UPDATE: I stopped attending Smith Chason San Marcos in June…read more2025, and the school continues to confirm exactly why I left. Current students still contact me ...a former student ...because they are experiencing the same ongoing issues: biased grading, inconsistent expectations, and an EPL course that seems designed more around personal preference than actual educational standards. At this point, it's unclear whether the root problem is poor management, lack of structure, or simply a refusal to acknowledge the program's failures. Regardless, the results are obvious ! students are failing, withdrawing, or transferring at a rate that should concern any institution claiming to prepare future professionals. So here is a direct question for the San Marcos campus How do you plan to maintain graduation rates when your own program repeatedly undermines the success of the students paying to be here? Is this going to reflect on the San Marcos website for the school ? The fact that students trust a former attendee more than their own instructors is telling. It reflects a level of dysfunction so normalized within the program that students no longer expect fairness, clarity, or support from within the school itself. I cannot recover the time or money I invested, but I can make sure future students enter with accurate expectations. I will continue updating this review, and I will also be posting TikTok videos breaking down these issues in detail so prospective students can see exactly what they are signing up for. A refund would be the bare minimum acknowledgment of the program's ongoing failures. Whether you choose to offer one is up to you .. but the pattern is already documented, and I will continue adding to that documentation as long as current students keep reaching out.

Smith Chason College @zala Askarzoi @Behrouz @Kenneth McDowell…read more0 stars!! My experience with this school has been very disappointing, and I honestly regret enrolling. In the beginning, everything seems great--they are friendly, attentive, and make big promises. But over time, it becomes clear that the school operates very differently. The school feels like a scam. They constantly change rules and tuition, and keep adding new requirements that force students to pay more money, either through loans or additional monthly fees. There is no consistency, and it creates a lot of stress for students trying to plan their education. One of the biggest problems is externship placement. The school does not properly support students and often leaves them waiting with no clear start date. There have been many issues with hospitals breaking contracts, and nearby hospitals reportedly no longer accept their students because the school enrolls too many people without properly planning placements. When it comes to staff, there is a huge difference in professionalism: April is the only person who truly deserves 5 stars. She has a great attitude, is respectful, answers questions clearly, and responds quickly to emails and phone calls. She genuinely tries to motivate and support students to finish their program, and she stands out as someone who actually cares. Zala, on the other, has been extremely difficult to deal with. She does not seem to care about students and puts little effort into helping with externships. Communication is very poor--emails go unanswered, and phone calls are often ignored. There are constant excuses for not being available, and it often feels like she avoids students instead of helping them. It's frustrating when you need urgent assistance and can't get a response unless you repeatedly insist. Behrouz, has also been very unhelpful. Communication is a major issue--emails are not answered, and when you ask specific questions, the responses are often unclear or unrelated. Simple tasks, like signing paperwork, can take weeks, which delays student progress unnecessarily. Professionalism and responsiveness are seriously lacking. Overall, I do not recommend this school to anyone. My advice to future students is to read reviews carefully before committing, ask detailed questions, and think twice before enrolling. Don't be misled by the initial friendliness--make sure you fully understand what you're getting into before making a decision.

My daughter just finished her first year of elite cheer at Cali. We came from a smaller D-2 gym…read moreafter 3 years there. We moved over after wanting more. K has grown as a person and athlete. We have loved our experience at Cali. The coaches, owner, athletes and parents have all been so welcoming and supportive. The kids work hard and play hard. We do fun team bonding experiences, gym events and get to support other teams. We feel so blessed to have found California All Stars. We can't wait for next season. Thank you for providing a safe and fun place for kids and young adults.

My daughter two days here recently learning choreography for her competition cheer squad this fall…read more It was closed door with just her team, her coaches, and the choreographer (cuz you know, routine has to be secret so the competition can't get the drop on us!) She had a great time over the two days and learned a full routine with tumbling, stunts, and dance all choreographed for the rest of the competition season. The girls all seemed to have a good time and I k ow they worked their butts off as well cuz they were exhausted. Love to see the dedication to their craft from the staff at California All Star.

Palomar College Cabinet and Furniture Technology is one of the top woodworking schools in the…read morecountry. They offer classes and degrees for everything from wood carving and wood turning to cabinet and furniture making. They also have one of the best Guitar Making Technology certificate programs consisting of 9 classes and 26 units. The facilities and instructors are amazing. I love that each class is project-based, so you end each semester with an heirloom quality piece of woodwork. Palomar College CFT has their own lumber mill, and they partner with the city to turn tree waste into unique and usable lumber. That makes it the only place in the world where you can get specialty woods like Torrey Pine, and it's only available to students in the woodworking classes. The CFT100-Woodworking Fundamentals class is the pre-requisite for most of the other classes. Students usually build a pendulum or mantel clock for that class while learning woodworking basics along the way. I took CFT100 as a beginner and learned a ton, but even seasoned woodworkers have said that class is worth taking and learning the "right" way to do things. I can't say enough good things about the people running this program, from the instructors and teaching assistants to the fellow students, they are a joy to work with and learn from.

