Our children attended TCPS from 4th through 8th grade, and we highly recommend the school for its…read moreunwavering commitment to putting children first. We had not originally planned to send our children to private school, but the challenges of pandemic-era remote learning at our highly rated public school led us to explore smaller, independent-school alternatives. That experience showed us how important a relationship-based learning environment is for helping students feel engaged, challenged, and supported. We are grateful for the wonderful faculty and staff and the positive effect they have had not only on our children's love for learning but also their personal and social-emotional growth. From the outside, TCPS may not appear to be a top-rated school, but inside it is filled with warmth, kindness, respect, engaging learning experiences, and strong family involvement. We feel incredibly fortunate to have found TCPS.

When we first started looking at elementary schools, we were living in Hillcrest and zoned for…read moreAlice Birney, a very good public school. We spent a lot of time at libraries and often picked up family magazines. At one point, we attended Clairemont Family Day, where TCPS had a booth. I spoke with Mrs. Szalay, then the kindergarten teacher (now assistant), and soon after we toured the school and attended its big annual event. That project, created by all grades around a theme, showed us how special the school was. What stood out most was the small size, the attention children receive, and the focus on social-emotional growth, which mattered most to us. From the beginning, TCPS felt like an extension of our home. The values we taught our children were reinforced at school, so we never worried about having to "unteach" conflicting lessons. Now, with a sixth grader, fifth grader, third grader, and kindergartner, we've seen our kids blossom. They're challenged, guided, and cared for. They've benefited from mentoring with older students, from learning public speaking starting in kindergarten, and from being truly heard while also nudged to grow. A major strength of TCPS is communication. Parents can connect with teachers daily at drop-off, pick-up, or by email. Teachers are responsive and proactive, even asking for updates if a child's morning isn't going well so they can be prepared. In addition, we have scheduled conferences before school starts, mid-year, and year-end. These conversations allow teachers to understand each child's personality, strengths, and goals. That personal approach is possible because of the small classes and school size. Our children love being at TCPS. They love learning and growing, and the school has not only nurtured that but also challenged them to reach their potential. In middle school, the transition to multiple teachers and heavier workloads has been significant, but our son isn't left to struggle--he's guided step by step and supported just as we would support him at home. TCPS truly feels like family. Parents are encouraged to be active participants--as room parents, on committees, at events, chaperoning field trips, or volunteering in class. I see this as a blessing, and I'm glad to contribute. In fact, TCPS has meant so much to us that we relocated to the Clairemont area just to be closer to the school. Every teacher also brings their own personality and passions into the classroom, making learning fun and engaging through unique projects. We honestly don't know where we'd be without TCPS. For us, it has been more than a school--it has been an extension of our family.

There are not enough good words to say about this school. Children's Growing Center is an amazing…read moreplace to send your kid for their 0-4 years. My daughter went there for the past three years, and the experience was great. Every class was fun, engaging, exploratory, and my child looked forward to going every day. The school was good with communication, they have cute performances for families throughout the year, and you can tell all the teachers are genuinely invested in the kids. What amazed me the most is that every single teacher at that school knew my kid's name. Every single one. It feels like such a safe and loving community. The director has been there for close to 30 years, and she's great. Straightforward, no nonsense, and kind, and loving to the kids. They spend a lot of time outdoors and have a very play-focused curriculum. The families are warm and friendly. We were genuinely sad to go. I picked this preschool in part because of the excellent reviews, and I wanted to contribute to that. These reviews are spot on--the school is as good as the reviews say it is. 10/10 preschool, absolutely recommend.

My daughter spent about two years at this school and went through three classrooms. The great thing…read moreabout schools like this is that children will move up to a new classroom about every 9 months and the curriculum targets the age group. All the teachers were very caring and the teacher the student ratio was good. They had a lot of volunteer opportunities and there were a few of parent led events each year so I thought that was really neat. This school would have been more fun if it weren't for COVID. During normal times, they had school performances in the spring and early December that they rehearse for. We moved to Santee and since I work from home, going to this school became a hardship. We were sad to leave but my daughter will always have great memories of this place.

