Worked formerly as a teacher here so this comes from my own personal views and opinions, although I…read morecan say that many former colleagues would agree with me... I can say with confidence this school is the worst school I have ever seen, been to, or worked at. To start, the tuition rate is outrageous, they have a turnover rate of almost 50% of staff every year, and they barely pay teachers with Masters and PHD's a living wage. In working at public schools before this, I can say the curriculum here is substantially worse and far less engaging. Parents get scammed into thinking this is some elite school for gifted kids. Your child will be far better off at any public school than here. Save your money for a good college or a real private school, not this horrendous place that calls itself a "school". PS after paying over $30,000 a year per child for tuition, that doesnt even cover school lunches, field trips, or any after school enrichment opportunities or activities. They just want your money, and if you pay enough I am sure they will give your kid amazing grades without them having to learn anything! (The school will pressure teachers to give students better grades so it will reflect better on them and make student look more capable than they are)

I'm so glad that we chose BCA a year ago and here's why:…read more 1) I see my son's remarkable progress in Math. Thanks to the engaging curriculum and teacher helps kids to build a solid foundation. Learning is fun. Each kids has their personalized math journal books. 2) Presentation skills have blossomed, with lots of opportunities to present in front of peers. Each child seeks the spotlight, showcasing their ideas with confidence. 3) The peer groups are exceptional, with students excelling in various fields like ice hockey, chess, dance, art performance, etc. 4) The school culture fosters a sense of inclusivity and compassion, emphasizing that everyone is a winner. My son's desire to raise funds for street kids reflects the school's values of community contribution. Special thanks to Mrs. Wilson, our classroom teacher. Not only myself but I've heard from several other parents in this class mention how much the kids love her.

Our daughter attended CHA from kindergarten and will be completing 4th grade this year. The school…read morehas been incredibly supportive from the beginning. Each of her teachers from K-4 were engaged and provided regular feedback on matters related to academics, social, and well-being. We really enjoyed the school programs from performing arts, field trips, winter activities, and leadership opportunities. CHA also did a great job connecting parents and building a strong community with the school.

This school is so good! We have been with this school since 2016, and might I say, it is so good. I…read morelove how not only to they teach the kids to strive in academics, but they also encourage leadership using the 8 habits. I also love the staff, who teach and encourage the students daily. This year, my fifth grade daughter is graduating, and we are so sad to leave! Last of all, thank you to the Head of School, who made their Washington D.C trip so fun!

Our daughter has been at ECS since 1st grade and is now in 2nd. She's built such strong bonds with…read moreher classmates, and we've seen how much those friendships actually help her in the classroom. When they hit tough topics--like some of the more advanced math concepts--having that supportive group of friends keeps her motivated and makes the challenges feel much more manageable. We also really value how the school handles social growth. When a conflict came up, the teachers and the principal didn't just 'fix' it; they helped her develop a real strategy for resolution and taught her how to navigate things in the future. It gave her so much confidence. Most importantly, we love that the school is centered on God and faith. Seeing her so excited to talk about Jesus after chapel is a huge blessing to our family. It's a wonderful, supportive community and we're so glad to be part of it.

Our three children have been attending since 2020, and we couldn't be happier with the experience…read more ECS has nurtured not only their academic growth but also their character, and we're truly grateful for the school's impact on their lives. Although located in Bellevue, the ECS community is refreshingly down-to-earth and welcoming. As a parent, I deeply appreciate the teachers' attention to detail and commitment to each student's success. For example, if a second assignment is missed, teachers proactively reach out and keep us informed about our child's progress. Each of our children is known and valued as an individual. They are seen, supported, and encouraged in their own unique ways. ECS is a special place--what we lovingly call "God's little school on the hill." I hope it continues to thrive and bless families in our community for many years to come.

Our son was at IFS for 3 years. A few key takeaway from our experience (and why we will enroll our…read moredaughter in the next couple years when she is ready: 1. Mandarin immersion school I think of it as going to school, but you go the extra bonus of Mandarin language (with all benefit that come with growing up as bilingual child). One can argue their preference of home based daycare, regular daycare, or school. I personally prefer school (compared to daycare) to have less students turnover, more organized activity (no one come at 9.30, 10am, and 10.30 - which break the focus of the activity), and better curriculum. 2. Reggio Emilia/Project based learning I prefer not to focus too much on academic for kids under 5. There will be time for that later on. I believe that should not be the focus for 3 years old child. Project based learning allow children to play while learn. 3. Outdoor space They do not stay at "sterile" room. The school intentionally allow students to explore and play with nature. Our son (5 years old in non Mandarin speaking household) received a lot of praise from native speaker during our trip to Taiwan that he spoke fluent Mandarin. During our time here, we enjoyed all of his teachers. We are aware of some turnover impacting some other students, but at the end of the day, some of them are out of school's control. We definitely sad that we have to leave IFS family as our son was accepted at Jing Mei. Otherwise, IFS is a strong candidate for our son's continued education.

