I might update this as we've been there longer, but I'm surprised to find that no one else has…read morewritten anything about Far Horizons yet, since they've been in town for so long. They are a well established Montessori style school that serves kids 3-12 (potty trained and up). They have a primary level and an elementary level. I'm pleased with many things about their program, and just as perplexed about other things. We've experienced so many of the educational options for the under 5 crowd in town so I'll compare it to those. The good: 1)The teachers seem happy and relaxed and they don't experience the staffing turnover that other schools do. They are not a daycare and more of a real school, so it comes from a place of treating the staff as professionals, which they are. This is a huge plus 2)The playground is awesome! Their garden is awesome! 3) Their classes are kept tidy and organized 4) I'm a fan of montessori methods, so that's a huge plus 5) There is a large space to exercise and play inside when it's bad weather. The bad: 1) The security there is alarming -- I don't want to give anyone any ideas, but parents need to know that there is no level of security there and they don't check on who is picking up your child either, so that's a huge minus for FHM. 2)They seem to be very old school administratively -- no electronic payments, no front office person, their website is among the worst I've ever experienced 3) They have a LOT of picky rules and procedures, like no super heroes allowed on clothes.Nothing that generates any garbage in the packed lunch (don't even think about Chobani yogurt or a juice box!) and you have to leave boots and slippers at the school... 4) Their check in and check out procedure is highly inefficient and relatively inconvenient, and like I said before, also insecure/dangerous. 5) "summer camps," despite their ambitious themes, are actually just the kids doing whatever they feel like. 6) They are much more lax about things like applying sunscreen/hats, proper rain gear than at any other place we've been, as well as making my kid wear his prescribed glasses all the time. Overall, I'm pretty pleased with Far Horizons as the next step for the kiddo in a school, but my hairs go up when I think about the security there, which is a top-level concern, thus the three stars. If that were fixed, some of the policies relaxed, and some of the administrative things streamlined, this would be a 5 star review. I thought about 4 stars, but when we're talking about kids security must come first.

Far Horizons Montessori is fantastic. If you are looking for a place where your child will be well…read morecared for and learn in a nurturing environment, you have found it. My daughter first started going to FHM at the age of 3 and was in Lisa Cairo's class (I've dubbed Lisa the child whisperer!) for 3 years. My daughter loved it! She loved Ms. Lisa, loved all the school activities, forged close friendships and was so excited about reading and learning. For 1st grade we made the transition to public school. The joy of learning and reading was quickly snuffed out to the point where she didn't care if she had bedtime stories anymore. She did well academically and liked her teacher, but she hated that all activities (especially recess!) were rushed. The punitive nature of the public school with being tardy (to my daughter it meant she had to walk to class without a parent), the overcrowded and very congested classrooms, the high teacher to student ratios, the lack of music program (sometimes they sit and watch tv if the music teacher was absent) created a stressful environment which contributed to her lack of excitement in going to school. My daughter is very social and makes friends where ever she goes, yet she spent 7 months without making a single friend. At FH, they have large classrooms, a primary teacher and a secondary teacher with each class, time to complete their work, fantastic projects and a style of pedagogy that meets the individual needs of each student. I am so glad my daughter is back at FH. She's her happy, social, confident self again and has gone back to embracing her heritage, our culture, and begs for bedtime stories. She reads and does her workbook pages without being asked. She reads all the time, loves chapter books, and has started to write a few of her own. The owner, Lynn Rodrick, is a sweet person who knows how to run a school and educate kids. Lynn took over FH during my daughters 3rd year (December 2018) and has revamped the school. Door are now locked, website is much better, and she has set up an online pay system. Lynn changed the check-in system within months after she stared but now she has staggered drop off and pick up times. She personally checks-in each students, measures their temp, and assess for signs and symptoms or exposure to COVID. Lynn and the teachers' transition during COVID was exemplary. My daughter had in person school (there was an online option but my daughter needed to be around other kids) since Sept. 2020. All safety and precautionary measures were taken and Lynn and her team of teachers did what the other school districts in the area couldn't. The school went to great measures, incurring extra costs, to protect our kids without triggering anxiety in the kids. This school is truly a community. My daughter continues to thrive at this school and has done so well with the support of Ms. Kelli and Ms. Tarsa this past year. We are indebted to the school, to Lynn, and to the teachers. I have only one wish, and that's for Lynn to find a way to accept kids up to the age of 14!!! It would be amazing if our daughter could go through the tumultuous teenagers years under the care and supervision of great educators.

