Okay, the year is nearing its end and I just want to talk about the teachers. The teachers I've had…read moreat my time at this school have been relatively good; atleast compared to my old school. First off, my favorite teacher, Mr. Phillips. Right now, he teaches accelerated 7th-grade math and regular 8th-grade math. He's an excellent teacher and has made class much more fun and his classroom has become a safe space for me and many others. He's kind to his students and genuinely helps us when we need help. He does not belittle us (his students) when we ask questions and even encourages questions get asked. At the end of class, in order from the attendance sheet, he has one student try and score a basket in a miniature basketball hoop. Overall, he is a great teacher and I wish I could have him next year. Second, Mrs. Selby. Her class is fun and calming; her classroom is perfect when you're exhausted from going back and forth across the campus all day. She's kind to her students and she is (in my opinion) pretty funny. Her assignments are informational and comprehensible while also being fun and not overwhelming. She does not assign hours of busy work when we near breaks or when we have a substitute teacher, and she assigns just enough work for us to leave class at the end of the period without homework. All in all, she's a great teacher and super understanding. Next up, (the infamous?) Mr. Ruiz (also known as Mr. Rizzless to some). I've seen other reviews claiming that he has physically abused his students. Which, from my experience is not true and I have never heard of or seen this happening to anyone of his students. He does assign overwhelming workloads, especially at the end of class saying he doesn't get paid enough for this (that does not excuse this though). Just about every day, countless students along with myself leave his class with HOURS of homework which, of course, is not fun. People joke about this as a way to cope, mostly saying things like, "Mr. Ruiz assigning 100 Ck-12s 5 minutes before the bell rings," or, "Mr. Ruiz assigning a 5-part project less than a week before school ends be like." Sometimes he is pretty funny but his assignments are horribly timed and the workload is terrible. In the end, he's not the greatest teacher but he is certainly not the worst. Now, about Coach Gray. He's a super nice teacher and I am glad to have been in his class. His expectations are not high at all and are easy to meet. He is very reasonable and cracks jokes in the middle of class. The way he grades his class is unique as well. He grades his students in terms of participation rather than skill in the subject. This creates equal opportunities for all students no matter any handicaps or limitations they face. Overall, he is a great P.E. Teacher and I believe more coaches should teach classes like him. And now, Mr. Tindall. I had his class for a short period of time but he was super mean. I am a pretty decent student. I pay attention in class, complete my work to the my best ability, maintain focus on the subject, and participate to the best ability. However, while I was watching him teach my class a lesson one day, I was silent and had a complete focus on the problem we were working on, when he called on me and commented on me in a rather rude manner. I would rather not repeat this comment in this review but I am glad I am no longer in his class. He is grouchy and rude. He also makes no effort to make lessons easier, or fun, or even put any effort into being somewhat kind to his students. Next, Miss Silva (Mrs. Silva). She is an okay teacher. She can be understanding at times when extensions are needed for assignments and can be kind. Though she has these qualities, her workload can be unbearable and at this time, is unbearable. It is extremely overwhelming, especially at the end of the year when the grading period is almost done and people are trying to raise their grades. Overall, her workload could definitely use improvement and I think she should be a bit kinder to her students. This is all for now due to the sheer length of this review. Thanks for reading this far!

I am in my second year of Muirlands right now, and I am very upset. My least favorite teacher is…read moreJerry Ruiz. He is rude and inconsiderate. He talks too much and then blames US for having barely any work time. He does not teach well, and I feel I am not learning anything in his class. You can kind of tell with certain teachers that they don't want to be a teacher, but with Mr. Ruiz, it is plainly obvious. My time at Muirlands has been horrible. The only exceptions are Mr.Heinze, Ms.Shelton, and Ms. Dominguez. They all make me feel supported. I also despise Robert Wood. He dresses the kids for "not having appropriate PE clothing". I personally do not feel comfortable when a man dresses a young lady. He is rude and always accuses us of "flirting" with the other gender. I do NOT feel comfortable here.