I strongly advise parents to think twice before sending their children to this school. Our…read moreexperience has been filled with severe safety oversights, poor academic planning, and a complete lack of teacher accountability. Severe Safety Concerns: The school utilizes its own forest area, but supervision is shockingly poor. My child was lost in it multiple times. In one incredibly negligent incident, a teacher completely walked away from the group without even realizing my child was left behind. Substandard & Unlicensed Staff: We found out that multiple teachers on staff do not even hold proper teaching licenses. The English instruction is highly unprofessional; the teacher struggles with basic verb tenses and passes these grammatical errors and incorrect English habits onto the students. Disorganized Curriculum: The academic planning is entirely backward. The principal pushed the curriculum into multiplication before the students had even mastered basic subtraction. Because of this structural failure, my children were left severely behind in math when they finally transferred to a different school. Lack of Care & Blame Culture: The staff consistently shifts blame onto the children instead of taking responsibility. When the kids complained about being freezing cold outside, teachers dismissed them and blamed them for "not wearing enough layers." In art class, teachers stand by while students' clothes are ruined with paint, later claiming it is the child's fault for not wearing a poncho. I have had to throw away numerous pieces of ruined clothing.

As a family, we had a terrible experience with this school. I will not give details on this…read moreplatform. You can reach me if you have questions. dilanurkomar@gmail.com

Sometimes I see online reviews for an item that someone just purchased, and has only experienced…read morefor 5 minutes, and I question how helpful that review really is. "I just got this roomba 2 hours ago and it is the BEST!" This is not one of those reviews. I think it was almost 12 years ago, my daughter started at The Little School in 1st grade. She was a sensitive, talkative, curious young girl. She enjoyed art projects, and writing stories. She struggled a bit socially, sometimes feeling more at home with her thoughts and the trees than engaging in play. At the Little School the teachers there got to know her well, understanding her as a learner, and identifying her strengths and weaknesses. Her first teacher identified that while she may rarely be the first one to answer a question lobbed out to the group, he found that she was often the one taking the time to seek the deeper understanding. We loved that The Little School takes the time to recognize that attribute and celebrate it for what it is instead of penalizing her for not always being the first. While at The Little School until she outgrew after her 5th grade year, she practiced her social skills, made friends, and was supported by the educators there in learning communication skills and conflict resolution skills to navigate the inevitable challenges that accompany navigating school. After outgrowing she went on to a another local private school, and we were really pleased how prepared she was for Middle and High School there. Not only had she learned the important academic skills, but she also quickly made herself known in her classes because The Little School taught her that she has valuable ideas to share, and that her educators are expected to be her partners in her education. She was able to appropriately speak up in class, ask questions, and contribute to conversations. We believe that her formative years at TLS were vital to developing that confidence. She graduated high school recently near the top of her class and is now at a UC school as a freshman. In case you are thinking that The Little School is only a good fit for loquacious, nature-loving girls, let me tell you about my son. He started at The Little School about 11 years ago in kindergarten. He was twitchy and restless, kind and caring, and loved playing pretend games with building toys. He had a super-quick mind, and could memorize facts and trivia easily. While at The Little School, until he outgrew after 5th grade, we love that they challenged him in the areas where he needed improvement, without getting overly distracted by his twitchiness. They made accommodations for his physical energy, recognizing that even though his eyes were darting around, he was listening carefully, could remember virtually everything said during the lesson, and could immediately apply it. They challenged him in his writing. Pushing him to get better at punctuation and grammar, and flesh out his ideas further. He did not always like it, but we watched as they encouraged him to try harder and expand on his writing. This summer he spent two-weeks at a science camp hosted on a university campus, learning about the microbiology of cancer, and in the fall he will start running-start at Bellevue College as a high school junior. He is looking forward to the challenge and the variety of classes that will be available to him. He is FAR less twitchy, gets along well with others, and remains friends to this day with people he met at TLS. In case you are thinking that The Little School is only a good fit for sensitive, talkative, curious little girls, and twitchy, clever, gentle young boys, let me tell you about my other son (don't worry, this is the last one). He started at The Little School about 7 years ago in kindergarten. He was a typical little kid, played really well with others, loved playing competitive games outside, but also played imaginative games with stuffed "lovies" inside with boys and girls. As he grew and matured, the TLS educators, just like with my other two kids, learned about his strengths and weaknesses and encouraged him along the way. He had a severe lisp when younger, but the lovely thing about TLS is that they walk their talk when it comes to belonging, kindness, and community. I don't ever recall him coming home sad or upset because someone teased him about the way he talked. He was a confident, charismatic social leader by the time he outgrew at the end of 5th grade. Their outdoor education/physical education program there nursed his athletic abilities and as a 5th grader he was helping the TLS mountain beavers win ultimate frisbee games in the local league, as well as teaching his classmates about other sports which he played outside of school. He is now an 8th grader at our local public middle school, where he is in advanced math, loves social studies, and was invited into their selective programs for young mentors and leaders.

