Boston Parent August 2022

AUGUST 2022

ANIMAL

ballet

PARTY SUPPLY STORES

photographers

Math & Science TUTORS

NEW ENGLAND DENTISTS

RESORTS theater

GYMNASTICS

ice cream shops martial arts HOSPITAL family

arts& crafts BOOK STORES

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swimming

INDOORS animals OVERNIGHT CAMPS ICE special needs winter skating sports TOY STORES SLEEP ENCOUNTERS

AWAY

2022

eye

doctors

NANNY

SERVICES

language immersion programs 100+ CATE peditricians G O RIES KIDS’ SALONS Over 600 W innersCONSIGNMENT SUMMER !

CLASSES

CHILD CARE

PARTY LOCATION

MUSIC

WINNER

sports camps & RETAIL

Camps • Ar ts • Sports Schools • H ealth... ...and lots m ore!

mom-friendly

swimming ACADEMIC

best DAY CAMPS family DANCE deals TO IDS’ GUIDE KS & A Korthodontists ACHES TUR

EVENTION R P G N I N D R OW NXIETY A L O O H C S BACK TO START THE 7 WAYS TO R RIGHT A SCHOOL YE

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2022 WINNER

Learn from expert faculty, experience a world-class ballet curriculum, and have fun.

Programs for all ages and abilities, beginners welcome.

Financial aid available.

Register today

bostonballet.org/school 2

Boston Parents Paper | August 2022

Photos by Igor Burlak Photography

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2021 TOP 5

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2022 WINNER

“We LOVE Tender Loving Care. The teachers are like family. They care for each child like their own family.

They are knowledgeable in early childhood education as well as the gentle care for infants, toddlers and preschoolers!!”

Woburn - 781-281-2983 | Weston - 781-703-5088 www.tenderlovingcarechildcarecenters.com

August 2022 | BostonParentsPaper.com

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ONE IN 44 CHILDREN HAS AUTISM. WE CHANGE LIVES ONE CHILD AT A TIME. FOR MORE THAN 65 YEARS, MAY INSTITUTE HAS PROVIDED EXCEPTIONAL CARE TO CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND OTHER SPECIAL NEEDS. O U R S ERV I CES A RE B A S E D O N A PPLIED BEH AVIOR AN ALYSIS (AB A):

Special education schools for autism and developmental disabilities Center-based services for toddlers and young children Early intervention services Home-based services

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800.778.7601 | mayinstitute.org

Boston Parents Paper | August 2022

Volume 37 • Number 12

Contents

August 2022

10 THE RESULTS ARE IN!

100+ categories and over 600 winners!

WINNER: SCHOOL VACATION CAMPS – Wheelock Family Theatre, Boston

A KIDS’ GUIDE TO

29 Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort AND THERE’S MORE...

6 F.Y.I.

• Drowning Prevention: Know the Signs • Back to School Anxiety • Boston Children’s Hospital Ranks No.1 in Five Specialties

27 7 Ways to Start the School Year Right 33 Beware of Cosigning Student Loans TM

Boston Parent 841 Worcester Street Suite 344 Natick, MA 01760 • 617-522-1515 info@BostonParentsPaper.com Visit us online at BostonParentsPaper.com

PUBLISHER Parenting Media, Inc ART DIRECTOR | Debbi Murzyn ASSOCIATE EDITOR | Jean Abernathy ADVERTISING SALES Holly Castro, David Morney

Boston Parents Paper is published monthly by Parenting Media Inc. Please note that the advertisements in this magazine are paid for, which allows this magazine to be free to the consumer.

Copies of Boston Parents Paper are distributed to locations throughout Greater Boston and Eastern Massachusetts. Past issues are available on our website, www.BostonParentsPaper.com Send letters to the editor or article submissions to editor@bostonparent.com. Submit events to our Family Friendly Calendar at bostonparentspaper.com/event August 2022 | BostonParentsPaper.com

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Family F.Y.I. Drowning Prevention: KNOW THE SIGNS

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ith warm weather here, families are enjoying 1. Head low in the water tilted back, mouth open summer and beach trips. Whether you’re spendat water level. ing your summer by the pool or at the beach, it 2. Glassy (or closed) eyes. is important to know the facts about drowning, and how 3. Hair over forehead or eyes. to keep your children safe around water.

4. They don’t appear to be using their legs – upright in vertical position.

Know the Statistics 5. Hyperventilating or gasping.

In the United States, the CDC reports an average of 11 6. Trying to swim in a particular direction but drowning deaths per day compared to an estimated 22 not moving. nonfatal drownings per day. Drowning is considered the leading cause of death in children ages 1-4 aside 7. Trying to roll onto their back. from birth defects, and it is the second leading cause of unintentional injury or death after motor vehicle crashes Prevention in children ages 1-14. Children and teens are 5% more You do not have to avoid beaches and pools during the likely to drown in an open water setting than in pools summer to ensure your child’s safety. But, how can we due to the extra hazards that open water poses, such as prevent drowning? Always be sure to: strong currents, sudden drop-offs, rocks and vegetation, 1. Watch kids when they are in or around water. If there is and limited visibility, according to Safe Kids Worldwide. more than one adult present, taking turns can be helpful for avoiding distractions.

Know the Signs 2.

Empty bath tubs, buckets, containers and kids’ pools What does drowning look like? You may think of the immediately after use to avoid accidents. violent splashing and cries for help that you see on television. However, this is often not the case. Drowning is 3. Install fences around home pools. Fences should be at generally quick, silent, and can happen in smaller inflatleast 4ft tall with self-closing and self-latching gates. able pools and even bathtubs. The instinctive drowning 4. Learn CPR and basic water rescue skills – it could help response disables victims from being able to wave or save a life. call out for help. Drowning people often cannot control their arm movements.

Some common signs that someone is drowning include:

THE BEST CARE FOR KIDS (AGAIN!)

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o parent ever wants to make a trip to the hospital (unless it’s to deliver your little bundle of joy), but local moms and dads can take solace in knowing that Boston Children’s Hospital is, once again, ranked as the best children’s hospital in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 – 2022 research. Ten hospitals earned a place on the Honor Roll—a distinction awarded to pediatric centers that deliver exceptionally high-quality care across multiple specialties.

Boston Children’s Hospital tops this year’s Honor Roll and ranks No.1 in five specialties; Pediatric Cancer, Pediatric Nephrology, Pediatric Neurology & Neurosurgery, Pediatric Orthopedic, and Pediatric Urology.

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Boston Parents Paper | August 2022

Math Classes Now Enrolling for the Fall

The Russian School of Mathematics is an award-winning, afterschool math enrichment program. We use the rigorous study of mathematics as a vehicle to develop our students’ math fluency, intellect, and character, empowering them for life.

RSM is “among the top 10 schools in the world.”

-Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth

15 Locations in MA

Schedule a FREE Math Evaluation!

Fall Classes Now Enrolling!

www.MathSchool.com

855.MATH.855 August 2022 | BostonParentsPaper.com

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Family F.Y.I. Back to School Anxiety How to make the transition easier.

F

eelings of anxiety are expected for children going through transitions such as going back to school.

Over the summer, routines have changed and worries of the unknown may begin to stir as the school year approaches. There are ways to recognize anxiety in your child, as well as interventions that can help relieve those feelings. Some behaviors that may indicate your child is having anxiety surrounding the return to school are irritability, change in sleep patterns, continually seeking reassurance or asking repeated questions, and in some cases complaints of headache, fatigue and stomach ache.

It is important for your child to attend school to learn that their fears can be overcome, as prolonged absence can worsen your child’s fears.

LISTEN One of the best ways to make the school transition easier on your child is to acknowledge their anxiety. This can be done by listening to your child’s feelings and encouraging them to speak to you about how they feel. It is important to validate their feelings and not dismiss them.

Demonstrate confidence that your child can handle the situation.

they think through difficult points of their day such as changing classrooms.

ROLE MODEL Another way to provide relief for your child is modeling the calm behavior you would like to see. This can feel difficult in situations where you feel stressed, rushed, or anxious yourself. To work through your own feelings, think of taking deep breaths and remind yourself that your child’s behavior is being driven by anxiety.

PRACTICE

SLEEP

Practicing school routines is another way to prepare your child for school. This can include practice walks to the bus stop, evening routines of packing the backpack and picking out their clothes, or routines that begin when they wake up such as breakfast, getting dressed and traveling to school. Having a school tour prior to the first day can be a great way to introduce the new environment, as well as finding a new friend or neighbor who will be at the school prior to the first day. During the practice runs, it’s helpful to support your child as

After the school year begins, if your child continues to display signs of anxiety such as tantrums, problems sleeping, and/or refusal to attend school or activities, speak with your primary care provider about further interventions.

Lucky Lefties

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elebrate your favorite lefty this month! Left Hander’s Day is designated annually for August 13. Did you know that girls are more likely to be left-handed than boys by about 4 percent? And mothers who are over 40 at the time of their baby’s birth are 128 percent more likely to have a child who is left-handed. That’s quite a leg up considering only 10 to 12 percent of people on earth are considered lefties.

