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February 2024 by Jessica Van Rossum
My son joined IA in September of 2023. Even though he had a late start due to myself and military orders they made him feel so welcomed and has been thriving there since! The sense of adventure and knowledge base continues to grow each day he attends!
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October 2023 by Zc B.
This is one of the best academic academies that we have ever experienced. To include our time in European academies. Highly recommend due to staff, curriculum, and location.
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August 2023 by Amanda C.
I've had my sons at several different places in the area and the only one that I've trusted with them is Independence. My sons have all entered public school so far ahead of their peers that their K teachers have had to push them to 1st grade for small groups because no other students in their classes were even close to their reading/math levels.
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August 2023 by Hannah Whitfield Kessler
My son attended IA for 2 1/2 years (2-4 years old) while we lived in NC. It was the best decision we could have made for him! IA nurtured his curious nature and independence in a supportive and age appropriate manner. I loved that the children spent so much time outside and exploring real life things while engaged in physical activities.
His teachers knew him!! (Shout out Mrs. JoanMarie and Mrs. Liz!) He was never a number or a tuition payment, they knew him and his heart. As a parent I think one of our biggest fears when sending our kids to school is the teachers won't know them well enough to know their intentions, fears, and joys and how to support them as individuals. And that just wasn't the case at IA, his teachers knew him and helped him truly grow. The only reason we left was because we moved away, but if I could pick up IA and plop it in our new town I would without hesitation!
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June 2023 by Dustin B.
This is an excellent place to take your children in the early years. We've done 2 years of pre-k and summer camps and our child loves going every single day. The staff care about the kids growth and they are great communicators with the parents. My child is emotionally and socially prepared to enter kindergarten anywhere.
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June 2023 by Courtney T.
If I could I would give this establishment zero stars. Their policies are absolutely ridiculous. The staff is constantly changed out. My best friend is having her 3 year old kicked out because they can't afford a $3,000 summer camp bill. She wasn't aware they didn't take childcare aware for the summer for school age kids. My best friend recently suffered massive mental health issues and was hospitalized, she had to shut her business down and has had to take a huge pay cut. They are a military family. I have watched my best friend cry the last few days in shock that they would be vindictive and take this out on a 3 year old. They should have been made aware that they should drop her 2 kids from school age program since they knew the family couldn't afford it. & it was 2 days before the un enrollment date that they made it aware that they couldn't afford the school without the help of childcare aware. The husband is away for training until fall. We are both disappointed and disgusted. My niece is the sweetest little girl , I feel so terrible for her. The school only cares about money. My friend has had her children in the school for over 3 years!
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March 2023 by Maggie Sullivan
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.
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March 2022 by Annice Jabang
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.
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March 2021 by Miranda C
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.
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March 2021 by Nina LC
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.
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March 2021 by Abby Vogel
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.
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March 2020 by Thad Lawrence
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.
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March 2020 by Jessica Swanson
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!
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March 2019 by Christy Hinnant
We absolutely love IMA. Our son started attending IMA after he turned 2 and has excelled tremendously. The teachers are incredible and go above and beyond with their students, teaching them and encouraging them everyday. Our little guy just turned 4 and is already doing addition and multiplication!!! He’s become our little Math Wiz and I owe his incredible teacher all the credit. Definitely one of the best choices we have made and once our youngest turns 2 we plan on getting him enrolled as well.
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March 2019 by Sean Feeney
Our son is just finishing his 2nd & final year of preschool at IMA and we couldn’t be happier with the faculty, facilities, and cost.They’re fully dedicated to a Montessori style education and we’ve see great progress. From a curriculum standpoint, his vocabulary, word, & number skills have trended above our expectations. Additionally, his social skills have flourished; conflict resolution, group work, sharing, manners - all of the things we instill at home are reinforced at IMA. He also cleans his workspaces, pushes in his chair, and (generally) puts things back where they belong.IMA also places an emphasis seasonal activities and immersive geophraphic studies that are top notch.Finally, they have recently expanded and updated their outdoor play areas and they are fantastic!
