The College Blueprint

(51 reviews)

We are extremely grateful for the support this college counseling company provided our family…read morethroughout my daughter's high school. The process of preparing for college applications was overwhelming, but the guidance we received made all the difference. Felicia, who worked directly with my daughter, was outstanding, supportive, knowledgeable, and always encouraging. She helped keep everything organized and made sure my daughter felt confident every step of the way. She was always there for my daughter when she needed her. Justin, the owner, has clearly built a wonderful program that truly supports students and families. We're thrilled that my daughter was accepted into the university she had been hoping for, and we're very thankful for their role in helping make that happen. Very Highly recommend.

My student sat for practice tests in AP Chem and AP Calc AB with Premier Prep. Justin was friendly,…read morehelpful, and very responsive.

Friendly rivalry between future Class of 2029

See all

Elite Prep Irvine-Northwood

3.7

(42 reviews)

I've been going to Elite for years for English tutoring, and Miss Haile is the best! Writing essays…read moreused to stress me out, but she helped me improve so much in both my grades and my confidence. She's super patient, really encouraging, and explains things in a way that just clicks. I'm so grateful for her support and would totally recommend Elite (especially Miss Haile!) to anyone who needs tutoring.

My Daughter's ACT scores have gone up since she started practicing here. Worth all the money. Also,…read morescheduling was flexible, and communication for their classes was first class. I'll sign my other kid up soon. Thank you!

See all

Front desk

Ardent Academy - Northwood Campus

4.3

(39 reviews)

If I could, I wouldn't even give them one star. The front desk service was absolutely terrible. The…read morestaff spoke in a sarcastic and condescending tone, only showing a little enthusiasm towards those who were paying for registration. They completely ignored anyone else who had questions.

I have been using Ardent Academy for my 10-year-old son. Given his already busy schedule, we opted…read morefor online private tutoring to avoid adding another commute. Unfortunately, the experience has been less than ideal. We had to switch tutors multiple times due to changes in their availability or lack of experience, which disrupted consistency and progress. Additionally, the responsiveness and customer service have been disappointing. Each time I had a question and called the main Ardent number, I was directed to email instead--but often received very late or no reply. On several occasions, I had to follow up two or three times just to coordinate a simple make-up session. This level of service is not what I expected from a well-known name like Ardent Academy.

See all

Modus Education

(11 reviews)

1.5 mi

I'm writing this from a parent's perspective. My son is in 9th grade and goes to Modus for both ACT…read moreprep (bootcamp this past spring and then again this coming summer) AND college counseling. There are a million places that it is almost overwhelming. I've come to realize that many "hagwans" (learning centers) outright lie about what they can deliver and are totally shady. I liked Modus because Esther and Josephine were down to earth and very realistic. I really liked their approach and genuineness. I realize that not all 9th graders are prepared to take the ACT, but since his math is already advanced, I wanted him to get exposure to the test so he could see what he was in for. I had him go in a take the diagnostic test, which he scored well enough to make it into the spring bootcamp. My son REALLY enjoyed it. He liked learning the strategies and tips that he learned. I registered him for the upcoming summer bootcamp because HE wanted to go. Regarding college counseling with Esther. Again, I realize he is a bit young, but I wanted him to get an idea of what he needs to do. Esther spent time with him one-on-one and was able to pull so much out of him (I'm still amazed at how she was able to do it). She put together an amazing plan for him with some really excellent ideas. They seem to really relate well with students - my son thinks they are pretty cool, which is saying a lot. He went to other places and hated it, so I'm glad he has had a great experience. If you are looking to give your child an academic advantage, but with caring and genuine people, then I highly recommend Modus. UPDATE: My son's test scores improved DRAMATICALLY by attending the Summer ACT Bootcamp. I am extremely pleased with his scores and he really enjoys it, which is important.

Thanks to Isaac Kim's help, I improved my ACT score greatly, especially in science. However, it is…read moreclear that he has a lot of experience with all subjects. His expertise goes beyond what you can get out of any prep book. And I don't think I could've scored as well without his help. I learned to portion my time and he gives special techniques and hints which he developed himself. Also, he was very open to questions and he was very kind and approachable. So don't be afraid to ask questions and I guarantee, he will give you a very personalized experience. Also, my college counselor, Esther really found extracurricular activities for me that I really enjoyed and pertained to my major. She also helped me brainstorm ideas for my essays and personally, my common app essay turned out to be really unique and my personality shined through. And it was very out of the box which colleges really loved. She helped me get into so many great schools like Boston College, Carnegie Mellon University, UCLA, and Georgetown University. Overall, my experience with all of the staff at Modus (it was called Edugroup before) has made my college application process much more enjoyable and less stressful and I think I learned more about myself through this process. I really recommend Modus!

