I am writing this review as a deeply disappointed parent who entrusted University Christian…read moreSchool's Oceanway campus with the education, safety, and emotional well-being of my young daughter. My experience with this institution has left me seriously questioning its leadership, disciplinary procedures, transparency, professionalism, and commitment to the Christian values it claims to represent.
My concerns specifically involve Principal Trey Ciresi, first-grade teacher Deborah Heavener, the campus administration, and Head of School Jeleen Del Valle.
On September 25, 2026, my daughter was placed on a Behavior Support Plan that was supposed to allow two weeks for improvement. However, on October 6, I was contacted regarding a meeting scheduled for October 8, before the full two-week period had elapsed. The school subsequently made the decision to terminate my daughter's enrollment.
What I find absolutely unacceptable is that despite my repeated requests, I have still not received the complete documentation substantiating the behavioral allegations used to justify removing my child from school.
I requested incident reports, behavioral referrals, written documentation, and available video footage concerning the incidents attributed to my daughter. I also raised concerns that the school allegedly documented multiple behavioral incidents without consistently notifying me as her parent. To my knowledge, only one referral was emailed to me when an incident occurred.
How is a parent supposed to correct alleged behavioral issues when the school fails to consistently communicate what supposedly happened?
I am particularly concerned about Principal Trey Ciresi's leadership and handling of my daughter's situation. Based on my personal experience, I believe my daughter was unfairly singled out, and I question whether he exercised appropriate judgment, patience, fairness, and professionalism when addressing behavioral concerns involving a young child.
In my opinion, the manner in which this situation was handled raises serious questions about his readiness and suitability to serve in a principal's position. I believe his leadership decisions warrant a formal review by the school's governing administration, including whether he should continue in this role.
I also question first-grade teacher Deborah Heavener's handling and communication of the alleged behavioral incidents. As a parent, I expected timely communication, documented concerns, and a genuine partnership focused on helping my child succeed. Instead, I was left requesting information that should have been clearly and consistently communicated throughout the process.
The response from Head of School Jeleen Del Valle only deepened my concerns. In writing, she acknowledged that the administration decided to end my daughter's enrollment and that the school intentionally provided withdrawal documentation rather than administrative dismissal documentation.
Let me be perfectly clear: I did not voluntarily withdraw my child. University Christian School made the decision to remove her.
Although Mrs. Del Valle indicated that the school's records would reflect an administration-initiated separation, her response still failed to provide the specific supporting evidence and documentation I repeatedly requested.
Instead, the response emphasized the school's authority as a private institution to terminate enrollment, its nonrefundable tuition policy, and its decision to waive the withdrawal fee.
A waived fee does not replace accountability. A carefully worded administrative email does not replace evidence. And a private school's authority to discontinue enrollment does not eliminate a parent's right to question the fairness of that decision.
What makes this experience even more disheartening is that this institution promotes Christian education. I expected compassion, patience, integrity, honesty, and an environment where children are guided rather than made to feel discarded when challenges arise.
My daughter deserved a fair opportunity to improve, transparent communication, and adults who were genuinely committed to helping her succeed.
I strongly encourage prospective parents to carefully examine this school's disciplinary policies, request clarification about parental notification procedures, and understand what happens financially and academically if the administration decides to terminate a child's enrollment.
Parents should also ask whether they will receive complete documentation of behavioral allegations, whether intervention plans will be honored for their stated duration, and what meaningful review process exists when parents disagree with administrative decisions.
Based on my family's experience, I have lost confidence in Trey Ciresi's leadership, Deborah Heavener's communication regarding my child's behavioral concerns, and Jeleen Del Valle's handling of my requests for accountability and documentation.
I cannot recommend University Christian Ocea