The best teachers are so polite and kind they help everyone who ask for help there they always…read morebring the kids out with a big smile on their face

Let me start by saying, this review is long overdue and our child is only in Pre-K!…read more The Evans School is more than a school, it's a family. At the core of this family is The Evan's School's "21 values." These 21 values serve as the foundation for the children's development. While most kids who attend a private school in La Jolla come from hard-working established families, the goal is aimed at developing the children into good-hearted and kind human beings.   Every morning starts with the pledge of allegiance and The Evans Pledge, " I promise myself today, to feel, to think, to speak and to act, only in accord with those things which are good and true and beautiful." How's that to start your day? ;) In a discussion with a group of well-educated parents whose children also attend Evan's, the question came up about investing in your child's development in earlier vs. later years. Everyone agreed that it's all about investing in the foundation of learning now in the younger years. This sets the stage for learning and gives them the tools they need to breeze through junior high school, high school and college if they choose to attend. Several Evans Alumni go on and attend prestigious colleges and many go straight to entrepreneurial endeavors or perhaps lives of service in the military. Regardless of what the student ends up doing later in life, the foundation for learning and The Evans values are engrained in each and every student so that they go on to become GOOD HUMANS.  If you're still reading and this resonates with you, then I suggest you set up a private tour of the school. That being said, I'm writing this during the COVID-19 pandemic and the kids are currently staying home. Unlike other schools, The Evans School immediately shifted gears and went to online learning leveraging Zoom and other software platforms so the kids could resume the much-needed structure and environment that they crave. I'm not going to lie, this was also much needed for our own sanity having at least one child attending school Monday - Friday.  I could not possibly give The Evans School a high enough rating. It's the type of place that creates raving fans and most importantly good humans. Alumni now send their children to the school. They continually honor grandparents and our military. It's not for everyone as it is more traditional in a world that seems to have abandoned more traditional values. I personally chose a path of service as a firefighter/paramedic and entrepreneur. My wife and I will continue to do whatever it takes to send our son to this amazing school because our priority is developing a strong foundation in learning while simultaneously instilling the values that create extraordinary humans.

Torrey Pines (TPES) is one of the best school in San Diego, and La Jolla. My children have attended…read morehere for several years and they are happy to go to school each day. Each has excelled and been so supported and cared for by TPES Teachers and Staff. Every Teacher has been so knowledgeable and great in helping our kids progress and grow each day. The before and after school care program, run in conjunction with the YMCA across the street, is Character Builders. Ms Sherry and all the Character Builder Staff are top notch. Our kids do not want to leave at the end of the day. The VAPA and PE programs are also very supportive and great opportunities for children. Great Teachers, great TPES community of families, and great location. TPES is the best!

Cannot say enough great things about TPES. Teachers are top notch, Support Staff are so beneficial…read moreto learning, and the front office staff is friendly and caring. Our kids have excelled here. There are so many different positive programs as well, including before and after school care- YMCA Character Builders, who's staff cares so much and really provides an amazing place for kids after school. TPES is one of the best schools around

Stella Maris Academy is the Parochial School of Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church. It is a…read morewonderful school. I used to live right down the street and had several neighbors whose children attended Stella Maris Academy. SMA is largely underrated in the community. of La Jolla. With all the school has to offer, it is surprising that the tuition is so low. The teachers are extremely professional and knowledgeable--many have Master's degrees and advanced certifications. The best part about Stella Maris? The children are brought up in a close knit, respectful, and wholesome way. The classes tend to be on the small side and the kids thrive with all the personalized attention. A good solid Catholic school is a blessing for growing minds and the kids respond to the structure and authority found here. 5 YELP STARS for excellence in education.

We put our kids into this school because of our Catholic faith. Come to find out the education here…read moreis second to none. The teachers are the best we have ever seen and the values they bring to our kids is unbelievable. If you like us want a village of people with strong values, and an understanding of what children need there is no other school that offers as much as this school. Academically & Spiritually there is no better place. Kevin

We came to this school for one year during Covid, and are still there! Our experience has been…read moreincredible. The class sizes are small, the teachers are completely invested in the children, and we wholeheartedly believe in the staff and all teachers. TCS is a Reggio Emilia school, that breeds a deep community of connectedness within the parent group, as well as student to teacher group. Our kids are absolutely thriving and their creativity is soaring! We couldn't be happier with the child-centered, hands-on project based and environmental curriculum. This educational experience is second to none!

