Renaissance School, Amherst | Fees, Rankings, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

Our 4-year-old son, Kanha, joined Renaissance Preschool a year ago, and the experience has far exceeded our expectations. Under the expert leadership of Miss Dotty, the preschool has flourished into a nurturing environment that not only educates but also genuinely cares for its students. Miss Dotty, the director, is perhaps the most humble and approachable person I have ever met, which reflects in the school’s warm and welcoming atmosphere.

One of the standout features of Renaissance Preschool is its exceptional student-to-teacher ratio of highly motivated interns from UMass, the ratio is an impressive 1:4 (almost). This ensures personalized attention to each child’s needs and fosters an intimate learning environment where every child feels seen and heard.

The curriculum at Renaissance Preschool is academically oriented and rich with activities that stimulate young minds. It’s structured to balance academic learning with plenty of play, which is crucial at this developmental stage. The snack times, playtimes, and varied activities ensure that children are happy and engaged throughout the day. Moreover, the teacher-parent conferences provide insightful updates on the children’s progress, and Miss Dotty’s open and friendly approach makes it easy for parents to discuss and find solutions for their children’s development.

Perhaps the most heartwarming aspect of our experience has been the community feel of the preschool. Not only has Kanha found wonderful friends among his peers, but we have also formed lasting friendships with many parents. This sense of community support is invaluable.

Miss Dotty runs the preschool not just as a business but as a passion project, taking care of the children as if they were her own and preparing them excellently for kindergarten. The affordability of the school, combined with the high quality of education and care, makes Renaissance Preschool a standout institution that truly deserves more recognition.

Thank you, Miss Dotty and the Renaissance Preschool team, for providing such a fantastic start for Kanha and so many other children. Your dedication is making a significant impact on our children’s futures.

This is the BEST preschool for families looking for a play-based, part-time introduction to formal education. The Renaissance School is small, with a high teacher-to-student ratio and is very affordable. Many students come from families affiliated with UMASS and, for such a small school, its students and teachers are wonderfully diverse. Every part of the school day is carefully thought out by the school’s director Dotty Meyer – a perfect blend of free play and structure. Using the Reggio Emilia approach, students are encouraged to be creative and are given time to explore and deeply delve into topics, based on their own interests. These interests are then incorporated into the curriculum. I have sent two children to this school and have been blown away by how the units of study shifted and were adapted to suit the varied interests of current students, while still incorporating educational concepts.

In addition to giving children time to play, explore, and create, the main focus of the Renaissance School is kindness. I love the emphasis on social skills, empathy, and the way each student is treated with profound respect. Ms. Dotty creates an incredible community through her school and we have become lifelong friends with many of the families we met here. Ms. Dotty puts such care and love into every element of the children’s experience, to truly make an environment that is welcoming to all. My children left this program feeling confident, independent, and ready for kindergarten.