Our daughter has been at this child care center since she was 9 months old, and now at 4.5 years,…read morewe couldn't be more grateful for the loving, nurturing, and enriching environment she has experienced. The teachers and staff have been exceptional. The center has always felt like a second home, and it has given us complete peace of mind knowing she is safe, happy, and thriving every day.

Vivian Olum has been fantastic for our 2-year-old. I feel relaxed and reassured at drop off,…read moreknowing he will have a stimulating day and be deeply cared for. I love how all of the staff know every child's name and greet them by name when they arrive and leave. I also appreciate the teachers' knowledge and the engaging curriculum. And the facility maintains consistent and open communication with parents.

Our son went to Brighter Beginnings from 1 to 2-1/2. We really appreciate the safe and clean…read moreenvironment Deb provides. He really loved it and still mentions Deb and his friends there. Highly recommended!

This has been our daughter's second home for almost three and a half years. It is a wonderful…read moreplace. Deb is an energetic and creative teacher who engages the kids in all manner of activities. Not only does she create learning units and lesson plans, but she regularly provides the kids with play time outside all year round--a necessity for my outdoor-loving child. My daughter begins kindergarten this fall, and she has said on more than one occasion that she "doesn't want to move on from Deb's." It has been a very positive experience for us having her at Brighter Beginnings, and we're thankful to have found such a safe, warm place for her to spend her pre-K days. I can highly recommend this business!

We were desperate to find care for our 4 month old since multiple daycares were not taking any new…read moreenrollments. I reached out to Kindercare because they had openings and arranged an appointment to visit. We arrived early and as we were waiting to go in we watch another classroom playing outside. As the two teacher started lining up the kids to go inside one kiddo was not paying attention and one of the teachers walked over to him and grabbed his arm. I was absolutely mortified! and frankly in shock. I expected her to get down to eye level and speak to him. I would say this classroom was not older then 4 years old so of course he was not paying attention. My husband and I looked at each other and I said NO way so we left. I am so thankful no one gave me instructions before hand because I would have never have seen what I did. I found out later they don't let you in for tours it's all done virtually....

I found this school during Covid and it was my only option. The tuitions $1400 for a 2 year old…read more They had tons of openings and I was curious as to why... my daughter was only here 2 weeks. She came home with a rash and no one even said a word to me! No cream was applied because as soon as I put cream on it it was gone the next day. My daughter wasn't really interacted with and I know this because everyday when I would pick her up her hair was out. She only rips it out when she's not being watched. She was in a good mood maybe 2 times when I got her. So I started to worry because parents can't go in at all. You can see from the app what they eat and when they nap which is helpful. But I just felt for the amount I was paying the care wasn't up to par. Also when trying to get my daughter enrolled it was a disaster I was contacted by 2 different people saying they were the director. Then one demanded payment before my daughter started then at the end of the month they tried to say I didn't pay! Very disorganized in the office from my experience. To top it off I showed up to get my daughter one day and was asked why I came early? With that being said, I switched my daughter to something that makes more sense and feels right. I attached the photos of the "arts and projects " they did while she was there. One of the Papers is somebody's college schedule... 4 of the papers are just my kid drawing with one color on a page.

Has totally gone down hill the past year. Used to be great, now not so much. Teaching style and…read morecurriculum is rigid and staff is clearly burnt out. Disappointed.

