We have a 15-year-old who's a sophomore in high school and started taking college algebra. The…read moreamount of workload with the amount of questions with not knowing how to do college algebra really put a lot of stress on us. At the time we were in a pinch we had 60 algebra questions due with just 2 days left to turn it in. Thinking about getting a bad grade was something that I could not have happened. With not knowing how to do college algebra, I found 1502 Tutoring. The moment Brandon started working with my son really help my son, learn quickly. After a few weeks of tutoring a once a week, my son has clear knowledge of how to do college algebra on his own now thanks to Brandon

Brandon is an amazing tutor! My 15 year old daughter has been receiving tutoring from him since…read moremiddle school. She has gone from Cs and Ds in math to taking AP math classes, getting all As and Bs, and actually loving mathematics now. Brandon is very patient and he is very familiar with the SD school system math classes and he does an excellent job of aligning with class curriculum. We highly recommend 1502 Tutoring for any kids needing help with understanding math.

I have been an observer of Ms. Ansari's work for some time now and it never ceases to amaze me. She…read morehas a finesse to her that just doesn't compare to others. What I really like about her approach is she doesn't just pull from one theory or methodology. She draws from aspects of a variety to truly tailor treatment to each client individually. She also provides great parent coaching. Sometimes as a parent it can be hard to know how to approach certain things with your child. You don't always know exactly how to tune into your child's needs in the best way. She offers reflective parenting which is so helpful and insightful to parents. I am always pleased and impressed with her work and treatment.

From the owner: Not a traditional tutoring center, the Center for Educational Therapy & Parenting Clinic caters to…read moreparents, children, adolescents and young adults with learning differences and Social Skills needs. In addition to the outstanding Social Skills Groups, the Center provides a full treatment plan for those struggling with ADHD, Asperger's Syndrome, Oppositional Defiant Disorder and other social emotional challenges. We specialize in the Twice Exceptional population: those who are gifted and also have a diagnosis as listed above.

Crystal Sanford was very helpful in assisting us with the IEP process with our son's school. Our…read moreson is 5 years old with autism and wasn't getting the attention he so desperately needed. His old IEP wasn't being followed, so we needed assistance to be aware of our rights and make sure the new IEP included everything he is entitled to. She reviewed the new IEP and proposed various changes and corrections to it, which the school accepted.

My husband and I decided to use Sanford Autism Consulting to help us with our son (5 years old)…read moreIEP. She offered us free initial interview where we sat down and voiced our concerns first. After our intial meeting we decided to use her service. We gave Crystal a copy of our son current IEP, she reviewed it and developed a proposal action plan/suggestions geared toward getting the best help for our son at his school. Crystal was very professional, well experienced and genuinely helpful. I will personally recommend Crystal to every parents of a child with IEP. Please consult with an advocate first before signing an IEP. She undertstand and helped us with our concerns that we don't know how to ask with school district, she gave us pointers and typed it all out for us to bring on the meeting. We are very thankful for her and definitely recommending her to other parents.

Everyone is so helpful and friendly. When I arrived I went up to the trailer and lady there was so…read morekind and helped me and walked me where I needed to go. Fingerprints lady was also so nice and informative. Everyone is awesome here! Thank you!!

Four years ago I had come to the office looking for help getting a permit, and I had a really bad…read moreexperience. The woman who was supposed to help me took a look at my transcript, said no, and sent me on my way. No support, no guidance, no appeared interest in wanting to answer any of my questions. I remember leaving discouraged and confused because I couldn't understand why my classmates, who all had the same courses as me, were able to get a permit and I wasn't. I remember being frustrated and not wanting to go back to the office because it seemed like a waste of time. Fast forward to today, I met with a credential specialist named Mario Castillo who was super helpful! He was very patient with me and helped walk me through the process of what I needed to do. He offered me different options for what I was interested in getting, and showed me all the forms I could use for the application. He was very knowledgeable, and it was clear he knew how to do his job and could do it well. I left feeling encouraged, and I left with a much better taste in my mouth of the County of Education office. I now feel like I know what next steps I need to take, and I don't feel as lost. Good customer service really does make a difference, and I'm glad that Mario was able to assist me today.

Monica is a dedicated and skilled advocate. She is…read morepassionate about her client's wellbeing. That passion is reflected in her persistence in negotiating a amicable outcome.

Care, consideration and compassion are the first three words that come to mind when discussing…read moreMonica's advocacy. She cares for the children and parents she represents. She's considerate to all parties involved and uses positive communication to provide cohesive understanding across both sides of the table. And lastly, compassion, for each little learner's individuals needs while she molds an educational environment that will help them for the rest of their lives.

This club is so different than other clubs. It's diverse and young and professional and has a warm…read morefeeling. I would definitely give it a shot.

