Though San Diego has many public schools that have high ratings, the ratio of kids and the litany of problems that normally come from public school, i always wanted to send my child to a private school. We looked at all the top private schools, La Jolla Country Day, Francis Parker, Evans and Del Mar Pines. La Jolla Country Day felt cold and the teachers in K and 1 when meeting prospective parents didn't have the enthusiasm and energy to keep up with kids and all of the parents who were in the same group as us, none signed up in the end. We applied and enrolled in Francis Parker due to it's reputation but found that the academics there were horrible rudimentary to the level of public school. Also, there was a strong bullying issue there so we left after only 1 month.
A friend of mine introduced us to Rhoades and when you get there, we knew that this was the school for us. The atmosphere is welcoming and inviting, there wasn't the elite preppiness of the some of the more expensive, bigger name schools. Rhoades focuses on 2 things) that we love.
First is their academics - all of the kids have a home room just like in all schools but all kids are broken down in smaller groups according to their abilities in that subject so all the kids are pushed to their potential. My child is currently working on math problems that when i compare to other friends kids is a grade and half above him.
Secondly and i feel even more important is their EQ. From K, they are taught to respect each other, use their words, learn how to work around problems and not just break down and become emotional. As parents, i think we all want our kids to grow up and not just know things but to be successful and nothing makes me happier when i see my child be resilient and move past a problem. The school doesn't just have this program but they implement it.
I know i wrote a lot but 2 quick things more.
1) The K teachers Mrs. Ruppert and Mrs. Sugarman are Exceptional. They've prepared a method and even authored a childrens book on how to use the "4 Step to Friendship".
2) When i'm at school, when i'm at birthday parties and play dates, i can say from personal experience that the kids there learn EQ and how to get along and be respectful with each other. I've not once seen bullying and kids trying to dominate others. Unfortunately, I can't say the same when I go to birthday parties for kids who go to other schools. Coincidence. Maybe. But i believe that it's due to what Rhoades has taught our children. read more