Modus Education

(52 reviews)

2.8 mi

We are extremely grateful for the support this college counseling company provided our family…read morethroughout my daughter's high school. The process of preparing for college applications was overwhelming, but the guidance we received made all the difference. Felicia, who worked directly with my daughter, was outstanding, supportive, knowledgeable, and always encouraging. She helped keep everything organized and made sure my daughter felt confident every step of the way. She was always there for my daughter when she needed her. Justin, the owner, has clearly built a wonderful program that truly supports students and families. We're thrilled that my daughter was accepted into the university she had been hoping for, and we're very thankful for their role in helping make that happen. Very Highly recommend.

My student sat for practice tests in AP Chem and AP Calc AB with Premier Prep. Justin was friendly,…read morehelpful, and very responsive.

Friendly rivalry between future Class of 2029

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Elite Prep Irvine-Northwood

3.7

(42 reviews)

I've been going to Elite for years for English tutoring, and Miss Haile is the best! Writing essays…read moreused to stress me out, but she helped me improve so much in both my grades and my confidence. She's super patient, really encouraging, and explains things in a way that just clicks. I'm so grateful for her support and would totally recommend Elite (especially Miss Haile!) to anyone who needs tutoring.

Our experience with Elite Prep has been nothing short of exemplary. Director Wonna is extremely…read moreknowledgeable, supportive, and direct about expectations and what it will take to move your student towards their education goals, albeit in a way that's much deeper than most college prep agencies. Upon our first meeting, the focus of her questions for our son weren't merely about what schools he wants to attend, but instead, more about what he see himself doing, what does he find engaging and exciting and what kind of experience does he want out of life? It caught us off guard, but where a lot of prep agencies are trying to get you to sign up for packages that will hopefully slot you into a statistical possibility of where you want to attend, Director Wonna's approach is more mature and asks more of the student to carefully and enthusiastically consider their vision for their lives and then proceeds with whatever programs she feels will aid that vision. She's caring, precise and direct in her approach and manner, which is refreshing. She's relentless in making sure each student gets what they need, and for that we remain grateful to her and the staff for their efforts.

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Ardent Academy - Northwood Campus

4.3

(39 reviews)

If I could, I wouldn't even give them one star. The front desk service was absolutely terrible. The…read morestaff spoke in a sarcastic and condescending tone, only showing a little enthusiasm towards those who were paying for registration. They completely ignored anyone else who had questions.

I have been using Ardent Academy for my 10-year-old son. Given his already busy schedule, we opted…read morefor online private tutoring to avoid adding another commute. Unfortunately, the experience has been less than ideal. We had to switch tutors multiple times due to changes in their availability or lack of experience, which disrupted consistency and progress. Additionally, the responsiveness and customer service have been disappointing. Each time I had a question and called the main Ardent number, I was directed to email instead--but often received very late or no reply. On several occasions, I had to follow up two or three times just to coordinate a simple make-up session. This level of service is not what I expected from a well-known name like Ardent Academy.

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HS2 Academy

3.4

(7 reviews)

do not recommend at all. waste of money. Be cautions about the upfront package payment, as there…read moreis no way to withdraw or get your money back even if you find out the service is useless later.

HS2 is a fantastic college preparation center and was very helpful to me in my years of high…read moreschool. They provide excellent one-on-one college counseling services, in which a dedicated counselor works with you throughout your high school years, helping with everything from summer programs to volunteering to school classes and ultimately to brainstorming and editing college application essays. HS2 also provides great test prep for the ACT, SAT, SAT II, and AP tests, offering a wide variety of courses and a seemingly bottomless well of practice exams. I am the oldest of three siblings whose parents never went to college in the United States. As such, my parents and I had little idea of the college application process. However, with the help of HS2 and their services, I was accepted Early Action into Stanford, my dream school for years!

Gate Education

(6 reviews)

0.1 mi

I had lessons with Mrs. Heather Johnson for AP Lit, which was SO AMAZING!! The entire staff was…read moreAWESOME, and she was very knowledgeable on every topic we discussed. I received my desired results, and I had an amazing time! ps. Found out I got into UCLA during one of our lessons, so that was quite an experience since she was a UCLA alum.

I have worked with GATE for a couple of months now, and I must say, it was a very positive…read moreexperience! I especially want to thank my ISEE/Writing teacher Heather Johnson. She is so amazing. I really appreciate the hard work she puts into teaching her students. I have improved so much ever since I started taking classes with her.

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IvyMax Academy Irvine

3.4

(10 reviews)

0.0 mi

IvyMax is a great place to help high school students prepare for college and beyond. Really like…read morePrincipal Zhang's vision set for school, their stuff especially Teacher Yusi and Hana are very professional with a warm and sincere heart. They provide excellent programs and tons of opportunities for students in academic areas, arts and community services. They helped my son find his path to explore further. We are thankful for the suggestion and directions IvyMax gave us.

