My daughter has gone to school at Sandbox the last two years and she (and us) have LOVED our time…read morethere! Tasha & Dom have created an amazing atmosphere for kids and parents alike. The kids get to be kids (playing in the dirt, gardening, imaginative play, and more) and learn along the way. We tried another preschool in the area before here, but the environment here was a much better fit... Both in getting the personalized nature of care that Tasha/Dom provide for their students, and we loved that out daughter was exposed to children both younger and older than her (vs. all the same age as many schools are) since she was able to both learn from the older kids when she was little and help out with the younger kids when she was older. I highly recommend Sandbox to anyone who's looking for a loving, nurturing, educational, and fun environment for their children to grow in.

Our daughter went to Sandbox for two years, up until transitional kindergarten. We all loved it so…read moremuch. Tasha and Dom are a great team and truly care for the kids, the parents, and their positions as teachers. The indoor/outdoor preschool includes play through centers (including the beloved mud kitchen), circle time, and free time. It allows the kids to build friendships and learn to respect each other. The preschool also puts on events throughout the year to allow parents to meet and get to know each other. I would highly recommend Sandbox to others, as it was a terrific experience and huge stepping stone for our daughter.

Have not yet started - but had our kid on the waitlist since before he was born and today we got…read moreoffered a place at the Beachside location. The waitlist is long (because many people want to go here), but it is possible to get your preferred location from the outset. I'm just posting this review because I see someone below criticizing the school administrators for their waitlist.

Do not waste your money going on the waiting list for this preschool. The way they fill spots in…read morethis school is that they essentially make you put your kid into the less desirable "bayside" location which is literally on maybe the busiest cross section in Pacific Beach and la jolla with constant traffic smog and noise all day within few feet of the playground and a very thin fence that a runaway car would easily plow through. After you kid spends some time there and they have a replacement for them in the less desirable location, they offer to transfer your kid to the better located seaside location. We have been on waiting list for seaside location for much longer than some others who decided to put their kid in bayside and now they are being moved to seaside (we are happy for them and sympathize that their kid did the time in bayside). But we are no longer are planning to put our kids in either of these 2 schools as we are not comfortable with the ethics of these types of business practices. Just beware if you are applying and spending time and money going on waiting list for this preschool. Do not do it unless you are willing to first put your kid in the "bayside" or "roadside" location. This is not at all a reflection of teachers and workers there whom i am sure are great we just feel it is deceiving to take peoples money and time to put them on waiting list for a school that they will essentially never get to go to unless they are willing to send their kid to another less desirable school first ... this should be clearly explained prior to application and fees.

This will be our second year at the pre school & both our kids go here. We absolutely love the…read moreschool, staff & things they do for the kids. Our kids love going here & enjoy meeting new friends & hanging out with them at school & outside of school. I highly recommend this place!

My kids have been students here since they were 2 and it was the best decision we ever made. They…read moreturned 4 this year and after looking into the typically daily curriculum for TK, staying at St Andrews for another year was an easy choice. Lots of physical activity, learning, games, art, and good friends. I highly recommend St Andrews.

We LOVE Seaside!!! The teachers and staff are all amazing- very warm, fun and engaging with the…read morekids, and know their stuff when it comes to child development and caregiving skills. Our son has gone there since he turned 2 yrs old, and his language has skyrocketed and he has learned SO much!! The school has a very organized system and it is play-based, which is very important to us. The kids sing, dance, do yoga, create awesome projects regularly, have a garden which they tend to daily...they do it all! And the snacks they get there are actually nutritious!! I could go on and on...Seaside is the best of the best.

Baldwin Academy has truly exceeded my expectations. From day one, everyone has been incredibly…read moreinformative, welcoming, and genuinely kind. As a parent, trusting other people with your child is not easy, and I was honestly very nervous about making this transition. The staff at Baldwin Academy made the entire process feel seamless and supported every step of the way. They worked closely with me to ease both my daughter and me into this big change before I returned to work, which meant more than I can express. My daughter is so happy there, and it's clear she feels safe, loved, and comfortable. I also really appreciate how well they communicate. The app updates throughout the day are detailed and reassuring, and during pick-up they always take the time to share how her day went. Knowing what she did, how she felt, and how she's progressing gives me so much peace of mind. I'm beyond grateful for the care, patience, and dedication the Baldwin Academy team shows every day. I couldn't have asked for a better place for my daughter or a smoother transition back to work.

We loved our time at Baldwin Academy. Our daughter started when she was a little over one and moved…read moreup through four classrooms during her time there. We loved every single one of her teachers. All were so welcoming and kind. She made such special relationships with all of them. My son started when he was four months old - always a hard drop off! And the infant teachers just made us feel so comfortable. He also thrived in his time there. We are so sad to move away and leave the Baldwin family. Thank you, Yulia, and all the teachers for everything.