Public speaking? Ew. But why then am I looking up speech…read moreclubs? I've always been fascinated with public speaking, but darn scared of people... and speaking... which creates a difficult situation. I finally pushed myself to attend a Toastmasters meeting. And it was pretty cool. And then I went out and tried some other clubs. And... they were pretty cool too. And in April 2014 I went out to Career Builders Toastmasters. And it BLEW MY MIND. --- 3 things: Timely. Positive. Diverse. What stands out to me about Career Builders is its respect for time. I've been to many groups who don't take time into consideration - don't start on time, end on time, etc. I think timeliness shows a lot about a club's professionalism and the kind of environment they create for their members. Though it is a timely group, Career Builders does not suffer from any rigidity and remains energetic, positive and relationship-oriented. Many guests are impressed by the attitude of the members there. Everyone wants to be there?! The energy that is present at every meeting is really not something you see often anywhere else. As an ethic-minority, I am also sensitive to a group's diversity. I've seen that Career Builders creates a safe place for people of all kinds to practice their skills, gain confidence, and receive warm support. --- I've attended meetings and been a member of other Toastmasters clubs, and I can say with certainty that Career Builders performs among the top 5% in San Diego. I love this group. I love love love this group. Most weeks, I still feel like Career Builders is too good to be true. And in the end, you have to see it to believe it.

Passport Admissions is nothing less than fantastic. I've been waiting to go to college since a few…read moremonths into my freshman year of high school. I had been doing tentative research on my own, but once I was directed to Passport Admissions, everything changed. I met with Rob, my counselor throughout the entire process, and that was when my college search really began. I was given a very personalized questionnaire, and then every week he would suggest 3 schools for me to research. After researching, I would email him with my feedback on all of the schools, and he would send me another round for scrutiny. While I was in the research process, I would email Rob once a day and almost always got a response the same day. I went through a grand total of 24 schools before deciding to apply to 8. Among these eight schools was my dream school, which was also a reach school. After Rob's suggestion and some serious consideration, I decided to apply Early Decision to this school and I was accepted! Even though I had applied ED in November, I still went through the process of completing the applications for the other schools, just in case I wasn't accepted. Passport Admissions also paired me with an amazing essay editor, who helped me refine my writing and convey my ideas effectively. I emailed Rob constantly with questions about the Common Application, the different applications, and with new drafts of my different essays. By the time I found out that I had been accepted, I had completed almost all of my other applications. Needless to say, PA helped me get a lot accomplished that I would not have otherwise. I can honestly say that if it weren't for Passport Admissions, I never would have considered this school. I really didn't know what I wanted before I had some guidance through this process and having this extra help made all the difference. I am really so glad to that I was able to work with Rob. He was so enthusiastic about the entire process. It was comforting how much attention he paid to my needs and my concerns. I can't even imagine how stressed I would be without someone who knows the process guiding me through it. What makes Passport Admissions unique is that the program is so personalized. You're not working with adults who act condescending or superior. On the same note, they don't sugar-coat the reality for you. They look at your options realistically. When I decided on final schools to apply to, I knew which schools I was likely to be accepted to (and receive good financial aid packages at) and which schools were a reach. I didn't have to worry about not getting into a school I knew I would fit with. (With the help of PA, I knew that I would have been happy at any of the schools I was going to apply to.) I would definitely recommend Passport Admissions to any student about to embark on his or her journey through the labyrinth of college applications. In fact, I already have. (I mention them whenever I get the chance.) They were invaluable to me in my search for my perfect school and I would wish the same stress-fress, informed, exciting journey upon any fellow student.

I can't recommend Rob and Passport highly enough. Before we first spoke during the spring of my…read moreson's junior year, I met with two other potential college counselors. One was immediately negative when she saw the list of schools he was considering. She was convinced that every school on it would be a reach and seemed determined to make him, and us, be more realistic. Since then, I've had several friends describe similar experiences. During that initial conversation, my husband was listening in the background, and we agreed that while it was important to build a balanced list, we did not want our son working with someone so pessimistic or limiting. We wanted a counselor who would be on his side, who believed he had a chance, while also encouraging him to apply broadly and thoughtfully. Rob immediately brought exactly that energy. He encouraged our son to dream big and work hard on the strongest possible application, while also gently reminding him that he would be fine wherever he ended up. He was always available for advice and support and never seemed frustrated or fed up, even when our son kept changing his mind about his future course of study. When it came time to refine his essays, Rob paired him with Hannah, a talented young editor who had attended our son's dream school and offered invaluable insight into how to frame his essays. By the time he submitted his EA application, I was confident it was as strong as it could be. We were absolutely thrilled when he was accepted. Throughout a stressful process, Rob and Hannah felt like the best possible teammates, always on our son's side, which was everything I'd hoped for. I'm so grateful to have worked with them, and I can't recommend them highly enough.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Jenny! My 8-year-old son, Fox, has ASD with PDA…read moreattributes, ADHD, and other specified anxiety disorder. He has faced many challenges throughout his life, including a speech delay and significant struggles with anxiety, and not feeling understood, especially related to PDA. We've worked with other therapists before, but none of them truly felt like the right fit--until he found Jenny. From the start, she has been patient, understanding, and incredibly skilled at working with Fox in a way that makes him feel safe, heard, and empowered. He says she is the best therapist he has ever had, and I have to agree. Since working with her, he has not only made tremendous progress but also feels happier and more hopeful about his future. He tells me all the time how much she has helped him and how grateful he is for her. As a parent, seeing my child finally find someone who truly understands and supports him is invaluable. Jenny has changed his life, and we are so lucky to have found her. If you are looking for a therapist who genuinely cares and makes a real difference, I cannot recommend her highly enough.