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Boston Parents Paper | August 2022

Another method to set your child up for success for the new school year is ensuring enough sleep based on their age. The new wake-up schedule for school may need to be slowly implemented 1-2 weeks ahead of the first day.

Feelings of fatigue can enhance your child’s anxiety.

Apple Appreciation

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ave you ever wondered where the cliché of a student giving the teacher a shiny red apple on the first day of school came from? The custom actually dates back to frontier times when the families of children attending school were responsible for helping to both house and feed teachers. The apple became a show of appreciation from pupils. 

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BU

SAVE THE DATE! SEPTEMBER 24st

BOSTON TEACHERS UNION

9th annual

40,000 FREE BOOKS AND ACTIVITIES FOR BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL FAMILIES! Stop by between 1:00 and 4:00 PM on Saturday, September 24th, 2022 Boston Teachers Union & Carson Beach 180 Mt. Vernon St., Boston, MA 02125

(Entrance is off of Day Boulevard, before Carson Beach) WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO HELP US SORT BOOKS ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 FROM 3-7 PM, TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 & 21, 9-7 PM. CAN YOU HELP OUT? CLICK THE LINK: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0Hw-NtYaTN2F_xPUe_7YUBpPXKx0LTIYSYg3LYPnNTmpZOA/viewform?usp=sf_link ALL ARE WELCOME TO PITCH IN, INCLUDING STUDENTS FULFILLING COMMUNITY SERVICE. Please contact Katina at kmcclain@btu.org or Brenda at bchaney@btu.org if you can volunteer any day!

CLOSEST MBTA T-STOP JFK/UMASS ON THE RED LINE

BTU.ORG/BACKTOSCHOOL August 2022 | BostonParentsPaper.com

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TM

2022

WINNER: Zoos, Aquariums or Nature Centers – New England Aquarium

THE RESULTS ARE IN! 100+ categories and over 600 winners!

WINNER

ABOUT BOSTON PARENTS’ FAMILY FAVORITES

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oston Parents’ Family Favorites was born with the idea to give readers in Greater Boston and throughout the Northeast a chance to voice their opinions on their personal “Family Favorite” choices for everything kids and family and to support and promote local businesses. The program has evolved over the years, and hopefully, with a lot of input from our readers, we’ve been able to make it better and better.

The voting for Boston’s Family Favorites is conducted in a two-round process. The first round occurs in the month of March and early April with open write-in nominations taking place. Write-in nominations continue to be open until the end of the month.

As the nomination period in the first round comes to a close in mid April, shortly afterwards, the second round opens with the top nominees in each category being selectable in this final round of voting during the latter part of April and May. Write-in nominations are no longer available, and voters are open to select their favorite from among those that are listed.

THE FINAL WINNERS ARE POSTED IN AUGUST.

We hope you enjoy! And we hope you cast your nomination in March/April and your final vote in April/May! This year we had a record number of readers vote, up 50%, and a record number votes cast, over 100,000! Competition was fierce! See who came out on top on the following pages.

View all categories at BostonParentsPaper.com.

CATEGORY INDEX

CAMPS.......................................................12 CLASSES AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS.....15 FUN AND ATTRACTIONS...........................18 FOOD.........................................................20 RETAIL.......................................................21 FAMILY SERVICES......................................21 10

Boston Parents Paper | August 2022

HEALTH.....................................................22 SPECIAL SERVICES NEED & RESOURCES....24 EARLY EDUCATION....................................24 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS...........................25 MIDDLE SCHOOLS.....................................26 HIGH SCHOOLS..........................................26

The Center for Pediatric Dental Care and Orthodontics

Pediatric Dentistry Wesley Barton, DMD Ronen Krausz, DDS Myles Clancy, DMD Bahar Houshmand, DDS

Orthodontics Roger Taylor, DMD Oral Surgery Brett Parades, DMD

Caring for Children in Brookline, Newton, and Greater Boston for over 40 Years!

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2022

2022

WINNER

WINNER

Dentist • Quality care in a professional, friendly and fun environment.

• We will create a legacy of positive dental experiences.

Orthodontist • Exceptionally trained, warm and friendly staff.

• Braces and Invisalign for teens and adults.

• In office oral surgery with sedation.

“Each child is treated as an individual and as a member of our family.”

“Our team’s attention to detail is uncompromising…”

Call for your first Dental, Orthodontic or Oral Surgery appointment!

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August 2022 | BostonParentsPaper.com

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2022 FAMILY FAVORITES CAMPS Academic Camps THE TOP 10 • Acera School, Winchester • Christian Youth Conference,Ocean Park • Code Ninjas, Multiple Locations • Empow Studios, Lexington • iCode of Wellesley, Wellesley • International School of Boston, Cambridge • LINX Camps, Wellesley • Penguin Coding School, Lexington • RSM, Multiple Locations • Su Escuela Language Academy, Hingham THE WINNER • RSM, Multiple Locations

Animals and Nature Camps THE TOP 5 • Camp Howe, Goshen • Grotonwood Camp, Groton

• Habitat Education Center & Wildlife Sanctuary, Belmont • Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm, Lincoln • Natick Community Organic Farm, Natick THE WINNER • Camp Howe, Goshen

• Hopkinton Center for the Arts, Hopkinton • Joanne Langione Dance Center, Newton THE WINNER • Boston Ballet School, Boston & Newton

• LINX Camps, Wellesley • Wellesley Theatre Project, Wellesley THE WINNER • Wellesley Theatre Project, Wellesley

Culinary Camps

THE TOP 5 • Camp Howe, Goshen • Grotonwood Camp, Groton • Hopkinton Center for the Arts, Hopkinton • LINX Camps, Wellesley • Minni, Boston THE WINNER • Camp Howe, Goshen

THE TOP 5 • Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, Cambridge • Create a Cook, Newton • LINX Camps, Wellesley • Maker Farm, Westford • Steve and Kate’s Camp, Mulitple Locations THE WINNER • LINX, Wellesley

THE TOP 5 • Camp Berea, Turner, ME • Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park, ME • Camp Grotonwood, Groton • Mount Hope Christian School, Burlington • Nobles Day Camp, Dedham THE WINNER • Mount Hope Christian School, Burlington

Ballet Camps

Dance Camps

Family Camps

Arts and Crafts Camps

THE TOP 5 • All That Jazz Dance Studio, Newton • Boston Ballet School, Boston & Newton • DanceFIT Studio, Brookline & Natick

THE TOP 5 • All That Jazz Dance Studio, Newton • Capachione School Of Performing Arts, East Bridgewater • Hyde Park Dance Academy, Boston

Faith Based Camps

THE TOP 5 • Camp Howe, Goshen • Empow Studios STEM Enrichment Center, Multiple Locations • Everwood Camp, Sharon • Camp Grotonwood, Groton • Hale Family Camp, Westwood

MAKING A DIFFERENCE ONE SKATER AT A TIME

Learn Basic Skating Skills Ages 3 to Adult 8 Week Sessions Fun & Safe Atmosphere

Learn to play hockey Ages 3-16 8 Week Sessions Skating & Skills Instruction

Provides Competition & Skill Development Combinination of Game Play with Weekly Skills Sessions

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Boston Parents Paper | August 2022

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2022 TOP 5

2022 FAMILY FAVORITES THE WINNER • Everwood Camp, Sharon

Foreign Language and Cultural Immersion Camps

THE WINNERS (TIE) • Energy Fitness & Gymnastics, Natick & Newton • Exxcel Gymnastics & Climbing, Newton

THE TOP 5 • French Cultural Center/ Alliance Française of Boston & Cambridge • German International School, Allston • International School of Boston, Cambridge • Pine Village Preschool, Multiple Locations • Su Escuela Language Academy, Hingham THE WINNER • French Cultural Center/ Alliance Française of Boston & Cambridge

Health and Special Needs Summer Camps

General and Traditional Day Camps

THE TOP 5 • Chrislar Horse Farm and Equestrian Center, Rowley • Hidden Hollow Farm, Pembroke • Hunters Haven Farm, Groveland • Oceanwood Christian Camp, Ocean Park, ME • Sweet Meadow Farm, Sherborn THE WINNER • Sweet Meadow Farm, Sherborn

THE TOP 10 • Beaver Summer Camp, Brookline • Camp Howe, Goshen • Dedham Country Day Camp, Dedham • Everwood Day Camp, Sharon • Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, Mulitple Locations • Grotonwood Camp, Groton • International School of Boston, Cambridge • LINX Camps, Wellesley • Maplewood Country Day Camp, S. Easton • The Chestnut Hill Summer Camp, Chestnut Hill THE WINNER • Everwood Day Camp, Sharon

Gymnastics Camps THE TOP 5 • Energy Fitness & Gymnastics, Natick & Newton • Exxcel Gymnastics & Climbing, Newton • Grotonwood Camp, Groton • Massachusetts Gymnastics Center, Multiple Locations • My Gym Children’s Fitness Centers, Boston

