I'm very grateful for this unique public charter school that my kids love. They enjoy going on…read morefrequent field trips, learning through projects, not having homework, and having great friends and kind teachers. I appreciate that their curriculum includes SEL (social emotional learning) and that the students aren't allowed to have cell phones while on campus. The highlight of our experience has definitely been the fantastic teachers! Adrienne Reighard has been a phenomenal teacher for my third grader. She's genuinely interested in getting to know each of her students and finding ways to support their learning. She's so calm, patient and kind, yet firm enough that the kids listen and respect her. She goes above and beyond to create a supportive and efficient classroom environment. And as a parent, I really appreciate her clear, consistent communication. Becca, the 3rd grade teacher's assistant, is also proactive and really gets the kids. Patrick, the Spanish teacher, is one of the most dynamic, engaging, and effective teachers ever. His students love the fun activities and catchy songs he incorporates in his class. He makes learning fun! He also teaches chess and woodcarving and it seems like he can make any subject interesting. Kristy Fitts and Christie Fullerton were also great teachers, and planned lots of engaging projects, field trips, and holiday-themed activities. Nathan, the nature studies teacher, is fantastic and plans some great hands-on activities for the kids, like making their own salads to eat and making their own hugenkultur beds for gardening. For families who prioritize a nurturing environment with smaller class sizes and a variety of electives, this school has a lot to offer. The academics are more relaxed than rigorous, which would be a good fit for those prioritizing a balanced lifestyle. That said, we have found that the school has been navigating some challenges with managing disruptive behavior effectively, which impacts the learning environment.

We have been at this school since my son was in 1st grade and my daughter started Kindergarten. It…read moreis truly a special and unique school. My son particularly loves learning about animals and the ocean, and there is a Nature Studies class offered, taught originally by Mary and now Nathan. Both excellent! They learn not only about animals, but ecosystems and plants. My daughter told me the other day that they are growing things in the outside garden and making salads from what they grew that they actually get to eat! We have been pleased with all of their teachers so far, but my son's 4th teacher Alexa really stands out. She is vibrant, engaged, and kind, and I can tell genuinely interested in the students and eager for them to learn. My son is sad to see this year come to a close because he has enjoyed the year so much. He has generally not been one to seek out opportunities to lead but Alexa has trusted him to do that, and I can tell it has boosted his confidence. My daughter's teacher this year for third grade is Adrienne. My daughter loves her. She said she is so patient and kind, but she get's the kids to learn. My daughter told me the other day that she wants to become a teacher because of Adrienne- what better testament to her teaching skills than that! My daughter will be sad to see the year come to a close as well. And finally I want to give a shout out to Natasha, the theatre teacher, and Sam, who teaches ceramics. Just wow. The theatre program at Innovations is truly one of a kind. She puts on so many shows, it is hard to see them all! I have enjoyed each and every show I have seen. My kids have also enjoyed classes with Sam. This is also a unique opportunity that not every school has to learn pottery, and working with ceramics to make various things like flowers, pizzas, ghosts, snow men. I love the projects they bring home. No school is going to be perfect, but as a family we are very grateful we found such an amazing school.

I can't say enough good things about this business and about Jeni Rayle. She is everything you…read morecould want in an advocate; she is knowledgeable, she truly cares about the families she represents and she will fight for your child to recieve the services they deserve. We had spent years disappointed with our autistic son's placement in SDUSD. She helped us figure out what options he had and helped us navigate our next steps. We had our IEP meeting this week and we could not be happier with the results. I cannot thank her enough for advocating for our son! She changed his life by getting him placed in an environment where he can get the help he needs (and deserves)!

Having Jeni as our advocate was not only the easiest step we made for our son AND daughter, it was…read morea gift to our family. Navigating our own way was overwhelming and confusing. As much as we tried on our own to communicate the needs of our kids, we, at times didn't even know what we should be asking for from the school. From the first meeting, to our last meeting, Jeni was not only professional, but she cared. She knew our frustration and her experience, her kindness and patience saved our family. It opened up doors at school and saved our sanity at home. We trusted Jeni as her communication with us was always available, our questions and concerns were always answered and reassured. Jeni met each timeline and was always in contact with us and the school. She always made sure we were "in the know". Best decision we ever made!

Jacqueline is an incredible teacher! We cannot recommend her program enough. Our eldest son has…read moreattended Happy Seeds for two years now, and Jacqueline has helped his confidence grow on the playground and especially with peers. He has even started to learn the sounds of letters as she centers her activities and themes on a letter of the week. She is flexible, communicative, and diligent. She always has an epic plan for the kids full of planned activities as well as opportunities for spontaneous free-play. She greets the students with so much positive energy that they feel warmly welcomed and excited to start the day. When my younger son turns 2.5, I plan to send him to Happy Seeds as well!

