TLT is tucked in off the gorgeous Stephens Lake Park. We have been involved with TLT for over 4…read moreyears and have 1 graduate of the French Program and we will conclude our preschool years at TLT this May with our son graduating:( I have been very involved with the school while my children attended and have gotten to know the staff very well. I can't say enough about the school. All the teachers are dedicated to their classrooms and to the school, usually you see high turnover in preschools, majority of our head teachers have been with us for 5+ years. Having native speaking teachers in all classrooms is so very special - we love the curriculum and the educational opportunities that they provide to children is amazing! Everyday at pick up my son is so excited to tell me about his day..the letter he learned, the circle time activity, the craft that was done or even sing me the song they are learning! It always puts a smile on my face!! If you are thinking about TLT, schedule a visit and sit in on a classroom and observe- it truly is amazing!

I sent both of my children to The Language Tree. They were in the French program. We loved Mrs…read more Stephanie, Mrs. Virginie and Mrs. Souzy! They were amazing with our children. And they gave the gift of a second language to both of them. TLT prepared them for Kindergarten and for the world!

City Garden School is a 501c 3 non-profit Waldorf-inspired school for grades 1-5, located in…read moredowntown Columbia, Missouri. My child has attended 1st-3rd grades there and will enter 4th in the fall. I have heard the popular catchphrase recently: "Educate the *Whole Child*" but I have never seen it so fully, thoughtfully, carefully accomplished as in this school. Education here is about finding the intersections of multiple aspects of being a person, such as: learning mathematics through art, rhythm, grouping physical objects after hearing a story, and team exercises; circle time for body awareness, recitation, and singing; learning basic music-reading and recorder-playing for breath, pitch, and control. By third grade, interesting elements are included in the curriculum--measurement, fibers, farming, and house-building. In each of these, the children learn the historical application, the evolving facets and techniques, and the fundamentals of how they themselves could create useful shelters, food, and clothing. Assessments at City Garden are not grades, but rather the child's place along a spectrum of skill: Emerging Skill, Developing Skill, Achieved Skill, or Strength. This way, parents and children both can observe what the teacher's focus is and will be with each student, in each topic. Creative play is well-valued at City Garden, and going outdoors to run and play is considered a needful release of tension, as well as an "out-breath" in the natural rhythm of human habits. This structure creates a balance of focused, detail-oriented Main Lesson time of study, with raucous childhood's energetic free-play. Each Friday is Outdoor Friday, where children spend the day hiking Columbia's local parks and natural areas, creating a mental map of great play-areas, native creature-sightings, and seasonal joys. Both German and Spanish language classes are taught, each twice a week, so the children receive cultural awareness and early exposure to other languages. Instead of Physical Education, City Garden offers a Cooperative Games class, which does work to foster many of the skills p.e. would attend: balance, rhythm, spatial orientation, etc, but with a greater focus on teamwork and less structure that supports individual "winners and losers." There is also the element of Handwork in the classrooms--a time twice a week were students practice creating an item with a skill, beginning with knitting, progressing on to crochet, then embroidery, wet-felting wool, wax-molding, etc. This supports a great deal of mind-hand-eye- coordination, requiring the child to follow instructions, incorporate a repetitive action and unique design elements, and exercise a critical eye towards successful and unsuccessful production. Finally, the teachers of City Garden School have fostered meaningful working relationships with local institutions such as the Columbia Art League, for their children's classes, and the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture, where children go on Outdoor Fridays once a month to learn about and support CCUA's mission of education and providing fresh, sustainable, local food. Through all these wonderful experiences, I have witnessed my child truly bloom into his own abilities, awareness, joys, and critical thought in manners that I did not even realize I wanted for him before this school's influence. City Garden School supports childhood in a way that makes me wish I could go back to being a six-year-old and live through grade school all over again, with this approach. At least I can give this to my children, and participate in the community, the festivals, the friendships, skill-building, and explorations with them!!

From the owner: Welcome to City Garden School, where education is a transformative journey! Our holistic approach…read morenurtures mind, body, and spirit, fostering well-rounded individuals. Nature-Centric: The forest is a living classroom, connecting children with nature and instilling a sense of environmental responsibility. Artistic Expression: Music, art, and drama are woven into learning, nurturing creativity, confidence, and innovation. Caring Community: Join a close-knit community that values each child's uniqueness, creating a supportive and inclusive environment. Global Citizens: Our diverse curriculum promotes open-mindedness and empathy, preparing students to thrive in an interconnected world. Individual Focus: Small class sizes enable personalized attention, allowing every student to shine and succeed. Life Skills: Practical lessons like handwork and gardening empower students with hands-on, valuable skills. ...an education that cultivates curiosity, values, and a lifelong love of learning.

