My daughter has been at PAE since 8th grade (she's going into Senior year 2025/2026 school year)…read moreand this school has been amazing for her. She's dyslexic and had struggled in public school with teachers that didn't have the bandwidth to work with her and help her learn. That caused severe social anxiety that made it harder for her to focus... it was a negative spiral. The teachers at Pacific Academy really took the time to get to know her and appreciate everything that she does well while pushing her to be her very best even in areas like math that are harder for her. She now has a 3.8 GPA, is taking AP classes and applying to out of state 4 year colleges with B.S. programs in zoology. She loves to read, leads a D&D group, plays tennis, is on the student council (ASB). This is a kid who struggled to read at all in the 2nd grade. The school is really small. Sometimes I worry that it's too small. But it's a big wide world out there and she does theatre with a different group and volunteers at a rescue and has friends from her co-op charter school (that closed and also didn't have a high school). In the end, the kids at the school are kind, most of them are a little quirky too and above all there is a strong culture of acceptance. If your child is a little different, artsy, smart but not thriving in a public school, socially anxious, or driven to succeed and not being challenged, you should totally check out Pacific Academy. They take a 1:1 interest in each student' success, they are flexible and yet they hold their students to high standards. It's small but mighty. We love it.

I enrolled my child at this school last year, and it was a very bad experience. From middle school…read moreup, classes are mixed with much younger students all the way to high schoolers in the same classroom. The older kids openly bullied the younger ones, often in front of the teacher, with no consequences. According to my child, teachers were passive-aggressive toward each other, which created a tense and unhealthy atmosphere. The principal also controls what teachers are allowed to tell parents, so you may not get the full truth about what your child experiences during the school day. I would not recommend this school.

Wonderful teachers, very happy with our choice, campus is beautiful, athletic field could use a…read morerenovation. It's so nice when your kids are excited and run into school every morning

I think that the support of the teachers and friends here is great. However the school will not…read moreprepare you well for high school. There are classes but they are not like high school so i reccomend moving your kid before middle school.

Wonderful school. We love that they offer pre-K through high school, so the kids aren't losing all…read morethe friend's they make between elementary, middle, & high school. The kiddo has also really been enjoying the additional Elementary classes outside of the regular classroom, such as music, art, P.E., & chapel. The elementary school has a fun new playground. The kids also enjoy checking out what's growing in the garden! Highly recommend for Christian families!

I went to Calvin from 6th grade up to 10th grade, before finally opting to transfer to a nearby…read morecharter school. Calvin is a small school. It has grown, but it's still small. There are benefits, of course, such as small class sizes, individualized attention, and open dialogue between teachers and students. However, it also has its downsides. Please look at this list of criteria (created by me): Is your child considered "troublesome"? Is your child struggling with any sort of mental health issue? Is your child not Dutch/Caucasian? Is your child not a teacher's pet? Is your child not often a popular kid? If you answered yes to any of those questions, Calvin is not the place for you. I am not a troublesome student. I graduated high school with a 4.11 GPA. I got A's in almost all my classes no matter what school. However, I did struggle with my mental health starting freshman year, which is ultimately the reason I left the school. I received the label of being a "depressed kid" and was never able to shake it, and I ended up taking that on as my identity. I transferred to get a fresh start from the teachers and the students, and I did much better once I didn't have that label following me. There isn't blatant racism at this school, but in my class all the Dutch girls sat together, and all the non-Dutch girls sat elsewhere during lunch. I am not Dutch, so I sat elsewhere. The Dutch girls didn't say you couldn't sit with them but weren't welcoming to any newcomers in their group. There were no other friend groups in that grade. That's also pretty much how it went for every grade. Calvin has diversified since then, but the saying "if you ain't Dutch, you ain't much" is well-known and I would say it is true. All the Dutch students were favorited by the teachers as well, but that's because most of the Dutch kids had their parents go to school there, so they were really just "legacy" students who were automatically favorited. The trick for getting good grades is to be a teacher's pet. If the teacher doesn't like you, you're screwed. I was a teacher's pet, and I was able to finagle my way out of several bad grades by gaining sympathy from the teachers. If you're not a teacher's pet, Dutch, or a popular kid, you're going to have to do a LOT of hard work to get good grades that other kids get simply by having parents who went to the school. Most of the teachers were amazing. Shout-out to Mr. Marriott, Mr. Bakker, Mr. VDP, Mr. Beutlich, Mrs. Lapka, and Mrs. Lundgren. They made learning fun and were genuinely such kind-hearted people. I always felt safe around them. However, as with every school, there are teachers that aren't great. The history teacher, when I was trying to explain my ADHD to him in regard to the accommodations plan I had, just kept telling me, "Oh, it's like my tinnitus". He also refused to accept my accommodations plan to break up a 100-question test into two parts. When my mom reached out, he told her that the class has a B average, she's never taken the class, and would I be receiving a modified diploma? I took an incomplete for this class and retook it my senior year at my new school. I got an A+. Also, they do present that 100% of their students go off to college. However, that's not actually true. I had a friend who ended up faking that she was going to go to college (she wasn't) so that it would look like she was in the graduation ceremonies. They even got her college merch from the college she was supposedly going to attend. I would have never known had I not been close friends with her. This school has its secrets. Teachers were quietly removed from the school for reasons that were pretty big deals, such as inappropriate communication with students and emotional outbursts at students. As for the principal. I thought he was great... because my beliefs aligned with his and he took pity on me. Yes, he does meet with students with the blinds open for all to see. We once all saw a student get his backpack searched for drugs in the office. Whether or not he had drugs, the blinds should have been closed. His office is in a common passing place so everybody can and will see. The principal seemed to like me a lot, so we got along and I liked him, but I can see how others wouldn't like him. He is adamantly anti-LGBTQ+, which can be expected at a Christian school, but he expressed this in an unkind way. God still loves those that are LGBTQ+ and this principal did not express that. Last thing! I hope your kid loves public speaking. My class had to give 7-10 minute speeches with no notes... apparently, this is not a thing in public schools, and my class was graded quite harshly. Anxiety was not tolerated. It's good to learn public speaking, but 10 minute speeches without notes on subjects kids aren't passionate about? That's harsh, especially for sophmores. This was for sophmore year. I am ultimately glad I left this school, but I believe others can thrive here... just check that checklist!