THE TOP 5 • Camp Howe, Goshen • Grotonwood Camp, Groton • JCC Camp Grossman, Dover • New England Hemophilia Association Family Camp Moultonburough, NH • Oceanwood Christian Camp, Ocean Park, ME THE WINNER • Oceanwood Christian Camp, Ocean Park, ME

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2022 WINNER

Horseback Riding Camps

Leadership Development Camp THE TOP 5 • Boston Leadership Institute, Wellesley • Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park, New Bedford • Everwood Day Camp, Sharon • Grotonwood Camp and Conference Center, Groton • LINX Camps, Wellesley THE WINNER • Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park, New Bedford

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2019 WINNER

2020 WINNER

2021 WINNER

Lego Camps THE TOP 5 • Boston University, Boston • Empow Studios, Lexington • iCode of Wellesley, Wellesley August 2022 | BostonParentsPaper.com

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2022 FAMILY FAVORITES TM

2022 WINNER

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Boston Parents Paper | August2015 2022 September 2015 | | BostonParentsPaper.com BostonParentsPaper.com 19 19 September

• LetGo Your Mind, Multiple Locations • Play-Well TEKnologies, Multiple Locations THE WINNER • iCode of Wellesley, Wellesley

• The Chestnut Hill School, Chestnut Hill • Wellesley Theatre Project, Wellesley THE WINNER • Wellesley Theatre Project, Wellesley

Music and Singing Camps

School Vacation Camps

THE TOP 5 • Artbarn Community Theater, Brookline • Capachione School Of Performing Arts, E. Bridgewater • New School of Music, Cambridge • Wellesley Theatre Project, Wellesley • Wheelock Family Theatre at Boston University, Boston THE WINNER • Wellesley Theatre Project, Wellesley

Performing Arts Camps THE TOP 5 • Capachione School Of Performing Arts, E. Bridgewater • Kidstock Creative Theater, Winchester • The Summer School for the Perfoming Arts, Westford • Wellesley Theatre Project, Wellesley • Wheelock Family Theatre at Boston University, Boston THE WINNER • The Summer School for the Perfoming Arts, Westford

Preschool Age Camps THE TOP 10 • Artbarn Community Theater, Brookline • Cambridge Montessori School, Cambridge • Capachione School Of Performing Arts, E. Bridgewater • Dedham Country Day Camp, Dedham • Everwood Day Camp, Sharon • International School of Boston, Cambridge • LINX Camps, Wellesley • Su Escuela Language Academy, Hingham

THE TOP 10 • Cambridge Montessori School, Cambridge • Code Ninjas, Multiple Locations • Empow Studios, Lexington • Grotonwood Camp and Conference Center, Groton • iCode of Wellesley, Wellesley • International School of Boston, Cambridge • Norwood Montessori School, Norwood • Viking Sports, Multiple Locations • Wellesley Theatre Project, Wellesley • Wheelock Family Theatre at Boston University, Boston THE WINNER • Wellesley Theatre Project, Wellesley

Sleepaway Camps THE TOP 10 • Camp Birch Hill, New Durham, NH • Camp Howe, Goshen • Camp Kingswood, Bridgton,ME • Camp Runels, Pelham, NH • Camp Takodah-YMCA, Richmond, NH • Camps Kenwood and Evergreen, Wilmot, NH • Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park, ME • Fleur de Lis Camp, Fitzwilliam, NH • Grotonwood Camp, Groton • Wind-in-the-Pines Resident Camp, Plymoth THE WINNER • Camp Birch Hill, New Durham, NH

Sports Camps THE TOP 5 • Babson Sports Camps, Wellesley • Charles River Aquatics, Wellesley

2022 FAMILY FAVORITES • Grotonwood Camp, Groton • LINX Camps, Wellesley • Viking Sports, Brookline THE WINNER • Babson Sports Camps, Wellesley

• Wheelock Family Theatre at Boston University, Boston THE WINNER • Wellesley Theatre Project, Wellesley

STEM Camps

Winter Camps

THE TOP 5 • Empow Studios, Lexington • iCode of Wellesley, Wellesley • LINX Camps, Wellesley • Penguin Coding School, Lexington • RSM, Multiple Locations THE WINNER • RSM, Multiple Locations

THE TOP 5 • Camp Grotonwood, Groton • Empow Studios, Lexington • Hipstitch, Newton • iCode of Wellesley, Wellesley • Wellesley Theatre Project, Wellesley THE WINNER • Camp Grotonwood, Groton

Teen Focused Summer Camps THE TOP 5 • Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park, ME • Everwood Day Camp, Sharon • LINX Camps, Wellesley • Wellesley Theatre Project, Wellesley

CLASSES & ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS Art Classes THE TOP 5 • Art on the Spot, Middleborough

• Artbarn Community Theater, Brookline • Creation Station, Newton • Danforth Art School, Framingham • Kidcasso Art Studio, Wakefield THE WINNER • Artbarn Community Theater, Brookline

Ballet Classes THE TOP 10 • All That Jazz Dance Studio, Newton • Boston Ballet School, Boston & Newton • Creative Steps Dance Studio, Newton • DanceFIT Studio, Natick • Hyde Park Dance Academy, Boston • In Sync Center of the Arts, Quincy • Joanne Langione Dance Center, Newton • Legacy Studios LLC, Newton • Mass Motion Dance, Multiple Locations

• Masters Dance Academy, Norwood THE WINNER • Creative Steps Dance Studio, Newton

Circus Art Classes THE TOP 5 • Commonwealth Circus Center, Jamaica Plain • Esh Circus Arts, Somerville • Hyde Park Dance Academy, Boston • Swet Studios, Boston • Wheelock Family Theatre at Boston University, Boston THE WINNER • Wheelock Family Theatre at Boston University, Boston

Computer Science & Coding Classes THE TOP 5 • Code Ninjas, Multiple Locations • Empow Studios, Lexington • iCode of Wellesley, Wellesley

New England’s Premier Ice Skating School Year-Round Programs for Toddlers, Children and Adults

Top-Quality Coaches Group Classes Private Lessons Summer Camps Hockey Skills August 2022 | BostonParentsPaper.com

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2022 FAMILY FAVORITES • KTBYTE Computer Science Camps and Academy, Lexington • Penguin Coding School, Lexington THE WINNER • Penguin Coding School, Lexington

• Community Music Center of Boston, Boston • Groovy Baby Music, Multiple Locations • Jammin With You, Wellesley • Little Groove Music, Boston THE WINNER • Little Groove Music, Boston

Dance Classes

Enrichment and AfterSchool Programs

THE TOP 5 • Boston Ballet School, Multiple Locations • Creative Steps Dance Studio, Newton • Legacy Studios, llc, Newton • Masters Dance Academy, Norwood • Wellesley Theatre Project, Wellesley THE WINNER • Creative Steps Dance Studio, Newton

Early Childhood Family Music Classes THE TOP 5 • Boston Music Project, Boston

THE TOP 10 • Artbarn Community Theater, Brookline • Boston Music Project, Boston • Code Ninjas, Multiple Locations • Commonwealth Learning Center, Danvers & Needham • Community Music Center of Boston, Boston • iCode of Wellesley, Wellesley • RSM, Multiple Locations • The Skating Academy, Norwood • Wellesley Theatre Project, Wellesley

• Y3K Tutor In Your Home, Boston Area THE WINNER • RSM, Multiple Locations

Foreign Language Immersion Programs THE TOP 5 • French Cultural Center, Boston • Fun World Language Academy, Westford • International School of Boston, Cambridge • Pine Village Preschool, Multiple Locations • Su Escuela Language Academy, Hingham THE WINNER • Pine Village Preschool, Multiple Locations

Gymnastics Programs THE TOP 5 • Energy Fitness & Gymnastics, Multiple Locations • Exxcel Gymnastics & Climbing, Newton

• Hyde Park Dance Academy, Boston • Massachusetts Gymnastics Center, Multiple Locations • Planet Gymnastics, Multiple Locations THE WINNER • Energy Fitness & Gymnastics, Multiple Locations

Ice Skating Lessons THE TOP 5 • Bay State Skating School, Multiple Locations • Charlestown Youth Hockey Association, Boston • Colonial Figure Skating Club, Boxborough • FMC Ice Sports, Multiple Locations • Skating Club of Boston, Norwood THE WINNER • Skating Club of Boston, Norwood

COMMONWEALTH LEARNING CENTER

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2022 WINNER

Learning Differently Teaching Differently Succeeding 16

Boston Parents Paper | August 2022

TUTORING & ASSESSMENTS 1 to 1

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Virtual & In-Person

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2022 FAMILY FAVORITES Irish Step Dancing Classes

Science & Technology Programs

THE TOP 5 • Goulding School of Irish Dance, Medford • Harney Academy of Irish Dance, Woburn • McHale School of Irish Dance, Melrose • Smith Houlihan Irish Dance Academy, Norwood • Sullivan School of Irish Dance, Newton & Watertown THE WINNER • Harney Academy of Irish Dance, Woburn

