I saw another review that mentioned that the hardest part of moving from San Diego was leaving…read moreAspen Leaf - and I 100% agree. Our son is in the University Heights location and has been there for about six months. He literally dances with excitement when he sees the mural outside of school and smiles and giggles when he sees any of his teachers. He is always doing fun activities, and the staff are incredibly warm, kind, and thoughtful. I would highly recommend Aspen Leaf to any family who is lucky enough to grab a spot!

We absolutely loved our time at Aspen Leaf. My only wish is that my daughter could have continued…read moreher education there for longer. She was nurtured and loved by the staff and learned social skills and emotional health tools that will last a lifetime! I was in awe as my daughter would, at three and four years old, tell me how our behaviors impact other people's feelings, how she could make the world a better place, and how she could self-regulate by using deep breathing when she was frustrated. The staff and teachers were extremely professional and yet truly loved each of the children, as was evident from how tightly knit my daughter's little cohort became. I really can't say enough positive things about Aspen Leaf!

Fleur de Lis School provided our son and our family the most incredible experience we could have…read moreever asked for. In our 2 years there, we watched our son grow immensely in his confidence, relationships, and overall love of learning. He was sad to leave school every day and excited to wake up and start the day with his amazing friends and teachers. The approach and philosophy that Fleur de Lis takes truly allows each child to blossom in their own unique and beautiful way and we not only got to experience this with our son, but saw it with his classmates as well. We saw our son make presentations to his class about a science or art project he did with us at home or proudly present his show and tell Spider-man toy to his classmates - we are so grateful to the entire Fleur de Lis community for encouraging this level of self-esteem and individuality.  The staff at Fleur de Lis is truly one of a kind -  the professional, yet individualized attention of Tina Smith and April Kozelh as directors is amazing. They know your child personally and do everything in their power to make your child's experience at Fleur de Lis enriching and creative. Our son still talks about Ms. Tina coming into their classroom and reading them special books (his favorite was about an owl in NYC) and Tina consistently shared specific memories of our son's social and emotional growth during his time there. The teachers we had at Fleur de Lis (Ms. Sandy, Ms. Chelsea, Ms. Amber, Ms. Kiara and Ms. Diana for Spanish) were incredible in every way - we appreciated the attention to the holistic needs of each child - the cognitive, physical, and emotional were all given attention and we saw our son blossom in each area. The day our son "graduated" Fleur de Lis School was a bittersweet one - we were thrilled to know he was ready for kindergarten, but also so sad to say goodbye to the daily moments of this special community. Our son couldn't stop hugging his amazing teacher Ms. Sandy at the singing show - clearly showing the same emotions we felt as parents.

If you are a new parent, join the FDL wait list now -- trust me, your older parent self will thank…read moreyou! It's hard to explain the magical and nurturing environment this school provides. I remember my son, Julian, sobbing when I left him on his first day as a two year old, and my heart was breaking. In less than a week, he was all smiles at drop off, excited to see his teachers and friends. Since then, he's thrived at this school, both emotionally and educationally. Now, two years later, he's heading to Francis Parker, and looking back on his time at FDL, I can't express how grateful I am to the amazing team there. There are a few specifics that make FDL special: The community -- everyone at FDL knows Julian's name, even teachers who aren't assigned to his class. Pre-Covid, when I would pick him up from his classroom, his daily departure was like a little parade, with waves and goodbyes to friends, teachers, directors, everyone. You really feel like part of a family here. Kira, Bev, April, Julie, Julia, Diana, Iris, Nina, Autumn, and many others...each has been a unique and positive impact on Julian and our family over the past two years. The safety -- speaking of Covid, I don't think I appreciated how nice it is to have total confidence in the efforts of the FDL team to keep my child safe at all costs until this pandemic. When they reopened under new safety guidelines, I never once worried they would slack or not keep the sanitation and safety bar high. In fact, Julian now inspects my hand washing and admonishes me if I have not made enough soap bubbles or washed long enough . They always ran a tight ship, but it's exceptional now. The positive reinforcement of high expectations -- on my visit prior to enrolling at FDL, I saw all the kids eating lunch as they chattered politely and consistently used manners. On the playground, no one pushed. They all took turns. What's more, they were still incredibly joyous little kids, giggling and delighting in silly play. I was in awe. And yet, now Julian models those same behaviors. FDL teachers are kind and warm, but firm. They set a high bar, and the kids rise to meet it. At the same time, there is tremendous fun had on the daily at this school. Julian greets me at pick up with a big smile and a hug, his cheeks flushed from play and sand in his shoes. He excitedly shows me his projects and tells me funny stories and things he learned from the day. FDL is exceptional. If you have the chance to send your child there, take it. You would be hard pressed to find a more loving and capable setting. We will miss it terribly!