We've had a wonderful experience at this school with our 2-year-old in the toddler program. The…read moreschool's dedication to the Montessori philosophy is evident in every aspect, allowing our child to develop independence, confidence, and a love for learning. The staff here is amazing! There's hardly any turnover, which provides a stable and consistent environment for the children. Plus, the abundance of supporting staff ensures that each child gets plenty of 1:1 attention. The program director is also fantastic--she's incredibly on top of things and always approachable for any questions or concerns. The classrooms are always kept clean, and it shows. Our child doesn't fall sick nearly as often compared to our friend's kids who go to other schools. This has been a huge relief. Communication at the school is excellent. We appreciate the verbal handoff we get during pickups, and the e-platform (Transparent Classroom) they use is a great tool for keeping us updated with hour-by-hour insights into our child's day. School premises feels very safe and secure by design. They have an always locked outer gate, and outsiders including parents have to be let in by the staff. Each classroom then has their own doors and separated from classrooms. The playground is also nicely secured by a strong fence. Lastly, we love the extra sessions they offer for parents. These are a great opportunity to meet other families and learn about important topics related to raising a child.

Hello this is my first time reviewing this school. I was at this school when I was 7 and 8 years…read moreold. The teachers there were so terrible and mean because I was trying my best and they always get mad at me especially the science teacher. The science teacher was not very helpful and always kicks me out by going down stairs to the classroom I hope their boss kicks them out and the names was named Mrs appeah and the female science teacher

I can't say enough good things about the inclusivity of this school, the strong academics, the…read morewhole-kid learning, and the overall culture of positivity and celebration. We moved to the Seattle area from out of state just as my son was ready to start 6th grade/middle school. What a hard time to ask a kid to leave his lifelong friends and start at a new school. He had also really disliked school for the last couple of years. Wow, what a wonderful culture change it was to arrive at JDS. My son now tells me that he likes school, "because we do things. We do projects and make things." I've always known he was smart and, in previous years, it was hard to hear him say that he hated math. Now, he is doing GREAT in math. He is proud of his progress and proud of his grades. He feels safe enough socially to try basketball and the school pay. He is a happy guy at JDS and I'm a JDS fan.

My son joined JDS as a sixth grader, after attending public elementary school. We were first drawn…read morein by its educational philosophy rather than because we were specifically looking for a Jewish education, and we have been very happy there. A few things that have worked well for my son: - Much more personalized attention and learning at his level. He was able to up-level in classes where he had capabilities and has gotten more support where he needed it. This was a very welcome change to public school where he always felt like things were too hard or too easy. If there is a concern, teachers are very responsive. - The inquiry based teaching method has been so great for him. It seems as though they learn with more depth and interest. The teachers have more freedom to adapt to the needs and interests of the class vs having a set curriculum that they are required to deliver. - The community is very tightknit and welcoming. Though the classes are small, but they build community and social connections across grades, and there are lots of chances for parent connection if you want it (and it's okay if you don't) The school is welcoming to both Jewish and non-Jewish families. My son has fit in well despite not knowing much about Judaism before joining this community. He really enjoys the Jewish Studies class where he learns about Jewish history and values within a broader context. For example my son's current unit is about The Universals of Culture. An excerpt from the newsletter described "Students learned about Greek and Roman art, burial practices of the ancient Sumerians, the development of cuneiform writing, the economy of Ancient China and how we celebrate holidays develops using The Fourth of July as an example". They then used that along with Jewish readings as background for a project where they build a culture of their own. It's been super engaging, and thought-provoking.