My son went here for 2 years starting at age 2. We had the…read morebest teachers, and the best memories here so much that we still go back to visit! They are a play based learning which was awesome for our son, with so many fun creative learning projects and activities it kept his mind thinking & growing constantly! I highly recomend college park preschool!

My kids have been to a couple daycares and pre-ks in San Diego. And we've toured around 10-13…read more College Park Preschool is our absolute favorite!! The teachers and staff are amazing. The director is kind, fair, communicates efficiently and is a wonderful leader. The families are down to earth and lovely. My kids absolutely love going to school there and always want school days to come faster. You can't ask for anything more than that! I cannot say enough amazing things about this school!! We are so lucky to be able to have our kids go there.

I love Grace Preschool. The staff and teachers are AMAZING!…read moreThey are so kind and loving to the children, and their experience and knowledge make this place wonderful. And they teach about Jesus! The preschool has been such a blessing to so many families in the community. I highly recommend this preschool!

Thank you for your response. I need to clarify several statements because I do not believe your…read moreresponse accurately reflects my daughter's experience or the concerns I raised. The suggestion that my daughter struggled primarily because she had "rarely been separated" from me is inaccurate. Before attending Grace Kids Preschool, she attended Grace Church children's ministry for 12 Sundays in a row. We intentionally worked on separation, and by approximately her sixth through twelfth visits, she would happily go downstairs, did not cry when I left, and enjoyed her time there. She has also been cared for while I worked by my mother and other trusted caregivers without these issues. My daughter had been potty trained for approximately two and a half months before attending Grace Kids. She had never had a bowel-movement accident during that time. On her third day at Grace Kids, she had a urine accident. Six days after beginning school, she had her first bowel-movement accident since being potty trained. This was extremely unusual for her. Since leaving Grace Kids, the contrast has been significant. Within four days, she returned to successfully using the toilet with no further accidents. Her eating has returned to normal, her behavior has improved, and the anxiety she developed surrounding the specific water bottle she brought to school has significantly decreased. Regarding food, my concern was never simply whether food was "offered." The snacks I packed repeatedly came home untouched. On her third day, I specifically raised this with Mary, who told me she would leave a note for the teachers. Despite that, her snacks were untouched again on the fourth day and again on her fifth and final day. That Friday, when I arrived early, I already had my daughter's lunchbox in my hand yet was still being handed another child's lunchbox. Given my concerns about her eating, this raised additional questions for me about how consistently the children's belongings and individual needs were being tracked. There were also inconsistencies regarding my daughter's classroom and supervision. On Wednesday, I arrived to find her in Room 4 instead of her regular Room 6. On Thursday, I arrived at approximately the same time and went to Room 4 expecting her to be there again, but she was back in Room 6. I was never given clear information about why she was being moved, where she would be, or who was supervising her. My concern is not that children can never transition between rooms. My concern is the lack of consistent communication about where my newly enrolled child was being cared for and by whom. I also personally observed, twice during her short enrollment, what appeared to be one teacher supervising a full classroom during transitions to or from playtime. When I picked her up early that Friday, I noticed a scratch on her lip. After coming home, she also began displaying unusually aggressive and physical behavior that was not typical for her. Her sleep changed as well. My daughter has consistently taken approximately two-hour naps. The Saturday following her final day--the same day as her first bowel-movement accident--she completely refused to nap. She had never gone an entire day without a nap before. Any one of these behaviors could perhaps be attributed to adjustment. My concern is the number of changes that occurred together within such a short period: regression in toileting, changes in eating, sleep and behavior, anxiety surrounding her water bottle, and the inconsistencies I personally observed regarding her belongings, classroom placement, and supervision. Most importantly, I have been able to observe what happened after she stopped attending. Within four days, I saw significant improvement. Her eating returned to normal, her toileting returned to normal without additional accidents, her behavior improved, and her anxiety surrounding her water bottle decreased. For those reasons, I cannot agree that everything I observed should simply be attributed to a child needing more than five days to acclimate. I understand that preschool transitions can be difficult, and I never expected an immediate or perfect adjustment. However, as her mother, I know her established behaviors and abilities. I watched several previously established skills and behaviors decline during this experience and then improve after she was removed from the environment. My concerns were not raised to attack Grace Kids Preschool. They were based on what I personally observed and the significant changes I witnessed in my daughter before, during, and after her attendance. I respect your right to respond to my experience, but I stand by the concerns I raised and the observations I documented regarding my daughter's care.