Best French school in California! My daughter has been at Lycée Français de San Diego for three…read moreyears and we are delighted. The teachers are incredibly attentive to the students, there's a great atmosphere with the parents, and croissants are served every Friday morning. Absolutely top-notch! Meilleur École française de Californie, j'ai ma fille ici depuis trois ans et nous sommes ravie. Les instituteurs sont aux petits soins pour les élèves, une super ambiance avec les parents d'élèves et croissants tous les vendredis matin. Le top

Le Lycee Francais de San Diego has been an absolute delight for my family, and I can't help but…read moreexpress my gratitude for the wonderful experience my six-year-old daughter has had during her three years attending this school. The love she has for her school, her teachers, and the supportive community here is unparalleled, and it's one of the primary reasons we've chosen to stay in San Diego. From the very first day, it was clear that Le Lycee Francais de San Diego is a special place. The staff and faculty have created a nurturing and inspiring environment that encourages a love for learning. My daughter's teachers so far: Carine, Carole, Ezabel, Celine, Estelle have been exceptional, fostering not only her academic growth but also her personal development. The dedication and care they bring to their work is truly commendable. Beyond the classroom, what truly sets this school apart is the sense of community that flourishes here. The families who entrust their children to Le Lycee Francais de San Diego are warm, welcoming, and share a genuine commitment to their children's education and well-being. The friendships that my daughter has developed with her fellow students are invaluable, and the connections we've made with other parents have enriched our lives. The after school programs range from yoga, to fencing, to ballet, to judo, to chess, to language, music mean I wish I was a kid again just so I can experience a quarter of what the school offers. PTR accomplishes extraordinary feats, often operating in the shadows, with a dedicated few who make monumental efforts to drive substantial change. To me, they are the unsung superheroes, working behind the scenes to make the seemingly impossible a reality. I am forever grateful for everything you do. Le Lycee Francais de San Diego is not just a school, it's a place where children thrive, friendships flourish, and a lifelong love for learning is nurtured. Without a doubt, it's the best school in San Diego, and we feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of this extraordinary community. Thanks to movie night, I am able to sit in my quiet place and write this review. Love this school, the teachers, the staff, the community, all the freedom it offers and most importantly, the peace of mind knowing that my kid is in a great place, surrounded by great people, being well cared for emotionally, physically, and mentally. Thank you LFSD!

My son started attending Pearl Montessori Daycare in January 2025, and he absolutely loved it from…read moreday one. He was with Ms. D, who quickly became one of his favorite people -- he mentioned her name at home all the time! When he first started, he was barely talking, and now he can't stop chatting and expressing himself. He recently graduated to a new school, and his new teacher immediately noticed how well-prepared he was. She even commented that she could tell his previous teacher had done an excellent job with circle time and early learning activities. I also appreciate how Ms. Kelly thoughtfully transformed the school this year to a more authentic Montessori environment -- updating the furniture, toys, and curriculum. The school organizes fun and engaging activities throughout the year, which my son always enjoyed. Another thing I truly value is the school's excellent communication. The teachers regularly share photos of the children's daily activities -- as a working parent, it always makes my day to see what my little one is doing while I'm on break. They are also very prompt and transparent when reporting any accidents, clearly explaining what happened, what steps were taken, and how my son was doing afterward. I also love that students wear uniforms, which gives a real sense of belonging and community. I've even met other Pearl parents outside of school (randomly like at the YMCA), and we all share the same sentiment -- Pearl Montessori is a wonderful place for our kids to grow. Even though we've graduated from Pearl, Ms. D and Ms. Kelly, as my son's very first teachers, will always hold a special place in his little heart (and ours).

Pearl Montessori has been an excellent experience for our child these past few years. The…read moreMontessori director Ms. Kelly is wonderful and organized, and our son has loved all of his teachers while attending here. We frequently get pictures of the various hands-on activities our child does throughout his week through the school app, not to mention the school is affordable and very clean. There is structure throughout the day, and the school also has large outside play areas. Our son has learned his letters and sounds here, and also received consistent support during potty training while attending here. We cannot recommend this school enough as it's a very safe, nurturing, and wonderful learning environment.

Our eldest started SDCP at 19 months and our youngest started at 10 months and we couldn't be more…read moredelighted. Our toddler takes a while warming up to new places and people, and we knew (or I mean, she knew!) immediately this was the place for her when she darted outside. The indoor / outdoor access that every classroom has is awesome; the intentional curation of the spaces operate as another educator to explore and inspire. You can feel how much the teachers genuinely love what they do; their care and dedication are clear in every interaction with the kids and the stories they tell when we pick them up. When I was first researching preschools, I was excited that there was a co-op option in SD and wondered how it might fit with my schedule. After touring and learning more about the school, meeting Stephanie and the amazing teachers / staff, it was an easy decision. They have an open door policy and the hours are flexible for parents. The co-op model has taught us so much, allowing us to learn and grow together with our kids, both modeling and providing tools for connecting with them to be their whole, individual self through play.

Lovely preschool. Feels like the teachers really care about the kids. They use the RIE methodology…read morefor infants. Safe and supportive atmosphere. There are co-op requirements where parents/other adults have to volunteer at the school on a regular basis, which can be difficult for some families. Only downside is a long wait list to get in.

