Our family has been part of the Goddard community since June 2023, when our oldest child started…read moreattending. Today, all three of our children (ages 4.5, 2.5, and 1.5) attend Goddard, and we've experienced every classroom from Infant through PS2.
We initially chose Goddard because of its outstanding reputation in the community. Families consistently described it as clean, safe, educational, fun, and trustworthy, and our experience has absolutely lived up to those expectations.
What stands out most is the genuine care the teachers have for the children. My kids are excited to go to school every day, which speaks volumes. The school is constantly creating fun and engaging experiences, from Kona Ice visits and special guests to themed weeks, festivals, scooter races, and enrichment opportunities like dance and soccer during the school day.
While we've had countless positive experiences, Ms. Amy deserves special recognition. She has built incredible relationships with our children and has become such an important part of their lives. She lovingly created nicknames that are still used years later, helped fully potty train our oldest and is now helping our second child, and even asked to FaceTime when he celebrated his first success on the potty. She has cared for our children when they were sick, kept us informed about important deadlines and events, and always takes time to share the little stories that make our days brighter. Goddard should do everything they can to keep her.
The teaching staff as a whole is exceptional. There is a wonderful mix of long-tenured teachers who mentor those newer to the profession. Every teacher brings a different style--warm, structured, silly, nurturing, or traditional--but all have earned our trust.
Communication is also strong. We receive regular updates regarding supplies, incidents, and classroom activities. While there have been a few opportunities for more proactive communication, such as when a classroom staffing change occurred unexpectedly, those instances have been the exception rather than the rule.
Academically, we've been incredibly impressed. Beyond reading at home, we rarely feel the need to supplement their learning. Our children frequently come home talking about topics that surprise us with their depth and detail. Most recently, we had a lively family discussion about nocturnal animals inspired by what they learned at school.
The school is exceptionally clean, organized, and well-managed. I particularly appreciate the emphasis on life skills and personal responsibility. My children routinely clear their dishes, clean up after themselves, and take pride in helping at home--habits that were reinforced at Goddard.
Finally, we have tremendous appreciation for Ms. Emily and Ms. Didi. Together they provide the perfect balance of hands-on leadership and strong administrative organization, helping create the positive culture and consistency that make the school so successful.
As parents, there is nothing more valuable than knowing your children are safe, loved, learning, and excited to be where they are each day. Goddard has given our family that peace of mind, and for that we are incredibly grateful.