See all

HS2 Academy

3.4

(7 reviews)

do not recommend at all. waste of money. Be cautions about the upfront package payment, as there…read moreis no way to withdraw or get your money back even if you find out the service is useless later.

HS2 is a fantastic college preparation center and was very helpful to me in my years of high…read moreschool. They provide excellent one-on-one college counseling services, in which a dedicated counselor works with you throughout your high school years, helping with everything from summer programs to volunteering to school classes and ultimately to brainstorming and editing college application essays. HS2 also provides great test prep for the ACT, SAT, SAT II, and AP tests, offering a wide variety of courses and a seemingly bottomless well of practice exams. I am the oldest of three siblings whose parents never went to college in the United States. As such, my parents and I had little idea of the college application process. However, with the help of HS2 and their services, I was accepted Early Action into Stanford, my dream school for years!

Gate Education

(7 reviews)

1.5 mi

Through their structured curriculum and personalized mentoring, my daughter not only excelled in…read moreher studies but also navigated the college application process with confidence, ultimately securing an admission to a top university.

I had lessons with Mrs. Heather Johnson for AP Lit, which was SO AMAZING!! The entire staff was…read moreAWESOME, and she was very knowledgeable on every topic we discussed. I received my desired results, and I had an amazing time! ps. Found out I got into UCLA during one of our lessons, so that was quite an experience since she was a UCLA alum.

See all

Front

IvyMax Academy Irvine

3.4

(10 reviews)

1.4 mi

It's a terrible educational institution. that only knows how to charge you extra money to pay exfor…read moreAp or any others activities.The teachers are have no experience , no helpful

IvyMax is a great place to help high school students prepare for college and beyond. Really like…read morePrincipal Zhang's vision set for school, their stuff especially Teacher Yusi and Hana are very professional with a warm and sincere heart. They provide excellent programs and tons of opportunities for students in academic areas, arts and community services. They helped my son find his path to explore further. We are thankful for the suggestion and directions IvyMax gave us.

See all

Ivy College Prep

(13 reviews)

5.5 mi

Ivy College Prep helped me get accepted to my dream school, USC! If you are looking for academic or…read morecollege counseling, I highly recommend Ivy College Prep as your number one choice. Not only does Ralph Becker prepare you for college applications, but he also continues to guide and mentor even after graduating college. Mr. Becker works extremely hard for the students, but you must also be willing to put in the hard work to get the results you want. Mr. Becker will help you write eloquently, but be prepared to write a lot! If you want help for college, contact Mr. Becker ASAP!

Ralph Becker is excellent!!! He helped my son get into his first choice university. Ralph provided…read morethe motivation and inspiration that my son needed. I did not have to nag my son as much as I expected and was so pleased with the outcome. Essentially, Ralph saved our relationship while helping us through the grueling college application process. I highly recommend Ivy College Prep. Money well spent.

See all

My Private College Counselor

(6 reviews)

3.0 mi

We had a great experience working with Munira on both of my kids' applications. She's supportive,…read moreknowledgeable, and motivating. What stood out most was how genuinely she cared and how consistently she kept my children's best interests in mind. She put a clear structure to a very stressful process, helped the kids navigate all the tasks and requirements, and always followed through until everything was completed. I'm glad we had the chance to work with her--and both my kids are happy with the outcome.

She is one of the best and most caring counselors that one can have. I moved to USA three years ago…read morewithout any background of USA transfer and college system. She walked me through all the steps. Thanks to her guidance, I got admitted to my first choice UC which was UC Berkeley.

My Private College Counselor

See all

Park Tutoring

4.8

(20 reviews)

Many SAT prep companies have generic curricula, but we found quite a gem in Park Tutoring! From the…read morevery beginning, Park Tutoring was able to hone in on the specific areas where our son needed some extra support. He became more confident in his test-taking abilities over time, and he was able to reach the SAT score he could only dream of! In addition, he received tutoring service for AP Calc BC, and he also approaches the AP exam with confidence as well! Park Tutoring does a wonderful job matching the student with a compatible expert tutor, and they are very helpful with scheduling, understanding the hiccups that can occur with busy teen schedules. We are very grateful for their quality, patience, and care, and we would not hesitate to request their services again in the future for our other children!

