Our children attended LPE in 2020-21, the first school year following the start of the COVID…read morepandemic; our 5-year-old son was enrolled as a Kindergarten student, our 2-year-old daughter as a preschooler. There was a high likelihood of Columbia's (very good) public schools relying on virtual or hybrid learning that fall, and we worried about our son's ability to thrive under those conditions. My spouse had the opportunity to return to the workplace that fall after being a stay-at-home mom for five years, and LPE's proximity to our home and its commitment to maintaining a safe, healthy, in-person learning environment gave her the confidence she needed to move forward with that job. While we were excited about our children attending a school where they would learn a second language, I will readily confess that the dual-language nature of the school was less important to us than the prospect of the kids attending school in-person. We never hid the fact that we would likely send our kids to public schools in future years, once the pandemic had subsided. The school's administration tolerated this, but we could always tell that it irked them a bit; that said, we weren't the only family who were using LPE that year as an emergency measure. Both of our children really thrived in their dual-language learning. My wife and I do not speak or read French and have no familial, social, or professional connections to French-speaking regions, so it wasn't a language the kids were hearing us use at home. The fact that they absorbed so much is a testament to the efficacy of language immersion. We no longer live in Columbia, and while we like our current home, we always find ourselves wishing that more language-immersion programs existed around here. Columbia is lucky to have at least two of these schools. (Maybe more?) I must commend LPE for its COVID protocols that year. Teachers and staff used PPE and worked hard to ensure that the school's various pods of students did not mingle and mix in ways that would spread illness. If I remember correctly, the school only closed once during the entire 2020-21 school year out of an abundance of caution--the ill staff ended up testing negative for COVID. Our son completed Kindergarten at LPE. Sadly, our 2-year-old daughter was asked to leave midway through the school year. We've learned in the four-plus years since that she has autism. This disability was already manifesting itself in its toddler years, often in the form of sensory sensitivities, difficulty with transitions, and delayed skill development. Unfortunately for us, LPE's administration and staff were wholly unprepared for her needs. We understand that it can be difficult to work with a toddler who is not behaving like her peers; that said, the degree of obstinance and cold-heartedness exhibited by some key individuals was shocking at times. One administrator in particular took pride in what she characterized as a traditional disciplinary approach to childcare. She may believe it is appropriate, and I've certainly read favorable comments from families who share her philosophy. But in our opinion, she spent far too much time engaging in power struggles with our small child, interpreting any of our daughter's inabilities to meet expectations as willful disrespect of authority. More than once, this person told us, "Your daughter knows what to do but is choosing not to," or, "She's making bad decisions, and I must let her know that we will not tolerate that." She routinely punished our daughter for not completing worksheets, not engaging in activities, or even not drinking out of a cup properly, by making her sit on a pillow in the hallway or in an otherwise empty room for hours at a time. She responded with exasperation when we noted that we were not disciplining our daughter at home for her shortcomings at school. It was clear from her comments to us that she felt we were failing the school by not taking an equally hard line with a child who was trying her best in the moment. Whether it's France or Belgium or the US, this is 19th-century behavior. Families are welcome to pay for it; I certainly wouldn't have had we been aware of other options and had a better understanding of our child's disability. Thankfully, we found a far more welcoming, patient, and acccommodating dual-language school on the other side of town. That school was founded by families who liked LPE's immersion approach, but not the more peculiar and dictatorial aspects of its pedagogy. I don't blame them. Yelp has suppressed a 2014 review from Crystal B. that expresses a lot of these concerns. Reviews by parents and former staff published on other websites mention this same authoritarian mindset. That's a sign that this wasn't a temporary problem brought on by the very real stresses of the COVID pandemic. It was real. Let's hope it has changed.

Loving the adult French classs with Maxime as instructor I look forward to next sessionread more