We received RDI Therapy here from various clinicians over the span of 2 years…read more I'm attaching a photo of an email sent to me from the owner, Jenny. She says she does not condone the behavior our clinician displayed, yet the clinician still works for the company so it seems that Jenny does condone it. In case I cannot attach a photo, it reads "I do not think it is acceptable to get drunk at events. I do not think it's professional to cancel last minute. I do not think it's acceptable to bill sessions that have not been done. I do not think it's acceptable to invite a client to an outside event. I do not feel like it's acceptable to not share these things with your supervisor. I do not have a way to rectify any of this with your family."

I can't say enough good things about this business and about Jeni Rayle. She is everything you…read morecould want in an advocate; she is knowledgeable, she truly cares about the families she represents and she will fight for your child to recieve the services they deserve. We had spent years disappointed with our autistic son's placement in SDUSD. She helped us figure out what options he had and helped us navigate our next steps. We had our IEP meeting this week and we could not be happier with the results. I cannot thank her enough for advocating for our son! She changed his life by getting him placed in an environment where he can get the help he needs (and deserves)!

This is what $750 will get you with Jennifer Rayle…read more 12 days to review a small 2 year preschool ESN file, another 3 days to respond to me asking for an update. 3 hours to create a "binder to review " (that I never saw) we had ONE 30 minute phone call where she talked about herself and how much she hates her former employer SDUSD. Sent ONE over aggressive email requesting an IEP (that no one responded to) and took almost every penny of my retainer. This woman will take your case with her mind already made up on what to do next without ever meeting your child. After careful consideration I decided to retain Jennifer for her advocacy services for my kindergartner. I requested a review of her current IEP amendment and wanted recommendation if I should sign the document. During our phone calls it was very hard to keep on topic but I thought wow she's passionate and has many story's of experience. She continued for over 30 mins to discuss her past grievances with SDUSD, former coworkers and anyone who is an employee of the district. On the phone she could understand my concerns and said let's request a new IEP meeting and assessment- Great! I agreed, she went on to say "I already know we're not going to agree with their assessment- we can get that done THEN request a district funded IEE. (Sounds like a premeditated plan to drag out the process but okay) I was unsure of what an IEE was but i said okay while thinking to myself is that necessary, what if we DO agree? Upon reading the sent email (2 aggressive paragraphs by the way) she requested an FBA (behavior analysis) even tho my child has zero reported behavior concerns. This alarmed me- I don't want to request more than what's needed, I don't want to overwhelm the system or teachers. I just wanted a review of the original file and recommendation to sign or not. When I messaged about my concerns & mentioned I do not what an FBA ie. what if they comply with my requests and we agree with their new assessment? She stated it's all for "data" and we definitely wouldn't agree with them- she is the expert and she's not in the going to beg me to retain her services. Right there that's all I needed to hear- she's not in the business of HEARING your situation or tailoring her services- she hates the school district, she has distain for her former employees and wants you for the long term as a client, to drag the process on by requesting unnecessary data and if you disagree- she will speak to you as if you work for her and keep your retainer. To be clear this is what she did Took 12 days to review a very small 2 year file 3 days to respond to my request for an update 1- 30 min call where she rambled about herself and distain for SDUSD 1 overly aggressive email requesting unnecessary data to keep us as a client long term EQUALS $628 -- RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN

Playwrights Project provides wonderful opportunities for students to experience the joys of…read morecreativity, play writing, and character development in an incredibly unique and memorable way!

From the owner: Playwrights Project is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to arts education. Our mission is to…read moreempower people of all ages and backgrounds to voice stories through theatre, inspiring individual growth and creating meaningful community connections. Programs include: *In-School Playwriting Programs for students throughout San Diego County in grades 3-12 *California Young Playwrights Contest, open to Californians under age 19 *Plays by Young Writers festival, professional premieres of winning scripts from the California Young Playwrights Contest *Out of the Yard: Playwriting for individuals experiencing incarceration *Play by Play: Cultivating Emerging Playwrights, one-on-one dramaturgical work and readings of new plays, ages 19-29 * Lifestages & Recollections, group workshops and writing partnerships with older adults, ages 55+ *Telling Stories: Giving Voice to Foster Youth, group workshops and and writing partnerships with foster youth, all ages