample time for playing and exploring music, art, languages, science, technology, PE, etc… Best of all, my kids have no idea that in some schools (e.g., mine growing up) it isn’t cool to be too smart or to like school too much. At Emerson, being “into" school is the norm, and cool kids get excited about science projects. (Even in middle school!!!) I wish every public school offered what Emerson does, and that no one had to pay to receive this kind of education. I wish that public schools could consistently meet every special need—including the special need of academic giftedness (which, I should mention, doesn’t mean that a kid is stellar in every subject across the board). But since not all public schools do meet every child’s needs, we have felt that the money we’ve spent on their K-8 years has been so worth it.

The best school Ann Arbor has to offer. Whether you like theater or orchestra, Emerson has it all.

Great school. Tuition is expensive, but you get what you pay for. Class sizes are small, kids get to learn many different things, and it is a great environment.

Simply excellent, just flawless.