We have used Park Tutoring for a number of years. The one-on-one support of their tutors as well as…read morethe prompt communication from the scheduling team is really why we keep coming back when needed. They are my go-to referral for others who might benefit as they work within an already busy family schedule.

Get expert subject tutoring! Personalized lessons and strategies to help you master any subject and achieve academic success

What does park tutoring do?

See all

Park Tutoring nurtures students into global leaders with ambitions, offering cutting-edge, comprehensive tutoring for a brighter future.

Little Angels Family Childcare

Women-owned & operated

As first-time daycare parents, we were very nervous about starting daycare, but the experience has…read moreexceeded our expectations. Even after just a few days, our little one has adjusted so much better than we imagined. The owner and staff have been patient, caring, and supportive during the transition. We were honestly amazed that he was able to nap in a sleeping bag alongside the other children, especially since he normally has a very specific routine at home. It almost felt like magic! We know it's still early, but we're so grateful for the care, attention, and reassurance we've received. It's such a relief to see our child feeling comfortable, safe, and excited to go to daycare.

My husband and I could not be happier that we found somewhere as trustworthy and engaging as Little…read moreAngels for our 2.5 year old son. Elle and Azie made the transition to daycare so seamless and provided an abundance of updates about our son's progression to make us completely comfortable. We love the daily updates of the activities that they work on - the crafts are the cutest and really show intention in what the class is learning everyday. The activities are all rooted in some type of development and we love seeing all of the creativity that goes into making each day different and fun. Our son loves outdoor play and the playground set up is really great. Plenty of space and age appropriate toys outside to release his wiggles during their outdoor time. We are truly so fortunate to have found someplace as special as Little Angels! The entire staff takes health and safety seriously and we appreciate all of the coordination and attention to detail. We are so thankful and look forward to bringing our daughter to Little Angels to join our son in the future!

Backyard at Little Angels Childcare

Backyard with enriching toys and plenty of play space!

See all

Playroom at Little Angels

Irvine Montessori School

4.5

(130 reviews)

4.8 mi

Certified professionals

Established in 2008

Dear Ms. Ruby, Ms. Susie & Ms. Jessica -…read more I wanted to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for the beautiful graduation ceremony you hosted yesterday. It was clear from every detail that an enormous amount of care, creativity, and dedication went into making it such a special occasion. As a parent, watching our children take the stage with such confidence, poise, and genuine excitement was an absolute joy. The fact that they were so well-rehearsed and yet still completely in the moment is a true testament to the incredible work your teachers and staff do every single day. The event was so thoughtfully organized, and it showed. Every moment felt intentional and meaningful, leaving all of us parents with full hearts and the biggest smiles. These are the memories our families will treasure for years to come. Please know how deeply appreciated you all are, not just for yesterday, but for everything you pour into these children throughout the year. You don't just teach them; you help them grow into kind, capable, and confident little people. Yesterday was a beautiful reflection of that. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for making this milestone so truly unforgettable. With warm gratitude, Happy Mama

Our experience with Irvine Montessori School has been good. From the front desk where Ms. Ruby and…read moreMs. Suzie manage parent interactions, to classroom teachers like Ms. Ana and Ms. Angie, the commitment to the children is evident. Our child has shown progress in language and social skills, and the staff puts clear effort into milestones like graduation ceremonies and holiday events. The campus itself is clean and modern. This is definitely one of the top 10 Montessori schools in Orange County. Refine a few operational details, and they have the potential to easily break into the top 5. Areas for Improvement: Teacher rotation does cause disruption in student learning. While staffing shifts are common, the school needs to do a better job of getting ahead of these rotations and being proactive about the transitions. Furthermore, the administration should establish a structured, year-round channel for parental feedback. While daily communication from individual teachers is fine, an administrative feedback loop like bi-annual parent surveys would allow families to share insights on scheduling logistics, administrative clarity, or classroom dynamics. It remains a solid option for families in Irvine, and showing better foresight regarding teacher transitions and structured parent communication will help them reach that next level.

Learning our Teens with an understanding on Tens and Units.

Great Gardening friends!

See all

Working on initial sounds of words!

