Mentor you are pretty great Here are some things I love about you! Teacher to child ratios! Super clean facilities. And staff communicates when and if any health issues need to be addressed. The building itself! The kitchen inside the room. The amazing meals prepared that match the lesson plans. The no walls and open space allowing for everyone to see the classes and teachers in each unit. Think open floor concept. The cutest and intentional outside playground area! The monthly themes and lesson plans- music enrichment days, art appreciation, holiday celebrations, creative activities. The friendly staff- so kind , patient, communicative and professional. Open to discussing my kiddos needs. Attentive to allergies and other medical conditions- my son has many food allergies and asthma. The staff is all aware and always considers him with school menus. And they are a peanut free school! The administrators are thoughtful and see families as families and not numbers. They are flexible, fair and stern when needed (to us parents/caregivers). The Christian values that my kiddo is learning is also a plus. Christian based teachings that focus on the values and not so much on a specific religion. This is my favorite part, even though I myself was worried about a Christian based curriculum because I grew up Catholic and thought it may be too much. But It's been great! Thank you! read more

Truly feel very welcomed by all staff, teachers and admin team the minute myself or a relative picking up our child feels. Excellent customer service and top quality care for children of all ages. Every individual working at Mentor truly watches over the children in making sure everyone is safe and loved. I recommend to any family willing to tour and consider them as an option for their child/ children. read more

We have had the greatest experience at Mentor with our little Lucy. They take such amazing care of her and we feel she is in the best of hands with Mr. GJ, Miss Joi, Miss Alma, Miss Emily and the entire Mentor staff. She grows every day and can't wait to go to school every single day. read more

We literally prayed to find the right preschool for our son 3years ago and after looking around we found Mentor Preschool and we immediately knew that was the right place. We love the teachers and how they care for our boys (our 2yrs old also joined recently) The quality and most importantly, value of their teaching makes them the best! read more

A Heartfelt Thank You to Mentor Preschool My granddaughter is graduating from Mentor, and I'm honestly beyond sad to say goodbye. For the past three years, this school has been her second home--a place where she was not only educated but deeply cared for. From day one, the staff has been incredibly nurturing, compassionate, and attentive. It gave our entire family peace of mind knowing she was in such loving and capable hands. Watching her grow, thrive, and come home excited to share what she learned each day was such a gift. We commuted 20 minutes each way just so she could attend Mentor, and it was worth every mile. The love, patience, and dedication the staff showed went far beyond our expectations. Thank you, Mentor, for laying such a beautiful foundation in her early years. You'll always hold a special place in our hearts! -- A grateful grandmother read more

I am so thankful to Mentor. My daughter left about a year ago to start her elementary school and I still think back to Mentor. They provided my daughter with such a great foundation in wanting to learn and such readiness socially and emotionally to start school. As a new mom, they also provided me with so much support and guidance and for all that I will always be grateful! read more

My daughter attended mentor preschool from ages 2-5 and our family is very happy with our experience. The staff here is truly the best. Teachers are very kind and caring towards the littles. Owner and director run a tight ship and always looking for ways to improve the experience at this school. My daughter literally runs to school she loves this place so much. This school is safe, fun, and welcoming. And most importantly your family will be valued members of this community. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a preschool. read more

As a parent with a child who has autism, it has been a hell of a journey to find a community and school that accepts and cares for my son. The owners, the managers, the teachers all have been amazing advocates for my son and have helped coordinate with our state IEP for extra care and support and therapy. We couldn't have survived these last 2 years without Mentor School and we are proud to have sent our son here. Highly recommend for all parents and kids. read more

Mentor Preschool on Lake - Cupcake day - Preschools Near Me - Pasadena, California

I love the teachers and staff here. My son has become much more social and verbal since being here. Can't believe it's been a year now! They do art, music, story time, playtime, nap time, education; they do a great job at keeping the curriculum well-rounded. They have shows and gatherings for the parents like once every other month which allows parents to interact w other parents and for the kids to show off their performance skills. It's a pillar of the community and I hope Mentor Preschool always prospers. read more

