Independence Academy

My daughter started going to IA in Oct. 2020 when she was 2 1/2. I was very nervous about how she would do in a full day school but the staff at IA were exactly what we needed. She has been in two classrooms in her 2 years there and we have been more than satisfied with our experience at IA. The teachers at this school have loved her as one of their own and she's grown leaps and bounds socially since starting at IA. I would recommend this school to anyone who is looking for a full time , year round school environment for their children.

I am a parent whose looking for a school that allows my child to explore their own potential in a structured environment and also allows me to be apart of that experience . I feel this school will help my child to become his better self. The curriculum they are using really allows for the children to learn in such a way that learning becomes apart of their natural growth pattern . I am eager to find out how different my child will be under this type of approach to learning . Considering this school is definitely worth the effort . When persons post reviews ….it is because something has affected them to the point that they have to talk about it . The excitement for what lay ahead for my child attending this school motivates me to speak up and let parents know that personal evaluation along with adequate information that is first of all fact checked by yourself is key to choosing any school for your child.

We love IA! My son attended kindergarten there last year. I can’t imagine having a better teacher than the one he had. There was some time when Covid started where children were home and it took a little time, but his teacher managed to make virtual learning effective and really put together materials and at home experiments that my son still enjoyed. My son returned for the themed summer programs that were mostly outdoors and loved it. I was and still am very impressed and comfortable with the Covid precautions at IA. I actually wouldn’t feel comfortable anywhere else. My son now attends their Indie nature school three days a week and homeschools the remainder. The environment is a great place for children to thrive. The teacher is excited to be there and the kids love the outdoor excitement and adventure. It’s very hands on and the kids even help care for chickens and ducks and plant a garden in the spring. In my opinion it’s worth every Penny and my drive twenty minutes out of the way.

IMA opened in 2015 and our child has attended since then. First, in the Nesting Room and then in the Children's House. Mrs. Charlene and Mrs. Beth have since left the school. IMA doesn’t follow Montessori principle. None of the teachers were certified. The only one who was got fired in 2019. Most of the time the kids in 1st grade didn’t learn very much. They also dropped Montessori and elementary education after we left and redesigned their curriculum. I’m not sure that helps the general issues there though. We ended up pulling our child out in the middle of the year early 2020 because it was simply awful. I’m sorry to say, but I did not feel comfortable leaving my children there and certainly don’t expect anything marvelous. IA looks great from the outside; just like the people who work there. It’s a daycare. Nothing more. Nothing less. Because it’s a military community they’ll always have business. Just not mine.

Unfortunately, this school does not follow the Montessori/Reggio principles. Our son had an awful experience while he was there. The teachers were not welcoming or inclusive. As a former long time educator, I would not feel comfortable ever recommending this place to foster happy, healthy child development.

My son was in pre-K at IMA for 3 years. During his time here he was met with attentive, compassionate teachers who helped him grow and learn with ease. Their teachers go above and beyond to make sure your child has personalized attention to insure they are growing in healthy and impactful ways. They care for not only their educational needs, but also their social needs and overall wellbeing. Since IMA's inception, they have been growing by leaps and bounds and are clearly focusing on constantly improving their experience for the students and their families. I couldn't be happier with the education my son received at IMA and would recommend them to anyone looking for a very personalized, compassionate, and creative approach to education.

We have been a part of IMA for 2 years. Our son began in The Children’s House when he was 3 years old. The curriculum is presented utilizing Montessori methods with child lead learning. Maria Montessori would be proud to see the students learning in the environment presented at IMA!