Okay, the year is nearing its end and I just want to talk about the teachers. The teachers I've had…read moreat my time at this school have been relatively good; atleast compared to my old school. First off, my favorite teacher, Mr. Phillips. Right now, he teaches accelerated 7th-grade math and regular 8th-grade math. He's an excellent teacher and has made class much more fun and his classroom has become a safe space for me and many others. He's kind to his students and genuinely helps us when we need help. He does not belittle us (his students) when we ask questions and even encourages questions get asked. At the end of class, in order from the attendance sheet, he has one student try and score a basket in a miniature basketball hoop. Overall, he is a great teacher and I wish I could have him next year. Second, Mrs. Selby. Her class is fun and calming; her classroom is perfect when you're exhausted from going back and forth across the campus all day. She's kind to her students and she is (in my opinion) pretty funny. Her assignments are informational and comprehensible while also being fun and not overwhelming. She does not assign hours of busy work when we near breaks or when we have a substitute teacher, and she assigns just enough work for us to leave class at the end of the period without homework. All in all, she's a great teacher and super understanding. Next up, (the infamous?) Mr. Ruiz (also known as Mr. Rizzless to some). I've seen other reviews claiming that he has physically abused his students. Which, from my experience is not true and I have never heard of or seen this happening to anyone of his students. He does assign overwhelming workloads, especially at the end of class saying he doesn't get paid enough for this (that does not excuse this though). Just about every day, countless students along with myself leave his class with HOURS of homework which, of course, is not fun. People joke about this as a way to cope, mostly saying things like, "Mr. Ruiz assigning 100 Ck-12s 5 minutes before the bell rings," or, "Mr. Ruiz assigning a 5-part project less than a week before school ends be like." Sometimes he is pretty funny but his assignments are horribly timed and the workload is terrible. In the end, he's not the greatest teacher but he is certainly not the worst. Now, about Coach Gray. He's a super nice teacher and I am glad to have been in his class. His expectations are not high at all and are easy to meet. He is very reasonable and cracks jokes in the middle of class. The way he grades his class is unique as well. He grades his students in terms of participation rather than skill in the subject. This creates equal opportunities for all students no matter any handicaps or limitations they face. Overall, he is a great P.E. Teacher and I believe more coaches should teach classes like him. And now, Mr. Tindall. I had his class for a short period of time but he was super mean. I am a pretty decent student. I pay attention in class, complete my work to the my best ability, maintain focus on the subject, and participate to the best ability. However, while I was watching him teach my class a lesson one day, I was silent and had a complete focus on the problem we were working on, when he called on me and commented on me in a rather rude manner. I would rather not repeat this comment in this review but I am glad I am no longer in his class. He is grouchy and rude. He also makes no effort to make lessons easier, or fun, or even put any effort into being somewhat kind to his students. Next, Miss Silva (Mrs. Silva). She is an okay teacher. She can be understanding at times when extensions are needed for assignments and can be kind. Though she has these qualities, her workload can be unbearable and at this time, is unbearable. It is extremely overwhelming, especially at the end of the year when the grading period is almost done and people are trying to raise their grades. Overall, her workload could definitely use improvement and I think she should be a bit kinder to her students. This is all for now due to the sheer length of this review. Thanks for reading this far!

Over the past few years that my friend and I have been here, the school claims to be a no place for…read morehate school, but rarely acknowledges the bullying, racism, and way more. Teachers that we have not had good experiences with include Mr. Ruiz, Ms. Newman, and Ms. Turnbull. The past experiences that I have had with Mr. Ruiz have not been well. He has been anything but positive, and is CONSTANTLY discriminating against his students. He picks favorites, and his class is extremely hard to manage with, along with all of his students being out of control. To add on, Ms. Newman fails to ever properly teach her class, usually leaving students confused with their work, and unable to complete many assignments with her multiple classes along with how much work she assigned. Now for the biggest problem, Ms. Turnbull. While me and my friend have been here, we haven't experienced anything positive in her class, we have been heavily discriminated against multiple times. We have been nothing but kind and hardworking students, but are yet to receive any type of appreciation or support. In my friend's words, "How she has been treating us is completely unacceptable and makes the class unbearable and makes me not look forward to school" we have been dreading going to her class, knowing that it is hard to get a good citizenship grade in her class, or even an ounce of respect. FIX TS NOW.

