My daughter has been attending Kirkwood for three years and has absolutely thrived in this program. She has learned valuable social and academic skills in addition to Christian values. Their preschool program is set up so students progress at their own pace, allowing them to learn at a level and speed that is challenging yet supportive for each student. I have been a teacher for 14 years in Downey Unified, and I am very pleased with Kirkwood's preschool program. My daughter will be entering public school next year as a confident and competent kindergartener because of her time with the patient, caring teachers and staff at Kirkwood. read more

I'm a parent whom my 4 year old son attends Kirkwood, while picking up my son at school, I witnessed something deeply upsetting. A teacher named Manuel grabbed a little girl by the arm, yelled at her, and snatched something from her hand, then threw it across the floor. All the children nearby looked scared and shaken. This behavior is completely unacceptable, especially from someone entrusted with the care of young children. No child should ever be treated like that in a school environment. I am sharing this because I believe in protecting all children and ensuring schools are a safe and nurturing place to learn. I hope the administration takes this seriously and investigates. Parents: Please pay attention. Teachers should be role models, not bullies. read more

Update: Ms Rosie reached out to me to let me know that they had a meeting with the teacher and that he was obligated to take down photos of the children from his social media but that he would def still be around. The teachers daughter actually reached out to me through a yelp private message saying I had potentially ruined his image by posting this review and that the reason why he was there was because her kids were current students and he wanted to help her get a discount and that her father has provided meals for the children when the school couldn't. I stand by my review because I was truly concerned about the way he yelled and grabbed that child along with my other findings. read more

Excellent preschool with loving teachers and staff. Our children have been thriving and learning so much. When we go pick them up they love playing and sometimes don't want to leave. Would highly recommend this preschool for an amazing Christian foundation for your children. read more

I enrolled my son when he was 26 months he started May 2019. He is so happy the staff is so attentive and wonderful with the kids. He has learned so much since he started. I feel comfortable dropping him off. His teacher Celina is a sweetheart she gives a daily report I highly recommend this school. read more

Kirkwood Christian Schools - My son's schedule - Elementary Schools Near Me - Downey, California

I am extremely appreciative for the staff at Kirkwood Christian Elementary School. They have gone above and beyond for our family. My oldest is falling behind in public school and they took the time to meet with us and come up with a personalized plan to help raise his grades up. My youngest has special needs. God bless Mrs. Jen for all the special accommodations she allowed us to have in order to help him succeed. We tried other schools; Downey Christian, Creative Beginings, Alameda, Rio San Gabriel but only Kirkwood was able to help not only educate my 2nd grader, but also help him with his social /emotional struggles. Ms. Cindy is a gift from good. She is firm but fair. Both my boys need her structure to succeed. I appreciate her holding kids accountable for their actions (mine included). She is patient and speaks to reach her students with the goal of having them understand why rules are set and the impact to others and themselves. She is the most strict teacher my boys have had and is also their favorite. My youngest calls her his best friend. Because she is consistent he knows he can always count on her to show him the right path. Ms. Stacia is amazing. Strong, sweet, funny and most of all patient. When my oldest was struggling she would give me weekly (sometimes daily) reports. She would take her time to help push and motivate him into succeeding. This school takes the time to get to know their families. They welcome you into a their community with love and support. Thank Kirkwood Christian School. read more

I use to like this school when my son was attending. Then there was a change happening and the school went down hill. My son was dropped by his teacher and she was so rude about it and didn't care that his face had scars. We had a meeting but nothing was the same afterwards. I felt the teachers were aggressive towards him and once he went to public school he really flourished. read more

My son has been here a few months and I am so happy we decided to take him here. We looked for a while for the right preschool and I was so nervous to let him go. He is a very wild child and I didn't want to put that on anyone. Anyways we enrolled him and from the very first interaction my husband and I were so impressed. Front office is so professional and friendly. I love how everyday when I drop him off I can I smell how clean it is. They take pride in their classrooms and keep them super tidy and sanitized. My son is a completely different kid since starting here. He has calmed down so much and his vocabulary and art skills have grown so fast! He is writing numbers and letters and he just turned 4. He can use a computer and he sings cute songs to us and gives me random facts. Like for example on ground hog day he told me what it was and why we celebrate and my mind was blown. Another day he explained to me how things turn to solid and liquid and gas. He absolutely adores his teacher Ms Pilar and also loves Miss Diana. He loves going to school every morning and has the biggest smile on his face when we pick him Up and he loves to bring home his artwork to put on the fridge. I am so happy we enrolled him here and tell all my friends about it. read more

Kirkwood Christian Schools - Elementary Schools Near Me - Downey, California

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This review is a long time coming - Kirkwood is such a wonderful place to take your child. They are organized, affordable, and understanding. Ms. Candace is an angel, and I couldn't have asked for a better teacher for my daughter's first schooling experience. Plusses - They feed your children! - Fingerprint security - Quick with paperwork (Form 2441 - Child Care Credit) - Solid curriculum, structures, and routines - Fun festivities (Halloween, Christmas, etc) - Clean! - Designated space for different age groups - Patient, kind teachers - Ms. Karla listens to your concerns - You could drop off your child at 6:30am! - Good school to parent communication Love this place! read more