Best preschool in the area! The staff is friendly, gentle, and well trained. We've been here for…read morenearly two years, and it has been a wonderful experience for our daughter. She loves her teachers and always shares positive stories about her day. When our 4-year-old mentioned a classmate was bothering her, the school handled it with the utmost care and concern. They resolved the issue swiftly while keeping both children supported--a true testament to their expertise in conflict resolution. My interactions at the school have always been positive. The school is very safe, well-maintained and efficiently run thanks to superb leadership and excellence in child development. Lifebridge is a gem in the community and a real blessing for any parent looking for peace of mind for their child's well-being away from home. Thank you!

Lifebridge has been such a blessing to our family! Our 2 boys have been here now for a few years…read more My oldest is attending Kinder now. I love how caring the Director Julie is - she knows every child by name, prays for them, and listens to the Holy Spirit. During covid I knew the school was being ran by someone who hears from the Holy Spirit - what more could you ask? I love that they do the pledge every week together, along with prayer, and they sing songs about Jesus in chapel. I have never had any safety concerns the entire time they've been there, I know they are in the best hands. One of my favorite things about Lifebridge is how they do fun spirit weeks and celebrations. My boys are always looking forward to exciting celebrations coming up, Lifebridge makes holidays memorable and add in a ton of flare in between holidays to make school more exciting! Summer school especially is also full of exciting themes - splash day with bounce houses, popsicles on the playground, etc. If they're ever having a hard time getting to school, I can usually remind them of something fun coming up they're looking forward to. We are not a big extracurricular sports family, but I LOVE that they get pulled out to attend Amazing Athletes every week. They get to experience each sport, as well as do fun games & exercises & they get stamps to show what they learned that day so I can ask them about it at home. They never want to miss it. Again, we are so grateful to God for the blessing Lifebridge has been to our family.

So far we have loved the experience and I could not be happier at the school (and I have high…read morestandards and expectations). Each grade offers children to work at their own pace, and children can learn curriculum in reading/math up to two grades above each grade they're in without a competitive feel between the children. NO IPADS which is amazing since all public schools use that now as a learning tool and I'd rather my daughter not learn via tapping her finger on a screen. There is an intentional effort to have healthier food options at events, ordered school lunches, birthdays in class, aftercare snacks, but there is also no judgement amongst parents or between admin and parents. They offer extracurricular classes for kids in TK and beyond. My daughter does keyboard and dance once a week after school, and it's really nice, she just stays an extra half hour and I pick her up when it's done, and she LOVES them. The aftercare program has been amazing compared to the other Montessori we went to prior to ECDS. We absolutely love our teachers this year, along with the extracurricular teachers we've met. Ms. Hayes is the new principal but has worked at the school for over 10-15 years, and she is just wonderful, caring, dedicated, and knowledgeable. It's a really good feeling as a parent to have the principal and teachers open and welcoming of communication, and allowing us to be involved with our child's experience at school. Feel free to DM me on Yelp if you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them!

This elementary school administration is completely in inept and lazy. If you have a child with any…read moresort of special needs, or he/she needs any special assistance at school, look elsewhere!!!!!! Apparently if your child doesn't fit into the perfect square box, or they may learn differently, you will be overlooked immediately. Discrimination at its finest. Fortunately I've heard the teachers are amazing. So that is their saving grace.