Little Explorers Montessori

4.7

(31 reviews)

2.7 mi

As a first time parent, I am so relieved and glad to have found Little Explorers Montessori. I had…read moreheard many stories from coworkers of having to get on waitlists while pregnant, high costs, etc etc and was very anxious once my maternity leave neared its end that we wouldn't be able to find a suitable place. We toured many daycares- some in-home ones and others with facilities (ChildTime, etc) but none compared to this. Our first in-home daycare before arriving at Little Explorers was truly abysmal (breast milk wasted, instructions not followed, few updates, TV on every day...), so when we toured Little Explorers and saw the peaceful environment and amazing parent experiences, we were truly so relieved. My daughter has been now at Little Explorers for just over a year and I've felt such a peace of mind having her there. The app updates and photos were so appreciated, especially when she was fussy with breast milk and transitioning to various foods. In many instances Ms. Julia was able to get my daughter to drink more milk than I could even do at home. In addition, my daughter's egg allergy was taken seriously and I am so glad the school provides NUTRITIOUS healthy food that is home cooked! She loves the birds and bunnies there, as well as socializing with the other kids. Highly recommend this place to any new and experienced parents :).

We have been sending our now toddler to Julia and Vlad here for about a year now for daycare, since…read moreshe was just 4 months old. Obviously we were nervous at first, but this place has been such a blessing! Our daughter has never, not once cried at drop off, and in fact is eager to leave my arms to go to Julia each morning. This really speaks to what a loving atmosphere they have, and it's such a comfort that I don't have to feel guilty leaving her here while I'm working. They have hours that are fantastic for working parents, a variety of ages which has helped my baby develop faster by watching other kids, and an amazing outdoor, shaded space with lots of activities. Their prices are very reasonable, and they even provide wonderful meals and snacks, which takes such a load off of me in the mornings. Communication is fantastic, and they provide adorable photos now and again of our daughter's daily activities. I highly recommend!!

Exploring colors, textures, and coordination through hands-on sensory and art experiences.

Seasonal baking activities support practical life skills, fine motor development, and joyful learning experiences.

See all

Infant exploring object permanence material, developing focus, hand-eye coordination, and early cognitive skills.

Blue Buoy Swim School

4.7

(149 reviews)

5.0 mi

I wanted my daughters (ages 2 and 4 at the time) to start taking swim lessons. After doing research…read moreand reading reviews, I decided to try out Blue Buoy. A few friends/neighbors also recommended Blue Buoy. Great communication from the start. It has been almost a year now and my girls look forward to their swim lesson every week (and getting their sticker at the end of their lessons). Their instructors are patient and kind and make my girls feel comfortable and safe in the water.

I cannot say enough good things about Blue Buoy Swim School! After a really negative experience at…read moreanother swim program (Aquatots), my daughter was left scared and resistant to getting in the water. A friend recommended Blue Buoy, and I am SO glad we gave it a try. From the very first trial class with Coach Turner, my daughter felt comfortable and safe. She usually hates putting her head in the water, but with his gentle guidance and encouragement, she did it without hesitation--something I never thought I'd see so soon! We've now been coming for 2 months, and the progress she has made is incredible. Not only has her confidence grown, but her skills in the water have improved so much. The staff is kind, patient, and genuinely cares about the kids. The environment feels warm and supportive, which makes all the difference. Coach turner really knows how to work with the kiddos ! If you're looking for a swim school that builds trust, confidence, and real results, Blue Buoy is the place to go. I'm so thankful we found them!

Women bathroom: shower and changing stalls

See all

Blue Buoy Swim School in Tustin CA

William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center

4.2

(51 reviews)

2.2 mi

Grew up going to swim meets at this pool and came back this time for lap swimming! I did a drop in…read moreand it was $5. Love this pool because it has so many lanes, is always clean (pool and locker room), and the staff is super friendly. Just fyi, they do have some dates over the summer where they will be closed due to swim meets, so make sure to look out for those. They also offer lap swim at Northwood High School.

Woollett Aquatics Center is an excellent facility for swimmers of all levels. They offer swim…read morelessons and are a hub for competitive swimming, hosting Irvine Swim League Championships as well as practices and meets for the Nova Swim Team. The facility is always clean and well maintained, and the bathrooms are consistently kept in great condition. One thing I really appreciate during swim meets is the ample space available for spectators, making it much more comfortable for families and supporters to watch events. There are also vending machines conveniently located in the main lobby for snacks and drinks throughout the day. Whether you're attending lessons, practices, or a swim meet, Woollett Aquatics Center provides a well-organized and welcoming environment for athletes and spectators alike.