My child attended Mentor Preschool from the fall of 2020 until the summer of 2022. When Covid shut the doors of other day care centers, Mr. GJ and his staff, worked with community, other preschools and the authorities of the City, County and State to find a safe way for the children to come back to school. For that we will ALWAYS be appreciative. When other schools didn't try to find a way, Mentor did. The kids were safe. The kids were engaged, able to be kids and Mr. GJ always served fresh food fare, daily. So, to Mr. GJ and the entire staff of Mentor Preschool, THANK YOU for all that you did to allow kids to be kids during a VERY stressful time. Preston Howard read more

We absolutely loved this preschool! It was head and shoulders above the last place we had our 2.5 year old. I love the variety of meals, the different themes every month that the whole school focuses on (including camping, where they got to play in tents, learn about bears and even had a bear-like lunch! (Salmon, berries, trail mix)). The teachers and the owner, GJ, are really invested in the kids and actually enjoy interacting with them. Shout out Ms. Emily and Ms. Michelle! My child even said, without prompting "Ms. Emily makes me happy." Their safety with their parking lot and gates are great. They take food allergies and sensitivities very seriously. I'm sad we moved back home because we're all missing Mentor on Lake! read more

My daughter went to Mentor since she was 2.5 and graduated couple month ago. Even though we checked different schools around the area, Mentor stood out for us because of their values, kindness of the teachers and happy vibe that you can feel right away when you step your foot inside. We are so thankful for all the wonderful memories we had here from playing with friends, making crafts, tasting yummy food made from scratch and being under care of the best teachers and owner we could think of! Thank you Mr GJ, Ms Jasmine, Ms Alma, Ms Kaylin, Ms Joi, Ms Rita, Ms Rae, Ms Erica G and Ms Rosie for all your hard work and for helping our daughter flourish. We often talk about you and miss you all a lot. read more

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My son came to Mentor Preschool on the temp basis during summer, and since a lot of families were traveling, Mr. GJ generously allowed us join Mentor for a few weeks. What a great experience it was! To start off, I need to say that I was told to bring doctors' forms, complete enrollment, etc. which I thought was an overkill for a just a few weeks, but it also showed me that they didn't cut any corners. And I was right, because my son was treated the same way as all other kids that were there longer. His teacher took the time to meet with me for a good hour to go over his personality traits and habits, and after he came, he got a chance to meet, and actually get to know, a lot of other wonderful teachers. He is somewhat clingy kid, he is only 2, but he absolutely loved going there, and even woke me up the first week on Saturday demanding that I take him there. And this is the kid who I have to peel off whenever I leave for work!!! There are so many other great things that I should mention. The mouthwatering food that actually made my son a better eater at home, teachers genuinely happy to see kids in the morning and who are full of energy to play with them, all of these things made it a real gem that I am so happy I discovered. I didn't spend too much time there, but one thing that does set Mentor apart is the warmth you feel radiating towards children, they really care about kiddo's well-being. If you are looking for a place for your child, give Mentor a try. read more

Our son and daughter were both in Mentor and they both liked it. From the old mentor location to the new one (this one) and throughout the pandemic, they did a good job in keeping our kids safe and provide care. Mr. GJ is doing good in communication and keep things transparent. The teachers were very patient to the kids. They are like family! They treated my son and daughter like their child. We had a good 6 years with them and thanks for the help in taking care of my kids! read more