Finding a private school that balances academic excellence with character development can feel like…read moresearching for a needle in a haystack. For our family, EAA hasn't just been a school, it's been a community that feels like home. From the start, we could tell the teachers and the staff set up a caring environment where your child is seen, known, and cared for with respect and encouragement. The main areas that have stood out to us the most: 1. Excellence Beyond the Textbook - The curriculum here is rigorous and forward-thinking, but what truly sets it apart is the holistic approach. The teachers don't just teach for the test; they teach for life. Starting in kindergarten, every quarter each student had to prepare a presentation that would be presented to their K-1st classmates. By the 4th quarter, each kid was thriving with confidence in public speaking skills! From STEAM projects to the fine arts in musical performances for choir, band, and handbells, kids are challenged to think critically and creatively every single day. 2. A Foundation of Faith and Values - In a world that often feels chaotic, EAA provides a centeredness and steadying influence. The Christian values of service to others, integrity, and compassion are woven into a variety of experiences and community outreach. It is incredibly heartening to see your child excitedly talking about how they helped someone that day and lead with kindness. 3. Mentors, Not Just Teachers - The faculty here are small, mighty, and absolutely world-class. They are deeply invested in each student's personal growth. We have seen firsthand how the small class sizes allow for individualized attention, ensuring that no student falls through the cracks and each child, no matter how young or old, is encouraged to reach their greatest potential. 4. A True Community Atmosphere - When we first started here, we immediately knew we weren't just signing up to any old school; we were joining a supportive community. The parent-teacher partnership is phenomenal, and the sense of safety--both physical and emotional--is something we value deeply. We wanted a school that would prepare our child for a success: whether for life in general or a rewarding career, we wanted to ensure they would be taught more than just the ABCs and the 123s. We now know our child is being set up for so much more through an enriched foundation that provides the tools, resources, and critical thinking necessary for a meaningful life. We have found that at EAA where confidence, intelligence, and faith have been intertwined in the most fantastic way. If you're on the fence, take a tour. Talk to the staff. See the students at play. You'll realize very quickly that this is exactly where your child belongs!

I can't express enough gratitude for Escondido Adventist Academy. After going through a difficult…read moredivorce and relocating to San Diego to be with my parents, I discovered this school through the Seventh-day Adventist Church--and it has been a true blessing. The environment is amazing--safe, nurturing, and full of love. From the front desk to the principal, every staff member is incredible. And I must say, his teachers are absolutely wonderful. They work so closely with him, offering constant support, giving him countless opportunities, and helping him succeed in every way. My son is flourishing--he's excelling academically and growing in character, rooted in Christian values. I'm so thankful for this incredible school and the difference they make every single day in our lives.

Sadly I feel compelled to report an observation concerning the director of the RVA school in…read moreScripps Ranch while at the Del Mar fair yesterday (06/09-22). I was attending with my daughter and her two 8 year olds, having a delightful time, when I happened upon this individual very aggressively, very loudly and very hostilely chastising 5 kids who looked to be 6-7. The tongue-lashing, complete with her jabbing her finger in a child's face while hurling accusations at him,then relentlessly berating the others, was EXTREMELY distressing. I was just a passer-by. I had no skin in this game, though I do know the difference between normal discourse and verbal abuse....It was a very upsetting demonstration of bullying, the very behavior we try to teach kids not to do...........But like a train-wreck, we couldn't take our eyes off the scene, horrified. The kids stood there frozen, seemingly paralyzed with fear, and just taking it (but what could they do?). They were young, stuck and looked terrified. She had an aide with her, so it was shocking to me that between the 2 of them this kind of mistreatment of 5 young kids was they best they could do to control their group. Finally my daughter intervened when it looked like the berating not only showed ZERO signs of abating, but instead was actually ramping up, apparently relishing the tirade she was delivering. This director/owner of the school seemed on a roll she could not or would not stop. I do not write this to attack, but to enlighten parents what might be happening with their kids at this school, with the recommendation that they question their kids about how they are treated and how she makes them feel. Personally, my heart broke for these poor youngsters. NO ONE deserves to be spoken to like that, especially such young, defenseless little children on an outing that was supposed to be fun. I was traumatized just watching. Had my daughter not intervened I suspect she'd STILL be ranting. .

My children attended RVA summer camp and they did not want to leave. They loved to learn though the…read moregames with Miss Nancy and let me tell you, she is truly amazing teacher, who loves all her students and treat them like her own!!! Not only my children fallen love with her but I am also. She is truly Gifted and that's why all the students at the academy are Gifted also!!!!

Great school all around; feels like family. Caring and supportive teachers and staff, they create a…read moregreat learning environment. Our kids have grown up here from kindergarten through 8th grade.