When my first child was ready for VPK I did what every first time parent does: I looked at every option and tried to figure out the very, very best school possible. Sure, no school is perfect, but Island Prep offered everything I wanted: flexible schedule options so my kid wasn't going 5 days a week, a good curriculum that would prepare her for kindergarten, and a great environment for learning and growing. After a tour I was hooked! The place is amazing and the people are fantastic! Not just the teachers, but the staff are amazing and always and very caring and attentive to our needs. When my daughter started school is became evident that she had some learning delays and Island Prep stepped up for us quickly. They helped direct me to resources to help and got us the assistance we needed to help her work through her delays. At every point of her VPK year they were supportive, kind, always willing to listen and help, and loved on my daughter like she was their child. My son now attends and he's learning at leaps and bounds. Now that my oldest is in first grade and I know what to expect a child to know and accomplish in kindergarten I can say I am already confident my son will breeze through kindergarten. He's loving school, his teachers, and is always excited to show me the letters he can write. Without any hesitation I would recommend this VPK program! read more

My son attended Island Prep for a year and a half before starting kindergarten and we are very happy with our decision to send him there. Academically, he was well-prepared going into kindergarten, so of course we were pleased with that. But more than that, Island Prep also introduced him to ASL, geography, conservation, yoga, gardening, science, and so much more that helped him to expand his curiosity and perspective. As he has gotten a little older, it has been fun building on those early learning experiences. He loves looking at maps, doing neighborhood and beach clean-ups, and he still talks about the visitors (professionals from around the community) that would come and speak to the classroom. The instructors and administrators were always responsive to any questions or concerns we may have had while he was there. He is a little bit quiet and shy, but getting him out of the door to go to school was never a problem. He loved it and we are looking forward to sending our youngest son there next year! We feel very lucky to have Island Prep here in St Augustine and definitely recommend it. read more

I cannot say enough positive things about the experience I have had with Island Prep. My daughter started in the toddler room when she was 15 months old, and is now 3.5 years old in the JPK classroom. We have consistently been amazed with all she has learned, not only academically, but also emotionally. Sometimes we'll be having dinner and she will start singing a song (days of the week, months of the year, the continents, etc.!) or reciting her numbers and alphabet. She has also learned to be conscious of other people's feelings, how to apologize and how to help cheer up her friends when they need it. The teachers have been long-term and consistent, which is important to my child who thrives on a routine. They love her, and each one has really taken the time to get to know her and all her little quirks. She loves them equally as much, and is thrilled to go to school each day. My 13-month old will be attending next year as well. I'm sure there are other very good schools, but there is nowhere else I would want my children to be. read more

We moved to St. Augustine in 2015, shortly after I found out I was pregnant. Not knowing anyone or anything about St. Augustine, I started reaching out to several local "mom groups" on social media to find preschool recommendations. This is when I learned about Island Prep. I immediately got on the waiting list and our daughter started full time in the toddler room when she was 15 months old. Right away we began to see huge improvements in her speech, motor skills and socialization with other children by leaps and bounds. Now, at 2 1/2 years old she is totally potty-trained, can count to 20 in English, 10 in Spanish, knows all of her ABC's, colors, shapes, etc.! Our daughter not only loves going to school everyday but she also amazes us with the accomplishments she brings home from school! Not to mention the cleanliness of the entire establishment! Thank you, Island Prep! Your teachers and staff are phenomenal and you have truly made us feel like family in a very short amount of time! read more

Island Prep isn't just a school it's WAY more than that. You know that saying, "It takes a Village" well this IS that village. The owners, directors, teachers, children, parents and community have established this village. Many families have gone through tough times and Island Prep is always doing everything they can to help in one way or another, the support system is amazing. It is a place I am happy to call a home away from home. My son has been at Island Prep since before he turned a year old and he will be starting kindergarten this fall. He is still so excited to go to school and share so many things with his friends and teachers. Telling me oh so often how much he "love love loves his school". I applaud all these women for doing such a wonderful job, even on their worst days they are still nothing short of amazing. It's a comforting and educating environment for these children and it definitely shows. read more

After a terrible daycare experience (our very first experience, actually) at another local preschool, we bit the bullet, hired a nanny, and placed ourselves on the waitlist at island prep. Finally! We got into the new Blackford Way location. I cannot stress enough how safe I feel with my child at Island Prep! We went from my child staying sick, having meltdowns that are totally out of his character, and finding him in multiple different rooms due to their lack of staff (he was a big one year old so they justified putting him in a class designed for three year olds because of the ratio) to my child running to the car giggling, walking himself into class, consistency with his teachers (who he adores), hardly any colds even thoughout flu season, and a total flourishing of his little personality. I literally would not even waste your time anywhere else. I only wish that they had an infant room! read more

WOW... just WOW! I am absolutely blown away with how caring, professional and welcoming this school has been for my daughter! She absolutely LOVES going to school each day and the staff here, especially Rachel have been over-accommodating and have really helped with care for both our children even in a last minute pinch and always with a SMILE :-) My daughter absolutely LOVES Miss Ferlaino and her amazing hand-on activities each week- they are so interactive with yoga and Spanish too! She brings home amazing crafts everyday with such pride and accomplishment it consistency brings a smile to my face. I wanted an eco-friendly, organic and Montessori-style school and I have received all that and MORE! I honestly have so many GREAT things to say about this school- THANK YOU AGAIN Island Prep-- I am truly blessed to have found you!! :-) read more