My daughter was struggling in high school pre-calc. In the second half of her semester she went…read morefrom almost failing the class to getting a B thanks to the amazing tutoring. Sometimes students just need another voice or viewpoint when it comes to math. They really care about your child's success and motivate them to be invested in getting better.

Our son learned SO much and had a great time with Mathnasium in Santee. He entered 3rd grade with a…read morelot of angst and math questions. He started with a summer program and then a 7 month program and he thrived. He loved the staff and owners and they were all so supportive. He's beyond proud of the hard work he put in and is super confident thanks to this business.

Holding Hands Preschool has been a great preschool setting for my kids. My daughter had been…read moreattending since Gogo first opened her doors in the fall of 2023 until she began TK last year when my 2.5 year old son joined Holding Hands Preschool. She puts plenty of thought and planning into every aspect of the kids' day such as the weekly menu, the curriculum and even the free play activities through the day. The daily updates have been helpful when I'm either missing my son or just wanting a peek into his day. She is quick to let you know if something has happened between children or if one of your kids has done something positive so you can continue to reinforce †he behavior. She has helped with two of my three children's potty training which has been a blessing as that journey hasn't been easy for us. If you're looking for somewhere to send your child that quickly feels not just a school but like family, this is the place to send your child. I couldn't say enough good things about Gogo and Holding Hands Preschool!!

If you're reading this, you're probably searching for a great place for your little one. We were in…read morethe same position not too long ago. When you first become a parent, you don't always realize how challenging it can be to find a quality daycare (or maybe I was just naïve). After extensive research, we found a few places we liked, toured their facilities, and joined their waitlists. Even now--two years later--we still haven't heard back from some of them. My wife eventually came across Holding Hands and scheduled an appointment with Gogo, the owner. We were able to bring our son, see how he interacted with Gogo, and get a feel for the facility. We immediately liked what we saw and everything Holding Hands offered--especially breakfast, which has been a huge time saver for us. We've been with Gogo for about a year and a half now, and our son has grown tremendously. The patience and care Gogo provides are truly exceptional. Our son has made great friends and even better memories. I especially love the daily videos of the kids and seeing what they're learning throughout the day. They help me feel connected to my son, especially on long office days. Thank you, Gogo!

Alexa's PLAYC has been truly life-changing for our family!…read more Both of our children have attended PLAYC, and between them, we have experienced nearly every classroom in the program. As parents, there is no greater gift than knowing your children are loved, supported, challenged, and celebrated every day. That is exactly what we found at Alexa's PLAYC. Our son was diagnosed with autism while attending PLAYC, and the support we received during that time was extraordinary. The staff not only embraced him for who he is, but also partnered with us every step of the way to help him grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Because of the foundation built at PLAYC, he successfully transitioned into a general education kindergarten classroom and continues to thrive. We will forever be grateful for the role this program played in his journey. Our daughter has also flourished at PLAYC since she was a toddler. The warmth, care, and dedication shown by every teacher and staff member have made her school experience joyful and enriching. What makes Alexa's PLAYC so special is its commitment to serving all children. It is a remarkable model of inclusion where children with autism and their typically developing peers learn, play, and grow together in a supportive environment. The sense of community is unlike anything we have experienced elsewhere. The teachers and staff go above and beyond every single day. Their passion, professionalism, and genuine love for children are evident in everything they do. PLAYC is not simply a preschool, it is a place where children build confidence, friendships, independence, and a love of learning. We are incredibly grateful to the entire PLAYC team for the impact they have had on our family. If you are looking for an exceptional early childhood program that truly changes lives, I cannot recommend Alexa's PLAYC highly enough!!!