It's a terrible educational institution. that only knows how to charge you extra money to pay exfor…read moreAp or any others activities.The teachers are have no experience , no helpful

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Ivy College Prep

(13 reviews)

4.1 mi

Ivy College Prep helped me get accepted to my dream school, USC! If you are looking for academic or…read morecollege counseling, I highly recommend Ivy College Prep as your number one choice. Not only does Ralph Becker prepare you for college applications, but he also continues to guide and mentor even after graduating college. Mr. Becker works extremely hard for the students, but you must also be willing to put in the hard work to get the results you want. Mr. Becker will help you write eloquently, but be prepared to write a lot! If you want help for college, contact Mr. Becker ASAP!

Ralph Becker is excellent!!! He helped my son get into his first choice university. Ralph provided…read morethe motivation and inspiration that my son needed. I did not have to nag my son as much as I expected and was so pleased with the outcome. Essentially, Ralph saved our relationship while helping us through the grueling college application process. I highly recommend Ivy College Prep. Money well spent.

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My Private College Counselor

(6 reviews)

1.6 mi

We had a great experience working with Munira on both of my kids' applications. She's supportive,…read moreknowledgeable, and motivating. What stood out most was how genuinely she cared and how consistently she kept my children's best interests in mind. She put a clear structure to a very stressful process, helped the kids navigate all the tasks and requirements, and always followed through until everything was completed. I'm glad we had the chance to work with her--and both my kids are happy with the outcome.

She is one of the best and most caring counselors that one can have. I moved to USA three years ago…read morewithout any background of USA transfer and college system. She walked me through all the steps. Thanks to her guidance, I got admitted to my first choice UC which was UC Berkeley.

My Private College Counselor

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Park Tutoring

4.8

(20 reviews)

Many SAT prep companies have generic curricula, but we found quite a gem in Park Tutoring! From the…read morevery beginning, Park Tutoring was able to hone in on the specific areas where our son needed some extra support. He became more confident in his test-taking abilities over time, and he was able to reach the SAT score he could only dream of! In addition, he received tutoring service for AP Calc BC, and he also approaches the AP exam with confidence as well! Park Tutoring does a wonderful job matching the student with a compatible expert tutor, and they are very helpful with scheduling, understanding the hiccups that can occur with busy teen schedules. We are very grateful for their quality, patience, and care, and we would not hesitate to request their services again in the future for our other children!

We have used Park Tutoring for a number of years. The one-on-one support of their tutors as well as…read morethe prompt communication from the scheduling team is really why we keep coming back when needed. They are my go-to referral for others who might benefit as they work within an already busy family schedule.

Get expert subject tutoring! Personalized lessons and strategies to help you master any subject and achieve academic success

What does park tutoring do?

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Park Tutoring nurtures students into global leaders with ambitions, offering cutting-edge, comprehensive tutoring for a brighter future.

Barun Academic Center

4.6

(36 reviews)

0.1 mi

I have two kids who are currently in 9th and 12th grade. Barun Academic Center has been a part of…read moretheir lives since they were in elementary school. As a result, both kids have a solid foundation in math and their writing skills are outstanding. My freshman kid is in pre-calculus right now, and says that class is the easiest of all of the subjects. My 12th grader finished High School Calculus AB and BC (by junior year) getting one A and 3x A+ for those 4 semesters. Because of all of the supplemental math drilling from Baruns, she said calculus, was pretty easy for her. In addition, my eldest kid's writing skills have grown so much through the years while taking various writing classes at Baruns. Baruns has outstanding teachers for writing (among their favs are Stark, Hughes and Jelnick) as well as the math subjects (S. Yoon, et., al). My eldest was able to publish a clinical case report study in a medical journal as a senior in high school. The medical Doctor who reviewed the article prior to publishing, was amazed at her writing process. Much of this development in her writing ability, we attribute to her years spent in supplemental writing classes provided by Baruns. My kids have also benefited from other classes offered such as SAT prep (boot camp), Biology and Chemistry prep. All helpful in allowing my kids to feel comfortable in those classes when taking them in high school. The principal, Ms. Yuri will treat your kids as one of her own, once you are enrolled in any class. She is tenacious, yet loving and will never let your kids slide in to mediocrity, academically. We appreciate all that she has done for our kids and our family.

