My younger child graduated 8th grade at VDA this summer. I agreed with everything Allison said in…read moreher previous review. As a parent of two strong STEM kids, VDA provided the best Language Arts in Orange County and was our only viable math solution after exploring all public/private options. We are deeply grateful VDA allows self-motivated students to accelerate while building a solid foundation. By graduation, my kids completed all high school math curriculum, respectively, placing into the next math level on high school placement tests. In our experience, VDA teachers are collaborative, and offer actionable guidance. Here are some details about our experience: Lower Grade Math: VDA uses Singapore Math, which I find far superior to Common Core, as an engineer. To schedule math at the exact same time across all classrooms, each elementary teacher adopts one grade level. Faster paced math learners can move up one or even multiple grade levels. This flexibility was crucial to keep my kids challenged and engaged in school math. Middle School Math: High-school Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 follow Singapore Math 6A/B. To deliver quality, two middle school instructors (math/science) plan availability outside class schedules. Regular track takes 3 years to finish Algebra 1, spending significant time introducing functions and quadratic factoring. Seeing this pace, my older child decided to move to the advanced track (one curriculum per year). Instruction occurs in 30-minute sessions 3 days/week before or after school. During regular class, students work independently or collaboratively at the back of the room. My kids adapted seamlessly. Though VDA opens doors to all rather than cherry-picking, it crafts the best possible setup given its resources. LA: look at their schedule posted online. Departmentalization tells everything. Ms VanDamme, Mrs Steele, Mr Lewis, Mr Cobra definitely built a great foundation to my kid's writing and literature analysis skills. Two Tips for Prospective Parents: Accreditation: Many public high schools do not accept unaccredited math/science credits from VDA. If returning to public school, it is an option to arrange accredited coursework through another institute. VDA accommodates, but plan ahead. No-Homework Policy: Great for reducing daily friction, but can hide learning gaps. We supplemented 30 minutes of competition math at home for math modeling training and study habits, plus 15 minutes of daily reading outside of class reading assignments to cultivate a lifelong reading habit. I will miss the Friday morning coffee tradition with other parents and all the teachers who are more of mentors in enlightening my children's education. Thank you.

As parents, we all seek the best educational and developmental environments for our children…read more After 3 years in public school, we realized that both of our kids were getting lost in the large classes and needed a small school environment to thrive. We sought out a school that with small classes, stimulating curriculum, engaged teachers, and a supportive social environment. Vandamme Academy has exceeded on all levels - and we only wish we had enrolled sooner! The small classes and overall school environment are what first brought us to Vandamme. We love that each grade level has only one class with roughly 15 students. The homeroom/subject matter class structure makes a huge impact in that it allows students to form relationships with multiple adults (and role models) at school. As we approach the end of our first year at Vandamme, we have seen how much maturity and confidence our kids have gained through these relationships. It is also clear that the teachers truly get to know each student's learning style, personality, strengths, and areas of need. The rigorous academic program is thoughtfully designed by Ms. Vandamme and the teaching staff in a way that challenges and inspires students. We love that the teachers specialize in subjects that they are passionate about. In doing so, they pass on their interest onto the students, so that students become interested and engaged in each subject. Just last week, I was blown away when my fourth grader asked to go to the library for books on Shakespeare's works. Beyond academics, we love Vandamme's positive and inclusive social environment. Students seem to come from diverse backgrounds and neighborhoods throughout our county, and the school staff does a great job of modeling kindness, inclusion, and respect. I've had the privilege of volunteering at two school events and chaperoning one field trip this year. In all instances, I've been so impressed with how responsible and respectful all of the students are. The food is also wonderful! While we don't order hot lunch every day, my kids always look forward to Chef Faustino's healthy and delicious creations. We are so grateful to Ms. Vandamme and the entire staff for providing a learning environment that not only enables ours kids to excel academically, but also build character and confidence.

