A friendly, neighborhood PE-backed daycare…read more Even though our in-person visit was a bit of a mixed bag, we went ahead and paid the $100 "registration" fee to join the waitlist because nothing says confidence like paying for the privilege of waiting. Chesterbrook assured us we'd likely get in within about six months. Fast-forward seven months: we received an email letting us know we won't be getting off the waitlist after all. But no worries- Chesterbrook (and their capital partner, Primavera Capital Group) has generously volunteered to keep our $100 registration fee for "safe keeping." So unless you've got the right connections and can pull some strings, save yourself the donation and don't bother.

My son absolutely loves going to school, thanks to his wonderful teachers, Ms Jessica and Ms…read moreCecilia. He has learned so much since being there and they are truly such kind and amazing teachers. The consistent updates on his naps, meals, education, etc. and also constant pictures of him having fun and learning makes me feel confident that my son is in the best hands possible.

Absolutely unbelievable. This school is the furthest thing from CHRISTIAN. The majority of the…read moreteachers don't teach properly and focus on the complete wrong things. The school is a mess, the rules make no sense. The way they treat the students is genuinely so embarrassing. If you want your child to feel supported or respected, look somewhere else. This school is the last place I would ever recommend. Disgusting.

We sent my gifted black nephew to NRCA. We asked former teachers, families of students, black…read morefamilies of students and we heard negative statements concerning the African American experience here. As a teacher I asked a former NRCA teacher about it, and his words were "It is a good education, but they are not the place for black students." Despite this, we normally know how to navigate those spaces, and most teachers here are actually GREAT. However, they have a science teacher and a coach that has received several complaints for ostracizing students. It's one of the worst experiences I've ever had with an educator. I've never seen ANYTHING like it. We have spoken to administration. Other parents have spoken to administration. They head nod and continue to employ him, knowing he has actively chosen to kill the energy of the students he is called to serve. You don't have to believe me, ask about him. The responses will be the same. Parents agree but duck their heads to avoid rubbing him wrong as he takes it out on kids. I've been a teacher for 15 years and have recommended my sister remove him from this situation as I see how he has affected him. Families of players agree, but I'm okay speaking up, bc someone needs to know. Ronnie Kruger's actions are so egregious, and he alone has caused my nephew such pain, I can't believe a Christian School continues to let him behave this way and not require him to at minimum treat kids with respect and love.

So I have been sending the little clones to this school for the past 4 years now. Just like any…read moreschool, it has it's ups, and it's downs. The normal school day runs from 9:15 AM to 3:45 PM. They have a before school program, but not an after school program, so your kids MUST be picked up for 4:00 PM. And if you call after 4:00 PM, unless you have somebody's mobile phone, or direct line, the front desk will not answer the phone. The do serve what they consider "a nutritional" lunch. But I say, it is only nutritional IF AND ONLY IF two things happen. 1) You don't burn or over cook it. Then all the nutritional value is gone. 2) If the kids eat it. If it is burnt, or dried up like a brick, then the kids will not eat it. If it taste like, hmm, in the words of my 7 years old, the food sucks, then the kids will not eat it. Here is a true story, I went to have lunch with my kids at school, when I got there for the first one, he was eating a salad. Now, this kids loves his veggie tables more than most kids, but he is also a T-Rex with his carnivorous appetite. I did think it was kinda strange, but I didn't realize till I was having lunch with the next one. I actually went through the line with him, and he just chooses the safe option everyday, and eats a PB&J. I could not even recognize some of the food. But if you really want to know how good the food is, check out the staff, and see how many of them eat it. I would say about 95% of them bring their lunch. Now that makes you ask, if it is so healthy and nutritious, why don't the people who work their eat it? But I have to admit, the school food is better than it was there two years ago, so I will give them that. As far as electives, since Hunter is a AG/GT Magnet School of Distinction and has won awards, they do have a nice variety of elective programs. Some of the teachers are the nicest people you will meet in the world. The music teacher, Mrs. Taylor, is not just a music teacher, but actually plays in orchestra and symphony concerts, so you know she is good. She is also super nice, and whenever she has extra concert tickets, she shares them with her students families. The school likes to invite authors, poets, dancers, musicians, you know real famous people to the school and have them talk to the kids One of the authors was the writer of "Where the Wild Things Are." The school does try and have a good curriculum. They recently started a "Walkers Club" for those that get there early in the morning. You can do a few laps around the track, and earn points. You know kids, they love points. Not sure what they get at the end, but they still love points. So, in the end, if you want to know more about Hunter Elementary, take a tour. While you are there, if you see some parents around ask them. And for the new orientation, when I attended, they handed out what I call a "Kidnap me" directory. That a book with the name, address, e-mail and phone number of all the kids that go to the school. You can opt to have some of the information removed from the directory at the beginning of the year, but you better catch them before they publish it. But come on, who just hands that information out to total strangers the first time you meet them. Be a little bit more secure with that info. That is why I wanted only wanted their name, my name, and the phone number listed. Everybody, their momma, and their daddy don't need to know where I live. Not that I have anything to hide, but do you want a book floating around that could fall into the wrong hands with everybody's info in it? Did I go off topic, sorry. Just my personal thoughts. But go check out Hunter, they are a decent school for the most part.