This school is appalling. During my daughter's time there, there were numerous troubling incidents. One student had to be taken away in an ambulance and received stitches. In another case, a peer had paper stuffed into their water bottle, which caused them to choke, thankfully, they were okay. Additionally, one of my daughter's friends was bullied, and despite her desperate cries for help, the school ignored her, which severely impacted her education. On her graduation trip, my daughter was harassed by an older man, and when she stood up for herself and told him to leave her alone, the teacher reprimanded her, saying she should have never engaged with him in the first place. The teachers refuse to listen to students, and their lack of support is disgraceful, whatever you do, DO NOT send your kids here. read more

My older daughter attended VPK at Island Prep 3 years ago and we all had such a great experience that we enrolled my 4 year old this year. The rooms are bright and clean and the teachers do such a great job making it a fun environment to learn. My daughter's teacher this year provides fun projects for them and also is able to individualize their learning experience so all the children are getting what they need. I feel confident that my daughter is more than well prepared for Kindergarten next year. I love that they provide extras like spanish, yoga, and martial arts. All the staff I have met are extremely friendly and help provide a safe place for the children. We are really happy that both of our daughters had the opportunity to have Island Prep as their first experience in a school setting. read more

We have been apart of the Whale family for 3 years! When we first moved to St. Augustine, we did not know a single soul. After researching the preschool options in town, we chose Island Prep, and could not be prouder to be apart of this extraordinary school. My children have excelled in learning and development at every stage of growth, as Island Prep's educational program engages in learning through play, which has allowed my children to explore, discover and gain confidence in themselves. Children are not placed in a classroom based on age alone, as careful consideration is given to each unique child. My son is now in first grade at the Blue Whale school and my daughter is in preschool at the Green Whale. They enjoy going to school so much that they ask to go on the weekends! read more

You know your child is going to an excellent school, when you are up early making coffee and they come racing down the stairs dressed, wearing a big smile, and asking, "Am I going to school today!" Juliet loves Island Prep and that says much coming from a very insightful and sensitive 4 year old. The other day at home, she was writing very legible letters on napkins, singing class songs, and telling wonderful stories about her caring teachers: Ms. Greaves and Ms. Stevens. The owner, Dani, has true heart for children. She is eager to learn more about your child by asking questions. I can tell she truly wants to understand my child. It is great to know that Juliet can be exactly who she is, in a very caring and safe environment. read more

Island Prep is hands down the best preschool in town. Both my children having been attending Island Prep since they were a year old. My son will start kindergarten in the fall at the Blue Whale school. Island Prep is more than just a daycare or ordinary preschool- it is a wonderful and caring community that supports its families in nurturing, teaching and raising its children. I'm so grateful that St Augustine has this school with its caring and dedicated teachers and owners. Island Prep's commitment to our town and our environment is inspiring. My children are flourishing at Island Prep and i love hearing the excitement in their voices as they share with me about their day. read more

As a former teacher at Island Prep, I can say that not only was it an amazing environment to work in, but also a wonderful addition to our town. I am in my 9th year of teaching and wouldn't be half the teacher I am today without the experiences I had at this school! Every employee pours their heart into each child's education and well-being and the school does a great job at giving back to not only our community but our environment as well. Dani and her staff genuinely care about every family, and I know that when my child is ready this is the only school I would send him to! read more

The staff at Island prep is incredible! As a working mom, it is so nice to feel confident that your children are being taken care of emotionally and intellectually each day, and know that the resources and opportunities they provide for development are more than I could offer them myself. My daughter has been going to island prep for 4 years, has loved all of her teachers, and is excited about going to school everyday. My son is in the toddler room, and the teachers have cared for him like he was one of their own. I am so thankful for Island Prep! read more

We have loved Island Prep. Both my kiddos adored their teachers. We enjoyed the Eco Friendly perks. No shoes in the classroom allowed my kids to actually feel more at home. My son enjoyed not only the karate instructor but also the Yoga. I'm not a Yogi but love that My kindergartener asks if he can do Yoga bc he remembers it from his classes here. They immerse them in education of the mind, the earth and instilling in them self awareness of themselves and others. It is a phenomenal school that we were sad to leave when we had to move. read more

My children have been attending Island Prep for roughly 4 years now and I cannot imagine a better school. You can tell the staff there is well trained and make it a priority to ensure a warm and loving environment for the children in their care. My children are now at the "Blue Whale" in the Kindergarten and First grade and are receiving a top notch education without all the stress of being heavily assessed day in and day out. This school has become a part of our family and I am so glad to have chosen it for our children. read more

If you want to be stuck in an ironclad contract join this school. They don't care what your situation is (seriously), if you have to pull your kid out of this school you will still have to pay for the whole year. Also the academics they provide have never been up to par, we've always felt like we were giving them a chance to get it together since they were new but it's just not worth my child falling behind. They are not transparent in regards to covid exposures. read more

My toddlers arrive to Island Prep in the morning with hugs and smiles and high-fives. The teachers send me photos, videos, and updates with funny stories about what they are doing during the day. And then my tots come home every evening with new vocabulary, new sign language words (!!), new motor skills, and other new abilities. They are loved by the teachers as if they were their own family members. What more could a momma want?? I love Island Prep!! read more

Our 4 year old has been attending Island Prep since he was 15 months old, and just started VPK this week! We couldn't be more pleased with the education he has received, as well as the cleanliness of both schools. He has been loved on since the first day he started in 2014 and has excelled each year. I can't wait to see what this year in VPK brings! Thank you for creating such a special place for our community and our children! read more