REVIEW OF MindWare Academy BY parent, Tracy Moisan
- Date of Review
February 27, 2026 - Child 1
Gr. 6 - Gr. 8 (Male, Current Day Student)
(4.5) Student Experience
Our son's experience in public school — specifically with special education supports in the classroom — was absolutely horrible. We transitioned to Mindware in the hopes that a more inclusive, individualized approach would better suit his learning and social development needs. That has definitely been the case! Mindware's small classroom cohorts, individualized learning plans, and highly supportive environment have completely turned around my child's learning experiences. Three years into being a student at Mindware, his academics have improved significantly, his social skills and social development have blossomed, and his confidence continues to grow. In particular, core reading and math skills have improved, and he's continuing to grow in his abilities. Mindware blends a small school approach with very tailored learning strategies specific to the individual student. Our son has a very complicated learning profile, with complex learning disabilities and a neurodevelopmental disability. The team at Mindware has worked collaboratively with us to meet his needs, adapt their strategies, and support him in feeling comfortable and confident at school. We have been thrilled with his progress.
Why MindWare Academy?
We considered two other alternative schools, and in the end chose Mindware based on a few factors: (1) the class size (~8 students per class) was perfect for our son's needs; (2) recommendations from other parents about their positive experiences; and (3) the level of effort clearly evident from the school's Principal/Director in getting to know our son and answering his questions about what attending Mindware would be like.
Expectations vs. Reality
Almost everything has aligned positively with our expectations, and continues to after 3 years involvement with Mindware. We've realized that even in a small school, social skills and social development remain a challenge for many kids, even in much smaller supportive groups. The team at Mindware does a lot to support their students in navigating and constructively addressing these challenges directly when they happen. Occasionally it can be difficult to coordinate face to face time with teachers, due to limited availability outside of core school hours, but this has been able to be addressed when needed.
Your Advice
Even in a smaller, more specialized environment, it's always important to advocate for your child and their individual learning needs. We have found Mindware's team to be exceptionally collaborative with us and open to parents' ideas and suggestions. Speak up, be clear about what you think your child needs, and develop connections with your child's teacher(s).