I attended Barun academy from 5 to 18 years old and I can say that it has prepared me for the…read morerigorous academic courses not only in high-school /middle-school but throughout a great university as well. The majority of my time at Barun consisted of Writing and Math courses throughout elementary, middle, and high school. The preparation and high expectations of success worked excellently to make kids like myself become high achieving especially in the academically competitive city of Irvine. It helped me excel in APPAS, GATE, honors, and bridge exams. In addition, the SAT courses did an amazing job of familiarizing me with the test and preventing test fatigue by having us take constant practice exams. I was very satisfied with my scores and grades throughout my education and I can not thank Barun, specifically Yuri (the lady in charge), enough. Yuri wants the best for her students and this was portrayed through her understanding, caring, yet firm personality. She stresses the importance of learning and this is also representative through the teachers selected for the academy. Barun was different from the other prep centers because of the level of unmatched dedication and involvement that Yuri had in every single student's path. Besides all of my achievements, Barun revives a happy childhood memory in retrospect. I highly recommend checking out Barun because it is truly unique.

YOU CAN'T DIVIDE BY ZERO. I still have this pic, from July 6 2016. Mr. Yoon's lectures were always intellectually challenging.

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Little Angels Family Childcare

Women-owned & operated

As first-time daycare parents, we were very nervous about starting daycare, but the experience has…read moreexceeded our expectations. Even after just a few days, our little one has adjusted so much better than we imagined. The owner and staff have been patient, caring, and supportive during the transition. We were honestly amazed that he was able to nap in a sleeping bag alongside the other children, especially since he normally has a very specific routine at home. It almost felt like magic! We know it's still early, but we're so grateful for the care, attention, and reassurance we've received. It's such a relief to see our child feeling comfortable, safe, and excited to go to daycare.

My husband and I could not be happier that we found somewhere as trustworthy and engaging as Little…read moreAngels for our 2.5 year old son. Elle and Azie made the transition to daycare so seamless and provided an abundance of updates about our son's progression to make us completely comfortable. We love the daily updates of the activities that they work on - the crafts are the cutest and really show intention in what the class is learning everyday. The activities are all rooted in some type of development and we love seeing all of the creativity that goes into making each day different and fun. Our son loves outdoor play and the playground set up is really great. Plenty of space and age appropriate toys outside to release his wiggles during their outdoor time. We are truly so fortunate to have found someplace as special as Little Angels! The entire staff takes health and safety seriously and we appreciate all of the coordination and attention to detail. We are so thankful and look forward to bringing our daughter to Little Angels to join our son in the future!

Backyard at Little Angels Childcare

Backyard with enriching toys and plenty of play space!

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Playroom at Little Angels

Irvine Montessori School

4.5

(131 reviews)

4.5 mi

Certified professionals

Established in 2008

Dear Ms. Ruby, Ms. Susie & Ms. Jessica -…read more I wanted to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for the beautiful graduation ceremony you hosted yesterday. It was clear from every detail that an enormous amount of care, creativity, and dedication went into making it such a special occasion. As a parent, watching our children take the stage with such confidence, poise, and genuine excitement was an absolute joy. The fact that they were so well-rehearsed and yet still completely in the moment is a true testament to the incredible work your teachers and staff do every single day. The event was so thoughtfully organized, and it showed. Every moment felt intentional and meaningful, leaving all of us parents with full hearts and the biggest smiles. These are the memories our families will treasure for years to come. Please know how deeply appreciated you all are, not just for yesterday, but for everything you pour into these children throughout the year. You don't just teach them; you help them grow into kind, capable, and confident little people. Yesterday was a beautiful reflection of that. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for making this milestone so truly unforgettable. With warm gratitude, Happy Mama

Our experience with Irvine Montessori School has been good. From the front desk where Ms. Ruby and…read moreMs. Suzie manage parent interactions, to classroom teachers like Ms. Ana and Ms. Angie, the commitment to the children is evident. Our child has shown progress in language and social skills, and the staff puts clear effort into milestones like graduation ceremonies and holiday events. The campus itself is clean and modern. This is definitely one of the top 10 Montessori schools in Orange County. Refine a few operational details, and they have the potential to easily break into the top 5. Areas for Improvement: Teacher rotation does cause disruption in student learning. While staffing shifts are common, the school needs to do a better job of getting ahead of these rotations and being proactive about the transitions. Furthermore, the administration should establish a structured, year-round channel for parental feedback. While daily communication from individual teachers is fine, an administrative feedback loop like bi-annual parent surveys would allow families to share insights on scheduling logistics, administrative clarity, or classroom dynamics. It remains a solid option for families in Irvine, and showing better foresight regarding teacher transitions and structured parent communication will help them reach that next level.

Learning our Teens with an understanding on Tens and Units.

Great Gardening friends!

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Working on initial sounds of words!