As an educator and public school administrator, I have high expectations for what meaningful,…read morehigh-quality learning should look like and I am truly impressed by what I see in the Preschool classes at St. Paul's Lutheran. Even at just three years old, my child is being exposed to a level of intentional instruction and thoughtful rigor that is exceptional. Having daily insight into TK through eighth-grade public school classrooms, I can confidently say that the program at St. Paul's stands out for its depth, purpose, and impact. What makes St. Paul's especially remarkable is its ability to balance strong academics with rich, play-based learning experiences that foster curiosity, creativity, and independence. Just as importantly, the faith-based foundation woven throughout the day is something truly special. My child is not only growing academically, but also developing character, compassion, and a sense of belonging. The combination of these elements creates an environment that is truly second to none.

My husband and I are in the military and enrolled our three daughters in Saint Paul's Lutheran…read moreschool after attending the local public school. We desired a small focused experience with dedicated teachers and faith base curriculum. What we got far exceeded our expectations, the teachers are so caring, creative, and focused on our child's individual needs. Each of my daughters is thriving in her class and is known by all teachers and staff. The academics are rigorous, but the teachers presented them in a way that keeps the kids engaged. They come home knowing far more than I would have ever hoped for, both in traditional academics and in faith curriculum. The school is not afraid of new technology and leverages AI and group learning approaches that would not be possible in a larger school. My children have been benefited greatly from this approach. One of the most important aspects for me is that the school does not tolerate isolating or bullying behavior. My fourth grader was distracted in her public school experience by 'mean girls' but at St Paul's, she is friends with each girl in her class and has often commented on how grateful she is to have no cliques or strife. This is so rare and is a testament to the hard work of the teachers and staff. Being members of the St. Paul's school community has increased my husband's and my faith as well. On a hard days, the staff has taken time to walk with us or pray. On great days they celebrate with us. We feel like we belong here as well, not just our children. Highly recommended on every front.

Both of our daughters have attended Bay Park Early Learning Center, and we couldn't be happier with…read morethe experience. Our oldest was there for two years before moving on to Kindergarten, and our youngest has been enrolled for the past year. From the very beginning, we were drawn to the warm, homey atmosphere of the school, and we quickly saw how caring and dedicated the staff are. Every teacher is patient, kind, and truly invested in the children's growth and happiness. Our girls have thrived here--excited to go to school each day, eager to see their friends and teachers, and always coming home with new things they've learned. The environment is welcoming, fun, and supportive, and our oldest was more than ready for the transition to Kindergarten thanks to the strong foundation she built here. It's such a comfort knowing our children are safe, cared for, and happy. Bay Park Early Learning Center has been a wonderful place for our family, and we couldn't ask for a better preschool.

We had high hopes coming here. Ms. Gail was a very supportive and kind whe we enrolled our kids…read more teachers are very caring and kind. However, when MsGail left a the new director "Jacqueline" was very aggressive and highly negative! It made us very uncomfortable and we decided to leave. She expressed that she cannot have "high strung or difficult kids here". That's a huge Red Flag!!! After attending a neighborhood moms meeting, it was determined we were not the only parents to feel this way. I think St. David's or St. Marks are better recommendations for preschool

We are very happy with the experience we've had during our daughter Elena's first year at the…read moreschool. Her growth has been remarkable in every way -- academically, emotionally, and socially. From the very beginning, we felt welcomed and part of a true community, which made all the difference for us as a family. Principal Dena Stoneman is always attentive, approachable, and thoughtful in every detail. Secretary Sara Sinclair is a kind and loving person, always willing to help with warmth and efficiency. We are also deeply grateful to Elena's teachers -- Ms. Chu, Ms. Delgado, and Ms. Andy -- for the care, dedication, and love they've shown throughout her learning journey this year. We fully trust the school and are excited to continue this journey with you all in the upcoming school year!

