| Date | Who | Comments |
| 9/16/2012 | parent | I've had 3 of my children attend Marianapolis. The school is tremendous. The faculty care about the students. They have very small classes and the children need to work to succeed. My oldest girl graduated from Marianapolis and she was accepted to all six colleges she applied to. She was extremely well prepared. Her first year of college is basically a repeat of her senior year at Marianapolis. There are a few reasons why you will not find another school like Marianapolis: 1) Their foundation is faith. They are open to all faiths, but the students leave with an amazing ethic and respect for others. 2) The diversity of the student body. Students attend from all over the world. This diversity prepares the students for an international work force. My daughter has friends from Africa, China, Mexico, and Afghanistan. 3) The small school and small classrooms allow all of the students to know one another. The faculty know all the students. Everyone gets along. 4) They have a zero tolerance policy with drugs and unethical behaviour like stealing or cheating. Be warned, they will make the students work. |
| 8/3/2012 | parent | The education, I agree is very well-rounded, however my child found it to not be nearly as challenging as they made it out to be. The new administration is making many changes and are spending money on ipads for each member of the community, rather then improving the essentials (such as the lockers which are limited and small, or the cafeteria which is so crammed full with the students they have now) and are adding new sports, rather than improving the athletic programs they currently have. I believe they have lost sight of their quality education in their attempts to make the school well-known. It has definitely lost some quality from the changes put in place by the new administration. Not to mention the tuition is pricey and growing. |
| 3/9/2012 | parent | My children presently attend Marianapolis. It is a fantastic school. I agree with many of the reviews that the headmistress played favorites and she was not open to constructive criticism. However, she is gone and the new administration is great. Yes, there are many new, young teachers, but most of them are extremely good and make themselves available to the students whenever needed. The staff truly cares about making the students be the best they can be. The opportunities for growth are endless. As for the day & boarding students mixing, it has been improving over the years and they work very hard at creating activities to help both groups connect. My children have many international friends and mix nicely with the boarding students. I would HIGHLY recommend this school. Your son/daughter will truly be prepared for college when he/she graduates. |
| 4/22/2011 | parent | A great school, with solid values ... the culture is down to earth and exhibits a quiet diligence. Beautiful grounds. Some changes happening: new administrators coming in to take the school into the future. |
| 3/3/2010 | parent | Initially we were attracted to the serene location and beautiful ground, as well as the diverse student body and promised academics at Marianapolis. After some time however it became very clear that huge favouritism existed towards the students with 'connections'. Especially from the Headmistress. It was very dissapointing to see that some students were protected by the leadership after serious offenses, while others were kicked out (for good reason). And a lot could be done to help 'connect' the diverse student body. |
| 9/23/2009 | parent | Marianapolis gives the students a fantastic foundation for there future. The students are prepared well for there future and make lasting friends which remain with them for the rest of there life |
| 7/16/2009 | parent | Curriculum is good. What originally sold us on the school was the personal attention the student advisors would offer. My daughter's advisor was young and inexperienced. Little or no follow up or follow through. Multi-cultural atmosphere is not promoted rather the foriegn boarding students appear to be a source of income rather than culture. My child did well but I do not see value for money and will transfer. |
| 5/23/2009 | teacher | a fantastic prep school without the razzle dazzle. Content oriented education and well maintained with true character building. |
| 12/13/2008 | student | As a current junior at Marianapolis, I can honestly say that without Marianapolis my life would be prodigiously different, both right now and further down the road. I receive valuable life lessons both inside the classroom and out, whether or not I like the lessons that they are. The classes are challenging enough (and more importanly, seemingly worthwhile) and the workload is perfectly within my capacity while still strenuous enough to engage my interest. There is, however, a cost (beyond the monetary) to this; it is a price some (even myself, sometimes) are not willing to pay. The students at Marianapolis must be active participants in order to do well both inside and out of the classroom. The teachers that will hunt you down and demand late assignments/homework are rare at Marianapolis. There is very little hand-holding at this school. Whether that is a positive or a negative facet is relative. |
| 8/23/2008 | parent | I currently have two children attending Marianapolis. After my sons first year there, I was confident that it is the best college prep school in New England. The school is designed to emmulate a future college environment. It's multicultural student body is a microcosm of todays college student body. While it is true that students with similar cultural backgrounds do tend to socialize together it not exclusively the rule. My son is a day student and his best friend is a boarding student from Mexico who he has kept in touch with this summer. Marianapolis is very successful at teaching their students to embrace the cultural diversity of all it's students. I found the the teachers to be creative, innovative, and extremely responsive to my childs needs. Your child will receive a superior education, a strong sense of self worth, and realize the importance of making the world a better place. |