This school makes me want to turn back the clock and be a kid again! It's a dream come true for a…read morebright kid who doesn't have just one area of focus. The teachers have been wonderful about letting my child check out things he's interested in and develop his own interests and opinions. He's gotten to try writing fairy tales, learning about sea life, and art club. He is in love with the chess club most of all - Coach Indermaur is awesome and so dedicated! The school just feels like it's brimming with possibilities. The teachers and leadership go very far out of their way to make sure they're not leaving kids behind due to special needs, poverty, or even behavioral issues. The communication from the school, PTA, teacher, and principal has been beyond impressive. The involvement and volunteerism from the parents truly blows me away. Most of the volunteers have jobs (like I do) but build in time where we can to be a part of what this school is doing. Every time I leave the building, I realize I've been smiling the whole time I've been there. The added focus on early AIG-related teaching has been wonderful. I truly don't see how other schools manage it when they can't identify or give additional enrichment to AIG kids before 4th grade. An intellectually gifted kid in a regular class is a teacher's nightmare. People think "intellectually gifted" means the kid who sits up front and knows all the answers and reads all the time. It's often the kid who won't quiet down, the one who is obstinate toward the teacher, or the one who interrupts the other kids. More difficult work and added academic challenges are an important part of the solution there, and other schools don't provide much support there. Hunter has teachers and a principal who "get it" when it comes to this, and they're willing to work with you and your child to allow them to become their best version of themselves through work, practice, support, and structure. Every teacher I've worked with thus far seems genuinely happy to be at the school, and my son's teacher has been a standout star in an already very bright field of stars. Just seeing the difference in my kid's knowledge, writing, reading, and attitude in the past 3 semesters is proof positive that she is an expert at her very difficult job. I cannot say enough good things about the school. Love, love, love Hunter!

Best preschool in Raleigh-bar none! We have been with this…read morepreschool for 6 years now. All four of our children have attended and now only our youngest child is left as the older siblings have moved on to elementary school! So only 2 more years left of GSLP! Bittersweet! As a newer mother when I was researching all the local preschools I was directed to GSLP by a dear friend whom I admired. I visited them all, asked lots of questions and by far, GSLP was the most prepared, most cost efficient and most qualified. I personally really like the schedule and the times the preschool runs. 9:30am is after the early morning rush so it is the PERFECT starting time. And the fact that the children get to have lunch there-what a blessing! So many other preschools end around lunchtime-and they cost the same if not more for having children there for less hours! (Why? Hmmmm...I dunno!) 1:20pm is a great endidng time because it is after lunch so you don't have to deal with the hurry to get the kids fed right after picking them up, yet it is still before afternoon quiet times (which all younger children, in my humble opinion, should have. Saves mom from going insane and gives them some time to themselves. THAT in and of itself can be talked about for hours....Ok, I digress....) All of the teachers are certified and have extensive backgrounds in teaching. Their curriculum is superb and all of our children have fond memories of GSLP. The parents are very involved and frankly, as each year passes the school improves even when I think it can't improve any more! The Director, Deanna Klimek, is very hands on. Her staff responds well with her and you can tell they all really enjoy working together. Their biggest love, and rightfully so-is the children! Oh how they all love those precious children! We have never doubted our decision to send our children to Good Shepherd. I encourage every parent who is wondering where to send his/her children-to just register those little one/s! You will be so glad you did!!

My two sons started Good Shepherd two years ago and what a blessing the school and teachers have…read morebeen! My kids love going to school each day and I love seeing them happy. All the teachers have a background in child development or education and follow a curriculum that prepares children for entering kindergarten. The children stay very busy and engaged. They go to Music and Movement each day and chapel once a week. The older children also have Spanish lessons. We love coming into school each day and are always greeted by the Director, Deanna, and Mr. Mike.

