I read the information on the Stepping Stones website, and it looks incredibly encouraging! I'm…read morehoping by the time my youngest son is ready to exit 8th grade, his current Charter School will have a high school option, but if not, it is great to know places like this exist in the local community. They also collaborate with a large number of nationally accredited charter schools across the state. The varied options I mentioned earlier include homeschooling, independent study, and blended learning opportunities - I am so happy to see schools joining this model of education...it's really proving to be the best way to educate children for successful futures instead of churning them out like a grim scene from The Wall... In their own words: "Our focus is personalized education for each student. The best way to change tomorrow is to invest in our children today... One Step at a Time." Yes. More of this, please!!! One thing that particularly stands out is that they are community-centered learning institutions. This has a twofold effect - they promote success in academics by nurturing a connection with the community (usually through volunteerism or other efforts), and they also partner their students with successful to make sure they achieve the steps necessary to succeed from the time they start Kindergarten until the time they choose a career. That's smart educating! Through their network of partner schools, they can tailor a student's education to help keep them engaged, participating, and give them the tools they're going to need for future success in college, university, or trade/vocational school programs (again, education works different for everyone, and it looks like these people understand that!!!) Their website uses the word "investment" regarding their students, and I can't day how much I love that...I wish more schools treated education like an investment in our children and the future of not only the individual, but the community and society as a whole. They teach children to be self-paced and directed; and also foster a sense of independent thinking and those who can not only use critical thinking to solve problems, but also communicate in whichever way is best suited to their own personality and style. Since I know many people who communicate through electronic devices, I like to hear the emphasis placed on communication and not "speaking." There is a big difference. These folks seem like they "get it!" Their main goal appears to be simple: to help students of all ages and stages to "learn how to learn." I love that phrase! They know that many students don't have a place in our rather drab and outdated school model, with endless tests and redundant, utterly uninteresting and non-dynamic curriculum. In addition to general school/high school academics, these students also apparently get to discover their own potential career path; and this could include technical courses, visual/performing arts, apprenticeships (similar programs currently exist in some European countries) and service learning projects - I've done Service Learning Projects in my own college; and they're enhancements to the curriculum you're already learning, it's really great foundation building work! This was one of the things that stuck out at me while I was reading about their program... apparently, Stepping Stones also offers two years of college at no cost for those who qualify. This could just be help filing out the FASFA FOR Federal Student Aid (which not everyone will qualify for, depending on how much their parents make), but could potentially also include help finding grants, scholarships, and alternative ways to fund tertiary education beyond high school. :) My son's current charter school has been a godsend, but now that we've been able to dodge the proverbial "bullet" that was a nightmarish middle school experience (it only lasted a month, thankfully!), and he's now fully included in his school. There are no segregated classes for special education, but he receives as much support as he needs (including a dedicated aide that the school hand picked for him and hired after he enrolled), so I cannot sing the praises of charter schools enough. His behavior is better, self-confidence has skyrocketed, and he is now taking initiative to work both on classwork and chores at home! But he's in 6th Grade now, and the school he's at currently only goes to 8th. I'm hoping they'll add an option for high school in the next few years, but if not...I am very pleased to know there are alternatives that match our current setup available within close proximity. I have friends that need this type of opportunity for their own children, so I'm passing this on to them too. If only I'd known what was out there when my 21 year old was being pushed through the school system..."No Child Left Behind" just means they're going to end up with many adults that are left without...because they never caught up...

I'm so happy with Empresa the staff and teachers are so helpful and kind. Love that they have music…read moreand art. I have a first grader and a 5 grader both love this school. Thank you Empresa for all you do. EMPRESA ROCKS!!

We love Empresa elementary. Great system, music program, and amazing g teachers. My son is…read morefinishing TK this year and we couldn't ask for a better teacher than his teacher. We love their sports, painting, AP/PM program and teachers. We also hear a lot of amazing stories from other parents. We only hope Empresa can get its Chess Club back soon. Thank you all for the amazing job you do with all the children!

This school is excellent in many ways. Communication with parents and updates are timely. My…read moredaughter enjoys attending this school.

We are extremely happy with Live Oak Elementary School we're my grandson is attending. My daughter…read moreis always kept up to dates with events happening and we have loved both his teachers. Keep up the great work Live Oak.

School activity over crowds buses far beyond regulations. Maximum capacity for middle school is 56…read more Currently crowding in at 84. Kids have been sitting on the floor and standing. Illegal and rude.

It's an okay district but I think they could harder . My 2 kids go to BWE and my other kid goes to…read morebonsall and bonsall is better and caring. BWE could do better. BWE is under payed and could do better this is my opinion

Great schools (elementary and middle school). It's received awards for being one of the top…read moreschools in San Diego County. Teachers are great as well as the principals. It's definitely leaps and bounds over the Fallbrook school district!

When I read some of the Yelp reviews for Potter Junior High, I was nervous to send my daughter for…read more7th grade but after one year there, I am happy to share that it is a really wonderful little school. My daughter's teachers were ALL wonderful - kind, passionate about kids and their subject(s), engaged in the process with the right amount of authoritativeness to keep kids in their seats and doing the work. The admin team is VERY strong, led by the new principal Dr Ramirez, his VPs Mrs Taylor and Mrs Jessica and the entire support staff is top notch. I think the student experience is deeply effected by how involved and supported they are by their family. Obviously this can be tough when parents have to work multiple jobs and juggle lots of kids - which is the case for many at Potter but I think the staff is really great at making sure all students get the support they need. On to Fallbrook High School next!

Very nice junior high school in the town of Fallbrook. The staff work very hard to provide the best…read moreexperience for the kids.

This school isnt perfect but willing to try to change there ways and really try to help.your…read morechildren suceed. Love mrs reilly . Didnt get off on a good start due to mis communication and covid but man she is a grEAt at teacher and will try all she can to help.you child to suceed. Thank you mrs Reilly first grade at fallbrook elementary. I look foward to the rest of the year .

My kindergartener started off school with a bang, but one week into school they changed her class…read moredue to new enrollees, moved her away from her friends and weren't understanding when we asked to have her move back. She really missed the warm teacher she had at first and the friends she already had and would come home saying "I just know they're gonna put me back mama." I took her out because this usually happy kid's last day there she said she cried five times and no one noticed. Anyway it's off to private school for this kid.

Willow Tree and all of the kind, caring, and talented staff has and will ever more have a special…read moreplace in our hearts. Traditional schooling was just not an option for our family and we feel so SO SO grateful that the staff here has worked diligently to provide a school that offers a more tailored and down-to-earth educational approach. What we really appreciate is how many instruction options WT offers, you can choose from 4 days a week full day, or 4 half days, or 2 full or half days. But what we love the best is the overall knowing that our child is well looked after and generally loved as an individual all the while receiving an education that values the environment and the overall well-being of children and connecting to the two through meaningful and relevant activities in the classroom. If you are looking for an alternative to traditional schooling please know your child will be well cared for here and will actually love learning!! We LOVE Willow tree!!!!

My children have been attending Willow Tree for the last six years. I have been so pleased with the…read moreeducation my children have received. My daughter graduated last year and has been well prepared to head into high school. My son has been a student since the first grade and has been completely held and nurtured as a learner and a child. The teachers are well trained, the curriculum is rich and diverse, and the leadership team is responsive and caring. It really says a lot about the community that it has stayed cohesive through many challenges over the years with their location and the pandemic. Bethany and her staff are true beacons of strength and care.