I went here in the late 70's , great teachers & staff, from the Los alisos Jr high, wow memories,…read more anyone else went to Cresent bay in the summer

This school and the staff members here are so awesome. My son has been attending speech therapy…read morehere for the last year, and he LOVES going. He talks about his teachers all the time! The speech therapists here are SO kind and friendly and really work with him in a FUN way. He's improved his speech so much, that he met his yearly goal a few months early! Thank you so much Miss Robyn and Miss Heather and the other loving therapists that have been working with him. You guys are the best!

My son has been going to school here for about 4 months now and he absolutely loves it…read more He actually goes to bed early on his own when he knows he has school the next day and wakes up super excited for class with Mrs. Wilson. The first week at this school, my almost 4 year old would cry when I picked him up because he didn't want to go home yet. He'd say, " I just want to stay and learn more!" The teachers are as loving as can be and I am surprised by the things he tells me when he comes home. They are easy to talk to -- and they always keep me in the loop on what's going on with him in class. Just love love love this school! I only wish we had learned about St. John's when he was younger! Such a wonderful school

We have three kids at St. John's and could not be happier with the school. Yes, every school has…read moreits challenges, but overall, it is a nurturing environment where everyone is treated equally. It has a strong community, and feels like one big family! It is academically challenging and the teachers are extremely passionate about making sure your kids thrive and do well! We highly recommend the school!

We are incredibly happy with our experience at Stratford. This is our first year at the Laguna…read moreNiguel campus, but our third year with Stratford overall. The school has a strong academic focus from an early age while truly supporting and nurturing my child's interests and growth. The curriculum is well-rounded and thoughtfully designed, covering a wide range of subjects and topics that keep children engaged and curious. It's clear that students are academically challenged in a positive way and are already working at least a school year ahead compared to public schools. The school leadership, teachers and staff team are all friendly, helpful, resourceful, and approachable in so many ways. It genuinely feels like a small family, and the community is incredibly supportive, with many fun activities and events throughout the year that bring everyone together. I could go on, but the best way to understand the environment is to take a tour and explore the website. We're very grateful to be part of the Stratford community and highly recommend it to families looking for a strong academic foundation in a nurturing setting.

We couldn't be happier with our experience at Stratford School in Laguna Niguel. With one child in…read morepreschool and another in elementary, we've had the opportunity to see the school's impact across multiple stages of early education--and it's been nothing short of outstanding. The staff and teachers are the best part of the school! They are incredibly warm, communicative, and genuinely invested in our children's growth. It's clear that they take the time to get to know each child as an individual, creating a supportive environment that feels both nurturing and academically enriching. The preschool program has provided a perfect foundation for our youngest--balancing social-emotional learning with hands-on academics in a way that keeps our child excited to go to school every day. Meanwhile, our elementary-aged child has truly flourished under Stratford's well-rounded curriculum. The emphasis on critical thinking, strong language and math skills, and character development has built a solid educational foundation that we know will serve them for years to come. What sets Stratford apart is the seamless integration of high academic standards with a strong sense of community. The families we go to school with have become lifelong friends. Our children aren't just thriving academically--they're happy, confident, and curious learners. We're so grateful to be part of the Stratford family and can already see how this experience is shaping their educational journey in the best possible way.

We love Christ Community Preschool (CCP). We transitioned to Laguna Hills from LA during a…read moresensitive time, and we weren't sure how our son would react to being in a new school environment after leaving his school in LA that he attended for 2 years. Under Ms. Cathi's leadership, you just feel the warmth, collaboration, and community vibe as soon as you engage with them. They have a wonderful team of teachers and aides that provide Christ like love, attention, care, support, and instruction to the children. They also have monthly opportunities where you can attend church/chapel with your child and many events throughout the year that allow parents to engage with their children, staff, and each other. I would highly recommend CCP for your preschool and pre-K needs.

What an incredible five years we have had at CCP! Between my two sons, we have had nearly every…read moreteacher, and can attest to the love and warmth each bring to their classrooms. Ms. Cathi, the director, truly cares for the families and students, and goes above and beyond to create a true sense of community. The teachers are kind and nurturing, and provide numerous updates to keep the parents feel involved. My sons have grown not only academically (they were MORE than prepared to enter Kindergarten), but socially and spiritually, as well. We are so grateful to have found this gem of a school. What a blessing CCP has been to our family!