We stumbled upon this pre school when one of our nanny's couldn't nanny one of her her days and we needed to find a school that would take a child just one day a week. That was 5 months ago. My daughter now attends 3 days/week and we BOTH LOVE Mentor Preschool, GJ (the owner), and all of the teachers! GJ and his staff truly love children and also really care about supporting the parents in any way they can. GJ goes above and beyond to be flexible, accommodating, and responsive from a place of total heart, wisdom transparency, kindness, generosity and a willingness to take each individuals needs and support them to the best of his ability. His kindness goes well beyond the surface and is a deep part of who he IS. The curriculum is both playfully engaging while also being educationally enriching. They do so many fun projects that support learning and play, while also teaching children kindness, forgiveness, and other integral social skillsets. We love our teacher, Ms. Kaylin, for her upbeat fun personality. We also love how so many of the teachers in other classrooms know my daughter by name, look out for her and love her, too...like Ms Alma, Ms Emily, Ms, Michelle, Ms Jasmine, and more! The open classroom setting allows for many teachers to have eyes on the children at all times, while also allowing kids to create bonds with the teacher in their classroom. The one part of the school that doesn't fit in 100% with our family's beliefs, but would probably be a huge draw for many families looking for a pre school is the Christian based values and teachings. Whether that part is for you or not, this pre school is so much more. They are absolutely a fun, safe, loving, caring, enriching and incredibly nurturing place for children. We have gained more than a pre school experience. We've gained a family here. Thank you Mentor Pre School! read more

A very good preschool . The teachers have a good approach to the children. My daughters were happy every day when they visited the preschool . They enjoyed going every day. Many thanks to the director for understanding and also to the teachers for their work and love for the children. As parents, we were very happy to see the children happy every day. read more

I wanted to write this review because there are probably parents in the same situation and on the fence about choosing a preschool. Our son was a stay with Grandma situation until he was 4 (older than most). He had a real difficult time early on adjusting to having to go to school from home, however, Mrs. Joi and Mr. GJ, along with Mrs. Erica made extra efforts to support and nourish our son. Early on the crying was intense as we would have to leave our son at school. He dreaded the early days. However, a few months later we noticed a change in attitude, he was actually exited to go to school! The environment at Mentor is one of support and love, they really CARE about those children and put their needs above their own. Now Mrs. Rita is our son's favorite teacher, could not be a sweeter person than Mrs. Rita.. Thank you Mentor for the support and extra care you give our son. read more

I LOVE this school!! My daughter just turned four and has been at Mentor a little over a year. All of the teachers she has had have been absolutely amazing. GJ and the staff provide a very enriching, nurturing environment for the children and are so creative with their lessons! There is always a theme for the week and they completely immerse the kids in learning. And don't even get me started on the food! The menu is diverse and delicious and made with love! When my husband and I toured the school (after seeing about four others in Pasadena) we knew immediately it was the one. Highly highly recommend! read more

We love Mentor Preschool! I can't say enough great things about Mr. GJ, the teachers and staff. My two year old daughter absolutely loves everything Mentor has to offer. From the loving and warm teachers, administration, home cooked healthy meals/snacks (with dietary options), gardening, outdoor play, curriculum, art projects, music class to much much more. They provide structure, but also allow for my daughter to be the free spirit that she is. She is an extremely passionate child with a creative soul, and her teachers really encouraged her and give her the time to be expressive. I was hesitant to send my daughter at first because she had a hard time at her previous preschool and only lasted a month, but we had the opposite outcome at Mentor! They really knew how to work with her. After the initial tour, I was set. I loved the layout, the kitchen, the lighting (which oddly some preschools in the area are dark), the cleanliness, and the (ever-changing) decor. I told Mr. GJ right away that I would like to enroll my daughter, if they would take her :). We set up an interview and I was very impressed at how thorough the teachers were. They really wanted to get to know my daughter and our family before her first day. They asked about her behavior, and I was embarrassed to inform them that she did have tantrums and melt downs, but that didn't phase them. They wanted to be prepared before her arrival and that was really important to me. They took my concerns into account and set up goals for her (that they helped her achieve). I have to say, after a few days of school my daughter was a changed girl. I even called a couple of times to see if she was okay, and they assured me that she was doing great. A couple months later, they helped potty train her. I really cannot express enough how much our family loves mentor. You can tell how that they really care for all the kids. They're very respectful... theres no yelling or raised voices, it's aways a peaceful atmosphere. They set a great example for the kids. read more

This school is absolutely wonderful. They had my son for two years and I had no complaints. Not one! The teachers are fantastic and the family vibe of the school is genuine and thoughtful. I really can't say enough about this school! We just had another baby and I hope there's room when she's old enough! read more