| 4/6/2008 | student | I currently attend Marianapolis and I am to the point that I am ready to walk out and look for another school! The headmistress is only interested in her own personal plans and the teachers here rarely will stay after for 1 on 1 even if you ask them. This does not apply to all teachers, but most of them, and if you can get them to stay after they will rush you along as much as they can. Also if you think this school will make your son/daughter meet and communicate with other nationalities, then you would be wrong, in all of my classes it's American's on one side of the room and the 'dorm' students on the other. Well, thats just my opinion of the school, but it's just about the most truthfully honest opinion you will find. |
| 12/17/2007 | parent | Marianapolis is everything I expected and more. My child enjoys going to school, has embraced the multicultural experience and has been academically challenged. He came from an elementary school where he performed very well. I wanted a challenge for him. His teachers have gotten to know him and have pushed him further. He has embraced the community and has learned a great deal already from his host brother. My son has discovered the value of diversity in one short month. He has felt comfortable asking the international students to our home and has enjoyed the new mix of friends. I love the fact that this school is devoted to every part of my child. He has been involved in community service without it being mandated, he plans on being a three sport athlete without a strong athletic background and he has the full support of all of his teachers whenever needed. |
| 12/17/2007 | parent | Marianapolis is truly a unique school. My child has received nothing but a quality education. Not only do they offer over ten AP level courses, but also a plethora of diverse electives that are unique and interesting. The faculty are committed to the education of our children. I was impressed with the school's profile when our search for high schools began. The merit scholars, college acceptance and merit based scholarships were all factors that helped us make our decision. This is a great school! |
| 11/12/2007 | parent | Marianapolis presents a prep-school image that it does not live up to. We have found the quality of instruction to be lacking because so many of the teachers are young, inexperienced and uncertified. One thing that attracted us to Marianapolis was the multinational student body, but the reality is that there is a great divide between day and boarding students. The two groups do not interact on any consistent or meaningful level, even gravitating to opposite sides of the classroom. The teachers are very nice people and most students are well-behaved, but I just don't think the kids are being challenged enough in the classroom. The administration does not want to hear criticisms like this; it seems the main concern is preserving the image of the school. But for $10,000 a year, I need more than image for my son, and we are looking elsewhere for next year. |
| 5/12/2007 | parent | Having two girls graduate from Marianapolis and go on to quality colleges they both would tell any parent that the education and life learning experinces at Marianapolis were the main reasons for there present sucess. The present administration saved the school. The Marians were about to close the school until a group of deciated people got together and put together a package to keep the school going. To read some of these negative remarks are truly not needed. I believe the team that is in place today has the interest of the students first and fore most not the fincial needs of the students family. The students today are well prepared for the next step. Check out where students are being accepted and the scholarships and finical aid packs that colleges are extending to the graduates. Compare to other schools in the area. If you have a concern contact a board member. |
| 11/7/2006 | parent | I am a parent of a junior at MPS. I am also an alumni. I have found that MPS continues to be a school that provides a wonderful education. My child works hard but has done well. The course offerings are diverse and interesting. What has impressed me the most is the quality of the children there. They are a great bunch of kids who are very enthusiastic about learning and about their school in general. There is a lot of parental involvement. The headmistress runs a tight ship yet provides a welcoming atmosphere. The school is growing in popularity for good reason. Its a great school. Period. |
| 10/19/2006 | parent | We were very disappointed in Marianapolis. It is not what the glossy image pretends. Ask about the experience of faculty members; you will find few veteran teachers. |
| 6/8/2006 | former student | As a graduate of the class of 2005, and a member of the Marianapolis Community for more than four years, I felt that it was my obligation to address some of the negative remarks made about the school. I attended Marianapolis and my brother went as well, and even through the change in administration, MPS has remained an upstanding and incredible school for students who want to recieve the best education possible. Marianpolis changed my life in the most positive and profound way and I would recommend the school to anyone. I have been nothing but impressed with the faculty and administration at Marianapolis for as long as I have known the school. I would choose to go to MPS again in a heartbeat and believe it is truly one of the best schools in all regards in the area. |
| 5/17/2006 | parent | Am very surprised at this school. It was not what we had expected for our son. There is a lot of offering and no substance. The faculty are fine, the head needs to go. Too many favorites, etc. Not a good choice. |