I'm so grateful for The Urban Toddler Art Program -- my kids absolutely love being there! The space…read moreis not only beautiful and functional, but also incredibly inspirational. The strong emphasis on art and free play creates the perfect environment for my 2-year-old daughter to thrive. She feels so comfortable and happy that she barely says goodbye to me at drop-off! I highly recommend The Urban Toddler Art Program to any parent looking for a nurturing, creative space where young children can grow, explore, and feel truly at home.

My daughter absolutely loved going here! Ms Julie is passionate about early education and child…read moredevelopment. The indoor/outdoor space with quail, bunnies and therapy dog Osito is absolutely magical. The art projects are thoughtful, beautiful and age appropriate. Lily was so proud of every masterpiece she brought home.

There are not enough good words to say about this school. Children's Growing Center is an amazing…read moreplace to send your kid for their 0-4 years. My daughter went there for the past three years, and the experience was great. Every class was fun, engaging, exploratory, and my child looked forward to going every day. The school was good with communication, they have cute performances for families throughout the year, and you can tell all the teachers are genuinely invested in the kids. What amazed me the most is that every single teacher at that school knew my kid's name. Every single one. It feels like such a safe and loving community. The director has been there for close to 30 years, and she's great. Straightforward, no nonsense, and kind, and loving to the kids. They spend a lot of time outdoors and have a very play-focused curriculum. The families are warm and friendly. We were genuinely sad to go. I picked this preschool in part because of the excellent reviews, and I wanted to contribute to that. These reviews are spot on--the school is as good as the reviews say it is. 10/10 preschool, absolutely recommend.

My daughter spent about two years at this school and went through three classrooms. The great thing…read moreabout schools like this is that children will move up to a new classroom about every 9 months and the curriculum targets the age group. All the teachers were very caring and the teacher the student ratio was good. They had a lot of volunteer opportunities and there were a few of parent led events each year so I thought that was really neat. This school would have been more fun if it weren't for COVID. During normal times, they had school performances in the spring and early December that they rehearse for. We moved to Santee and since I work from home, going to this school became a hardship. We were sad to leave but my daughter will always have great memories of this place.

My 3.5 year old son loves Grace Kids! He has been going there since 2 years old. The staff is…read moreawesome and we have had a wonderful experience.

Grace Kids Preschool is a wonderful community of patient and compassionate teachers that deeply…read morecare about the kids and their future. I am so thankful to have found them. My 3-soon-to-be-4 year old daughter attends Grace Kids now and I will have my younger daughter attend. They have great communication and are genuinely concerned about my child's development and well-being. I trust that my kids are in good hands at Grace Kids.

My daughter has gone to school at Sandbox the last two years and she (and us) have LOVED our time…read morethere! Tasha & Dom have created an amazing atmosphere for kids and parents alike. The kids get to be kids (playing in the dirt, gardening, imaginative play, and more) and learn along the way. We tried another preschool in the area before here, but the environment here was a much better fit... Both in getting the personalized nature of care that Tasha/Dom provide for their students, and we loved that out daughter was exposed to children both younger and older than her (vs. all the same age as many schools are) since she was able to both learn from the older kids when she was little and help out with the younger kids when she was older. I highly recommend Sandbox to anyone who's looking for a loving, nurturing, educational, and fun environment for their children to grow in.

Our daughter went to Sandbox for two years, up until transitional kindergarten. We all loved it so…read moremuch. Tasha and Dom are a great team and truly care for the kids, the parents, and their positions as teachers. The indoor/outdoor preschool includes play through centers (including the beloved mud kitchen), circle time, and free time. It allows the kids to build friendships and learn to respect each other. The preschool also puts on events throughout the year to allow parents to meet and get to know each other. I would highly recommend Sandbox to others, as it was a terrific experience and huge stepping stone for our daughter.

Our daughter loves it here! This was her first exposure to a school setting. We moved from a…read moredifferent city and the staff was great with communication and accommodating to our needs (touring, scheduling, etc). After starting school, she has thrived in creativity and self-initiative - she has a lot of fun with all of the art projects in Mrs. Allen & Mrs. Tanya's class and has taken those skills to do even more independent crafting/activities at home. She tells us about how she enjoys her time with classmates and we're thankful that they're all kind & respectful to each other. She's enjoyed it so much that we are keeping her for a summer session + an additional year instead of starting TK. The freedom to create & play, attentive care and communication of the teachers and staff, and flexibility of the schedule have made all the difference!

Northminster Preschool has been fantastic! We've been here for 2 years since our daughter turned 2…read more We will be continuing her enrollment for another year when she turns 4 to be in the pre-K class. She loves the arts and crafts and the really nice outdoor playground. The kids eat outside (snack and lunch) and the location is great if you live in N. Clairemont. Highly recommend this preschool, we have seen our daughter progress so much since she started!