City Garden School is a 501c 3 non-profit Waldorf-inspired school for grades 1-5, located in…read moredowntown Columbia, Missouri. My child has attended 1st-3rd grades there and will enter 4th in the fall. I have heard the popular catchphrase recently: "Educate the *Whole Child*" but I have never seen it so fully, thoughtfully, carefully accomplished as in this school. Education here is about finding the intersections of multiple aspects of being a person, such as: learning mathematics through art, rhythm, grouping physical objects after hearing a story, and team exercises; circle time for body awareness, recitation, and singing; learning basic music-reading and recorder-playing for breath, pitch, and control. By third grade, interesting elements are included in the curriculum--measurement, fibers, farming, and house-building. In each of these, the children learn the historical application, the evolving facets and techniques, and the fundamentals of how they themselves could create useful shelters, food, and clothing. Assessments at City Garden are not grades, but rather the child's place along a spectrum of skill: Emerging Skill, Developing Skill, Achieved Skill, or Strength. This way, parents and children both can observe what the teacher's focus is and will be with each student, in each topic. Creative play is well-valued at City Garden, and going outdoors to run and play is considered a needful release of tension, as well as an "out-breath" in the natural rhythm of human habits. This structure creates a balance of focused, detail-oriented Main Lesson time of study, with raucous childhood's energetic free-play. Each Friday is Outdoor Friday, where children spend the day hiking Columbia's local parks and natural areas, creating a mental map of great play-areas, native creature-sightings, and seasonal joys. Both German and Spanish language classes are taught, each twice a week, so the children receive cultural awareness and early exposure to other languages. Instead of Physical Education, City Garden offers a Cooperative Games class, which does work to foster many of the skills p.e. would attend: balance, rhythm, spatial orientation, etc, but with a greater focus on teamwork and less structure that supports individual "winners and losers." There is also the element of Handwork in the classrooms--a time twice a week were students practice creating an item with a skill, beginning with knitting, progressing on to crochet, then embroidery, wet-felting wool, wax-molding, etc. This supports a great deal of mind-hand-eye- coordination, requiring the child to follow instructions, incorporate a repetitive action and unique design elements, and exercise a critical eye towards successful and unsuccessful production. Finally, the teachers of City Garden School have fostered meaningful working relationships with local institutions such as the Columbia Art League, for their children's classes, and the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture, where children go on Outdoor Fridays once a month to learn about and support CCUA's mission of education and providing fresh, sustainable, local food. Through all these wonderful experiences, I have witnessed my child truly bloom into his own abilities, awareness, joys, and critical thought in manners that I did not even realize I wanted for him before this school's influence. City Garden School supports childhood in a way that makes me wish I could go back to being a six-year-old and live through grade school all over again, with this approach. At least I can give this to my children, and participate in the community, the festivals, the friendships, skill-building, and explorations with them!!

From the owner: Welcome to City Garden School, where education is a transformative journey! Our holistic approach…read morenurtures mind, body, and spirit, fostering well-rounded individuals. Nature-Centric: The forest is a living classroom, connecting children with nature and instilling a sense of environmental responsibility. Artistic Expression: Music, art, and drama are woven into learning, nurturing creativity, confidence, and innovation. Caring Community: Join a close-knit community that values each child's uniqueness, creating a supportive and inclusive environment. Global Citizens: Our diverse curriculum promotes open-mindedness and empathy, preparing students to thrive in an interconnected world. Individual Focus: Small class sizes enable personalized attention, allowing every student to shine and succeed. Life Skills: Practical lessons like handwork and gardening empower students with hands-on, valuable skills. ...an education that cultivates curiosity, values, and a lifelong love of learning.

Garden Gate holds a special place in my heart. This preschool took my reserved little boy in with…read moreopen arms helping both him (and his parents!) during the difficult transition of letting him go off on his own. He now comes home humming the songs and retelling the stories he's learned in story time; he insists that "toe-food" (tofu) is ok, but the bread he helped make tastes much better! When I come to pick him up I find myself lingering because it's tranquil even with little ones running around pretending to be pirates or chasing fairies. What I mean to say is that this pre school has both nurtured my little one and our family as we grow together, and I am grateful.

We have been so happy with your years at Garden Gate- a place for kids to be kids. Play-based,…read morenutritious, thoughtful food. Fun in the sun, rain, snow, and puddles! A really wholistic approach to preschool.

The administration and staff were friendly and helpful. While looking for the right preschool I…read morecalled and visited several different facilities. CMS set aside time to take me on a tour and answer all my questions. After I decided to enroll my child they facilitated an observation with me and my child to spend time in each of the three preschool rooms which allowed me to decide which room to place my child in. They even let us come back and spend the morning with the class to help with the transition. They always made time for us and my child is happy and in the right environment. Everyone from the administration to the teachers helped us while making the big decision on choice of education and care. Three months later and we couldn't be happier. It's an amazing community of parents, children and educators dedicated to success of the children and their implementation of the Montessori philosophy.

From the owner: Now Enrolling For Our Pre-Primary (Ages 2 to 3) Program!!…read more Columbia Montessori School (CMS) provides an enriching Montessori education in an environment prepared for the child, where natural curiosities are stimulated and the whole child is nurtured. With the structured Montessori environment, large playground, and outdoor classroom, we provide a place where children ages 4 weeks to 6 years develop a sense of self awareness, social responsibility, and a desire to learn while being free to explore and enjoy being kids.

The Academy of Early Childhood Learning is a great daycare! The teachers work with their students,…read moreas if was their own child!! If the child has special diets, the cooks do take special attention, to accommodate to that childs needs! I would recommend this daycare for a good start!!

The Academy is truly an amazing place for children. The Head Teachers are of the highest quality…read moreand the retention of the Head Teachers is hands-down above and beyond my expectations in this industry. The children are loved, cared for, and valued. The facilities are beautiful with the East location being located on acres of parkscape. I highly recommend both locations and know you will be pleased with your experience.