THE TOP 5 • Code Ninjas, Multiple Locations • Empow Studios, Lexington • iCode of Wellesley, Wellesley • K2 Enrichment Programs, Newton • RSM, Multiple Locations THE WINNER • Empow Studios, Lexington

Martial Arts Classes THE TOP 5 • Defensive Edge Martial Arts Academy, Wakefield • Field Martial Arts Academy, Norwood • Focus Martial Arts, Woburn • Metro West Academy of Jiu-Jitsu, Natick • SDSS Martial Arts, Newton THE WINNER • Field Martial Arts Academy, Norwood

Math Programs - After School THE TOP 5 • CS Recitations, Natick • Kumon, Multiple Locations • Mathnasium, Multiple Locations • RSM, Multiple Locations • Y3K Tutor In Your Home, Boston Area THE WINNER • RSM, Multiple Locations

Musical Instrument Instruction THE TOP 5 • Boston Music Project, Boston • Community Music Center of Boston, Boston • Jammin With You, Wellesley • Little Groove Music, Boston • New School of Music, Cambridge THE WINNER • Little Groove Music, Boston

Sports Programs THE TOP 5 • Action Athletics, Wellesley • Energy Fitness & Gymnastics, Multiple Locations • Olympia Fencing Center, Cambridge • On the Mark Archery, LLC, Weston • Viking Sports, Mulitple Locations THE WINNER • Viking Sports, Mulitple Locations

Come celebrate 40 years of

Discovery!

Free! STEM + Movie Nights on the Lawn 7:30pm - 10:00pm June 23 - A Bug’s Life July 21 - FernGully August 11 - Hidden Figures

Free! Community Day September 10

Month of 1982 Admission Prices

October 1 - 31

and more!

177 Main Street, Acton discoveryacton.org 978-264-4200

Swim Lessons THE TOP 5 • Charles River Aquatics, Wellesley • Goldfish Swim School, Multiple Locations • Little Flippers Swim School, Multiple Locations • MetroWest YMCA, Framingham • Power Aquatics at Southshore YMCA, Multiple Locations THE WINNER • Goldfish Swim School, Multiple Locations

Theater & Performing Arts Classes THE TOP 5 • Artbarn Community Theater, Brookline • Kidstock Creative Theater, Winchester • Riverside Theatre Works, Hyde Park • Wellesley Theatre Project, Wellesley • Wheelock Family Theatre at Boston University, Boston

EDUCATION CONSULTING, ADVOCACY & LEGAL SERVICES, LLC A Private Law Practice

TM

2022 TOP 5

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www.educationandjuvenilelaw.com August 2022 | BostonParentsPaper.com

17

2022 FAMILY FAVORITES THE WINNER • Wellesley Theatre Project, Wellesley

Tutoring or Educational Support Programs THE TOP 5 • Commonwealth Learning Center, Needham • Empow Studios, Lexington • Learning Solutions LLC, Norwood • RSM, Multiple Locations • Y3K Tutor In Your Home, Boston Area THE WINNER • RSM, Multiple Locations

FUN & ATTRACTIONS Amusement Park THE TOP 5 • Canobie Lake Park, Salem, NH • Kimball Farm, Westford • Santa’s Village, Jefferson, NH

• Story Land, Bartlett, NH • VinKari Safari, Woburn THE WINNER • Canobie Lake Park, Salem, NH

Athletic Clubs THE TOP 5 • Charles River YMCA, Needham • Dedham Health & Athletic Complex, Dedham • The Adirondack Club, Franklin • MetroWest YMCA, Framingham • The Skating Club of Boston, Norwood THE WINNER • The Skating Club of Boston, Norwood

Birthday Party Resources THE TOP 10 • Art on the Spot, Middleborough • Barn Babies, Lakeview • Big Joe the Storyteller, Brighton

• Boston TeePee Party, Boston • Curious Creatures, Groveland • Davis Mega Maze, Sterling • Jam Time, Multiple Locations • Natick Community Organic Farm, Natick • The Painting Place 4 Fun, Wellesley • VinKari Safari, Woburn THE WINNER • Art on the Spot, Middleborough

Birthday Party Venues THE TOP 10 • Boston Children’s Museum, Boston • Jam Time, Multiple Locations • Jammin With You, Newton • Plaster Fun Time, Multiple Locations • Puppet Showplace Theater, Brookline • SkyRise Theater, Westborough

• The Discovery Museum, Acton • The Painting Place 4 Fun, Wellesley • Viking Sports, Brookline • VinKari Safari, Woburn THE WINNER • Jam Time, Multiple Locations

Coolest Place to Take a Tour THE TOP 5 • Fenway Park, Boston • Freedom Trail, Boston • Harvard Museum of Natural History, Cambridge • ParentTours.com, Greater Boston • Witch Dungeon Museum, Salem THE WINNER • Freedom Trail, Boston

Family Fun Fairs & Festivals THE TOP 5 • Eastern States Exposition, W. Springfield

NAEYC ACCrEditEd ProgrAms

Celebrating 36 Years of Excellence

Accepting Applications Infant • Toddler • Preschool • Pre-Kindergarten EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAMS Full- & Part-Time Childcare • 2 mos. To 5 yrs.

Open 8:00am – 6:00pm Infant Care Is Now Available!

On-site drop off parking • Fenced-in roof-top playspace Outstanding Teacher-Child Ratios Professionally qualified Early Education Teachers State Transportation Building 10 Park Plaza, Boston MA 02116

617-973-8200 Transchildrencenter.org

• Open to General Public • EEC Licensed #8117338

18

Boston Parents Paper | August 2022

LEADERS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION THE TOBIN SCHOOL Preschool – Jr Kindergarten 73 Cottage Street • Natick, MA 01760 508-655-5006 • www.thetobinschool.org

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2022 TOP 10

TOBIN CHILDREN’S SCHOOL Infants – PreK 71 Cottage Street • Natick, MA 01760 508-653-6300 • www.tobinchildrensschool.org TOBIN SCHOOL WESTWOOD PreK & Junior K 1054 High Street • Westwood, MA 02090 781-329-7775 • www.tobinschoolwestwood.org WESTWOOD CHILDREN’S SCHOOL Infants – Preschool 808 High Street • Westwood, MA 02090 781-329-7766 • www.westwoodchildrensschool.org www.thEtobiNFAmilYoFsChools.org

2022 FAMILY FAVORITES • King Richard’s Faire, Carver • Saint Anthony’s Feast, Boston • The Farm at Raven Brook, Halifax • Topsfield Fairgrounds, Topsfield THE WINNER • King Richard’s Faire, Carver

Historic Sites & Tours THE TOP 5 • Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown • Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, N. Tonawanda, NY • Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge • Plimoth Patuxet Museums, Plymouth • USS Constitution Museum, Charlestown THE WINNER • USS Constitution Museum, Charlestown

Indoor Playspaces

Live Theater

THE TOP 5 • Altitude Trampoline Parks, Multiple Locations • Jam Time, Multiple Locations • Maziply Toys, Kingston • The Discovery Museum, Acton • VinKari Safari, Woburn THE WINNER • The Discovery Museum, Acton

THE TOP 5 • Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys, Boston Area • Wang Theatre, Boston • Wellesley Theatre Project, Wellesley • Weston Drama Workshop, Weston ,• Wheelock Family Theatre, Boston THE WINNER • Weston Drama Workshop, Weston

Kids Party Entertainment THE TOP 5 • Big Joe, Brighton • Jeff Jam, Boston Area • Little Groove Music, Boston Area • Rosalita’s Puppets, Somerville • Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys, Boston Area THE WINNER • Jeff Jam, Boston Area

Local Farms THE TOP 5 • Connors Farm, Danvers • Drumlin Farm, Lincoln • East Hill Farm, Troy, NH • Natick Community Organic Farm, Natick • Wards Berry Farm, Sharon THE WINNER • East Hill Farm, Troy, NH

Museums and Attractions THE TOP 5 • Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston • Museum of Science, Boston • Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge • The Discovery Museum, Acton • USS Constitution Museum, Charlestown THE WINNER • USS Constitution Museum, Charlestown

Parent-Friendly Playdate Spots THE TOP 5 • Boston Children’s Museum, Boston • deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, Lincoln • Jam Time, Multiple Locations • Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm, Lincoln • The Discovery Museum, Acton

Ages 15 months - 5 years Brookline • Newton Highlands Brighton • Porter Sq. • Kendall Sq. South End • Needham • West Newton Jamaica Plain (two locations) School Year and Summer Programs

Give your child the gift of bilingual education!

Thank you for voting us a Boston Parents Paper Family Favorite since 2014!

