Parent Testimonials
Jeanne Rudolph (mother of Brandon, 2010 Graduate)
Welcome to Winston. This just might be the best thing you have ever done for your child.
My son Brandon has been at Winston since the fifth grade. He was placed in and out of the public school’s resource program several times in grades one through four. When teachers pulled Brandon out of class, the other kids referred to this as a thing for “really stupid kids.” Brandon was tested and retested, in an attempt to determine his challenges. In second grade, the pediatrician said Brandon was borderline ADD.
I was often involved in Brandon’s classroom, and on the playground. He was withdrawn on the playground and did not interact with the other children. In the classroom, he would not ask for help because he was tormented by the other children for taking the teacher’s time away from them.
Just prior to Winston, in fourth grade, he was removed from the resource program and his school informed me that Brandon was performing to his abilities. But they did not appreciate his abilities and / or challenges. At home, I saw how truly gifted Brandon is, and concluded that we needed an educational alternative.
Fortunately, I ran into the mother of a boy with whom Brandon was in Cub Scouts; she told me that she had moved her son to Winston and that he was really blossoming. We contacted an advocate to help us through the process of moving him immediately. We made the necessary sacrifices to pay the tuition, we gave up the new cars, cut costs everywhere we could until Brandon enrolled at Winston. It was worth every cent and sacrifice.
Brandon will graduate this year and is headed for college. He still has challenges, but is looking forward to accomplishing his goals. Brandon is much more social, has made friends we think he will have for a lifetime and has confidence in his abilities. None of this would have been possible but for the Winston School, its teachers and staff. We will always be grateful for their dedication to excellence for our son.
Winston is a safe, nurturing environment that is conducive to academic success. And isn’t that success what we all want for our children?
Lorelei Nielsen (mother of Clay, 12th grade)
I knew I was in the wrong place, when after stating that I wanted my son to go to college, a roomful of public school administrators told me I reach too high. After finding Winston and seeing my son, Clay, grow in so many amazing ways–academically, confidently, and socially–I knew I was in the right place. Clay plans to attend music college. Since 2003, there has never been one regret from entering the doors of The Winston School.
Randi Pisapia (mother of Tom, 2010 Graduate)
How can I thank the Winston School and its dedicated staff for giving me back my son. It’s hard to find the words. My son is a very bright child who in kindergarten was thought to be a genius, but by third grade had all but shut down. He was diagnosed with auditory disability and dyslexia. His self-esteem was gone. I had to pry his fingers off the car to get him into school. He wore his hood over his face all day.
This low self-esteem brought on other problems like anxiety and OCD. My son came to The Winston School in September of fourth grade. By December we were taking him off of his anti-anxiety medications. By the next year he was running for class president. Now a senior he is an amazing young man. He continues to surprise me with his abilities.
I cannot take the credit for this. I have to give the credit to the staff at Winston for believing in him, for never giving up on him, for helping him to believe in himself. He is going into his senior year with great hope for a fantastic future. I know he will achieve it too!
Thanks to Winston.
Merri Turner (mother of Allison, 9th grade)
My daughter Allison started at Winston in November of 2007 halfway through her sixth grade year. This was her fourth school since kindergarten. We were tired and frustrated with changing schools. The first day Allison attended Winston she said, “Mom, I love this school” (this sentiment remains to this day) and we’ve never looked back. In her short time at Winston my daughter’s confidence and self-esteem have blossomed tremendously. Allison is producing fantastic art, acting in school plays, extremely social and yes, she is learning. Every year is better than the previous one. She is amazing!
I am so thankful and grateful for The Winston School and all that they provide every day. My daughter now has a wonderful future ahead of her thanks to Winston. The Winston School staff and program is awesome! My only regret is that I wish I had enrolled Allison sooner at The Winston School.