If you're seeking a preschool that has the most nurturing staff and fun environment, this is the…read moreplace to be! Faith-based values, academics and amazing school events are all icing on the cake! We have been a Marguerite Christian family for 6 years and counting. Have been blessed to be able to send our kids here from 3 years old to kindergarten. The only thing I would change is that they need to offer grades beyond kindergarten. Don't hesitate to schedule a tour and meet the sweet director and staff!

There are a lot of wonderful things about this school; I could go on and on, however there are a…read morefew that make it stick out from other schools that are really important to note: 1. Most of the staff has been there for many years. The teacher who taught my now 15-year old niece is still teaching. It says a lot about the positive and stable environment for both the students and staff. The director, Jynette and other staff stand outside each morning greeting families. All the teachers know students by name. 2. They do a great job of building a foundation for future academic success. All three of my kids went there. My oldest who is now 8 and middle child who is now 7 both entered the public school (after attending Kinder) more prepared than most other students. The TK teacher, Mrs. Roma is absolutely incredible. Your child will grow leaps and bounds in one year with her. My three year old currently goes there and has Mrs. Navarro who she adores. 3. The playground is huge and they do a great job of indoor/outdoor time. There are also additional classes that can be added including dance class, sports class, karate, etc providing a well-rounded education that goes beyond academics. They also attend chapel each week where they learn new bibe verses, sing and dance! 4. They do a great job of keeping things clean! Hand washing before and after meals, sanitizing tables, etc. I could not recommend this school more. We have always hoped they could extend to support grades past Kindergarten bc it is always so sad to leave such a great school!!

Our 3.5 year old son really enjoys going to this Preschool…read more We toured many Preschool facilities while choosing one, and this place was much cleaner than most and also has really reasonable rates :) If you are considering where to send your child for preschool, I highly recommend you go take a tour of this facility as we were really impressed.

My son is in his second year and daughter in her first year at MVCP and it is a wonderful school…read more All the staff (from the office to the assistants) are so loving and truly care about all the kids there. I couldn't be more happy with my children's teachers, and their little sister will be coming here too as soon as she's old enough! They also have great hours for working parents, with a before and after school care program.

I truly don't think there are enough words to describe how special Sunflower Montessori is to me. I…read morewas lucky enough to grow up there, starting in Ms. Lisa's preschool class and continuing into Ms. Angela's kindergarten class, and even at such a young age, I remember how incredibly warm, loving, and safe the environment felt. It wasn't just a school, it was a place where I felt deeply cared for, understood, and encouraged to be myself. The teachers at Sunflower Montessori are something truly rare. They lead with so much kindness, patience, and genuine love for every child. Looking back, I can confidently say I could not have been placed in better hands during those formative years of my life. What makes this place even more meaningful to me is that my relationship with Sunflower didn't end when I left as a student. I had the opportunity to come back and work there part-time, which only deepened my appreciation for everything they do. Seeing the environment from the other side, I was even more inspired by the dedication, thoughtfulness, and heart that goes into every single day. I went on to attend Chapman University, where I studied Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and a themed inquiry in Law and Public Policy, and I truly believe the foundation I built at Sunflower helped shape who I am today. The confidence, curiosity, and sense of self I developed there has stayed with me throughout my life. To this day, Sunflower Montessori is still a huge part of my life. They have stayed connected with me through every stage, always checking in, always supporting me, and always celebrating my milestones. I make sure to keep them updated on all of my major accomplishments because their support means so much to me. They were even invested in my interview process as I worked toward landing my dream job, which speaks volumes about the kind of people they are. Sunflower Montessori is more than just a school, it has become family to me. These are people who I know will be there for me for the rest of my life. I could not have asked for a better start in life, and I will forever be grateful for the love, guidance, and foundation they gave me. If you're considering this school for your child, just know that you are placing them in the most caring, nurturing, and genuine environment possible.

My 3 children attended Sunflower for pre-k through 1st grade. The teachers and staff are amazing…read more The facilities are efficient, clean and have easy access for drop off and pick up. Highly recommended for a great non public school education.