TM

enrollment@pinevillagepreschool.com

617-416-7763

www.PineVillagePreschool.com August 2022 | BostonParentsPaper.com

19

2022 FAMILY FAVORITES THE WINNER • Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm, Lincoln

THE WINNER • The Inn at East Hill Farm, Troy, NH

Places for Ice Skating

Winter Resorts for Families

THE TOP 5 • Bay State Skating, Waltham • Daly Ice Rink, Newton • FMC Ice Sports, Multiple Locations • Skating Club of Boston, Multiple Locations • Warrior Ice Arena, Boston THE WINNER • Skating Club of Boston, Multiple Locations

Summer Resorts for Families THE TOP 5 • Great Wolf Lodge, Fitchburg • Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club, Brewster • Pine Acres Family Camping Resort, Oakham • Red Jacket Mountain View Resort, N. Conway, NH • The Inn at East Hill Farm, Troy, NH

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THE TOP 5 • Chatham Bars Inn, Chatham • Great Wolf Lodge, Fitchburg • Smugglers’ Notch, Jeffersonville, VT • The Inn at East Hill Farm, Troy, NH • Waterville Valley Resort, Waterville Valley, NH THE WINNER • The Inn at East Hill Farm, Troy, NH

Zoos, Aquariums or Nature Centers THE TOP 5 • Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, Boston • Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory, S. Deerfield • New England Aquarium, Boston

Boston Parents Paper | August 2022

• Southwick’s Zoo, Mendon • Zoo New England, Boston & Stoneham THE WINNER • New England Aquarium, Boston

FOOD Family Friendly Coffee Shop THE TOP 5 • Big Bear Cafe, Dedham • Coffee Break Cafe, Multiple Locations • French Press Bakery & Cafe, Needham • Mocha Java Coffee Shop, Dedham • Tatte Bakery & Cafe, Multiple Locations THE WINNER • Tatte Bakery & Cafe, Multiple Locations

Dinner with Family THE TOP 5 • Antonio’s Bacaro, Hyde Park

• Lookout Farm, Natick • Mamma Mia’s, Carver • The Chateau Restaurant, Waltham • The Cottage, Wellesley THE WINNER • Lookout Farm, Natick

Ice Cream THE TOP 5 • Cabot’s Ice Cream, Newton • Crescent Ridge Dairy, Sharon • J.P. Licks, Multiple Locations • Pizzi Farm Ice Cream, Waltham • Ron’s Gourmet Ice Cream, Dedham & Hyde Park THE WINNER • Ron’s Gourmet Ice Cream, Dedham & Hyde Park

Place to Buy Cakes

THE TOP 5 • Confectionately Yours Bakery, Quincy • Donna’s Cakes, W. Roxbury • Party Favors, Brookline

2022 FAMILY FAVORITES • Quebrada Baking Company, Multiple Locations • Sugar Bakery, W. Roxbury THE WINNER • Confectionately Yours Bakery, Quincy

RETAIL Baby Gifts & Gear THE TOP 5 • Cutie Patutie’s Consignment, Leominster • Diaper Lab, Cambridge • Keeping Pace With Multiple Miracles, Bridewater • Tadpole, Boston • Tiny Hanger, Brookline & Wellesley THE WINNER • Keeping Pace With Multiple Miracles, Bridewater

Book Stores THE TOP 5 • Brookline Booksmith, Brookline • Frugal Bookstore, Boston • Keeping Pace With Multiple Miracles, Bridewater • Newtonville Books, Newton • Park Street Books & Toys, Medfield THE WINNER • Park Street Books & Toys, Medfield

Consignment Stores

THE TOP 5 • Apple of My Eye, Melrose • Buttons and Bows, Acton • Cutie Patutie’s Consignment, Leominster • Keeping Pace With Multiple Miracles, Bridewater • TowneCrafters, Walpole THE WINNER • Keeping Pace With Multiple Miracles, Bridewater

Family Shoe Stores THE TOP 5 • CouCou, Boston • Keeping Pace With Multiple Miracles, Bridewater • Michelson’s Shoes, Lexington & Needham • The Barn Family Shoe Store, Newton • Tiny Hanger, Brookline & Wellesley

THE WINNER • Michelson’s Shoes, Lexington and Needham

Kids’ Casual Wear THE TOP 5 • CouCou, Boston • Keeping Pace With Multiple Miracles, Bridewater • kodomo, Boston • Michelson’s Shoes, Lexington & Needham • Tiny Hanger, Brookline & Wellesley THE WINNER • Keeping Pace With Multiple Miracles, Bridewater

Kids’ Special Occasion Wear THE TOP 5 • CouCou, Boston • Keeping Pace With Multiple Miracles, Bridewater • kodomo, Boston • Nordstrom, Multiple Locations • Tiny Hanger, Brookline & Wellesley THE WINNER • Keeping Pace With Multiple Miracles, Bridewater

Toy Stores THE TOP 5 • Boing! Toy Shop, Jamaica Plain • Keeping Pace With Multiple Miracles, Bridewater • Magic Beans, Multiple Locations • Park Street Books & Toys, Medfield • The Toyary, Melrose THE WINNER • The Toyary, Melrose

FAMILY SERVICES Family Photographers THE TOP 5 • Boston Baby Photos • CP Photography • Janelle Carmela Photography • Lucozzi Portraits • Sandy Sandwich Productions THE WINNER • Boston Baby Photos

In-Person Tours & Virtual Info Sessions Start in October!

Learn More at wellan.org Need-Based Financial Assistance Available August 2022 | BostonParentsPaper.com

21

2022 FAMILY FAVORITES Kids Haircuts THE TOP 5 • Blondie Salon and Spa, Waltham • Centre Cuts Salon and Spa, Boston • Lulu’s Family Cuts at Salon 2323, Cambridge

• Snip-Its, Multiple Locations • The Cutting Studio, Winchester THE WINNER • The Cutting Studio, Winchester

Open Houses

Preschool - Grade 8

All School

preschool - Grade 8

Sunday, November 6 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Middle School Grades 5 - 8

Wednesday, November 16 7:30 pm Tour the school, meet the teachers, see the classrooms.

Outstanding academics.

Critical thinkers.

Global citizens.

Accepting applications for 2023 Financial aid is available.

Check our website for details and more information about the open house and other admission events.

Tricia Moran, Director of Admission 781.641.1346 tmoran@lesleyellis.org 34 Winter St. | Arlington, MA 02474 | lesleyellis.org

Enrolling

mounthopeschool.org

Toddler preschool Elementary

22

Boston Parents Paper | August 2022

Nanny Services THE TOP 5 • Blissful Sleep Newborn Care, LLC • Boston Baby Nurse & Nanny • Boston Nanny Centre, Inc. • Cass & Company • The Washburn Agency THE WINNER • Boston Nanny Centre, Inc.

HEALTH Family Dentists THE TOP 5 • Cambridge Children’s Dentistry, Cambridge • Dr. Mickey’s Pediatric & Orthodontic Specialists, Stoneham • Hirshberg Dental Associates, Boston & Wellsley • Pediatric Dental Specialists of Needham, Needham • The Center for Pediatric Dental Care and Orthodontics, Brookline THE WINNER • The Center for Pediatric Dental Care and Orthodontics, Brookline

Hospitals THE TOP 5 • Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston • Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston • CHA Cambridge Hospital, Cambridge • Mass General Hospital, Boston • Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Newton THE WINNER • Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston

Learning Disabilities Specialists THE TOP 5 • Boston Ability Center, Wellesley • Learning Solutions LLC, Norwood • Lurie Center for Autism, Lexington • Riverside Early Intervention, Newton • Y3K Tutor In Your Home

THE WINNER • Riverside Early Intervention, Newton

Mental Health Practices THE TOP 5 • Be Inspired Counseling, Stoughton • Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston • Counseling Services of Greater Boston, Wakefield • Learning Solutions, LLC, Norwood • Morse & Rosenbaum Counseling & Consultation, Sudbury THE WINNER • Be Inspired Counseling, Stoughton

Optometrists THE TOP 5 • NECO Center for Eye Care Commonwealth, Brookline • New England Eye Institute, Brookline • Newton-Wellesley Eye Associates, Newton • Robert Crawford, OD, Brockton • The Optical House, Wakefield THE WINNER • Newton-Wellesley Eye Associates, Newton

Orthodontists THE TOP 5 • Anthea Resnick, DMD, Newton • Halvorsen Orthodontics, S. Easton • Starr and Glick Orthodontics, Medfield • The Center for Pediatric Dental Care and Orthodontics, Brookline • The Medford Center for Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Medford THE WINNER • The Center for Pediatric Dental Care and Orthodontics, Brookline

Pediatricians THE TOP 5 • Centre Pediatrics Associates P.C., Brookline • Charles River Medical Associates: Paige Meisheid, M.D.l, Natick

Thanks for Voting Kiddie Academy of Cambridge 2022 Family Favorite Preschool

Now Enrolling!

Contact Academy to tour or for more information.

Kiddie Academy of Cambridge 299 Prospect Street Cambridge, MA 02139 (617) 945-0021 kiddieacademy.com/cambridge

TM

usscm.org 617-426-1812

TM

Interactive exhibits for all ages!