Lisa provided private driving instruction for our 16yr old. Drivers Ed was not offered at my son's…read moreschool. So, I had a hard time finding a drivers ed course after moving to Columbia. I found CoMo driving school via the web. I believe Lisa's background includes 20+ years at the DMV which included administering drivers test. She is professional, responsive, and punctual. At the end of each lesson, she gave us feedback on what they worked on and what he needed to work on while driving with us. I'm anxious about driving with my teen. So, it was nice for him to have time with someone that would remain calm and give him technical tips on merging, lane switches, parking, etc.. I would definitely recommend

We reached out requesting more info and to schedule a lesson, but were sadly informed Lisa passed…read moreaway in December 2020 after battling COVID. Business is no longer taking customers.

I came in in with my sister who had made an appointment. On the spur of a moment I decided to get…read moremy hair cut. When I asked the receptionist, she said it was no problem and I was back sitting in a chair within 10 minutes of asking to get a hair cut. My hairstylist, Lydia, was amazing. I wanted to go from long hair (midway down my back) to a short pixie cut. I was worried that she might not want to do it because it was such a dramatic haircut, but when I mentioned it to Lydia, she said she would love to try that. She was excited to give the haircut a try, but also quick to ask from help from an instructor when she didn't know what to do, which I appreciated. Overall, I loved my hair cut and my experience there. The people were friendly and the place was cozy. I would highly recommend!

The students here are professional, friendly, and do a great job. However, I have heard awful…read morethings about how the owner treats his students. He humiliates the students in front of their peers in an effort to make himself feel powerful/important. Students need a learning environment that encourages creativity and progress, not a place that makes their self esteem plummet.

Great selection and will go there again. Friendly, helpful people to make sure your visit is…read moreenjoyable.

Passing through Columbia we found this wonderful quilting/sewing store. They have a wonderful…read moreselection and friendly and helpful staff. Highly recommended!

I have two children at this school. Before we had our first child I was very tempted to go the…read morenanny route purely out of convenience but now my husband and I are truly glad we decided to send our kids to this school instead. Every day presents a new learning and socialization opportunity. The teachers have a curriculum that they follow yet they are flexible enough to suit your child's needs; kids get plenty of variety with their meals/snacks; they get outside when the weather is nice enough and there isn't a doubt in my mind that my kids will be more than ready for kindergarten when that time comes. The amount of things that they have already learned is pretty incredible. Sure there is some turn over occasionally with the teachers but I don't know a large daycare provider that doesn't have this same issue. Some of the staff that have left have even come back. Overall the teachers and staff are fantastic and I would recommend End of The Rainbow to anyone that is interested in sending their kids to an environment where the teachers and staff truly care about the children.

From the owner: For more than 30 years, End of the Rainbow Child Care Center in South Columbia, MO, has been…read morededicated to providing children a safe, caring environment to grow and learn. This early childhood development center offers child care centered around educational programs designed to encourage them socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively. Owner and Director Nikki Reynolds has been leading the team at End of the Rainbow Child Care Center since 2000. In that time, she's shared her belief that children deserve a place where they feel safe and encouraged, and parents need peace of mind in knowing their children are in the best hands. Reynolds has employed a staff of experienced, certified teachers and tutors to care for infants as young as six weeks and children as old as 12. They maintain an explorative classroom environment with curriculums intended to encourage children to reach their full potential. To help children with their educational paths, End of the Rainbow Child Care Center offers day care services, after school tutoring, kindergarten readiness and early childhood development programs. Their staff is large enough to cater to each age group's specific developmental needs while providing children individualized attention and care. Nursery school children learn to understand the world around them, and school-aged children benefit from out-of-the-classroom learning experiences...

A+ driving school is personal, professional and very thorough! You will be treated directly and…read morewith the utmost respect! If you want to get your drivers lisence and be instructed properly, we highly recommend A+ driving school. In our opinion the best in town!!!

A+ Driving School lives up to its name. Both of our sons worked with the instructor prior to…read moretaking their driving test. She was very thorough and fully prepared them for the exam. Both received a A+ (95% and 100%).