Terra Verde Discovery School

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We have been with Terra Verde from the very beginning. We are so fortunate to have such an exceptional school in Norman. The natural, outdoor environment is so perfect for the kids. The teachers are all highly qualified and innovative in their approach. The headmaster is very forward thinking and in touch with all of us. He greets us each morning at drop off. The facility is amazing and so beautiful. The founders are very concerned with always improving, constantly moving forward. Always thinking of ways to improve things for the children. Before we found the school, when my children were young, I would spend hours pouring over websites of private alternative schools, such as in NY, where children were the focus, where arts were important, where learning was fun and, most importantly, engaging! Then miraculously we found this school. It is truly original! So fortunate to be there!

Terre Verde is an amazing school. We were fortunate to be able to send our son there for 4 years, and we'd still be there if we hadn't moved. The teachers are incredible- kind, caring, dedicated. They challenge students in areas of strength and support them in areas where they need extra help.

Hi Erica,



I wanted to respond to your review as the new Head of School at Terra Verde.



I apologize for your negative experience during the 2013 kindergarten playdate. We are so thrilled that your daughters are performing extremely well within the public school environment. At Terra Verde we limit our class sizes to 16 students in the lower school. The admissions process is the most difficult task for our staff as we wish we could take all families who sign up for the school. Please take into consideration that we often receive double the amount of applications than spots available and it becomes extremely difficult to accurately assess each child's skill set when visiting campus for a day.



Given your story regarding your daughters successes, it seems that you have been wonderful parents who allow them to fully blossom in the public school environment. We commend you for being so vested in their education and wish you nothing but the best in the future.



Sincerely,



Eric Snyder

In 2013, we were told in an impersonal letter that our 5 y/o twin girls were not a good fit for the Terra Verde school after 2 play dates. When I contacted the director to ask specifically why, she responded "Our decisions regarding admission are based upon a variety of factors that include maturity, social skills, attitudes towards learning, and the Brigance Early Childhood Screening tool....The Montessori piece, one that requires extended independent work and self-initiated learning, does not seem to be a fit for your girls."



We enrolled our girls into our local Kindergarten that fall (2014) and without prompting, one of their teachers recommended in the spring that she test for gifted and talented. She tested 99% on standardized testing (KBIT-2 and Naglieri). She was also selected for "Terrific Kid" during the month recognizing Responsibility. Our other twin tested 97% on standardized testing and won 2nd place in a school art contest and her piece was sent to state level competition. Our girls are quiet, kind and respectful. During the play date, I noticed the kindergarten children appeared unsupervised and unstructured. The teacher looked harried and frustrated that we were there (understandably, teachers should be teaching the kids not assessing little ones for readiness in play dates). So, in the end we were blessed for "not being a good fit" - both financially in the money saved on tuition and for our girls that they are in an environment where their innate talents and gifts can be recognized and fostered. Hope this review helps other parents trying to make a decision on where to enroll their child.