This school has several teachers that have tests positive for covid-19. They refuse to allow they're employees to take "paid leave" to get tested. They would rather them work and teach your children while possibly infected. They are denying FFCRA and showing no compassion towards the teachers and no concern for our children. As of 12/21/20 there is two confirmed cases and the rest of the teachers can't afford to take time off to get tested. According to FFCRA they need to give an employee time and pay while they are seeking covid-19 testing. They offer no resources and hide behind the statement of "we are a non-profit business". read more

Initially I was really content with this school I even recommended it. There were also some great people there. But it is necessary to say that if you do decide to take your kids here please pay attention and be aware of their behavior as it will tell u a lot. My son loved going to school, like most kids we struggled to get up in the morning but he never cried or said he didn't want to go. He had gone to another preschool but it shut down during the pandemic so he wasn't new to going to school and never had a problem. Suddenly he says someone had been hitting him at school when I asked who he didn't know their name. I talked to the teachers and they said they would keep an eye out but never had a response for me. He had been moved to the preschool class as that is where he should be in preparation for kindergarten & that's when things went downhill, he started saying he didn't want to go to school and one day he started crying and didn't want to let me go when i dropped him off. I told the teacher that he said someone had hit him and the teacher asked who hit him and he pointed at her!!! I took him home and called the school. I didn't get to speak to the principal that day and so the next day I wanted to see my son's reaction when I told him he had to go to school and he burst out in tears, yelling that he didn't want to go. When I asked him why, he said "my teacher hit me!!" He said she hit him on the head really hard. I was furious and called the school and they tried to blow me off and say that the teacher was very nice and that it couldn't be and basically that my son had a wild imagination!!! Please if u don't need to do not take your kids here!! My son then switched schools and is now in kindergarten and I have never had another issue like that again. read more

Great Community! I've been a part of this school for 5 years as my children have gone through their preschool and elementary campus. My husband and I have been a huge fan of the curriculum, campus, staff, administration, and community that the school works hard to build. Pro: Daycare facility as well as an academic program. The school stays open from 6:30 am - 6:00 pm which is very convenient for my husband and I's work schedule. My kids do their homework during homework club and I can spend quality time with my kids once we are all home in the evening. The school opens their parent club to all who want to participate, and together we are involved with scheduling field trips, planning school fundraisers, and creating fun community events. The curriculum is amazing and it introduces computers at an early age. The school has an online academic program that allows me to know exactly where my children are academically. If my kids are absent due to illness or vacations, then they don't fall behind. The staff loves the kids. My kids have loved all their teachers. I have not always had perfect situations (my kids are naughty sometimes) but the teachers work really hard and have always kept an open communication with me. Admin is very supportive, even with my family's issues. lol. Over all, I loved the campus and my kids love going to school. They have never complained and given me issues in the morning at drop off. As long as my kids love it, then I am a strong supporter of Kirkwood. read more

I enrolled my daughter in this school about a year and a half ago and never got around to writing a review. I have ALOT of concerns about this school. I looked around for a really long time and toured alot of schools before finally deciding on Kirkwood. First let me just say that I only wanted to enroll her in Pre K the days that i was working (3 days a week) as I had just had a baby and needed that time to work. I felt alright about the school but had some reservations but nothing too serious at first. My almost 3 year old (at the time) was pretty happy all the time and talked ALOT. Like I couldnt get her to stop talking. I never really had a problem with leaving her places (childcare wise) she never really cried when I left her anywhere but EVERYTIME i would tell her it was time for school she would start sobbing and saying she didnt want to go to school. She would even not let go of my leg in class and i had to pry her off me and leave and feel HORRIBLE everytime I left her there. The teachers assured me that this was normal behavior and it will get better. Well 7 months later, it didnt get any better. So they provide food for the kids which is great but I would ask the teachers everyday I picked her up how she was doing and they would tell me she was doing great. I would ask about if she ate and theyd say yes (because i knew she was somewhat of a picky eater), Heres where things started to get really weird for me. She was not yet potty trained while she was going to school and there were NUMEROUS of times where id drop her off at 8 am pick her up at 3:30 and her diaper feel like it was about to explode. I asked them if theyd been changing her and theyd say yes. I decided to start marking her diapers because I didnt trust them and sure enough they were NOT changing her diaper all day long. I spoke to the director who said shed talk to the teachers but I caught them doing this again. I decided that I noticed some developmental things about my daughter so I decided to get her assessed and part of this process is having a woman come out and evaluate her at school. So she comes out and speaks to her teachers to later tell me that her teachers told her that the entire 7 months she was there she had never spoken a word ,doesnt play with any of the kids and doesnt eat her lunch. She observed my daughter sitting on the table by herself after snack just playing with ranch dressing. Now at this point im LIVID because id been asking them everyday she was there how she was doing and they would tell me great and id ask about her lunch and they would say she was eating. WHY tell the lady assessing her something different? I even came to her class for her birthday to pass out cupcakes and my daughter was so introverted and wouldnt even talk to me I found that EXTREMELY strange so at that point I decided to immediately pull her out of that school after letting the director know all my concerns and not getting any explanation. Fast forward to about 4 months ago (shes in a different school now and thriving) and I ask her about her old school because honestly her personality is like night and day. I asked about her teachers and she would say they were mean. I asked how and she said that they would hit her in the head. I dont know how much of that is true but I find it really odd that she would just randomly say that out of no where. She doesnt usually make up stories like that. I would be REALLY weary about sending your kid to this school. My daughter was ALWAYS sick, always crying and her personality and attitude had changed so much I wish I had never sent her to this school to begin with. I dont know exactly what goes on at this school but I dont think its good. read more

