There truly aren't enough positive words to describe the experience our children have had at…read moreHomestead. Out of convenience, we tried several other schools, but we always ended up re-enrolling our boys at Homestead because nothing else came close to the high standards built into its programs. We started both of them at the Homestead Annex It is abundantly clear that the owners are professionally trained and deeply knowledgeable in early childhood education. Unlike the other schools we tried, Homestead has no teacher attrition. The teachers are career professionals who bring the expertise and consistency every preschool child deserves. While other places were billed as "schools," they felt more like unstructured daycares with a constantly rotating cast of inexperienced teachers. Communication at Homestead is exceptional. At the beginning of each month, we receive a detailed calendar outlining daily activities and snacks. Our children regularly bring home amazing arts and crafts, along with growing knowledge of music and Spanish. Most importantly, our boys are genuinely happy here. They were unhappy at the other schools we tried, but at Homestead they have never cried at drop-off and always leave pick-up with big smiles on their faces. We love Homestead so much that we're keeping our son, who turns five this summer, enrolled for another year instead of starting kindergarten. We truly believe Homestead is the perfect place to prepare children for elementary school. Our first grader thrived in kindergarten after spending three years at Homestead, and that experience says everything. If you're considering a school for your preschool-aged child, we wholeheartedly recommend Homestead.

I cannot say enough positive things about The Homestead Schoolhouse. The teachers are incredibly…read morenice and both of my children who have attended have had such great experiences. They get upset when it is not a school day because they love it so much. They have left with a strong beginning to reading, writing, counting, patterns, etc and they have left with great friends. We love the backyard play area and the fact that there are chickens and that the students get to plant and tend vegetables. Each month has a curriculum focus and each month opens up the world for children (career month, friendship month, etc). I recommend this school with absolutely no hesitation.

I am pretty sure the best decision I've made for my 4 year old son is sending him to the Funny…read moreFarm! The teachers regularly emulate kindness and a sense of community all while using humor and teaching real-life skills. I am amazed at how my wild son has changed and grown after just a few months here. Teachers Marcy, Chris and Laura are so dedicated to their 'herd' and really go above and beyond. I can't imagine a better stepping stone to prep my kid for kindergarten. We feel so lucky to have found this gem!

Where do I start? Sooo many good things to say!…read more I simply cannot imagine a better preschool. The teachers are simply the most wonderful, creative, loving people you could ever want to have teaching your child. My daughter just graduated and will miss Funny Farm immensely. I can honestly say she loved every day she spent "on the Farm". Marcy, Laura, Sarah, Heather and Kris are really great ladies who pour their hearts into making a safe, loving, creative, and very very stimulating, educational and fun environment for the kids every day. And I mean every day! My only regret is that we didn't discover Funny Farm earlier so my son could have attended as well.

This school is amazing in so many ways. We never thought private school was possible due to our one…read moreincome home. But NCCS(their Love in action ways) and Mrs James has made it possible for us to have our 10 year old daughter attend since mid-year her first grade year. With their accessible financial aid process and the generosity of this school, my daughter has had years of exceptional biblical teachings and academic schooling. The respect trickles down to the students and offers a kind and loving environment. I find their ways truly amazing. Clearly led by Jesus Himself, this school is the tops! I never want to have our kiddo leave it until she's a high school graduate. Thanks NCCS staff and families for giving us love and a safe place in this dark filled world.

NCCS has been an absolute blessing to our family!…read more We LOVE the community and closeness that we have felt since the beginning! We have loved all of the teachers and staff and really appreciate the perfect class sizes! It is so comforting knowing that the things we are teaching at home are being taught at school too. School years go by extremely fast and a lot of time is spent at school. We are thankful that our children attend a school that shares and promotes the values that we live by, loves and guides them to grow and is committed to achieving a higher education standard every year.

We sent our kiddo here and could not recommend it more. The loving community and play centered…read morelearning were exactly what we were looking for as a first school experience. Our kid has a love of learning because of her time here.

Literally the best 3s,4s, and kindergarten experience we could have ever asked for. Beyond grateful…read morefor the amazing, hardworking teachers and families who make the school what it is. A true community where all of our kids can learn and thrive.

Great preschool! Caring teachers in a safe and enjoyable environment! Nice covered play area for…read morethose rainy days. The staff is well trained and strive to do their best to meet the needs and abilities of all the kids. Lots of academic learning with Christian values too. Great place for kids to learn and have fun!

I have had two children attend First Circle of Friends and will send my third in a few years as…read morewell! My children have loved every minute they have spent with the teachers and other students. All the teachers are fabulous with the children. I personally feel preschool should be all about fun so the academic progress is just a bonus! It truly is an all around fantastic school!