| 3/27/2006 | former student | Marianapolis was the greatest thing that could have happened to me. The teachers are wonderful and genuinely care about their students. These people prepared me for college in such a fantastic way that my first semester was a breeze. The headmistress is hiring teachers that truly know what to teach in order to get her student body prepared for college. Yes, this may be a no frills education, but as a second semester freshman at a great college, I feel that I owe everything to this school. I firmly believe that if you put the effort in, this school will give you the oppurtunities to showcase your abilities and will help you reach your academic goals. It is just a matter of how much you education is worth to you. |
| 3/10/2006 | former student | As an alum, i find what some people on this site is terrible. No school runs perfectly, or without some programs or athletics gaining more recognition that others. Please, show me a school where everyone is 100% satisfied during the entire course of their child's education. Furthermore, why are there 5 alums currently working at the school from various years. If they did not love it, they wouldn't have come back. As for faculty, there are a number of teachers still working at the school from when i went there. As for turnover, those rates are always higher in a prep school environement. I am disgusted to call some of you mps parents and/or students. You should be ashamed. If you are so upset with the way the school works, why do you stick with it? Because you know it works! |
| 3/20/2005 | student | I am a current student at Marianapolis. It is honestly a wonderful place to be. Reading these reviews posted by others, i was shocked by the feedback, and a bit upset. The Marianapolis community is an amazing community, contrary to what these reviews state. I do believe that this is due to the fact that when Marianapolis accepts its students, they not only consider academic and athletic achievements, they also consider the personality of the student. I can sincerely say that i have never seen a student body that shows more enthusiasm towards education. The teachers are also wonderful. It is very clear that they enjoy what they do, and they put in every effort to help each individual student. The level of education is outstanding as well. I am very happy being a student at Marianapolis, and i would never want to be at any other school. |
| 2/16/2005 | student | Headmistress and administration are insincere - all smiles but no substance. Seems to get worse every year. Where are the Writer-In-Residence program and journalism offerings featured in the viewbook (woefully inaccurate and full of fabrications, by the way)? Boarding students pay more and therefore are afforded special priveleges: some leave a week early for vacations and return a week late. I wish I could do that. Many appear unconcerned with academics and are frequently found sleeping in the back during classes and chapel services. During the admissions open house, teacher continuity was stressed as one of the biggest advantages of the school - in reality, there is a rather high turnover rate every yearThis is a school for wealthy people and those who think they are - its all about playing image games. Overall, Marianapolis has been a colossal disappointment. Beware! |
| 12/13/2004 | student | I am an upperclassman who holds a leadership position and I feel that I can offer a more thorough perspective than those presented by people new to Marianapolis. While Marianapolis certainly offers an above-average academic program, there are several significant issues that sadly detract from the overall academic experience. The administration is generally concerned with protecting their supposedly pristine image more than anything else. The headmistress refuses to accept the fact that students don't always get along, and that disciplinary action must be taken to maintain order. Unfortunately, anything goes as long as the cash flow is consistent. Recently, the school has expanded its enrollment. This is being hailed as a great step forward; however, quality is being sacrificed for quantity. It is undeniable that some students are content at MPS; indeed, some people are taken care of quite nicely. It is the blue-collar, common person who must exercise extreme caution. |
| 11/29/2004 | parent | My daughter currently attends MPS and she enjoys the atmosphere,the teachers and the mix of students. She doesn't like the homework but it is indicative of future college work and something that must be adapted to. Response by the teachers about parental concerns is amazing. A request for a meeting with her advisor prompted the question 'Any particular teacher or shall I try to assemble them all?' A secular school that respects all forms of religion. Rigorous curriculum and extra help that is there for the asking. A beautiful campus and a selection of activities that range from tempting the couch potato to the kid who wants the unusual. An exceptional school that doesn't favor the wealthy, it favors the worthy. The headmistress isn't running a popularity contest,she is running a school. |
| 11/20/2004 | student | I am a current student at Marianapolis Preparatory School. I was awed bye how amazing the school was while filling out my applications there. The school has certainly lived up to my expectations. It is a small community, so everyone is familiar with each other. All the students are welcoming of incoming freshman. There is a 'Peer Leadership' program that helps Freshman adjust. Perhaps the best experience I have had here so far is the diversity of the student body. There are students from Singapore, Korea, Mexico, Bosnia, Cameroon, Russia, Kazakhstan and many other places form around the world. I got a taste of many different cultures, and have learned a great deal from the international students. The courses are challenging, and are truly 'College Preparatory'. Whether it be in the Academic Building, or on the Feild, Marianapolis has a sense of 'school' like no other. |