The best teachers are so polite and kind they help everyone who ask for help there they always…read morebring the kids out with a big smile on their face

Let me start by saying, this review is long overdue and our child is only in Pre-K!…read more The Evans School is more than a school, it's a family. At the core of this family is The Evan's School's "21 values." These 21 values serve as the foundation for the children's development. While most kids who attend a private school in La Jolla come from hard-working established families, the goal is aimed at developing the children into good-hearted and kind human beings.   Every morning starts with the pledge of allegiance and The Evans Pledge, " I promise myself today, to feel, to think, to speak and to act, only in accord with those things which are good and true and beautiful." How's that to start your day? ;) In a discussion with a group of well-educated parents whose children also attend Evan's, the question came up about investing in your child's development in earlier vs. later years. Everyone agreed that it's all about investing in the foundation of learning now in the younger years. This sets the stage for learning and gives them the tools they need to breeze through junior high school, high school and college if they choose to attend. Several Evans Alumni go on and attend prestigious colleges and many go straight to entrepreneurial endeavors or perhaps lives of service in the military. Regardless of what the student ends up doing later in life, the foundation for learning and The Evans values are engrained in each and every student so that they go on to become GOOD HUMANS.  If you're still reading and this resonates with you, then I suggest you set up a private tour of the school. That being said, I'm writing this during the COVID-19 pandemic and the kids are currently staying home. Unlike other schools, The Evans School immediately shifted gears and went to online learning leveraging Zoom and other software platforms so the kids could resume the much-needed structure and environment that they crave. I'm not going to lie, this was also much needed for our own sanity having at least one child attending school Monday - Friday.  I could not possibly give The Evans School a high enough rating. It's the type of place that creates raving fans and most importantly good humans. Alumni now send their children to the school. They continually honor grandparents and our military. It's not for everyone as it is more traditional in a world that seems to have abandoned more traditional values. I personally chose a path of service as a firefighter/paramedic and entrepreneur. My wife and I will continue to do whatever it takes to send our son to this amazing school because our priority is developing a strong foundation in learning while simultaneously instilling the values that create extraordinary humans.

Torrey Pines (TPES) is one of the best school in San Diego, and La Jolla. My children have attended…read morehere for several years and they are happy to go to school each day. Each has excelled and been so supported and cared for by TPES Teachers and Staff. Every Teacher has been so knowledgeable and great in helping our kids progress and grow each day. The before and after school care program, run in conjunction with the YMCA across the street, is Character Builders. Ms Sherry and all the Character Builder Staff are top notch. Our kids do not want to leave at the end of the day. The VAPA and PE programs are also very supportive and great opportunities for children. Great Teachers, great TPES community of families, and great location. TPES is the best!

Cannot say enough great things about TPES. Teachers are top notch, Support Staff are so beneficial…read moreto learning, and the front office staff is friendly and caring. Our kids have excelled here. There are so many different positive programs as well, including before and after school care- YMCA Character Builders, who's staff cares so much and really provides an amazing place for kids after school. TPES is one of the best schools around

Stella Maris Academy is the Parochial School of Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church. It is a…read morewonderful school. I used to live right down the street and had several neighbors whose children attended Stella Maris Academy. SMA is largely underrated in the community. of La Jolla. With all the school has to offer, it is surprising that the tuition is so low. The teachers are extremely professional and knowledgeable--many have Master's degrees and advanced certifications. The best part about Stella Maris? The children are brought up in a close knit, respectful, and wholesome way. The classes tend to be on the small side and the kids thrive with all the personalized attention. A good solid Catholic school is a blessing for growing minds and the kids respond to the structure and authority found here. 5 YELP STARS for excellence in education.

We put our kids into this school because of our Catholic faith. Come to find out the education here…read moreis second to none. The teachers are the best we have ever seen and the values they bring to our kids is unbelievable. If you like us want a village of people with strong values, and an understanding of what children need there is no other school that offers as much as this school. Academically & Spiritually there is no better place. Kevin

