The Advent School is the quintessential city school in the heart of Back Bay. Its proximity to museums, gardens and all that Boston has to offer makes the school an ideal place for children to explore. However, why parents love the Advent School has nothing to do with Boston. Parent exclaim, and it is obviously true, that Advent School students are some of the happiest children you will ever meet. Confident, fun and most of all happy, Advent School is an often overlooked asset to parent and children in Boston.

Apple Orchard School is widely know for its location on a working farm in an otherwise dense Boston/Brookline neighborhood. But this is not why it is held in such high esteem by parents. The staff of experienced teachers would do an exceptional job inspiring children if they were in a cinder-block box. The atmosphere is great – but its the teachers that make the difference.

Beacon Hill Nursery School can’t claim to have a beautiful campus or unique surroundings (although the heart of Beacon Hill is quite unique but from an adult point of view) but it does have a faculty that is second to none. One only need to meet the faculty to be won over by the Beacon Hill Nursery School. The administrators are great (Ms. Ross is fantastic) but meeting the teachers that will actually spend the day with your kids will fill you with confidence.

Regardless of how you feel about the Montessori philosophy of early childhood education – Cambridge Montessori offers one of the very best preschool programs any where in the state. The School’s unique implementation of Montessori has resulted in a curriculum that inspires children and motivates them to keep learning.

Much like the North Shore Nursery School and Happy Hollow School in Metrowest, Echo Falls Preschool is one of those small, low profile preschools that offer one of the highest quality programs and biggest fan bases in the state. The preschool is focused on helping children build confidence and independence. The preschool program is uniquely intimate and personal due to remarkably small groups and fantastic teachers.

Lesley Ellis School is part of a progressive organization called Schools for Children with operates three schools in the Boston area all designed to optimize the learning environment to build (or rebuild for older children) the foundations for education. The building is fantastic but out shone by its young and energetic teachers. One great thing about Lesley Ellis – if applicants outnumber places in the class a lottery is used.

The Park School is unlike any other preschool in the Boston area. Its huge campus and somewhat ostentatious environment is actually a distraction from the real value of the school. While one may initially think the Park School is a snooty prep school for young children – if you look past this exterior you will find a group of teachers and a curriculum that work together perfectly to teach children to play! That right, play. Play together, play alone, find new ways to play, its all about play. This approach instills a sense of community and fun in school that is often missed in other programs.