My daughter attends one of the Discovery schools. Some of the things that she loves are:…read more- Teachers faculty and staff. Some of them really do a great job of trying to inspire the kids to learn, teach them discipline, and show care at the same time. - Co-curricular classes such as computer, library, art, etc. Although my daughter does well academically, she has a very creative side and enjoys getting to express that through these classes. - Students. My daughter has a great group of friends that she has been with since starting school here. They hang out on weekends and support each other in/out of school. As a parent, I feel that the school is generally safe, the staff is communicative, and supportive of the students/ families they serve. I am a strong believer in good free schools (since we pay our tax dollars for them) in our communities, and Discovery schools are great examples of them.

Before I share my review of the Dr. John Ochsner Discovery School (DJOD), let me share my…read morequalifications as a reviewer. I am a lifelong, professional educator having taught 44 years ranging from middle school to graduate school. I have a Ph.D. in education and am currently a high school teacher who also teaches 3-4 graduate education courses each year for LSU; and I serve on the Board of Directors of an "A-rated," metro-New Orleans PK-8 charter school. So, my review comes from a professional perspective. When my child's admission lottery number finally got us into DJOD, I was ecstatic! I truly believed DJOD would be a superior educational environment than the neighborhood public middle school. I could not have been more wrong!! DJOD was a huge disappointment and I totally regret pursing this educational opportunity for my child. Why? Over several years, I found the teachers to be inferior to the neighborhood school in their classroom teaching. My child's learning atrophied as too many of the teachers don't teach, rather they pointed their students to the internet and let online teach. Prior to beginning at DJOD, my child tested at grade-level or higher. Sadly, at the end of our time at DJOD, my child tested below grade-level. Worst of all, the teachers don't challenge the gifted and don't challenge early finishers. Prior to DJOD, both were managed quite well at the neighborhood school and I believe contributed much to strong academic progress and LEAP2025 mastery and advanced scores. At DJOD, the teachers appeared clueless with the gifted and early finishers. On top of all this, I personally experienced the lack of ethics of the school's administrators. DJOD's value form the acronym HEART and you hear and see HEART all over the school and from teachers / administrators mouths. Yet, while DJOD talks the talk of having HEART, I can attest personally they unfortunately cannot walk their talk. Their actions toward parents and students are HEARTLESS and unethical. In fact, I have concluded students and parents rank well behind everything especially their public face and brand. That's number one! How DJOD looks to the public. The prevailing administration attitude (all the way to the top) is: "DJOD is a choice; choose elsewhere, if you're not happy." Of course, through their lottery and waitlist, this translates to: "we don't care about you because we have plenty to replace you." How's that for HEART? Next, DJOD is a feminine culture and boys struggle to find their place in this feminine culture. Even worst, DJOD has no male role models for the boys. (Check out the DJOD directory and you'll see the lead administrators are female and there's only ONE male teacher.) So, in the end, as a professional educator (and, yes, as a parent), I have a very poor review of DJOD and strongly recommend you enter the school with eyes wide open - or better, stay away! When you pull back the curtain, it's not the school their leaders want you to see. Don't fall for the facade and double-talk. Good luck!

Just an update: We currently have been here for 3 years now…read moreand our baby boy is so loved and cared for by so many people. The fact that they always have little stories to tell me about him tells me they're spending quality time and engaging with him. They're very professional but also warm and loving to every kid I've seen the. Interact with. When my son is at home and something exciting happens, the first thing he says is "I can't wait to show Corinne". I wouldn't trust anywhere else with my son.

Based on my tour of Seven Oaks, I was very impressed. The children were PLAYING and LAUGHING. I…read moreknow that sounds basic, but at this point my husband and I have visited at least a dozen daycares, and this was the only place the kids seemed super happy. The teachers all said hello to us and chatted - another good sign. The administration was probably the best we've seen - you can tell they love their jobs, they love children, and treat your babies as they would their own. They take 1 year olds and up. 1 year old must be off a daytime bottle and taking a few steps. The price is competitive and I love that they have part time options to start getting the kids adjusted if you want. We have not placed our baby in a preschool yet, but Seven Oaks remains at the top of our list.