My grand kids attended the Kirkwood Christian preschool and later graduated to the elementary school. My two children attend the elementary school now. At both campuses I have always been so impressed at how the kids are loved and valued. It is so good not to have to worry about them when I drop them off in the mornings. The curriculum is amazing and such a good fit for both of my children. It is so nice to have a school with Christian staff, Christian administration, and Christian curriculum. read more

My 4 y/o daughter attends preschool here and I must say all the teachers and staff have been so helpful. She has been here for 6 months, it's her first time in a school setting, she's very shy definitely mornings have been a challenge, they are very patient not once has she been ignored when she's having a rough morning. The teachers show all the kids love and compassion, any concerns her teachers have called me right away. Her social and developmental skills have improved, she is learning at a fast speed both vocabulary and math. They provide breakfast, warm lunch is also provided and snack. My daughter loves it here, the type of loving and caring environment is felt throughout with all the staff and kids. She's always happy when I pick her up. read more

When my son was two and a half we had to put him in day care (he was previously staying at my moms). We looked all over Downey and finally decided to go with Kirkwood because it was closer to our house and none of the places we saw were our favorite. The first day my son came home and sat on my lap crying for 2 hours. This is very unlike him as he is ordinarily very self sufficient and content. I told my husband that I could not go back to work until we found him another place. It was generally a little dreary in the day care and we found when we picked him up that one day that the teachers hadn't really paid attention to him. I admit that this was over 2 years ago now so the place could have improved. The next day we looked at other schools and by the grace of God found Kidzone Christian preschool on Florence avenue in Santa Fe Springs. From the moment my son entered that place he felt at home with the several fish aquariums and fish themed walls it was like being in his favorite cartoon (Nemo). He started there the next day and from then on was happy as a clam. Don't get me wrong he still cried a bit when we dropped him off those first few weeks but when we came to get him he was always contentedly playing. read more

My daughter's first few days were a challenge and brought up my concerns to the staff. I never once felt like I was making a big deal of my concerns. I felt comfortable to speak up and did. After a week or two, my daughter adjusted and is now happy there. Her language and academics has grown that she is ready to be moved to next level after being there for two months! read more

Like many single and married mothers in the work force, I dreaded the day I would have to make a choice to allow someone else to care for my child. So, a week after my only son's 2nd birthday I drove slowly from my home, catching several quick teary eyed glances of him through my rear view mirror. By the time I arrived at Kirkwood Christian preschool carrying my son firmly in my arms, the weight of his small frame could not match the heaviness of the amount of guilt and sadness in my heart. I could not imagine that any caregiver provider would offer my son the kind of loving, caring, and educational environment that I felt he was worthy of. The KCS staff showed me that I was wrong. Each and every day that we arrived on the campus the morning crew greeted us with warm smiles and eagerly awaiting arms that I, after several weeks, learned to transfer my son to comfortably. My son thrives at this school! I now realize that his vocabulary would not have improved as significantly as it did because of the constant encouragement and interaction of his peers and teachers. I also admit that I do not have the patience to teach a two year old how to hold a pencil correctly, or distinguish a hexagon from a trapezoid! Now at three years old my son is identifying, printing, and counting numbers to 100, just to name a few things that he has learned that amaze me! As a mother I know that I made the right choice to enroll my precious son in this school, but I also realize the choice is no longer mines! He loves his school, staying home with Mommy is not an option he would accept! read more

my son went to this school and not even a year into the school he was already getting bruses, teachers were unable to tell me what was going on with him, not only did he get brused but he also got injured very bad i was lucky my son didnt lose his eye, i had to take my son to the er and all i can say is that teachers have a lot more caring to do at this school, instead of talking they should really focus on these kids and actually write reports, because i never got any report of my sons accident nor did any teacher know how it happend,.... not what i expected from this school :( read more