Overall sentiment across the reviews is largely positive, with consistent praise for the staff, social environment, food, and the property’s historic character and park-like setting. Many reviewers emphasize the warm, homey atmosphere created by friendly and caring employees who are attentive, responsive to families, and actively engage residents in activities. The community is repeatedly described as clean, well-maintained, and comfortable, with bright rooms offering natural light and large windows. Several reviewers highlight the dining program as a strong point — noting good, well-balanced meals, a variety of choices, healthy options, and flexible “anytime” dining hours that accommodate differing schedules and appetites.
Care quality and staff interactions form the backbone of the positive feedback. Staff are frequently described as helpful, respectful, patient, knowledgeable, and available to answer family questions. Multiple comments describe smooth transitions, supportive move-in experiences, and thorough evaluation meetings. Maintenance and management staff are often depicted as engaged and enjoying their work, contributing to an overall impression of a caring, competent team. The community size and neighborhood feel are attractive to many reviewers, who appreciate porches, outdoor seating, park access (including rose gardens and fresh air), and the ability to use scooters.
That said, there are recurring caveats rooted mainly in the building’s age and layout. The facility is an older, 100+-year-old property that some reviewers find charming and historic while others label dated and occasionally difficult to navigate. Several people note small apartment sizes and studio units that can feel cramped — a particularly important issue in the assisted living building, which is reportedly separate from the main building and requires going outdoors to reach shared spaces. Reviewers highlight that assisted living largely consists of studios, making the AL units unsuitable for some prospective residents (for example, the reviewer who said it was "not suitable for Mom"). Accessibility concerns include only one elevator, a desire for higher toilets, and comments that it can be "not easy to get around." There are mentions of minimal staffing in specific instances and that the community may not be able to meet more complicated or high-acuity care needs.
Operational and management notes are mixed. Many reviewers praise administration for being thorough, welcoming, and helpful; one reviewer specifically commended a detailed evaluation meeting. Conversely, at least one review reported unprofessional behavior and a rude manager named Mark, along with signs of unhappy employees. A few reviewers described logistical issues such as being asked to move rooms soon after moving in (which points to assessment or placement problems) and concerns that available amenities may be limited relative to the price. Other situational negatives include occasional odors in the dining room and the community being farther from some families’ homes.
In summary, The Academy - A Merrill Gardens Community is frequently recommended for prospective residents who value a historic, smaller-scale community with a strong, personable staff, good dining, active programming, and pleasant outdoor access. It appears to offer good value for those who need moderate assistance but want to maintain independence in a homey setting. However, families should carefully consider apartment size and layout (particularly the prevalence of studios in assisted living), the physical limitations and dated aspects of the building, staffing levels and ability to meet complex medical needs, and the separate assisted-living building arrangement that requires going outdoors to access main areas. Prospective residents and families are advised to tour the property, verify the specific unit sizes and accessibility features, confirm the community’s capacity for required care levels, and discuss any management or staffing questions directly during the visit.
