My School Preschool is the best preschool in the Mars area, and for a great price. Their tuition is…read morevery reasonable. The teachers all have many, many years of experience, combined with boundless energy, enthusiasm, a love of learning, and love for children. Many of the teachers have advanced degrees, and they're clearly not there teaching for the little bit of money they earn -- they're there because they love to teach. The teachers are simply amazing and gifted. The building is small, but they make the most of it. They offer a Lunch Bunch class for 2-yr olds with a parent that meets once per week for a few weeks in the Fall and Spring, a 3-yr old class on Tues & Thurs AM or PM, a 4-yr old class on Mon, Wed, & Fri AM or PM, and a Mon-Thurs Pre-K class in AM for 5-yr olds. They emphasize hands-on, sensory-based learning through music, movement, stories, arts, science experiments, learning centers during free-play time, poetry, reading, pre-writing and many special projects, field trips, and guest teachers that you'd normally expect to find only in an expensive, private preschool. It reminds a little of the Montessori teaching style. It's also a very diverse place with students from all over the world and they welcome children with a variety of learning disabilities and developmental delays as well. It's a very accepting place. Unfortunately, the building is not handicap accessible for those in wheelchairs or walkers -- all students must be able to walk up and down stairs. Both of my children went here, each for three years and I can't say enough good things about it. My youngest child is finishing his last year at My School this month, and I'll be a little sad not being there in the future. It's a wonderful, fun, and nurturing place.

When we moved to the area, it was the top priority to find a great daycare for my sons. LH has been…read moresuch a blessing to my family, and they treat us like we are part of their family. The teachers are fantastic, the programs are challenging academically, but fun, and everyone I've met here has been so kind. I can't say enough wonderful things about this place. My oldest son is in the kindergarten program here, which I highly recommend. The class size is small, so he gets more personalized attention, and Miss Kasey is the best. He has learned far more than I could've imagined at his age!

My son attended Kindergarten last year at Little House, and we were thrilled! Not only was the…read moreeducation that he received there amazing, but the overall experience was second to none. They make you feel just like family. We had just relocated to the area from out of town, and were unable to find pre-K, which was my goal, but after finding Little House, we opted to put him in a 4 day Kindergarten program instead with the intention of doing Kindergarten again the following year at Mars. What he learned in that year of 4 day half day Kindergarten FAR exceeded what he is learning this year in Mars kindergarten, sadly. His education was amazing, he thrived in math, and made so much progress in every area. We just loved it. We are keeping our fingers crossed that our now 4 year old can go there this year!

$14 for a great, HUGE, fish sandwich, coleslaw and fries or mac and cheese! Wholesome atmosphere…read moreand sweet volunteers. Reasonably priced desserts. Can't wait to go back.

---Fish fry review---…read more I stopped by the fish fry at Sacred Heart in Shadyside last Fri. with a friend. I'd originally planned to visit one in Polish Hill, but I had an appointment after 5 and they stop serving at 6, so we decided to try Sacred Heart, which runs until 7:30, instead. As usual, I called in my order ahead of time, and it was taken and fulfilled with no hassles. When we showed up at 6, our food awaited us, so we paid and grabbed a seat. Both of us ordered the fried fish dinner ($9 each). Both came with sides of cole slaw, and I ordered mac and cheese as my second side, whereas my friend ordered fries. Like the fish fry at St. Raphael, the fish dinners here come with a dinner roll, but not as a sandwich. In terms of quality, the fish here was a cut below the fish at the last fry I attended (at St. Maria Goretti in Bloomfield)--it just wasn't as fresh. My friend said that he found the fish moister than the fish at the last fry we attended together (at Epiphany Uptown), and while this may have been true, freshness is the most important factor to me when judging the quality of fish. As for the sides, the cole slaw was of the creamy variety and was rather sweet (disclaimer: I'm not much of a fan of cole slaw in general), and the fries and mac and cheese were of average quality and were a bit scant in quantity. The one major redeeming factor of this fish fry--believe it or not--was the desserts. Although they were no doubt pre-made, they were presented very nicely, and were a cut above the lousy desserts at St. Raphael's. I had a slice of lemon meringue pie and my friend had a slice of blueberry ($2 each), and we both enjoyed them. For me, this was the high point of the meal. The environment and clientele of this fish fry reminded me a lot of St. Raphael--it's held in an elementary school cafeteria, and most of the clientele consisted of families with young children who probably attend the school. The priest came around and greeted all of the diners, including us, which was a nice touch. For me, this fish fry was just A-OK. If it's convenient in terms of location, then it's worth a try--otherwise, I'd recommend skipping it to try a better one, such as Swissvale VFD's.