Open 7 days a week Admission by donation August 2022 | BostonParentsPaper.com

23

2022 FAMILY FAVORITES • Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Burlington • Longwood Pediatrics, Boston • Needham Pediatrics: Greenes David S MD, Needham THE WINNER • Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Burlington

Speech-Language Therapy THE TOP 5 • Back Bay Speech & Occupational Therapy, Boston • Marshfield Speech & Language Therapy, Marshfield • North Shore Children’s Therapies, Peabody • South Shore Therapies, Multiple Locations • Speech-Language Pathology Center, Norwell THE WINNER • Back Bay Speech & Occupational Therapy, Boston

Sports Medicine Practices THE TOP 5 • Boston Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine, Boston • Marathon Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, Multiple Locations • Orthopedics New England, Multiple Locations • Ryan Center for Sports Medicine, Boston • South Shore Orthopedics, Hingham THE WINNER • Boston Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine, Boston

SPECIAL NEEDS SERVICES & RESOURCES Special Needs Preschools THE TOP 5 • Cotting School, Lexington • May Center School, Multiple Locations • New England Center For Children, Southborough

24

• Norwood Montessori School, Norwood • The Kennedy Day School, Brighton THE WINNER • New England Center for Children, Southborough

Special Needs Elementary Schools THE TOP 5 • Campus School at Boston College, Newton • League School Of Greater Boston, East Walpole • May Institute, Multiple Locations • The Professional Center for Child Development, Andover • The Wolf School, Rumford, RI THE WINNER • The Wolf School, Rumford, RI

Special Needs Middle Schools THE TOP 5 • Campus School at Boston College, Newton • Cotting School, Lexington • League School Of Greater Boston, E. Walpole • The Accord School, Norwell • The Wolf School, Rumford, RI THE WINNER • League School Of Greater Boston, E. Walpole

Special Needs High Schools THE TOP 5 • ACCEPT Education Collaborative, Natick • Center For Applied Behavioral Instruction, Worcester • League School of Greater Boston, East Walpole • Learning Prep School, Newton • Nashoba Learning Group Inc, Bedford THE WINNER • Center For Applied Behavioral Instruction, Worcester

Boston Parents Paper | August 2022

Special Needs Legal Assistance THE TOP 5 • Education Consulting, Advocacy and Legal Services, Saugus • Fletcher Tilton Attorneys, Multiple Offices • MAAPS, Wakefield • Ramos Law Education and Disability Advocates, Wellesley • Special Needs Law of MA, Framingham THE WINNER • Fletcher Tilton Attorneys, Multiple Offices

Special Needs After School Programs

• Pine Village Preschool, Multiple Locations • SolBe Learning, Chestnut Hill • St Theresa of the Child Jesus School, Somerville • Su Escuela Language Academy, Hingham • Tender Loving Care Childcare Centers LLC, Weston & Woburn • The Tobin School, Natick • Torit Montessori School, Boston THE WINNER • Tender Loving Care Childcare Centers LLC, Weston & Woburn

Child Care Referral and Support Agencies

THE TOP 5 • Applied Behavioral Learning Services, Wellesley • Commonwealth Learning Center, Danvers and Needham • Open Door Theater, Acton • SMILE Mass, Sudbury • The Lark Center, LLC, Norwood THE WINNER • Commonwealth Learning Center, Danvers and Needham

THE TOP 5 • Boston Baby Nurse & Nanny, Greater Boston • Boston Nanny Centre, Inc., Newton • Cass and Company, LLC, Boston • Sarah’s Sweet Slumber, Marlborough • The Washburn Agency, Boston THE WINNER • Boston Baby Nurse & Nanny, Greater Boston

Special Needs Recreation Programs

THE TOP 5 • Bowen Cooperative Nursery School, Newton • Pine Village Preschool, Multiple Locations • Rock and Roll Daycare, Multiple Locations • SolBe Learning, Chestnut Hill • Su Escuela Language Academy, Hingham THE WINNER • Pine Village Preschool, Multiple Locations

THE TOP 5 • Academy MetroWest, Natick • Best Buddies Massachusetts, Boston • SMILE Mass, Sudbury • Special Olympics Massachusetts, Marlborough • The Common Room, Boston THE WINNER • SMILE Mass, Sudbury

EARLY EDUCATION Child Care Facilities THE TOP 10 • Cambridge Montessori School, Cambridge • Delphi Academy, Milton • Frances Jacobson Early Childhood Center, Boston

Bilingual Preschools

Faith-Based Preschools THE TOP 5 • Abundant Life Christian School & Learning Center, Wilmington • Frances Jacobson Early Childhood Center, Boston • Mount Hope Christian School, Burlington • Our Lady of Perpetual Help

2022 FAMILY FAVORITES Mission Grammar School, Boston • St Theresa of the Child Jesus School, Somerville THE WINNERS (TIE) • Mount Hope Christian School, Burlington • Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission Grammar School, Boston

Independent Preschools THE TOP 10 • Bowen Cooperative Nursery School, Newton • Delphi Academy, Milton • Pine Village Preschool, Multiple Locations • SolBe Learning, Chestnut Hill • Su Escuela Language Academy, Hingham • St Theresa of the Child Jesus School, Somerville • The Tobin School, Natick • Torit Montessori School, Boston • Waldorf School of Lexington, Lexington • Wellan Montessori School, Newton THE WINNER • Wellan Montessori School, Newton

Montessori Preschools THE TOP 5 • Cambridge Montessori, Cambridge • Norwood Montessori School, Norwood • Sunrise Montessori School Inc, Franklin • Torit Montessori School, Boston • Wellan Montessori School, Newton THE WINNER • Wellan Montessori School, Newton

Small Preschools (Total Capacity 30 or Less)

• St John School, Wellesley • St Theresa of the Child Jesus School, Somerville THE WINNER • St. John School, Wellesley

Montessori Elementary Schools THE TOP 5 • Cambridge Montessori School, Cambridge • Lexington Montessori School, Lexington • Norwood Montessori

School, Norwood • Torit Montessori School, Boston • Wellan Montessori School, Newton THE WINNER • Wellan Montessori School, Newton

Private Independent Elementary Schools THE TOP 10 • Dedham Country Day School, Dedham

CLASSES AND ENRICHMENT

THE TOP 5 • Delphi Academy, Milton • Echo Enrichment Center, Burlington • Kiddie Academy of Cambridge, Cambridge • Little Hands Big Hearts Preschool, Woburn • Stepping Stones Child Care Center, Watertown THE WINNER • Delphi Academy, Milton

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Large Preschools (Total Capacity 31 or More)

Bilingual Elementary Schools

THE TOP 10 • Bowen Cooperative Nursery School, Newton • Norwood Montessori School, Norwood • Pine Village Preschool, Multiple Locations • Rock and Roll Daycare, Multiple Locations • SolBe Learning, Chestnut Hill • Su Escuela Language Academy, Hingham • Tender Loving Care Childcare Centers LLC, Weston & Woburn • The Tobin School, Natick • Torit Montessori School, Boston • Wellan Montessori School, Newton THE WINNER • SolBe Learning, Chestnut Hill

THE TOP 5 • Amigos Elementary School, Cambridge • International School of Boston, Cambridge • Norwood Montessori School, Norwood • Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission Grammar School, Boston • Su Escuela Language Academy, Hingham THE WINNER • International School of Boston, Cambridge

Faith-Based Elementary Schools THE TOP 5 • Mount Hope Christian School, Burlington • Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission Grammar School, Boston • St Columbkille Partnership School, Brighton

TM

2022 TOP 5

Private Lessons • Group Classes • Ensembles • Events

Learn Piano Today!