MUMPS (as it is abbreviated) is something of a secret treasure in Raleigh. I found out about it…read morethrough word-of-mouth and have never known them to do much in the way of advertising, but it is a GREAT program. MUMPS is a half-day program that runs concurrently with the Wake County public school system calendar, though they have their own severe weather policy and do not observe WCPSS teacher workdays. It IS a religious preschool. They do learn about God and Jesus; several times per month they go to Chapel. It's nothing overly pushy or confusing to the children. They also emphasize kindness to others, and visit with the senior citizens in the church program a few times each year to sing them songs or help out. Tuition is very reasonable. It sounded expensive to me at first for a half-day program, but if you break it down hourly, it really isn't (I pay just over $4 per hour). They do offer discounts/reduced tuition to families enrolling multiple children or experiencing financial difficulty. Classes are small; they seem to be typically under-enrolled and accepting new students. My son started this year in a class of only 6 children (with 2 teachers per class), but has grown to about 10 now. They spend each day doing the usual preschool activities- singing, dancing, coloring, cutting, practicing their alphabet and writing skills, reading, playing on the outdoor playground, and going to "discovery" (an amazingly well-stocked science classroom). The teachers are all amazing and many have been working there for over a decade, if not since their own children were preschoolers there! Vivian Brendle is the director of the Preschool and has been involved with it for many years. She does an amazing job of keeping parents in the loop and involved, through field trips, volunteer work (planting bulbs to beautify the church grounds is one of my favorite activities to help the kids with), and best of all- they often e-mail home photos of the childrens' daily activities. I love being able to forward these e-mails to my mom, since she lives out of town and doesn't get to see the kids as often as she'd like! Overall I could not recommend MUMPS any more highly. If you are looking for an easy entry into the world of preschool for your 2-5 year old kids, and are considering a half-day, Christian-centered program, MUMPS is definitely worth checking out.

Our son currently attends MUMPS; we would highly recommend it to anyone looking for half day…read morepreschool. The teachers and directors are excellent! They clearly have a passion for what they are doing and make it a priority to make each child who walks in the door feel special each and every day! They offer fun, creative programs for the children and fun family events to participate in as well. My son wakes up asking to go to "Millbrook School" and runs to give his teachers big hugs every morning! Overall, we feel really blessed to have found MUMPS.

The absolute worst experience of my entire life. This school messed me up. My parents sent me here…read morebecause they wanted me to get into a good college. I only lasted a year and it was for sure the worst year of my life. I developed an anxiety disorder because of this school. Bullying was terrible and one friend of mine texted me years later saying he was so happy I made it out and he made it out too. Absolutely positively not worth the money. Every Tuesday is Chapel (at least when I was there) so the morning is shot. There's prayer before every class. My Latin teacher there told the class the end was near and we better repent. The best thing about the entire place was the Snack Shack (which I don't think is there anymore). There wasn't even a cafeteria just a gym we all ate in separated by a curtain. It is important to note that the instruction or quality of education at this school is not in anyway superior to the of public school. There is just more quantity. So much more quantity. My friends and I all had 8 hours of homework on a regular basis. Maybe less time should be spent on religious stuff and more on in class work so homework isn't piled on. The kids at this school are dangerous. I was assulted. Don't believe that just because it's private there are not drugs. There are more drugs at this school. I ended up going to public middle school and Sanderson high school. I felt the quality of education was the same, and it was free. I did well in public school and I got accepted into UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Greensboro, UNC Pembroke, and WCU. I am doing so much better now. This school was so bad my friend and I say if we made it through this we can make it through anything. Let me reiterate, worst experience of my entire life. Please please please do not send your children here if you care about their happiness or wellbeing. This school will drain it out of them and replace it with religious nonsense. This place is destructive.

We've loved our time in the St. David's lower school so far. The teachers have been warm and caring…read moreand our kids have a blast at the big events like the back to school picnic and field day. The principal has been amazing, always encouraging the kids and so open to having us come in and talk about any concerns even if it's something small. I like that there's tons of natural light in the classrooms and the wiggle chairs are really cool. Looking forward to many more years at this wonderful school!

Both of my children attend LPM, my daughter now for a couple of years and my son started this year,…read morethey absolutely love it. I love the education they receive and the care they are given. The teachers and staff really go the extra mile to make my children feel happy and excited to learn and explore. My kids, who at one point were shy and unsure are now outgoing and full of information! We feel so lucky to have found this gem!

Language Planet Montessori is a wonderful place. Lead teacher/owner Sophie treats every single…read morechild and their family as if we were her own family. She consistently goes out of her way to make you and your child feel cared for. She is always coming up with fun activities for the kids and will share pictures with you throughout the day so you can see how much fun your child is having. The other teachers are just as wonderful and provide great guidance for your child as they develop both socially and academically. If you're looking for a school where your child will be nurtured, loved, and encouraged, then look no further than Language Planet Montessori.