This is an amazing Preschool & Kindergarten. The staff all really care about the kids & make this a…read morewonderful place for them. We've sent all three of our kids here and they all LOVED IT! It seems like a lot of the parents get involved & there's lot of support. Send your kids thru Big Little School & you'll be very happy you did.

Cristy has been the most patient and helpful person for my family and I. She is so sweet and kind…read moreand loves my child the way I would want someone to when I am not around. I never have to ask how she's doing because families get updates on facebook to check and see. They serve healthy and yummy snacks and meals for the kiddos which I appreciate. What I also appreciate is my little one coming home with artwork and school work pages on letters and other subjects. So happy to have found this provider and have my child there. Would recommend to anyone who needs someone consistent, helpful and thoughtful.

When we first brought our son to this daycare, we were so happy. Our son loved it there but sadly…read moredue to the Cristy and her husband Shawn with how they treated us and talked gossip about other families is not a professional place. I've walked in several times of Shawn yelling at his own kids in front of the daycare children and myself as a daycare parent. In the last couple months it has gone down hill with their attitude. They made a big deal about a payment issue and raising the price for some families and lowering the price for others when I brought it up, we had no problem paying the difference but wanted to make sure they were being fair and not having other families cover the extra cost of other families. Cristy had brought it up when I drop my son off the next following daycare day, her husband Shawn was so disrespectful and started yelling at me and after that moment I didn't trust him around any kid. Cristy continued to leave the children unattended in his care while he is not certified to be allow with the children. He is only registered to help while she is there with him. When we mentioned that, we continued to be treated poorly again. Cristy had ask us to provide a two week notice before we decided to leave the childcare, but picking my son up Cristy had handed me a termination notices claiming I had brought my son to daycare sick when he has allergies. Don't trust this daycare because they will cancel care and not provide a refund and take away from families. They are not the christians they claim to be. If I knew this is how they run their business, I would have went to another daycare. Beware they act all friendly but they are horrible people and will tell the other families your business. They try to have family members and their own children make reviews to cover up the truth about what is going on in their home. Cristy had a infant that was scared at the daycare, the child would cry if she walked away. Instead of her trying to help the child adapt to the new surroundings, she had told me she had to let that child go because they baby had cried so bad and had not took a breath when she walked away and ignored the baby. When she finally returned, they baby was purple!!! BEWARE if you are thinking of taking your child here!! Always ask your child how their day was if you are currently with this daycare. I will speak the truth so families are aware of what goes on when you leave your child in their care!

Down to earth private school. Focuses on teaching the kids to be good people. They focus on a…read morevirtue of the month. The older kids are encouraged to be leaders by running a school carnival, leading 'family groups', being buddies with younger students, and taking turns being crossing guards. They build school community by having a school play, a Christmas concert and a jog-a-thon that the entire school participates in. The middle school has a non-cut volleyball, basketball, and track team. My kids switched from a local public school due to bullying. While not perfect, the academics are much more rigorous, and bullying is much, much less than at the public school we came from. The school staff knows my kids' names, teachers care if my kids are absent, and help them keep track of missing work. My kids get personal attention and don't get lost in the shuffle since it is a smaller school.

Saint Paul Parish School has been such a gift to our family. It is small enough that we quickly…read morefelt a part of something, from the Principal knowing and greeting each individual child and parent by name in the morning, to the front office administrators taking a genuine interest in how they can help, to some of the best and kindest teachers I have met who love these kids enough to attend kids' sporting events on their days off. It is more than a school; it is a true community. As someone who joined the school just hoping to give my kids a personalized, high-quality education in a safe environment, we have been so pleasantly gifted so much more. I highly encourage anyone interested or curious to take a tour!

Our son recently graduated from U of O and the tutoring he received from the Learning Center was…read moreexcellent! We have used this tutoring center for two years and they really helped our son not only in tutoring but went above and beyond and helped him register for classes. We are indebted to all the tutors and owners of this facility. We would highly recommend this business to any student/ parent. Being 9 hours away this gave us peace of mind to know that he was in good hands. Thank you Learning Center!