Small Group • Private Lessons on site, in home or virtual Fun • Creative • Piano Lessons

Contact Molly at

617-999-8794 www.pianoplaytime.com August 2022 | BostonParentsPaper.com

25

2022 FAMILY FAVORITES • Delphi Academy, Milton • International School of Boston, Cambridge • Mt Alvernia Academy, Chestnut Hill • Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission Grammar School, Boston • Su Escuela Language Academy, Hingham • The Chestnut Hill School, Chestnut Hill • Torit Montessori School, Boston • Waldorf School of Lexington, Lexington • Wellan Montessori School, Newton THE WINNER • Delphi Academy, Milton

Public Elementary Schools THE TOP 5 • Carver Elementary School, Carver • Pierce Elementary School, Brookline • Sprague Elementary School, Wellesley • Warren Prescott School, Charlestown • West Somerville Neighborhood School, Somerville THE WINNER • Warren Prescott School, Charlestown

Montessori Middle Schools THE TOP 5 • Cambridge Montessori School, Cambridge • Lexington Montessori School, Lexington • Norwood Montessori School, Norwood • Torit Montessori School, Boston • Wellan Montessori School, Newton THE WINNER • Cambridge Montessori School, Cambridge

Private Independent Middle Schools THE TOP 5 • Delphi Academy, Milton • International School of Boston, Cambridge • Montrose School, Medfield • Waldorf School of Lexington, Lexington • Wellan Montessori School, Newton THE WINNER • Wellan Montessori School, Newton

Public Middle Schools THE TOP 5 • Charles E. Brown Middle School, Newton • Daniel L. Joyce Middle

THE TOP 5 • Abundant Life Christian Learning Center, Wilmington • Jewish Community Day School, Watertown • Montrose School, Medfield • Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission Grammar School, Boston • St Theresa of the Child Jesus School, Somerville THE WINNER • St Theresa of the Child Jesus School, Somerville

HIGH SCHOOLS Boarding High Schools THE TOP 5 • Concord Academy, Concord • Dana Hall School, Wellesley • Lexington Christian Academy, Lexington • Milton Academy, Milton • Phillips Academy, Andover THE WINNER • Lexington Christian Academy, Lexington

Faith-Based High Schools THE TOP 5 • Austin Preparatory School, Reading • Lexington Christian Academy, Lexington • Malden Catholic High School, Malden • Montrose School, Medfield • Ursuline Academy, Dedham

THE TOP 5 • Dana Hall School, Wellesley • International School of Boston, Cambridge • Montrose School, Medfield • The Cambridge School of Weston, Weston • The Roxbury Latin School, W. Roxbury THE WINNER • International School of Boston, Cambridge

Public High Schools THE TOP 5 • Boston Latin Academy, Boston • Boston Latin School, Boston • Natick High School, Natick • Newton South High School, Newton • Wellesley High School, Wellesley THE WINNERS (TIE) • Boston Latin School, Boston • Natick High School, Natick 

BIG JOE

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26

Private Independent High Schools

ENTERTAINMENT AND PARTY NEEDS

MIDDLE SCHOOLS Faith-Based Middle Schools

THE WINNER • Montrose School, Medfield

School, Woburn • Ephraim Curtis Middle School, Sudbury • Sharon Middle School, Sharon • Warren Prescott School, Charlestown THE WINNER • Warren Prescott School, Charlestown

Boston Parents Paper | August 2022

617-713-4349

Fran Friedman

Children’s Musician & Instructor Birthday Parties, Schools, Concerts, Libraries

Preschool & Elementary Music Specialist Lots of Participation & Fun for All! 508-358-1614 • www.franfriedman.com

s y a 7W

to Start the School Year

By Janeen Lewis

S

CHOOL BELLS WILL SOON BE RINGING, and while that means no more sleeping in or lazy days at the pool, welcoming structure and routine back into family life helps get kids who are reluctant to return to school more motivated to go. With a positive attitude and a few back-to-school motivators, even reluctant school goers can start the school year off right. And getting off on the right foot paves the way for school success for the entire year.

2

Right

Get organized

Organize those areas that you will use for school preparations. Make a place for lunch and breakfast items in the refrigerator and pantry so they will be ready to go when making lunches or breakfast. Restock home desk supplies and prep study areas. Organize your laundry room with baskets for school uniforms, sports uniforms, and individual kid’s clothes. Don’t overlook your vehicle. Keep a basket with all the things you might need for those busy hectic drives between school, work and after-school activities.

3

Purge last year’s items

Go through backpacks and closets and get rid of anything that is outgrown or worn out. Sell the nicest items at consignment stores or a yard sale, and It’s easy to get off schedule during the summer save what you make to put toward new items this school when longer days beckon kids outside late and year. sleeping in is easy to do. Introduce routines for going to If your child has a hard time letting go of items even bed and waking up before school starts because it may though they are worn out or do not fit, try putting them take children a few days to adjust. Read a book together in storage for a month or two, then bring them back out. as a family to simulate academic routine before daily I have done this with my own kids, and usually they are homework starts. If you have tweens or teens that have willing to give up the items when they realize they have been staying up late, take their bed time back 15 minutes not missed them. every night until you get to the desired bedtime so it Continued next page >>> isn’t too much of a shock to kids’ sleep cycles.

1

Reintroduce routines

August 2022 | BostonParentsPaper.com

27

<<< Continued from page 27

Help your child set a goal for the school year, or set a family goal together...setting goals can motivate kids and families to have an amazing school year.

6

Set goals

Help your child set a goal for the school year, or set a family goal together. Maybe your child wants to ace pre-algebra, start a kid blog or read more books than they read last year. Or maybe he or she wants to kick more goals in soccer this year or nail that back handspring they have been working on in gymnastics. As a family, maybe you want to volunteer together at school or raise money for a worthy cause in the community. Setting goals can motivate kids and families to have an amazing school year.

7

Celebrate with back-toschool traditions.

It can be simple, like snapping a morning photo shoot before the first day of school, or elaborate, like hosting a neighborhood back-to-school bash at your house. Have a family meal at your favorite restaurant after the first day or plan a special weekend getaway before homework and sporting events kick in. Whatever you choose, model an upbeat attitude about the start of a new school year, and chances are your child will too. 

4

Devise a shopping strategy

After you have purged your home of old items, it is fun to replace them. Sometimes kids get excited about returning to school because they get new clothes and supplies.

Check out all the sales flyers and compare prices for the things your child needs. Make a shopping list of needed school supplies, clothing items and any organizing tools you might need for closets.

If your school has already sent a supply list, you can shop early and avoid the crowds and out-of-stock items.

Sometimes I even shop late in the evening for school supplies when the aisles are less crowded so I can look carefully for what my kids need. The more you plan, the more you can do in one trip. You might even make it a special day out with kids.

5

Attend school orientations

Sneak-a-peek. Back-to-School Night. Readyfest.

They are called a variety of names, but back-toschool orientations are another way to create a desire to go back to school. Students can meet their teacher, check out their classroom and see friends they haven’t seen all summer. This can make students previously hesitant to return to school eager to get started.

28

Boston Parents Paper | August 2022

Janeen Lewis is a writer, elementary teacher and mom. She has been published in several parenting publications across the country and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teacher Tales.

A KIDS’ GUIDE TO

Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort After two years of lockdown, a 7- and 11-year-old reintroduce their parents to the world.

By Calvin Hennick Photos courtesy of Beaches Turks & Caicos

M

y wife and I are normally pretty independent travelers, but the pandemic put us out of practice. So, for our first trip in two years, we took our kids to Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort, where everything we wanted would be in one place.

Or, in a way, our kids took us.

My wife and I did the packing.

(Fine, I confess, it was mostly my

wife.) But it was our children who came home from school every day and fired up YouTube to watch videos about the resort.

“Oooh, Dad!” our 7-year-old daughter Eloise would say. “I want to drink hot chocolate and eat pastries at Café de Paris! And we need to check out the surfing simulator! And you can get cotton candy every day! And there’s Continued next page >>>

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Type the words “beautiful beach” into Google Images, and the results are going to look a whole lot like your vacation to Turks & Caicos. a place where you can bring a white shirt and tie dye it any color you want!”

Our son Nile, who turned 11 during the trip, had more modest ambitions. “I only want to do two things,” he announced after watching hours of content about surf and sun. “Lie in a hammock and eat jerk chicken.”

We all did a lot more than that. Here’s how it went.

The Beach

all of our photos at the beach, he has a big, toothy grin affixed to his face.

If the beach is why you’re here (and after all, it’s right there in the resort’s name), you’re not going to be disappointed.

The Food

The dining options at Beaches blew us away.

We’ve done a handful of cruises and all-inclusive reI’m tempted to leave a one-word review here: “Perfect.” sorts before, and I usually temper my expectations when it comes to the food. But here, we were genuinely imBeaches Turks & Caicos Resort sits on Grace Bay pressed. Depending on how you count, there are around Beach, which routinely earns spots on lists ranking the two dozen restaurants on the property, and we found best beaches in the world. It’s easy to see why. The sand ourselves making tough decisions about whether to try is white. The water is warm and calm and a brilliant something new or go back to a place we loved. turquoise. The sun is almost always out. Type the words At Nile’s request, we started with the Jerk Shack, “beautiful beach” into Google Images, and the results are which sits on the beach at the very edge of the resort. We going to look a whole lot like your vacation to Turks & all got heaping platefuls of jerk chicken, except for my Caicos. wife, who ordered fish in foil. “It was delicious,” Nile told “It’s not like the beaches in Massachusetts,” Eloise said, casting a bit of shade on her home state’s shoreline. me when I asked him to provide a review. “I want more!”

Me too, bud.

“The sand at the resort was almost fluffy. But the sand in The first night, we got reservations at Kimonos, the reMassachusetts is dirty and rocky and full of little sticks sort’s Teppanyaki-style Japanese restaurant. Nile winced that hurt your feet.” at the oil-fueled fireballs that the chefs made when they Harsh but true, Eloise!

Nile couldn’t get enough of the water. Now that he’s of- fired up the grill, but soon he was happily (if unsuccessficially a tween, he poses carefully for most photographs, fully) using his mouth to try to catch food that our chef, Chris, launched across the table with her steel spatula. only letting his lips curl into the slightest smile. But in

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And Eloise giggled as Chris belted out popular tunes, changing the lyrics to include as many references as possible to fried rice.