From the moment we stepped through the front gate, The Children's School felt like a warm embrace…read more The staff greeted us with such genuine warmth, making us feel instantly at home. The most impressive part is that was three years ago, and each day since has been equally as wonderful. As a mother of a Kindergartener, I value the consistent positive energy of the staff, and their prioritization of social and emotional well being, specifically during these very impressionable early childhood years. There is a strong connection between staff and students, as well as staff and parents. There is a strong connection amongst the community as well, fostered by the rare privilege of an open campus environment for parents. Drop off and pickup feel like a family gathering through and through. We as parents also learn from the very experienced teachers as well, via our children. The teachers model strong communication skills and encourge friends to "send messages," to one another during challenging as well as happy times. They teach "whole body listening," where friends are encouraged to engage their minds, ears as well as their hearts. Collaborative problem-solving builds resilience and community from a very young age, and differences are celebrated in this inclusive environment. The culture embodies kindness and mindfulness, and there is no better fit for our family.

Our child has attended SDFAS for the past 8 years. It has been a wonderful experience for all of…read moreus. The school offers an academically diverse and challenging curriculum incorporating language into all activities. They also offer inventive and educational field trips and experiences for the students. Overall, our child has flourished at SDFAS and is academically and socially well prepared for high school.

I cannot recommend SDFAS highly enough. Our two preschool children are thriving there. The school…read moreis like their second home! The teachers' commitment to our children's growth and happiness, along with all the love and attention that our kids get from everyone at SDFAS have made such a positive impact on their education and development. My kids are so excited to go to school every day and won't stop talking about what they do at school, their teachers and their friends when they're back home! Their level of French has also significantly improved. What more could you ask for? :)

The Gillispie School has been a dream realized for our family. I attended Gillispie as a child and…read morecherished those formative years--so enrolling our eldest in the Early Childhood Program in 2022 felt like coming home. From day one, we were struck by the school's deep commitment to character development, curiosity, and collaborative learning. Our son has truly flourished, thanks to the exceptional teaching staff who nurture not only academic growth but emotional well-being. Their dedication is evident--years later, our son still greets every teacher and staff member by name, and they warmly do the same. Gillispie fosters a strong, inclusive community that extends beyond the classroom. We've found lasting friendships with fellow like-minded parents who share our values around education and kindness. Our middle son starts in the Littles Cottage this fall, and we couldn't be more excited for his journey. Gillispie is everything we hoped for--and more.

As a parent to a Kindergartener at Gillispie, I could not be happier with the experience our family…read morehas had during our first year at the school. We have felt supported by the entire team of teachers and staff who are attentive, proactive and caring. Our daughter's confidence and skills have grown tremendously, and we love that she gets a well rounded education including specialty classes.

Many times have I talked to the front office and they have no concern for public safety when people…read moredouble park on La Jolla Scenic Dr. South and Nautilus when people pick up there kids from school. Someone or especially children are going to get injured or have a fatality from a person on a bike, car, or just walking especially in the crosswalk. The lights on intersections are held up with a stand still in traffic due to impolite drivers double parked. So people get frustrated and go around people double parked and drive down the median and go against lights in the crosswalk which is a hazard to children, people biking, etc. I have talked to the office and they don't seem to care. Some people park one hundred yards west of Nautilus park and walk up the hill to get their children which is the right way. I guess some people are entitled and rude about gridlock traffic and safety.

My experience with the AHA staff, students and community has been very positive. The principal,…read moreMrs Platt is very engaging, active and passionate, and she shows concern for each student and every parent. When my son joined AHA at the middle school level, he made new friends quickly. The small school environment at AHA is a blessing for middle schoolers. The students are polite and well behaved in class and in the school yard; they demonstrate the Christian values they have learned. Also, the students have excelled in many academic endeavors, e.g., the 7th graders had great success at the 2016 science fair. AHA is a school worthy of high consideration.

Best decision I made was coming to Altus. The scheduling flexibility is incredible, field trips add…read moresuch a fun element, one-on-one sessions have helped me so much, having a learning plan designed for me is great, plus everyone is so supportive. It's been such a positive experience.

I'm really impressed with Altus. Mr. Buchler and the staff are so supportive, the monthly field…read moretrips are so fun, The flexible schedule is perfect, having one-on-one time with teachers really helps, plus the individualized approach really works. It's made such a difference for me.