This preschool has been such a wonderful learning community for my children to go through. My son went for about three years, and my daughter attended for only a few months. However, both received such wonderful education, support, and love from everyone. From Ms. Alma and Ms. Jasmin in the office, to the teachers in the classroom, my children felt loved and safe every moment of the day. The prayers that they would teach are still being said every day in our home. My daughter, who is not even two, is able to sing the prayers with such ease. Yes, this is a Christian based school, but it is not pushed down your throat. Education is also very important. My son was coming home with fun facts every day that have stayed in his mind. I appreciate the fact that if he had a tough day at school, I got a thorough conversation, and everything was very transparent. If we did not move so far away, my daughter would still be attending. My son is starting kindergarten in the fall, and I am confident that he is going to be a well-rounded student who Loves learning because he was in such a great place. Thank you, Mentor! read more

So so so Happy that I found this place, my child is so happy when I drop her off in the morning thank you guys for being so sweet and amazing read more

My family wants to say we love Mentor Preschool ! My baby started when he turned 18 months and I'm so glad we went for Mentor preschool. He will continue to go until he gets older and ready to graduate! Thank you all teachers ! read more

Our initial interview with Mentor Preschool could not have been better. Great educational filosophy, expressed how important attention to the child was and rigorous selection of teachers not only based on credentials but also kindness and patience with kids. A few additional important things such as potty training, meals, and activities were included without additional cost since it is also part of caring and educating. Conflict resolution and child safety was said to be a high priority. The layout and division of the different classes was optimal since each class was suppose to have at least two teachers and all classes were in one large space separated by low furniture, which should allow multiple eyes on any given situation. Now unfortunately that is not what our son received. After a month of crying on/off the entire day 3x times a week, it seems teachers began to disregard his crying as something that warranted attention. At some point in the morning he was attacked by another child receiving multiple strong bites on his arm, and a bruised nose. This incident although apparently a normal thing among toddlers who are frustrated and dont know how else to react went completely unnoticed until after his nap. So he was attacked, most likely screamed during the whole event, so at least two kids were completely unsupervised during a situation that surely lasted more than a few moments. He had time to calm down, someone put him to take a nap (still had not noticed his injuries, and someone finally noticed after he woke up. When we were notified of the incident later in the day, my husband rushed over and had to hear the director say that since he didn't usually mix with the other kids he most likely bit himself possibly in an attempt to exempt themselves from responsibility over the negligence. My husband had to show that the bite marks were "up side down" so it couldnt have been self inflicted, again nobody saw anything. Now after this incident we couldn't in sane mind let our son under their care. This puts in question if his crying resistance in going to class in the morning and carrying throughout the day seeking protection of the teachers could have been partially due to suffering violence and being scared of having to be near at least one aggressive child and risking additional pain while having cries for help being ignored. read more

Mentor was my daughter's first school experience and we couldn't be happier. When we first arrived, our daughter (age 4 at the time) was very shy and slow to trust. Director, Miss Peggy, put us at ease and was quick to point out that it was their job to earn her trust and that they did! Her teachers are attentive, respectful and kind. One morning, I dropped off my daughter and she was unusually upset about me leaving. Instead of dismissing her crying, Ms. Joi validated her feelings and helped her draw a picture for me. It was something so simple but spoke volumes to me as a parent. She respected my daughter in that moment and was able to help her learn to handle her big emotions. Owner, GJ, has treated us like family since our enrollment and we have spent many happy evenings at community building potlucks and performances. He is organized, communicative and a great cook! Our daughter is happy to go to school and has a smile on her face when I pick her up. She is well cared for, well rested and well fed! She has learned not only academic skills, but life skills and good character. She is more than ready for kindergarten and has made some very special friends. We highly recommend, Mentor Preschool on Lake! read more

Our daughter attended Mentor for 2 years and we were very happy during our time there. We loved the philosophy of the school which was oriented around values and emotional development. Her teachers were great and we felt like they truly cared about her well-being. Truly appreciated her being in a warm, caring environment that helped her feel at home. read more