That was one of the great things about our trip. We’d barely eaten in a restaurant for more than two years, and I don’t think we’ve ever taken the kids to a Japanese place. But we were able to have a bunch of new experiences – and create new memories – with them, all in one place.

During our four days at Beaches, we celebrated Nile’s birthday with steak and seafood, sampled Indian dishes and sushi, ate pizza by the pool, and piled our plates with ribs at the buffet. I personally wolfed down more late-night fries and milkshakes than I’d care to admit from the ’50s-style burger joint Bobby Dee’s. And Eloise definitely ate her fair share of cotton candy.

Pirates Island I’m sure each of my children could write an in-depth review of the resort’s water park, called Pirates Island.

They certainly spent enough time there!

Nile’s favorite feature was the lazy river, which winds its way through caves and little waterfalls. Eloise was a huge fan of the surfing simulator. Neither of us was brave enough to stand up on a board, but in the afternoons, the feature is restricted to body boarding. It was a lot of fun to swerve and jostle with her in the endless waves.

The water slides in the park were surprisingly exciting, too. Eloise’s favorite was a tube slide that spins you in swirl after swirl, but it made me motion sick. She was also a big fan of the water park’s swim-up bar with its own special frozen drink menu for kids. I think she felt grown-up, sipping her virgin strawberry daquiri in her swimsuit and sunglasses.

I’d sort of forgotten how much kids love to be in the water. Pirates Island reminded me. And I’ll admit that I enjoyed it, too (even if, by Day 4, I largely gave up the water slides in favor of the hot tub).

Activities & Excursions Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort offers free water sports, and we took out both aqua-cycle trikes and a small sailboat (manned by a resort staffer) one sunny morning. There were also stand-up paddle boards and kayaks available, but we were too lazy to give them a whirl.

Eloise did get in her tie die experience, and Nile camped out in the resort’s Xbox lounge for as long as we’d let him, playing racing video games. “The Xbox lounge was fun, and you get to play as long as you want,” August 2022 | BostonParentsPaper.com

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he said. “Until your mom drags you out, at least!” While Nile played Xbox, Eloise was usually in the nearby game room, making new friends and playing ping pong, billiards, and air hockey.

Both kids were too old for the Sesame Street camp and activities, but we did catch a character parade the night of the resort’s beach party. I snagged a selfie with The Count and posted it to social media with the caption: “All the celebs are out at Grace Bay Beach tonight!”

(Is it even really a family vacation if Dad doesn’t embarrass the kids a little bit?)

We only left the resort once, for a catamaran cruise and snorkeling trip that left from the resort’s main dock.

Out at the reef, the water was a little rocky, and my wife (not a strong swimmer) tapped out of snorkeling almost immediately, leaving me to try to steer the kids through the chop by their life jackets. We had more fun during our stop at Iguana Island (home not only to the namesake lizards, but also to a vacant, gorgeous beach) and on the catamaran itself – which the DJ and bartender turned into a floating party, complete with a water slide off the back of the boat.

The Resort Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort is just big enough to allow for some exploring, without being overwhelming.

We stayed in a two-bedroom suite in the “Key West” village – one of five distinct villages at the property – and we could get to the far end of the resort on foot in ten minutes or so. (There are also golf cart rides available for those with mobility limitations – or with kids who just want to ride in a golf cart!)

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The property is meticulously manicured (for the first two days, I thought the grass was fake), and every time we turned a corner, there was something new the kids wanted to check out – the giant lawn chess set, the tennis court, and yes, plenty of hammocks for Nile to lounge in. Each village has its own pool, and our favorite was the large one in the centrally located Italian Village.

Some of our favorite moments were simply walking around the property at night. We’d find a quiet spot to sit near the beach or one of the pools, taking goofy selfies and just enjoying one the time with one another. After two years of lockdown, we’d had plenty of each other’s company. But trust me: It’s better by the beach.  Calvin Hennick is the author of the memoir Once More to the Rodeo, one of Amazon’s “100 Best Books” of 2019.

BEWARE OF

Cosigning Student Loans

By Aaron Crowe

S

tudent loan debt isn’t a great way to start off life as a college graduate. It isn’t any fun for parents, either, especially those who co-sign for their children’s student loans. Getting a loan in college is often the last option for students seeking to pay their college bills. And it’s becoming a bigger problem every year.

The $1.61 trillion in outstanding student loan debt in the U.S. is the second-highest level of consumer debt behind only mortgages. About 40 million Americans hold student loans and about 70 percent of bachelor’s degree recipients graduate with debt.

Young people don’t often have a credit history, which can make getting a loan difficult — at least with private loans. Most federal student loans are easier to qualify for.

Parents co-signing a student loan for their children can make it easier for a loan to be approved and can reduce the interest rate. But it can leave parents with a lower

credit score, make qualifying for a mortgage or other loan more difficult, and affect their retirement, and it makes them just as responsible for the college loan as their student.

CO-SIGNING MEANS BEING LIABLE While parents may talk to their children about student loans, few may go over how to repay the loans. If their kids don’t repay the loans that they’ve cosigned, the parents are legally responsible for the loans. If parents can’t afford those payments, then they shouldn’t co-sign the loans.

Most federal student loans don’t require a co-signer, but private loans often require one because students usually have little or no credit history.

A co-signer can be a parent, grandparent, guardian, or other credit-worthy adult who will be responsible for the full amount of

If their kids don’t repay the loans that they’ve co-signed, the parents are legally responsible for the loans.

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Late payments can have a domino effect on the co-signers. After lowering their credit score, they can have more difficulty being approved for other loans such as a mortgage or auto loan. the student debt, regardless of the borrower’s ability to repay the loan.

Having two people responsible for repaying a loan can reduce the interest rate by as much as half a point, even if the co-signer doesn’t have a better credit score than the student. If they do, the rate could go lower.

EFFECTS ON CREDIT SCORE Long before a student loan becomes due, it could hurt a co-borrower’s credit score. The loan will show up on their credit report, just as any other loan would, and could hurt their credit score if it looks like they have too much debt.

The new loan could also improve their score by improving the mix of credit. Having a variety of loans that are paid on time — mortgage, auto loan, and credit cards, among others — can raise a credit score.

When payments start on student loans — usually within six months of graduation — the co-signer’s credit score could drop if the new graduate isn’t making monthly payments on time or not repaying the loan at all.

A survey of co-signers by LendEDU found that 62 percent of parents who co-signed their children’s student loans believe that their credit scores have been negatively impacted by the agreements.

For co-signed private student loans, the most likely cause of the co-signer’s damaged credit score is a late payment by the primary borrower, the survey found. To a credit bureau, a late payment by the borrower is essentially the same as the co-signer making a late payment.

The survey found that 43 percent of people said their children have made late payments that hurt the co-signers’ credit scores.

DIFFICULTY WITH OTHER LOANS Late payments can have a domino effect on the cosigners. After lowering their credit score, they can have more difficulty being approved for other loans such as a mortgage or auto loan. Forty percent of the LendEDU respondents said they had a tougher time qualifying for financing after co-signing student loans.

Late payments or defaulting on the loan will damage the credit history of both parties — student and parent. When the co-signer’s credit report is evaluated for a potential loan, including refinancing a mortgage, they could be denied or face a higher interest rate.

If a graduate misses too many student loan payments or defaults on the loan, lenders will then go to the parent to make the monthly payments.

RETIREMENT PROBLEMS Student loan debt problems can also follow co-signers into retirement and can cause them to work longer and delay retiring. Having student loans at age 65 can be incredibly stressful, but it is surprisingly common.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office found that outstanding federal student loan debt for people 65 and older is growing, at $336.1 billion in 2021. According to data from the U.S. Department of Education, there are 2.3 million student loan borrowers ages 62 and up and they carry an average of $37,739 in debt - that’s higher that the average for recent college graduates.

Respondents in the LendEDU survey were almost split on if their child’s student debt put their retirement in jeopardy. Most said it didn’t, at 53 percent, and 47 percent said they felt it did jeopardize their retirement. An upswing in the stock market before the survey started and the resulting growth in retirement funds may explain why most people didn’t see an effect, LendEDU reasoned.

OPTIONS FOR CO-SIGNERS Co-signers can be released of their responsibility for the loan if the borrower seeks a release from the lender.

Terms vary, and can include on-time payments for at least a year and are more likely to happen with private student loans. Just one missed payment can disqualify a borrower from this release option.

The co-signer would then be removed from the loan and the primary borrower would be entirely responsible for it.

Co-signers can also be released if the primary borrower refinances the loan on their own. This requires taking out a new loan to pay off the old loan, when the co-signer would be removed from the old loan.  Aaron Crowe is a freelance writer who specializes in personal finance topics. He graduated from college with a small student loan, which he paid off within two years.

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