Families who belong to the school community find that their children are not the only ones who are on an educational journey.  Parents often reflect on the difference between their school experience and that which they have chosen for their child.  Because of the teachers' focus on the whole child, the school positively impacts not only the children but also the parents and their relationship with their children.

"SAMS has changed the way we interact with our daughter. She responds so well to the unconditional support that the teachers provide. Before we started at SAMS, I would ask her to do things just 'because I said so.' Now, following the lead of the teachers, we find ways to communicate that generate less conflict. This has created more trust and a deeper, happier relationship between us.  It has also improved our afternoons and evenings — she comes home less and less frustrated about personal interactions and percieved academic failures as the teachers work to quickly resolve any issues she may have.  This has done wonders for her self-confidence.  I can't wait to see how she grows with this kind of support." 
— Parent of a third grade student at the Lower Primary

"In the few years my son has been at SAMS, his confidence has grown in leaps and bounds. He is conscious and aware and able to follow instruction as needed as well as ask appropriate questions to learn more. The ablity to resolve conflict in a child his age is amazing and a skill I wish I had learned so early on in life. He can think things through and problem solve; he looks to his teachers as trusted allies in his never ending search for knowedge. He loves to learn. He loves to go to school, he never wants to leave and he is energetic and enthusiastic to start each day knowing he gets to go to SAMS."
— Parent of a second grade student at the Lower Primary

"The top 5 reasons we love SAMS:

1. Our son is being taught taught to listen and trust himself, fully.
2. He creates his bliss (and/or misery) and is learning to be accountable for both.
3. He witnesses daily that not only are women compassionate care givers/teachers, but so are men.
4. Our son's internal world is defended, encouraged and celebrated. 
5. Alongside our son, we recognize and stand in awe of  they myriad of ways in which we can learn, and thus, grow."

— Parent of a first grade student at the Lower Primary

"Our son has benefitted by attending the school in building personal relationships, resolving conflict without punishment and reward, and learning how to be a steward for others. He is learning how to be 'a man for others.' He has learned in a short time at this school the importance of his own ideas and thoughts as well as the thoughts and feelings of others. True education and true experiences are built on one's own perceptions and the ability to take responsibiliy for one's own actions, and this is what is developing within our child because of the school's teaching approach.  We are all developing internally because of our associations with this school."
— Parent of an eleven year-old at the Upper Primary

"Top five reasons I love SAMS:

1. Our son can choose to be outside all day, if he wants. 
2. He doesn't have to wear shoes unless it's below 50 degrees.
3. He can choose to sand the wings of his fighter plane, make god's eyes, check out the giant ant hill somone found, or set up a bowling alley.
4. His teachers have a reservoir of patience i can't begin to fathom.
5. He never, ever has homework."

— Parent of a first grade student at the Lower Primary