Little Explorers Montessori

4.7

(30 reviews)

1.5 mi

As a first time parent, I am so relieved and glad to have found Little Explorers Montessori. I had…read moreheard many stories from coworkers of having to get on waitlists while pregnant, high costs, etc etc and was very anxious once my maternity leave neared its end that we wouldn't be able to find a suitable place. We toured many daycares- some in-home ones and others with facilities (ChildTime, etc) but none compared to this. Our first in-home daycare before arriving at Little Explorers was truly abysmal (breast milk wasted, instructions not followed, few updates, TV on every day...), so when we toured Little Explorers and saw the peaceful environment and amazing parent experiences, we were truly so relieved. My daughter has been now at Little Explorers for just over a year and I've felt such a peace of mind having her there. The app updates and photos were so appreciated, especially when she was fussy with breast milk and transitioning to various foods. In many instances Ms. Julia was able to get my daughter to drink more milk than I could even do at home. In addition, my daughter's egg allergy was taken seriously and I am so glad the school provides NUTRITIOUS healthy food that is home cooked! She loves the birds and bunnies there, as well as socializing with the other kids. Highly recommend this place to any new and experienced parents :).

We've been with Little Explorers since our son Silas was just 18 months old, and this year, he is…read morepreparing to begin an exciting new chapter in kindergarten. It is truly a bittersweet moment for our family knowing that he will be leaving what has become his second home, and we felt compelled to share our experience with other parents searching for a childcare program for their little ones. What Julia and Vlad provide goes beyond a daycare or early childhood education. They have created a warm, family oriented environment where my son felt loved and encouraged to grow. We are eternally grateful for the role they have played in shaping our son into the kind and curious little boy he is today. Not only is he leaps and bounds ahead in his language and math skills, but more importantly, he has developed a strong sense of integrity, empathy, and independence. Every day, we dropped him off knowing he was in the care of people who genuinely loved and cared about him and his development. I believe that that type of peace of mind is something every parent hopes to find. In fact, among all the excitement for starting kindergarten, one of the first questions he asked was "will Ms. Julia be there." The memories we built here are priceless, and Julia and Vlad will continue to be part of our lives as family friends. We wholeheartedly recommend Little Explorers to anyone looking for a place where their child will not only learn, but truly thrive.

Exploring colors, textures, and coordination through hands-on sensory and art experiences.

Seasonal baking activities support practical life skills, fine motor development, and joyful learning experiences.

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Infant exploring object permanence material, developing focus, hand-eye coordination, and early cognitive skills.

Blue Buoy Swim School

4.7

(149 reviews)

3.7 mi

I wanted my daughters (ages 2 and 4 at the time) to start taking swim lessons. After doing research…read moreand reading reviews, I decided to try out Blue Buoy. A few friends/neighbors also recommended Blue Buoy. Great communication from the start. It has been almost a year now and my girls look forward to their swim lesson every week (and getting their sticker at the end of their lessons). Their instructors are patient and kind and make my girls feel comfortable and safe in the water.

I cannot say enough good things about Blue Buoy Swim School! After a really negative experience at…read moreanother swim program (Aquatots), my daughter was left scared and resistant to getting in the water. A friend recommended Blue Buoy, and I am SO glad we gave it a try. From the very first trial class with Coach Turner, my daughter felt comfortable and safe. She usually hates putting her head in the water, but with his gentle guidance and encouragement, she did it without hesitation--something I never thought I'd see so soon! We've now been coming for 2 months, and the progress she has made is incredible. Not only has her confidence grown, but her skills in the water have improved so much. The staff is kind, patient, and genuinely cares about the kids. The environment feels warm and supportive, which makes all the difference. Coach turner really knows how to work with the kiddos ! If you're looking for a swim school that builds trust, confidence, and real results, Blue Buoy is the place to go. I'm so thankful we found them!

Women bathroom: shower and changing stalls

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Blue Buoy Swim School in Tustin CA

William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center

4.2

(50 reviews)

0.9 mi

Woollett Aquatics Center is an excellent facility for swimmers of all levels. They offer swim…read morelessons and are a hub for competitive swimming, hosting Irvine Swim League Championships as well as practices and meets for the Nova Swim Team. The facility is always clean and well maintained, and the bathrooms are consistently kept in great condition. One thing I really appreciate during swim meets is the ample space available for spectators, making it much more comfortable for families and supporters to watch events. There are also vending machines conveniently located in the main lobby for snacks and drinks throughout the day. Whether you're attending lessons, practices, or a swim meet, Woollett Aquatics Center provides a well-organized and welcoming environment for athletes and spectators alike.

We came to this Aquatics Center in the summer for the swim team championship. This is a large…read morefacility with 2 competition pools. The pools are clean and well-maintained, Parking is crazy everytime I've been here. Be prepared to park far and walk.