The teachers are amazing here! I've had children in this school for over the last ten years and I…read moremust say that they have the best teachers and staff ever. But that's where the good ends. The principal is unfriendly, rude and needs to retire. She treats the students as if they are in prison and parents even worse. The kids are not allowed to speak at all at lunchtime and until recently were never allowed recess, which is still just occasional. In all the years I've had children there, they have had a yearbook 2, maybe 3 years, now the principal refuses to have one. Over the past few years she has also stopped any and all fun student activities. They have no fall fest, spring fest, or any fun activities for the students and their parents. Parents are not allowed to attend any class parties (christmas,Easter,etc..) if they even have them. She does not want parents involved in any way and even took away the PTO. The only thing they actually do for the kids is allow a"dress down day" every Friday for a dollar and sell ice cream at lunch. I would really love to know what the money from "dress down day" goes toward, since we know it does not go toward the children!! It's unfortunate for the children who attend this school as they will make very few, if any, happy memories here. While I am grateful for the teachers and education here, I strongly believe a school should be more than that.

Based on my tour of the daycare/preschool, this is a good school! The campus is extremely spacious,…read moreas it also hosts the elementary and middle schools. Each baby and toddler age had their own playground and classrooms. They seem to have extensive programming for PreK3 and up (music, art, STEM, swimming). Only one point off for price (about double what the area preschools are charging) and goes till 3:30 with additional payments for aftercare till 5:30.

A staff member did something pretty horrible to one of my family members today. My heart is broken…read morethat a teacher can be that mean. Breaking a child's spirit is NOT OK. I have no other way to vent. I hope it will be addressed by school administration. I certainly would have expected better from any school, but especially this one. This was during the 2021/2022 school year. I did not hit the post review button at the time by mistake.

This day care was highly recommended by my coworker. I'm in love with everyone here. Seriously, Ms…read more Barbara, the owner, has some of the best people working here. They are ALL about the children. In addition, Ms. Barbara is a true gem. My daughter started coming when she was 10 weeks, and I was beyond nervous. After meeting Ms. Anissa, Ms. Amanda, and Ms. Olga, I knew that this was was the right place. They were the first people to get her to smile. My daughter would light up when she saw them. Honestly, I would light up too. These women are magical. When she moved to infant room 2, I was nervous again, but the ladies transitioned baby girl slowly. Ms. Shelby, Ms. Erica, and Ms. Noty ensure that my baby girl is happy and safe. Every time I pick her up, she seems like she is having the time of her life. When it was time to start giving her solid food, everyone was on- board with giving her a vegetarian diet. They ensure that she is getting what she needs. I love the staff to infant ratio. I adore the little play area. I especially like the fact that she has her own little bed to nap in. If you are looking for a place that your child will love to come to, then this is the place. Take a tour!

This daycare is amazing. Hands down the best childcare in Kenner. I began reflecting this week as…read moremy daughter was turning 1 about the past year. She began at Prime Steps at only 8 weeks old. Between Ms. Aisha and Ms. Olga I was quickly put at ease. They loving cared for my sweet Sydney like she was their own. Over the year I have witnessed a special community that is more of a family where great teaching is taking place. I love seeing older children almost daily show parents evidence of learning. Proudly handing their Moms and Dads work and art projects. Then through the cafeteria where you can still smell the balanced hot lunch. There is also always someone cleaning. I love how at breakfast the various teachers are helping little ones take pride in establishing healthy habits. Then through the play yard to the infant rooms. There I get a complete report of Sydney day and schedule. Here Ms. Maria, Ms. Norma or Ms. Shelly always have some great progress to inform me. From all on the managers, owners and employees I could not be happier. Thank you for giving my girl the best foundation.