Alexa's PLAYC is a truly special center…read more Our daughter has been there since she was 18 months. She was shy and apprehensive when she started, and has since grown into an independent, spirited, and fun-loving toddler. We are so thankful to the teachers and staff for providing our girl with a safe, welcoming place to explore and learn. There are so many things I could say, but here are a few highlights: * The teachers and staff are all highly trained on, and passionate about, early childhood education. Having come from another daycare, I can really see how Alexa's PLAYC is intentional about every element of the space. They use evidence-based philosophies, reflect constantly on what the children are exploring, and update the different spaces responsively. If the kids seem to want to explore different textures, they will document it and add more sensory materials. * There is a garden!!! It is beautifully maintained by the outdoor teacher. We love that our daughter gets to spend time in nature each week. The playgrounds are also spacious and full of enriching activities. * There is fun programming, like the weekly live music class! Because of Alexa's PLAYC's affiliation with Rady Children's Hospital, there are extra fun events sprinkled throughout the year. We had visits from a monster truck and a penguin from the zoo in the past few months. * The classrooms are mixed-age and inclusive -- meaning that our toddler has been able to make friends of all backgrounds. I believe that she's made leaps and bounds in her socialization and learning as a result. Though she was barely speaking at the time of enrollment, our daughter's language and imaginative play have since exploded. * Alexa's PLAYC's commitment to supporting children across the neurodiversity spectrum results in an incredibly supportive enviroment. For example, they are diligent about maintaining the low teacher-to-student ratio. Truly, though, words fail to describe the everyday magic that Alexa's PLAYC creates... We love seeing our daughter come home with paint on her face and dirt on her pants -- the signs of a creative mind hard at work (play)! It is so fun getting glimpses of her world at daycare. She will play guitar (in the style of the music teacher), water our plants (like she would in the garden), and proudly talk about new friends and hobbies ("I sit bicycle!"). It has been such a joy to see our daughter, and so many other children, blossom at Alexa's PLAYC.

The challenges and experiences our child enjoys are experiences that bond friends for life and…read morebuild positive outlook that helps the children to excel to their highest as well as learn German! He has a high regard for his classmates, teachers, & SAY instructors. His vocabulary has grown exponentially since starting as well as as his physical development has been on track! All this culminates to his ability to have self control for longer stretches. The classmates he has are all supportively each other. The jobs the teachers give the children help each focus or stay engaged in each's particular way. Let's just say We are Ecstatic for our son to be at AEA!

If you're looking for a quality school environment for your child-- my recommendation is to look…read moreelsewhere. Our experience with a kindergartener. --The school experienced much upheaval last year when the beloved Principal of over a decade, was fired, no explanation given. She was just "gone". -- the school makes it very difficult to have informal conversation with a teacher. Parents are not allowed inside the gates, so they rarely have the opportunity to have a casual "check in". This makes for a very impersonal relationship and lacks fluidity between school and home. -- If you're interested in the 50/50 German immersion, last year the SDUSD approved a change in the charter, which alters how German will be taught, and how often. The German teachers are the best-- they hold that school together, but who knows now that changes to the school charter have been made, exactly how much input they will have -- the uniform code is ridiculous, and enforced sporadically. Our kinder wore the wrong colored skirt on the second day of school and she was sent to the office to change . A simple note home would have been far more preferable than to frighten and humiliate a five year old in a new school -- this is a minor point, but one to consider. If you're picking your child up in the afternoon, plan to be in the pickup line for 20-30 mins, occasionally longer. Their drop off/pick up system is highly inefficient. --Our child was hit with a basketball, not once, but twice in the head by accident, by an older child. No msg from the teacher, school nurse, nothing the first time. The second time the hit was hard enough to cause a nosebleed, and she was sent to the office, but still no note from the teacher. --The instruction was "all over the map". Homework packets were sent home, rarely was it ever checked, some lessons were turned in that required the child to explain their homework to the class, but the teacher never acknowledged their work. This certainly sends the wrong message. Parents of kinders were told that homework was "optional". Also, at the beginning of the year, at orientation our child's kinder teacher announced that she would be attending every soccer tournament, ballet or piano recital-- to our knowledge she never attended a single one. There is massive building expansion going on at the school. With quality already at an abysmal level, adding more children does not seem to be a good direction for the school to go. --This is not to disparage all of the teachers at AEA, but our child's kinder experience fell far short of expectations. She is now in a different school and has already participated in several back to school events that have brought exuberance towards school, and helped ease the transition of being in a new school environment. I would definitely not recommend AEA, San Diego.

Over the past five years, our oldest daughter, now nine, has attended MBMA every summer since she…read morewas four. Her younger sister has also enjoyed two summers there, starting at age four. Each year, we have been genuinely impressed by how fun and engaging their summer program is. MBMA is a great balance between learning and creative fun. The kids get to participate in activities that strengthen their math and reading skills, while also enjoying plenty of imaginative and interactive opportunities. We have seen the girls grow both academically and socially. MBMA has been such a positive experience and we look forward to returning for their summer program.

My son has been at MBMA since he was 6 years old and is now in the 5th grade. Over the years, the…read moreschool has provided him with a solid academic foundation. We really like that the school offers different levels for math, which has kept him challenged and engaged rather than bored. MBMA also provides a wide range of extracurriculars like Music, Art, Computer, Science, PE, and Languages. They even have a music band, which you don't see often at this age. The class sizes are small, so kids can get plenty of personal attention. The management is also very approachable and easy to communicate with. MBMA is a small school. For the level of academics and all the extras they offer, the tuition is really affordable too. I definitely recommend them.