This is in response to Blue R's comment below:…read more I have been a parent at Gabriel Park Preschool for the last two years and I don't think you have the right school. My son was in the 3 year old class last year and our teacher is beyond kind and compassionate and none of what was described in your post happened at our school while we have been there. There was not a child with genetic condition or diabetes enrolled last year, nor was there a decline in enrollment. Also, our president was male last Fall and our teacher has not left (and hopefully never will!) I am so sorry you experienced what you described, it sounds truly horrific! I just want to make sure you leave this under the appropriate school so that families can be warned.

We LOVE Gabriel Park Preschool! This is my daughter's first year. She is in the youngsters class…read morewhich is 2-3 years of age. She looks forward to school each week and I am always excited to see the new craft projects and hear about school. Teacher Jen is amazing! She always has fun new ideas for the kids and they just love her. This is a really fun and creative environment where children are able to go at their own pace and learn and play in their own create way. I can not say enough wonderful things. If you are looking for a cooperative preschool, this is it!

I've been reflecting on my experiences at Nancy Ryles and wanted to share some serious concerns…read morethat I think are important to discuss, especially considering what I've heard from my brother and friends who also attended. First and foremost, let's talk about bullying. Both my brother and I experienced bullying from staff members, which is absolutely unacceptable. Adults should not make children feel unsafe. When I tried to bring this issue up with Arbow. Her response indicated a lack of awareness or acknowledgment of the problem. This is really concerning to me, especially for parents who are considering Arbow for their children. Another incident that stands out to me is when I broke my arm. It astonished me that neither her or the office staff contacted my parents after checking on me. They had no idea what had happened, and that's simply unacceptable. There's a reason school policies exist, and not following them can lead to much worse outcomes. It raises questions about how seriously the administration takes students' safety and well-being. Additionally, I've observed that some staff members are not as kind to students with disabilities. This creates an environment where these children may feel excluded and unsafe. It seems that complaints are often overlooked in favor of maintaining a certain image, which is frustrating. It makes me doubt whether anyone is being held accountable for their actions. The overall atmosphere at Nancy Ryles feels off to me. Upon entering, it seems students are not the primary focus. The cheerful tone presented by the staff sometimes comes off as insincere; especially with Arbow. Making it feel like students are viewed more as subjects to be managed rather than individuals with genuine emotions. I worry about the potential negative impact of such an environment on children's learning. While the administration might claim students are excelling academically, I recall a time in third grade when my struggles were downplayed. If parents are kept in the dark about their child's actual progress and rights, then it becomes too easy for the administration to manipulate the truth. Parents should be empowered to advocate for their kids' safety and well-being. Let's also mention the issue of diversity and racism. When I was at Nancy Ryles I n oticed a lack of diversity among students. Discussions regarding racism were often handled superficially, failing to address its historical context or present-day implications. This lack of understanding can severely limit students' awareness and empathy. It feels as if Monica Arbow cares more about the school's image over honesty and the well-being of its students. There needs to be a greater awareness of what's happening within the school environment, alongside a commitment to listening to students' experiences. Every child deserves a supportive, nurturing place to learn. My dad makes regular visits to Arbow, and both of us expect higher standards than what we've observed, especially compared to when a more compassionate leadership was in place. I've lost respect for Monica Arbow's title and just her as a person because she thinks being a principal is a power. Maia LaLonde · Former Student at Nancy Ryles and going into High School.

Had a blast here, loved the field days! bonus points because it gave me amazing wall ball skillsread more

I've heard good things about this school and met a teacher that worked here and she said "It's all…read moreabout money at this school." I didn't believe her, but now I certainly do now! We decided to send our daughter here and put a $1000 deposit down and there was a waitlist. We decided to not send her that year, but for the following year. No one had told us that we would lose our $1000 deposit, nor did they tell us we needed to put down another $1000 again to hold my daughters place on another waitlist. After phone calls and emails to get her enrolled no one has ever gotten back to me. I had spoken to the director, Michelle and she never got back to me if there's room or if my daughter would even go to this school. No communication at all! This school didn't have a problem cashing my $1000 check but they have a problem with how they treat people that want to enroll their children there. After 5 months of complaining, they magically have an opening. My husband said, "do you really trust them with our child?" My thoughts are no. I'm a strong believer in "everything starts from the top". If the director of the school sets that kind of tone for the school, I'm not interested. I don't think anyone else should be either.

I found CHA through a referral and my daughter started going at 13 months and my son at 4. CHA has…read morebeen a blessing. Every day my kids are excited to go to school, are surrounded by warm, loving and skilled teachers and are thriving. There is nothing better than knowing my children are in this great environment while I work! I am so grateful for every staff member at CHA!