It sounds like bullshit. Don't waste your money. it's all online classes. They'll send you some…read morebooks and then it's good luck to you. This is not a real school. This is a real lot of nonsense.

The instructor was very knowledgeable on all subjects and taught at a level that was easy enough…read morefor everyone to understand. By the end of the class, I surpassed that basic level of understanding and now feel confident that I can successfully complete a grow cycle from start to finish. The class was extremely fun which made it easy to retain the information given. Class came equipped with books, hands on demonstrations and lots of useful tools to reference at a later time. I highly recommend this class! Worth every penny! ~Tee

I just had a facial by Chad. The guy was fantastic. A wonder facial with a nice massage.read more

Just got my hair done by Rebecca and had another great experience at Palomar. I've been going for…read moreyears and never a bad job. Rebecca was so good and careful with my color. I'll want her on my next visit!

Waves & Woodlands is truly a gem. Our children are deeply known as individuals, respected,…read morenurtured, and inspired. The program is rooted in nature-based learning, using our local natural spaces as the classroom and curriculum. Our son learns through hands-on exploration, imaginative play, and real-world experiences, developing curiosity, problem-solving skills, and a genuine connection to the environment. Rain or shine, the kids are outside discovering the seasons, observing plants and animals, building with natural materials, and learning to take thoughtful risks. It has fostered resilience, creativity, and confidence in a way that I truly believe can't be replicated indoors. The teachers' balance of gentle structure and child-led exploration allows our son to learn at his own pace and challenge himself, while still feeling supported and guided. The teachers are absolutely exceptional--patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about childhood education and nature-based learning. They skillfully scaffold learning moments that emerge organically from the children's interests, helping them build academic curiosity, peer cooperation, and respect for one another and the natural world. Communication with families is thoughtful and consistent, and it's clear that the teachers view parents as true partners in their child's growth. The daily pictures and description we receive tell the story of the day through our child's eyes, and serve as a foundation for dinnertime discussion. Since joining Waves & Woodlands we've seen remarkable growth in our son's independence, creativity, and social-emotional skills. This program has given our son a strong foundation academically, socially, and environmentally. The dirtier the clothes, the bigger the smiles at "adventure school"! We feel incredibly grateful to be part of such a special community and recommend Waves & Woodlands without hesitation.

Ms. Jenn and Ms. Nikki are some of the most loving and wonderful people I've ever met. The love…read morethey provide my son is amazing and I'm so grateful to have found them. In the last few months my son has learned letters, numbers, and most importantly how to play with others. He loves being outside and begs to go to school every day. He is learning so much about the world around him and so am I! These teachers genuinely care. He adores them and trusts them. I can't imagine a better environment for him to grow in.

DO NOT attend this school. Please read before enrolling. I TRANSFERRED TO THE SAN DIEGO LOCATION,…read moreBUT I CAME FROM THE OC LOCATION. The only reason I'm still here is because l'm too deep into my program to transfer. They WANT young, aspiring and scared people to come here because we don't consider rating, reviews, money. but please do your research before confirming enrollment. This school isn't what they say it is. While the accreditations are real, the way the school works is demeaning. You have no power, the student handbook is only written out because the bppe states that every university needs one, but stanbridge is not a school that cares for their students. I used to attend Yasith Weerasuriya's Orange County location, one of four campuses under his ownership. But now I am at the San Diego location. This nursing school is for-profit, and it shows--they're here to make money off of students, not to support our education. From the moment you get in, things change fast. The person who helped you through the enrollment process? They disappear. You'll never hear from them again. After that, you're left to deal with counselors (called SSOs)--and if you're lucky, you'll get one who actually cares. But even then, they have no power. They're not allowed to fix anything that matters. The professors? They don't really teach. Most are kind people stuck in a system where they have to say, teach, and grade exactly how the dean or administrators tell them to. They are at the bottom of the chain, controlled by Yasith and his team. It's like watching puppets being forced to dance. One day, the dean came into our class and said, "I'm sure you guys came here because you didn't get accepted anywhere else." Whether that's true or not, it was harsh, disrespectful, and completely unnecessary. Many of us came here because we wanted to become nurses quickly but this school makes that dream harder, not easier. I've personally witnessed students get unfairly failed and dismissed, even when their work followed the rubric. Professors can fail you just because they don't like you. And don't bother with the appeal process, it's just a delay tactic. They don't read them, they just deny you after a few days and we all get the same email. Why aren't there more lawsuits? Great question. That's because before you even start, they make you sign an arbitration agreement. What is that? An arbitration document means you're giving up your legal right to sue them in court. If something unfair happens, you can't file a lawsuit or be part of a class action. Instead, you have to settle things privately, through a process that usually favors the school. Most students don't even realize what they're signing. Oh, and Yasith the owner? He has no nursing background. His degree is in engineering, yet he's making decisions that affect your education and future nursing license. On top of that, the public face of the school, Victoria S., is just the social media director, not the owner or founder. If they're misrepresenting that, what else are they hiding? I've seen so many students dismissed for no valid reason and am terrified of getting dismissed from the San Diego location. Many believe it's to fund the campus I now go to, the newer San Diego campus. (This campus) This school is a money scheme. If you're serious about becoming a nurse and want to be respected and supported in your journey, go somewhere else. This place will take your money, your time, and your peace of mind and leave you with nothing in return. If you do decide to come here, keep a paper trail. And do not be afraid to speak your voice. They can not treat you unfairly due to you speaking up. Don't be afraid of them. They run off of scared individuals. THIS REVIEW IS GOING TO CONSTANTLY BE UPDATED THROUGHOUT MY TIME HERE. 5/9/2025