| 9/27/2004 | student | Marianapolis is the best thing that ever happened to me. I am from an average income family and I feel that I am treated just as well as others. I do not see any favoritism towards the baording students because they have much stricter rules and must abide by them. If anything, they have it harder. Of my highschool choices Marianapolis had the best atmosphere and best activities to participate in. The teachers and administration have certain expectations of the students (after all this is a college preparatory school)and as long as the students understand this, there is never a problem. I have no idea what the accusations of sexual harassment are about. Being a small school, word travels fast and i never heard any of that. I am writing applications now for college and I feel that if I had gone anywhere else my chioces would be greatly limited. |
| 9/25/2004 | former student | As an alumni that was a student during the administrative change, I have a few words to offer. The student body is incredible - there are no other words to describe it. The tight-knit community that exists not only between students and teachers, but also between students of various countries, backgrounds, and socioeconomic status is absolutely amazing. Despite this wonderful foundation, however, the school is not what it appears to be. The problem lies in the present administration, which blatantly favors students of higher financial status. The headmistress is also the college advisor and was an enormous hindrance in the college process. As a top student, I was apalled by the lack of organization, assistance, and professionalism that belongs in any high school, specifically a college preparatory one. |
| 9/7/2004 | parent | This is not at all the school I thought it was. There is definitely a pecking order and rank that is directly related to one's socio-economic status. It is not the teachers that are the issue. They wear the hat of a teacher, a coach, a club organizer and a dorm supervisor all on the same day. Being over-worked and under-paid they are victimized by untruths as the students themselves. The administration spouts everything you want to hear but there is then no follow-thru. The lack of organization and communication is appalling. I would welcome comments from others who have written so that we may join arms in an effort to really turn this school around. A new administration is sorely needed. The headmistress wide smile is an attempt to cover untruths and false representations. |
| 8/25/2004 | parent | I think that the school is great, no matter what the others say. The Headmistress is a kind and wonderful person, and all of the teachers are well qualified. One of the best parts of the school system is the Advisor, in which the students connect with the school and we, the parents, are kept informed of all of our student's progress and even their not-so-par scores. It is our opinion that all of the students are treated equally, and that the strict policies are understood and upheld evenly throughout the school community. DDo not listen to the other reporst! Send your children here if you want a great future to look forward to! |
| 8/14/2004 | parent | Stay away! The headmistress has her own agenda, making finances more important than students and faculty. The administration does not keep up with the progress (or lack thereof) of the students and there is a genuine air of favoritism toward the foreign (more financially rewarding) students. The school ideals have been compromised with the current administration as the 'appearance' is currently more important than the substance. As a parent of two former students, I would hesitate to recommend the school to anyone under the current circumstances. There has also been accusations of sexual assault on some female students in the past year that were not properly addressed. If you are looking for a great future for you children, look elsewhere. |
| 8/12/2004 | parent | As a student of Marianapolis I will be the first to admit administration is less than satisfactory and everything previously posted is true...the school does alot to cover themselves...the main concern is always money and how NOT to loose income...they do pick favorites and just about every student enrolled will agree with me on this one...if you have money administation will take care of you...if not, well then you might as well look into a differant school...the school has proven to be everything but what the mission statement says and the only positive aspect of the school are some of the teachers...student teacher relationships are amazing and the bonds made are based on trust and mutual respect...There are very few teachers I have had who were not up to and over par...the main and baisically only problem with the school is the headmistress, Marilyn Ebbitt. |
| 7/29/2004 | parent | Before choosing Marionapolis I would highly recommend speeking with parents who have children CURRENTLY enrolled in the school. There have been a lot of administrative changes in the last few years, and we have been less than pleased. |
| 6/11/2004 | student | Marianapolis may look good on paper, but be forewarned if you are looking for a school envirnonment that truly prepares students for life beyond high school. While Marianapolis boasts a diverse student population and numerous extracurricular activities, the standard of discipline has repeatedly been proven to be unacceptable. We found favoritism (often influenced by parents' financial involvement in the school) to be a significant problem. Gross harrassment in various forms including sexual was witnessed on more than one occasion and the administration, when notified, generally seemed more interested in protecting the school's reputation and deflecting the conflict away rather than actively addressing it. We found the students' immaturity level to be appallingly low at times, and in a guided tour, the admissions director told us what we later found out to be blatant lies. Despite this, Marianapolis is not a bad school. It is simply not what it appears to be. |