Mentor is THE BEST!!! GJ, Peggy, staff and teachers are all so amazing and most of all incredibly loving! More and more each day I am astounded by GJ's kindness and hospitality. Back in the summer of 2019 I was hesitant to take my younger son out from his beloved, small in-home daycare where the director and staff were like family to us. But it was time to move on to a preschool setting since we were looking to get comprehensive childcare that included a bit more academic focus and structure in the daily schedule. I called and toured a few other preschools in the Pasadena/Altadena area but ended up having pretty horrible experiences. As a mother to two high-energy, intelligent, rambunctious boys, I am all too familiar with constant noise and frequently challenging meltdowns/tantrums. My son was nearly 3.5 years old at the time we were searching for a preschool. He had no problems at the small in-home daycare because he was able to receive hands-on attention and care. But when I toured these other preschools I was told that he wouldn't be able to receive the same kind of attention simply because children of his age are expected to be able to sit and listen during academic instruction. Essentially, it felt like I was made to feel that my son didn't quite fit the mold. He also wasn't fully potty-trained and I think because of that he was discriminated against because he didn't fit into certain age groups due to not being potty-trained. Upon making a call to Mentor Preschool on Lake I was struck by GJ's sincerity and kindness. I will never forget his words to me when I inquired if I should bring my son to tour the school...he told me "We are here for you to find out if you like us, not the other way around." I instantly felt the love and to this day I am immensely thankful for Mentor Preschool on Lake and the awesome people there. read more

I have been employed with Mentor Ave Preschool off and on for 8 years. I have been retired off and on during these years. The owner GJ treats his employees like family. I have never had such a great employer. Some children have grown up thru this school starting at 18 months and leaving years later to enter kindergarten. Parents are more than pleased to have had their children at Mentor all those years. read more

We came to Mentor with a certain preschool experience that makes you question every little thing. But all my concerns and worries were off the table within the first couple of days. The staff is amazing. They are caring and involved, they are responsive and attentive to every child's needs. I really appreciate that I could get a feedback at the end of the day. The facility is always clean. They take good care of the school and territory. The menu is great. My kid was a very picky eater and now she is all about veggies and salads. They offer the menu on a daily basis and I don't have to guess what or whether my child ate today. Teachers are doing a great job offering various activities and making sure everyone is included. We have a ton of artwork and it is amazing. Ms.Peggy and Mr. GJ are doing an amazing job in running the school. I have not seen owners/managers as involved in the school life as here in any other school. We are grateful to have become a part of the family and for each and every event that the school prepared to make everyone feel welcome. PS. My child had an opportunity to refresh the memory of her Spanish for the short period she attended Mentor so special thank you for that! read more

I love mentor preschool!! My child has been well potty trained and her confidence has been so boostedI love the way the teachers go extra miles to help and support our little ones. This is the best choice I ever made read more

As first time parents Mentor Ave Preschools has been nothing short of a blessing to our family. Our 2yr old daughter has been attending for the last 7 months. And not a day goes by that she is not excited to go to school and see all her friends and teachers. Mentor preschools exceed all expectation of what a great preschool is. The owner GJ is incredibly involved and really goes above and beyond, together with all the amazing teachers and faculty they create a unique, intimate, loving and educational culture. Our little one surprises us every day with something new she learns, be it a new song or colors and shapes. The teachers here really do a great job at creating a diverse and educational curriculum. We are running out of places to display and keep all her school projects already! But where the teachers really shine is on the level of care they take with the children. They are loving, compassionate, patient, respectful, and fair. They teach by example. And pass these qualities down to the children. Our daughter exhibits so many great qualities and behaviors that I can only attribute to this preschool. It is also wonderful that she keeps her daddy in check by reminding us to pray before dinner, as she leads in a prayer/song she learned at school. Praying before her nutritional home cooked lunch that GJ lovingly prepares everyday for the children is another example of how he goes above and beyond. They also host multiple event throughout the year that wouldn't be possible without out GJ, faculty and parents, and especially the lovely maintance staff Rina and Blanca who are always welcoming and really keep the events running smooth. These events makes us feel really involved and apart of the family. We couldn't have wished for a better place for our daughter to grow and develope. read more