It has taken me months of reflection to write this review because our experience with MMS was…read moredeeply confusing and upsetting. Our 3-year-old daughter started at MMS in January 2024. We really loved her primary teachers, and initially, she seemed to be doing well. There were a few incidents of misbehavior (hitting, biting, not listening--maybe three times?) but overall, it was a positive experience. She made friends, spoke happily about school and her teachers, and seemed engaged. From the beginning, I found Dena to be condescending and sanctimonious, but I tried to overlook it. After summer camp, she returned to the same class with many of the same students. But from the start of the new school year, we began receiving frequent calls and incident reports about her behavior--hitting, biting, disrupting nap time, etc. Over the next few months, things unraveled. Our daughter no longer wanted to go to school. She became hysterical every morning at drop-off. We received daily incident reports and multiple phone calls from the school. At home and in other settings, playdates, gymnastics, family events, her behavior was very different. She wasn't perfect, but she was typical for a 3-4-year-old. It began to feel like the school had completely lost control of the situation. She was regularly sent to the office for "breaks" or timeouts, but she would just sit and color, so it didn't feel like a consequence to her. The school called us to pick her up early several times, saying they couldn't manage her and that she was essentially a danger to others. She also began saying things like "I'm bad" and "I'm mean," which was a major red flag. We took her to the pediatrician, an occupational therapist, and had her evaluated for ADHD and other potential concerns. Everything came back within the range of typical development. We had multiple meetings with the school. Dena assured us they were trying everything, but their actions didn't reflect that. Eventually, they asked if we could switch her to half days. Although it was a major challenge for our full-time working household, we agreed, hoping it would help. It didn't. The daily calls continued, and we were still asked to pick her up early. They assigned an aide to shadow her, but the behavior didn't improve. Our daughter started coming home saying no one wanted to play with her, that she had no friends, and that she was bad. Our OT was confused--if she had a one-on-one aide, how was she still getting into so many incidents? We tried sticker charts, calming strategies, every tool recommended by professionals. And yes, our daughter is emotional and sometimes struggles to keep her hands to herself, but again, not in a way that felt outside the norm for her age. We received two to three detailed incident reports each day. It often seemed like the school was spending more energy documenting her behavior than actually helping her. Over time, it became clear we weren't welcome. Dena and some of the teachers began giving us cold looks. Dena even told us that other parents didn't want their kids playing with ours. The whole environment felt hostile and out of control. After another unproductive meeting with Dena, we were told our options were to find a new school or pay for a full-time aide, on top of tuition. We enrolled her in a new school the following week, and the difference has been incredible. One of the strangest parts came when we decided to withdraw our daughter. Dena asked if we would bring her by for "closure." I declined, as I didn't feel that would be appropriate. I went to pick up her belongings, and while the students and teachers had made her a goodbye card, which seemed sweet at first, the messages inside were deeply unsettling. Things like "We know there's good in you" made it sound like she was evil or broken. Again, she was THREE. And she really is a sweet, loving kid (who gives the best hugs). At her new school, she has many friends, and in 7 months, she's had one behavioral incident. We still recognize that she is an emotional and spirited child, but she is thriving in a supportive environment. I only wish we had made the switch sooner. Looking back, it's shocking to realize that for the entire second half of the school year at MMS, we didn't hear a single positive thing about our daughter. I feel heartbroken thinking about the constant negative feedback loop she was caught in. no wonder she thought she was "bad." I'm not saying MMS is a terrible school for everyone. Clearly, some families have had positive experiences. But it seems that if your child doesn't fit a certain mold, they are unwilling or unequipped to support them. I still struggle to understand how things got so bad, especially considering the immediate change we saw when we moved her. Even at home, she was noticeably happier. she now runs into school every morning and i have so much peace of mind.

Our daughter went here for 2 years from age 2-4. She loved it. The teachers showed how much they…read morecare about the children. They provided many extras such as one on one keyboard class and Spanish language immersion. Our daughter learned many Spanish songs. They have a big backyard with ample room to play. They use the garden to teach about plants and animals. They will bring in ponies and petting zoo and ride in a horse drawn carriage in the Lo Jolla Xmas parade. Thank you to Ms. Joanne for making a safe and loving place for our girl.

My daughter started going at the beginning of 2024 and she was encouraged and empowered from day 1…read moreto be independent from the moment she arrives to school. I really like it specially when she comes home and says "I can do it myself". She is always offering to help too which amazes me. she has learned so much that words can not describe it. All teachers are very caring and knowledgable. The school is always clean and organized. The new Principal, Miss. Marili is very knowledgeable too. She was one of my older kids's favorite teachers when they went to MontessorI in Mount Soledad 12 years ago.

This school is such a special place! Our son asks everyday "is today a school day?"…read moreWe have spent 3 years here so far and have nothing but great things to say. The staff is wonderful and attentive, the space is so conducive to curiosity and play and it really does feel like a small community there. My son has made some great friends here and so have I. I can't wait to send my daughter here next year!

The BEST preschool in San Diego. You will not find a more nurturing, creative, or positive…read moreenvironment for your child!! From the FRIENDLIEST FAMILIES of any community group in the city, to the highly-praised Reggio Emilia teaching method of "learning through play", my only regret about this school is that it's not Pre-K-12th grade! The staff and teachers here are absolutely incredible. Your child is loved, protected, and encouraged. The school days here are magical, focused on plenty of attention to your child (no chaotic "kids going wild" environment here), singing, dancing, open-ended play, art, gardening, and the teaching of EMPATHY towards others. The facility is on-point to what young children need and crave: warm, inviting, and with simple open-ended play structures and toys. The community here is on-point to what parents of preschooler's need and crave: friendly, supportive, and relatable. EVERY single child that graduated here with my oldest son (there were about 8) and went on to Kindergarten with him at our local elementary school were among the nicest, most socially adapted children in the population of the grade. My husband and I feel so grateful to be able to send our children here, and will be so, so sad when our youngest graduates!