In the world of education, where nurturing young minds is paramount, the recent actions of Glen…read moreMontessori stand as a glaring example of negligence and disregard for both two prospective students and our family. The administration and teachers of Glen Montessori have demonstrated a shocking lack of professionalism and compassion, turning what should have been a hopeful transition into a nightmarish ordeal for two qualified students and their dedicated parents. Maria Montessori herself once said, "The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind." It is with a heavy heart that I must highlight how far Glen Montessori has strayed from this ideal. Two weeks before the school year was set to commence, this school denied contracts to two well-qualified students whose family had gone above and beyond in their commitment. Despite the expense and stress of traveling back and forth from out of state on multiple occasions for interviews and a tour, and receiving nothing but positive feedback from the school throughout the past year, our family was abruptly informed that the students would not be admitted. The circumstances surrounding this decision are nothing short of disgraceful. While it may be the right of any private school to reject prospective students, the school administration's refusal to provide a clear explanation or even return communications regarding their denial is both unprofessional and unethical. This review will have to serve as our closure. It is a deeply disappointing display of incompetence and insensitivity that has left the students with scant options for appropriate education in their new state, just as they are about to face significant transitions in environment and culture. In the words of Maria Montessori, "The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, 'The children are now working as if I did not exist.'" Instead of embodying this ideal of fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment, Glen Montessori has chosen to operate with a disconcerting lack of transparency and empathy. The frustration experienced by our family cannot be overstated. We trusted Glen Montessori to provide our children with an environment that values and nurtures their potential. Instead, we have been met with an administration that is seemingly indifferent to the impact of its actions. It is truly shameful and unexpected that a school purporting to uphold the values of the Montessori method would fall so egregiously short. I urge prospective parents to consider these grave missteps when evaluating their educational choices. The failure of Glen Montessori to honor its commitments and communicate effectively reveals a profound disregard for the very principles it claims to champion. We are happy for other families who may have had much better experiences than we were offered. God bless them and forgive them for what ensued but we are confident that this may have saved us from some unbeknownst tragedy that may have occurred to our children while under their "care."

This school is opposite of nurturing, Non supporting of special needs of children, discriminate…read moreparents who challenge them and question their rules. They are so clumsy and non transparent. 4yrs back we took our 2.5yrs old shy and non English speaking child for their interview at this school. We were later informed that the spot has been taken and we cant get in. When we fought back asking for explanation why they interviewed us if the spot had been taken? They apologized and "qualified" my daughter to attend their 3-6yrs program. My son has been attending their birth-3yrs program last couple of years and be 3 soon. Last month we are hearing that our child is not ready to move to next class 3-6yrs in fall while they also wnt keep him in his current classroom few extra months after he turn 3yrs till he "qualifies". I have never heard of such a thing where a daycare kicks a toddler out unless the child is showing violent behavior like hitting kids, teacher, using foul language, damaging and breaking their property and refuses to follow rules, things of that nature.. Our child is none of that. All this time it was never communicated to us that there are such great concerns in his development. Last year we started questioning their policies on masking everyone 2yrs and older in school. We requested the school to provide transparent masks to teachers and make exemptions if the toddlers 2-3yrs old who are showing delays. They didnt accomodate any of our request nor addressed them with valid reaponse. They didn't like parents questioning the rules they make and are acting narcissistic. Because of us fighting for our child rights now our son is getting kicked out with invalid and made up excuses. The school has no moral or ethics. The school head is explaining to us that they 'don't want to work with us-parents', which is fine. But how could they put it all on my 2yr old child and say he didn't qualify to move or even continue there a bit longer? Such discrimination!!

Wexford Children's Center is a wonderful place! Our family is so grateful for the kind and caring…read morestaff and also the willingness to work with families. I looked at other places, but many felt very business-focused. This is a place centered around children and families. I'm so grateful for what my child has learned at the daycare and also preschool. I highly recommend them!

We just completed our second year at wexford Children's Center and couldn't ask for better staff to…read morehelp with our kids. Our daughter completed both 4 yo and pre-k here and we have utilized the the daycare program for both children as well. The staff is always smiling and you can tell they truly love what they do! The drop-in policy has been amazing as well. When I've had emergencies come up, they always do their best to fit you in. I would highly recommend checking them out!

I went to school here and recently was employed by the district for an extracurricular…read moreactivity.....called recently to have some papers faxed over, lady I talked to on the phone was incredibly rude. She was talking to a grown adult who is an employee of the district as if I was a total idiot and had no clue what I was talking about. Absolutely and utterly rude. Not to mention while I was attending school the secretaries are anything but pleasant. Couldn't you at least try to be kind while dealing with people are just trying to better their education? You're literally just doing your job. Stop being so b*tchy. Maybe the higher-ups should teach their older employees some manners. I wouldn't be shocked if this is how they talk to parents.... disrespectful.

Fantastic school. Great leadership! My kids love it there.read more