Where to start! Our son is in the toddler program, which started a few months ago. We researched…read moremany schools before TCS. We were looking for something special, and we found everything we wanted and didnt even think to want here! We were looking for a play based program, however so many programs had that and did not feel right. When we visited TCS, right away we knew what the others were missing and that this would be our son's home away from home. I felt so relieved after touring the school knowing such a place existed. The social and emotional program is so very unique to anything we had seen, and was the driving force to start here. We continue to be more and more grateful for this as time passes. The entire school is like 1 family unit, from the toddlers to the 8th grade students to all the teachers, staff and the families. Sarah and Samantha, the toddler teachers are more amazing than we could ever have hoped for. The patience, dedication and complete care they show the kids surprises me constantly. I have never seen them break their smile or their consistency in helping raise kind, empathetic children who are able to identify and express their emotions. The small teacher to child ratio allows them to help the children navigate every single social situation, and they do it with so much ease. Starting this program has been so valuable to us as parents. We attended the first 6 weeks and had education that is invaluable on every important topic you can think of and continue to have education through out the year. We use what we learn daily in our homes. I have never heard of a school that provides this kind of education to the parents. I am grateful I can call the teachers or Denise,the early education leader, on any challenges we face or questions we have. The whole school even treats the parents with so much care :) our son is learning to send messages when he is excited, frustrated, disappointed, and so many more emotions. I love that all his emotions and feelings are safe and understood here. The school is such a community that even the older grade teachers know our son and talk to him. The amount of family activities is wonderful in that they truly try to make the school an extension of home. The classrooms are all so homey, and well thought out. They feel like magical spaces. I love that all the staff see anything that the children are going through as their responsiblity as well, never in a bossy way, and always in a caring and helpful way. I've seen schools where teachers say that's a home issue and I could never imagine hearing that at TCS. They constantly welcome our questions and challenges and take a personal role in them. The teachers even visited our homes before school started to get to know us. Every day there are so many new activities that foster learning in every dimension. They take such special interest in what each kid enjoys. The teachers even collect special rocks for our son on their off time , and constantly plan activities around what the kids are loving. Every morning the teachers are mentioning what they noticed one kid or another enjoyed and how they incorporated again and again in a new exciting way. I love that the curriculum is centered around the kids, to genuinely teach kids to love learning. Its obvious this is carried from the toddler program to 8th grade. At TCS, I constantly hear from the parents that we wish we attended a school like this or even knew a place like this is existed. Most educational programs lack any type of emotional or social curriculum, teaching kids to memorize facts to pass tests, and here at TCS the social and emotional curriculum is the core to everything that is done. I am so impressed when I see the older kids and the way they speak to adults as peers, with confidence and respect. My main goal for our son is that he become someone who knows who he is, what he loves, and to be a kind and empathetic human being, all of which are the focus here. It is obvious that every staff member here is special and is attracted to TCS in the same way the parents and kids are, it is truly a special place!

We came to this school for one year during Covid, and are still there! Our experience has been…read moreincredible. The class sizes are small, the teachers are completely invested in the children, and we wholeheartedly believe in the staff and all teachers. TCS is a Reggio Emilia school, that breeds a deep community of connectedness within the parent group, as well as student to teacher group. Our kids are absolutely thriving and their creativity is soaring! We couldn't be happier with the child-centered, hands-on project based and environmental curriculum. This educational experience is second to none!

We needed a kindergarten for the first of our four kids to attend and were hoping for Spanish…read moreimmersion. My husband and I speak some Spanish and see the value of learning it as Americans (and humans) and had no idea there was a French school in San Diego. I happened to drive by, walk in to a school tour, and fell in love. Cheesy but true. This school has my heart. It was the best language immersion option for us because of the proximity to Pacific Beach. Now all four of our children attend and we couldn't be happier. We've found our community. NON-FRENCH SPEAKER TIPS: 1.The after-school homework is a must; especially if you hate homework and can't speak French. BONUS: They don't bring homework home! 2. Try the French classes for grown-ups, offered at the school. So fun and a great way to meet people. 3. Don't be scared. Lots of us don't speak French and we get along just fine. 4. I highly suggest little ones in PK do full day. They take naps in the afternoon and have lots of play time, but the best part is they really start to pickup the accent. Our oldest, who started in K, has a good accent but the ones who started in PK0 are downright Frenchies.

Our child has attended SDFAS for the past 8 years. It has been a wonderful experience for all of…read moreus. The school offers an academically diverse and challenging curriculum incorporating language into all activities. They also offer inventive and educational field trips and experiences for the students. Overall, our child has flourished at SDFAS and is academically and socially well prepared for high school.

The Gillispie School has been a dream realized for our family. I attended Gillispie as a child and…read morecherished those formative years--so enrolling our eldest in the Early Childhood Program in 2022 felt like coming home. From day one, we were struck by the school's deep commitment to character development, curiosity, and collaborative learning. Our son has truly flourished, thanks to the exceptional teaching staff who nurture not only academic growth but emotional well-being. Their dedication is evident--years later, our son still greets every teacher and staff member by name, and they warmly do the same. Gillispie fosters a strong, inclusive community that extends beyond the classroom. We've found lasting friendships with fellow like-minded parents who share our values around education and kindness. Our middle son starts in the Littles Cottage this fall, and we couldn't be more excited for his journey. Gillispie is everything we hoped for--and more.

As a parent to a Kindergartener at Gillispie, I could not be happier with the experience our family…read morehas had during our first year at the school. We have felt supported by the entire team of teachers and staff who are attentive, proactive and caring. Our daughter's confidence and skills have grown tremendously, and we love that she gets a well rounded education including specialty classes.

Best decision I made was coming to Altus. The scheduling flexibility is incredible, field trips add…read moresuch a fun element, one-on-one sessions have helped me so much, having a learning plan designed for me is great, plus everyone is so supportive. It's been such a positive experience.

I'm really impressed with Altus. Mr. Buchler and the staff are so supportive, the monthly field…read moretrips are so fun, The flexible schedule is perfect, having one-on-one time with teachers really helps, plus the individualized approach really works. It's made such a difference for me.