I came to Stanbridge University and was immediately welcomed with two big smiles from two women at…read morethe front desk. They were kind and immediately stopped their conversation to greet me. I signed in, and was welcomed right on time for my appointment that I had with Kimberly G. She was amazing at making me feel welcomed. She told me about the programs I had asked for more information on in detail. She was clear with the information she gave me. I needed guidance on two separate programs, and she was so graceful in giving me all of the information that I needed to consider the school. She always asked if I had questions and never made my questions sound dumb. Kim booked me for some testing and gave me a tour. It is small, but will expand soon. I was very impressed by this university. Kimberly G was the best advisor for me, and anyone who needs guidance on their next steps in healthcare should consult with her. Thank you Kimberly!

This traffic school is top notch. I got a ticket for the second time in my life...and the school i…read morewent to the first time was great, but it seemed like there was new staff, which were rather rude on the phone, and the price had gone up. I went searching for an alternative traffic school and came across this place. They offer a very affordable online class which is engaging, interesting and kinda funny. I enjoyed logging in whenever I had time to complete the course and go back to re-read the material as needed. I learned information I had not known before and received a refresher on material I had not read about for a long time. It was so much better than spending an 8 hour day (on the weekend no less!) in a stuffy classroom. Online learning FTW :). It was a great learning experience and I would highly recommend this traffic school you unfortunately receive a ticket.

From the owner: Poway - Rancho Bernardo - Penasquitos Traffic Violator School has been in business since 1987. The…read moreinstructor, Alan, holds a Doctorate of Jurisprudence and has awards for acting and directing. All classroom courses are held at the Marriott Courtyard Rancho Bernardo the first and third Saturday of every month. With his talents, experience and common sense approach to the laws and safe driving Alan has even received ovations from his students. Since its inception, the school has never cancelled a class and has never turned anybody away. As an added service to the classroom students, there is a standing invitation to call Alan at any time if they have questions concerning legal matters or subsequent citations. Past students are constantly referring friends and relatives to the school. Now adding the online and home study experiences, Poway Rancho will continue to provide the same excellent service it has a reputation for.

We absolutely love this barn! Our 11-year-old daughter takes lessons here and has loved every…read moreminute--so much so that all she wants to do now is ride horses. The trainers and staff are incredibly kind, patient, and knowledgeable, and they truly care about both the riders and the horses. It's a warm, welcoming environment where kids feel supported and confident while learning. We've seen such positive growth in our daughter since starting here and couldn't recommend this place more highly.

I learned to ride with precision! Can't wait to purchase my own horse from Liz Bolton. Good…read moresupport from instructors there and nice horses.

CRAZY STORY... I couldn't recommend this place enough or more specifically Jim Gleason. You see in…read more2014 I had an AVM brain rupture and am considered mentally disabled . Well after not being able to drive for 3 years after my brain surgery i decided to give driving a shot with the "driving program" at a local hospital which turned out to be a SCAM because the "therapist" never even took me behind the wheel after a 6 month program (BEFORE THE DRIVE TEST). So at the time my parents helped me find this place , a place that would work with someone with a disability and it just so happened to turn out that Jim Gleason pulls up and we had a little reunion with my parents after literally not seeing Jim since I was like 17! I am 40 now. Anyway point here is that Jim is SO patient and motivating and more than that he's understanding . Just wanted to boast about this man because this is the 2nd time in a span of around 23 years that he helped me regain my freedom , confidence , a job and because of him I am able to drive to work church or where ever I need to be! THANK YOU JIM I'll never forget you. I came on here 9 YEARS later because someone on the SM community page is asking for recommendations for a good driving school and so I had to show some love. I'm SO appreciative! Picture was taken in 2017 when I passed my 2nd driving test (IN THE RAIN!) with the help of Jim Gleason at American Driving School.

Our son just went through this driving school. Easy to schedule and thorough enough to help him be…read morea confident driver.