The Nest Montessori, led by the incredible Ms. Sam, has been nothing short of a blessing for our…read morefamily. My son has grown and developed here beyond anything I could have ever imagined. The love, care, and compassion from Ms. Sam and the entire team are so genuine - it's clear how deeply they care about each and every child. The teachers are kind, patient, and truly invested in the kid's growth, both academically, and emotionally. My don always loved to tell me what Ms. Natalia has taught him today. Thanks to the Nest, my son is not only prepared for elementary school- he's confident, curious, and eager to learn. He knows all the planets in the solar system, all the letters of the alphabet, how to spell his name, and while every child is different, The Nest played a major factor in my son learning how to read! On top of the academics, my son also repeats his daily affirmations, building confidence and emotional intelligence- which I am in awe over. I'm so grateful for the foundation they've given him. This school has shaped him in the best possible way. I can't recommend it enough!

The Nest Montessori School has been a true gift for our family. My daughter has been attending…read moresince she was 2, and it's incredible how much she's learned and how happy she is to go every day. The environment is calm and nurturing. The way the teachers care for them truly shows. It's not just a school; it feels like a second home.

I cannot recommend Bright Horizons Tierrasanta highly enough. After coming from a different…read moredaycare, I quickly realized what an exceptional early education center looks like. The difference was evident from the very beginning. From the beautiful, thoughtfully designed classrooms to the clean, organized, and secure environment, every detail reflects how much pride the staff takes in creating a place where children can truly thrive. One of the things I appreciated most was the communication. Whether it was a daily update, a milestone our son reached, or even a minor incident like a bump or scrape, I was notified promptly and always felt informed. The communication between his teachers, the office staff, and myself was outstanding. I never had to wonder what was happening during his day because they made sure I always knew. Bright Horizons is truly a family oriented and family friendly center. Parents are treated as partners, and they do an incredible job keeping families involved. Events, classroom activities, and special celebrations are communicated well in advance, with reminders provided along the way. Nothing ever feels last minute or overwhelming. They make it easy for families to participate, create memories, and feel connected to their child's experience. The office staff is absolutely incredible. They are warm, welcoming, organized, and always willing to help. Every morning started with a smile, and every afternoon ended with someone taking the time to connect with our family. Their support and dedication have made such a positive impact on our experience. I especially want to recognize Ms.Laura. Anytime I had questions about safety policies, procedures, or center protocols, she took the time to answer every question thoroughly and thoughtfully, always putting my mind at ease. As a parent, knowing your concerns are heard and taken seriously means everything. It is also clear how much she values and supports her staff. The positive culture she has created is reflected throughout the entire center, and it is obvious she leads with kindness, professionalism, and genuine care. Ms. Dru and Ms. Monique have had an immeasurable impact on my boys life. They loved him through his hardest days, celebrated his biggest accomplishments, encouraged his growth, and believed in him every step of the way. Their patience, compassion, and dedication helped shape him into the confident little boy he is today. We will forever be grateful for the love they poured into him. What impressed me just as much was that the care extended beyond his own classroom. Teachers who had never even been his teacher still knew him by name, stopped to ask him about his day, celebrated his successes, and made him feel like he belonged. That doesn't happen by accident, it speaks to the incredible culture Bright Horizons has built. I also had the privilege of being part of the Family Partnership Group (FPG), and it was one of my favorite parts of our experience. It gave parents the opportunity to support the teachers, connect with other families, and contribute to a community that genuinely values partnership. It made us feel like we were more than just enrolled at the center--we were truly part of a family. As our boy gets ready to begin TK, saying goodbye is incredibly bittersweet. Bright Horizons has been such an important part of our lives, and we will truly miss seeing everyone each day. Thank you to Ms. Laura, Ms.Drew, Ms. Monique, the wonderful office staff, and every teacher who made Bright Horizons Tierrasanta feel like a second home. Thank you for loving our son, keeping him safe, helping him grow, and treating our family with such kindness and respect. If you are looking for a center where your child will be safe, genuinely loved, encouraged, and known by name, I can say with complete confidence that Bright Horizons Tierrasanta is that place. Our family will always be grateful for the years and memories we shared there.

