Sounds like that lady that gave BC 1 star doesn't even have kids that go there. Bitter because Bear…read moreCreek doesn't accept open enrollment. Sounds like that person is the only one working off their entitlement. I'm a single mom with 5 kids and rent in the neighborhood. The staff at this school is phenomenal. The support that my kids (and I) have received the past 6 school years has been amazing. I am sad to be leaving next year. The principal, Kent Cruger, knows every kid by name. The things the other reviewer had to say were flat out lies. He absolutely puts every child in that school first. BOULDER is not diverse... that is not his fault. I'm not white, and neither are my kids. I am not rich. We are treated the same as any other family. Mr. Soole (PE) is loved by all the kids, because he is a big kid! Mrs. James (Music) keeps the kids engaged with productions that are also meaningful. Every teacher we have had has been compassionate and kind, teaching to the needs of the individual child. I am a HUGE proponent of neighborhood schools, and quite frankly, dislike the open enrollment concept. It overcrowds some schools and leaves gaps in others. People should focus on putting energy and time into their neighborhood schools, where their children can have friends they can walk/bike to. I have lived in several states, and have passed through 8 elementary schools over the past 20 years of being a parent. Bear Creek will always hold a very special place in my heart, and those of my children who were lucky enough to attend.

We left traditional education in 4th grade and haven't looked back. We joined Friends Middle…read moreSchool in 6th grade, and our son has blossomed into a confident thinker with a positive attitude on learning. The smaller environment has enabled our 'different' thinker to adapt and produce work he is proud of. He's with a great group of kids and enjoys the schools flexible use of 'know yourself', wonderfully creative with learning ideas and encouragement for kids with dyslexia, ADD, etc...has made a world of difference. Only one more year before high school, but we see his connections with teachers and peers and are pleased to watch his progress.

We love Friends! We have a Kindergartener and Preschooler and this is our fourth year at the…read moreschool. The dedication and effort staff and teachers put in each day is amazing. The kids spend a good amount of time outside, small class sizes, and an amazing social and emotional emphasis in all grades. I have some background in Early Childhood Education and my husband use to be a high school teacher and we just couldn't be happier.

Not only is Ziji a fantastic school but they emphasize outdoor play based learning. I was impressed…read moreby the reading skills of the 2nd graders. The projects about planets posted on the walls were so creative and showed that the students really understood what they were learning about. The two very experienced teachers have embraced a way of teaching that blows public education away. Small, personal and impressive school. Call them and take a tour to see for yourself, you won't be disappointed.

Ziji Early Elementary is a hidden gem in Boulder County. I have been so grateful to have my girl…read morehappily learning in a nurturing environment with two lead teachers who are very mindful in their presentation of the material, very loving with their care of the children, and keenly aware of the children's progress and challenges. The schoolhouse was once a home and the warmth Norah and Marti have created in it speaks worlds to the benefits of "home" schooling. Sending my daughter there, I feel confident that she is in the best of hands and is getting exactly what she needs in the early primary years of her education. She and I both have made friendships that will endure and I firmly believe she has been well served for future learning.

We are in our 7th year at BCD - my daughter is in 6th grade, and my son is in 7th. We are thrilled…read morewith our kids' academic performance, and how BCD drives excellence and global awareness, as well as community involvement, inclusion, and kindness. My kids enjoy the variety of music, art, science, innovation, and explore classes, as well as special projects like Model UN and outdoor education trips. BCD does an incredible job facilitating communication with parents, and I am so thankful that my kids have the opportunity to attend this school.

My son started in January and the difference in his demeanor is remarkable. No more tears and drop…read moreoff. He's connected with both the lead and assistant teachers. He enjoys all the Friday assemblies. and I've enjoyed a closer sense community.

What a safe, warm, loving second home for my kids. What a blessing it was for my kids and our…read morewhole family. Karen and the rest of the staff are personal, professional, and care so deeply and so well for the kids!

We are absolutely thrilled with the Rainbow Child Care Center. We moved to Boulder from Boston and…read morefrom day one, our 4-year-old daughter felt loved and nurtured by Karen and Cheney. Each day she comes home overflowing with excitement about what she did and learned about during the day. Karen and Cheney are so creative with the school -- an entire unit on bats, another on apples. Our daughter comes home, her arms brimming with artwork and her mind brimming with ideas. She never wants to miss a day of school. As parents, we're overjoyed. We recommend Rainbow to everyone!

We just use the baseball fields for our dog or the area in between, its annoying that we pay taxes…read morebut are treated like second class people when we want to run our dogs there so little kids can play baseball and leave trash every where. The good part is it is close and we can almost always find a good way to let the dog run.

Our two kids went here for 2 years. It's great. Miss Rita is a constant and runs the ship. Several…read moreother caretakers have rotated through and they've all been great too. Miss Rita can pick 'em well. Our kids have learned, grown, socialized, and played a ton--exactly what they need. When we first moved to town, we looked for daycare options in every prospective neighborhood, which is to say a lot. The yard at Strawberry Farm was the first indication this place is the best. It's a huge yard. There's a "car" area for driving, grass area, playhouses and slides, sometimes a bouncy house, sometimes a sprinkler, always a sun-protected sandbox. In the summer, there's a sun shade canopy over the kid-height picnic table and benches. There's a garden the kids help with. Inside is cozy. The whole downstairs is for kids--a quiet, dark nap room, another nap room for the youngest so they can sleep longer, a music room, cozy living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom with changing station/small toilets and sinks the kids can reach. The schedule is posted in the entrance hall. The kids have drawers and hanging pockets for delivering and picking up things. More about sleep: Our oldest had just turned 3 and we were lucky there was a spot open. The little one was 1 and no spot. He went somewhere else that was...fine...he was safe and fed. However, maybe they never turned the lights off? or didn't have a quiet room? hard to imagine but he didn't nap. They said he wouldn't nap, which was nonsense. At pick up sometimes he was asleep literally on the floor of the main room. He'd sleep in the car/bike, pass out at home and barely revive for dinner. We had to move him ASAP. Once with Miss Rita, he napped perfectly fine without any trouble. Such a relief. They have healthy food and snack every day. Lunch is prepared and the menu posted daily (I love that). They occasionally take fieldtrips to the library and a local Italian restaurant (and send along any leftovers). They have circle time and interactively enjoy story books every day. They learn manners, taking turns and polite language that has been very helpful to use at home. Life is never always smooth and to help with that, Rita will always make time to discuss concerns and issues. We've talked to her when we wondered about our kids and she talked to us when there was something we could help with. That communication is important.

My grandchildren have attended Strawberry Farm since they were 2 year olds. They love the program…read moreand Miss Rita. She is the most kind, gentle and patient person. She is very knowledgable about childhood development and as a result, my grandkids have thrived under her watch. We are so grateful for all Miss Rita has done for our family.