Meadow Pond Elementary School is located on Route 123 in the Hamlet of South Salem and in the town of Lewisboro. Take a tour of the school grounds and pay particular attention to their garden area. I will be visiting this elementary school again in the spring to see “how does your garden grow?” As always, I recommended my client to visit the school and I am thrilled they did and found it helpful. I requested the inside scoop and information about the school from a client I helped find a home who has a child attending the school. Here is what she said:

“When my husband and I began our search for our home, we put school quality at the top of the list. Of course, we also desired a community and physical environment that suited us. We found several towns in Northern Westchester that had the community and physical characteristics that we desired. Since real estate agents in New York are not permitted to discuss the quality of the schools with their clients, I began to do the research myself. I used the popular websites and methods of looking at test scores, percentage of college bound students, etc. The school districts we had selected were all at the “top of the class” so to speak. Next step was to visit the schools. I went to several elementary schools in the towns we had narrowed down to looking in – all of which were good schools. I was looking for something a little better – something special. After visiting a few nice schools in the area, I visited Meadow Pond Elementary School at 185 Smith Ridge Rd in South Salem. I felt the warmth of the school immediately. First, the principal, now retired, had agreed to sit with me and discuss the school and my concerns. Immediately upon entering the school, there were photographs of students, news about the school, artwork, colorful display boards, warm brick walls and posters suggesting positive behavior. The principal talked with me for some time about the philosophy of the school, the class sizes, the parent involvement as well as the “academics.” No other school felt quite so warm and inviting. We bought the house we had been looking for and my son started kindergarten at Meadow Pond. He is now in second grade. We have had the pleasure of knowing three of the best teachers a parent could ask for. Each one of them, and others that I have observed, are dedicated to our children’s elementary education. Many of them are helping us to create good citizens as well as academic achievers. The new principal, now in her third year, has been extremely receptive to parents and works with the PTA to accomplish mutually beneficial programs for the students. When school first started for my son two and a half years ago, I contacted the PTA and was warmly welcomed by the President. She offered me ideas of how to get involved and was always receptive and warm when we saw each other at meetings. The PTA is strong and creative at Meadow Pond. Parent involvement is positive and supportive. The PTA offers many opportunities to the parents to get involved in their children’s school. As I walk the corridors (and I do often as I volunteer as much as time allows), I see artwork on the walls and well behaved happy students all around. I see colorful happy expressions everywhere I look. The library is amazing and run by one of the smartest women I have ever met. She organizes the daily newscast (by students of course) as well – Meadow Pond Live. Meadow Pond has been a truly positive experience for my son as well as for our family. We are very happy that we made the right decision for us. We take family walks to the playground often on weekends at the request of our son and when we drive by in the car, he says “Hello beautiful school.” What better words could a mother want to hear?” – Sonta Giamber-Frindt

You can connect with me on Facebook: Facebook.com/SonjaLovas to meet other parents who have children in the school district. If you have a student of Meadow Pond Elementary and would like to share a special experience you have had at the school, please feel free to comment here.

Looking at a different school? Read my reports on Katonah Elementary School and Increase Miller Elementary School. Stay tuned for more!

Posted By: Sonja Lovas