My kids went to BH over 2 years (maybe 3?!) and we just left because my kids were old enough for…read moreTK. I loved BH and felt confident leaving my kids there. I trusted the teachers and the administrators. There was a brief time when the new teachers in our classroom didn't seem to be working out and the school took action to fix it immediately. The admins are responsive and friendly. I will miss this school and recommend it highly.

If you are hoping for a school community that will go above and beyond to support your child's…read moretransition to school, you've found the right place. Sagebrush's Director, Ms. Porter, is a truly collaborative, authentic partner to families. Her deep understanding of children allows her to meet each individual child where they are, and she does so with empathy, positivity, and expertise. Ms. Porter acknowledges what parents know about their child, asks insightful questions, and brings together a caring, solution-oriented team. Everyone rallied to support my child's separation anxiety and proactively developed a responsive, flexible plan. And, just as importantly, Ms. Porter is fun, joyful, and absolutely adored by my child! It felt like magic walking around campus and hearing teachers and students from other classrooms exclaim my child's name, even during the first week of school! Being welcomed in such a thoughtful and intentional way was a reflection of how Sagebrush builds community and belonging.

I truly wish Sagebrush would expand into an elementary school so we could keep our child there…read morelonger! Sagebrush has been such a wonderful place for our daughter to learn and grow. It's clear that the teachers genuinely love what they do and deeply care about the children. I love the excitement my daughter feels when she goes to school each day and the joy she shows when she talks about everything she's learned and experienced. She has truly blossomed socially and emotionally at Sagebrush Children's Center. The learning experiences and engaging activities they provide have also supported her development and readiness for kindergarten. We are hopeful that our youngest will have the opportunity to attend Sagebrush as well. Our experience there has been nothing short of wonderful.

Our almost 4-year-old son has been attending Hillcrest Preschool, and we've had a great experience…read more We really love the progressive vibe of the school, and everyone has been so friendly and helpful. They helped us quickly get our son enrolled when I had to return to work from maternity leave and needed childcare right away. The administration was on top of everything and made the process so much less stressful. One of our favorite things is that they send photos throughout the day so we can see what our kid is up to. A special shoutout to Ms. Michell, who has been absolutely wonderful. She is kind, patient, and you can tell she truly cares about the kids. Our son has loved being in her class, and we're so grateful for everything she's done. Our son will be heading off to TK in August. We're sad to leave the school, but we'll definitely get our 2nd baby enrolled when she becomes a toddler!

I'm not sure where to begin. There are simply no words to describe the love I have for Hillcrest…read morePreschool. After 3 months of touring a few other centers, I finally found HP and the security, joy and support both of my children felt was worth all of the research. Hillcrest Preschool were the first people we trusted our babies with, they were supportive and patient as they dealt with this very anxious mom. Having 2 children in different age ranges provided such a great perspective as to just how much HP was offering our children. The value is high quality, both of my children were noticeably becoming social butterflies, their vocabulary expanded and one even came out potty trained! The staff is just *chefs kiss* their attention to detail to my littlest one as she dealt with separation anxiety was comforting and a breath of fresh air. The love doesn't just stop with the teachers, Kelli in the front office, was always available when needed and made the transition from one director to another so seamless and smooth. She truly deserves so much credit. All in all, if you stuck around to read all of this, I highly recommend you swing by, tour and take a look for yourself. Hillcrest Preschool was a Godsend to our family.