We walk by this church, from outside, it's massive! But it's not open for tour today. So we just…read morewalked around the building. It's pretty and very European!

Memorial Presbyterian Church, also known as Flagler Memorial Church is a beautiful, colorful…read moreblueish/greyish structure that is a must-see and is historically significant, as this was Florida's first Presbyterian congregation, established in 1824. Located on Valencia Street, it was built in 1889 by Henry Morrison Flagler, a man of incredible prosperity and responsible not only for several buildings of incredible beauty in St. Augustine, but also the railroad system. The church was dedicated in honor of his daughter Jennie Louise Benedict, who died following complications from childbirth the same year, hence the word Memorial. The church, like many of Flagler's structures (Whitehall, Flagler College, Lightner Museum), was designed by the New York architectural firm of Carrère and Hastings in the Second Renaissance Revival style and inspired by St Mark's Basilica in Venice. A novel building technique was used, which incorporated concrete mixed with crushed coquina. Terra cotta was used for many of the architectural detailing. Upon Flagler's death in 1913 he was interred in a marble mausoleum within the church beside his daughter Jennie Louise and her infant Marjorie, as well as his first wife Mary Harkness Flagler. In addition to the church and memorial garden grounds, the church sits on a beautiful lot with trees full of Spanish Moss. It is very peaceful. Tours are given only during the week and because of Easter weekend, the church was inaccessible for tours and closed. Even if you're unable to access the church interior, the exterior is beautiful enough to observe and photograph. In fact, there was a newly engaged couple being photographed here, which is why some of my photos may be somewhat crooked (I was trying not to get them in any of my shots!). I was unable to photograph the entire building's back entrance due to people hanging around the area and my friend not wanting to spend more time at the site.

I strongly caution any parent considering Castle Brook Academy. The environment often felt…read morestressful rather than nurturing, and some staff interactions with children were rough or inappropriate. Screens and videos are used everyday with children of all ages, including infants. The facility does not have cameras, making it hard to know what's happening throughout the day. Since transferring my kids to a different daycare, their entire demeanors have changed. My heart aches seeing how much my children are thriving in a healthy environment now. I only wish I had realized sooner how harmful Castle Brook really was.

We love everyone at Castle Brook and are glad we found them. Ms. Stephanie and Ms. Eisha are so…read morewelcoming, friendly and helpful every time we arrive. Ms. Peggy and Ms. Nora are great with the VPK4 kids. Both are great with fostering an amazing learning environment while encouraging the kids to have fun together. I was able to witness Ms. Peggy and Ms. Stephanie handle a behavior issue with my child and both were very firm yet loving while helping my child understand the appropriate and expected behavior in the future. Ms. Pam is always friendly and does a great job with preparing great meals for all of the kids. We would recommend Castle Brook for anyone that is looking any of the childcare services they provide.

My 2 year old Jackson attends Brighton Day. It's the first time we put him in childcare and I was…read moreso nervous (as I'm sure he was as well). Tracy, the director is awesome she gave me so much confidence Jackson would adjust well. The facility is new and beautiful. The specific playgrounds for each age group are full of awesome age appropriate outdoor fun! Ms.Gena and Ms.Emily are incredible. They make drop offs on morning that Jackson is in a bit of a mood easy. They care so much and always remember to tell me how he did during the day (if he napped, how he ate, etc). Jackson was not feeling well one day and I came to pick him up early. They had him cuddled up in his blanket comforting him. I cannot imagine a more wonderful place for Jackson to spend his time while I am working! Did I mention how much his vocabulary has improved and how he is eating more foods since starting! By Samantha Wiedemann

My son's teacher is not friendly and is not communicative. He moved to different daycare and the…read moreteacher is so much better.

My kids have been at STJA for 3 years and we LOVE the school. We have seen such a difference in how…read moreour kids learn. 10/10 recommend.

This school has recently changed drastically, and not for the better. My son thrived here for…read moreyears, but no longer. A few months ago, several well-loved cornerstone staff that had been there for decades quit mid-year as soon as a new board took over and the old admin came back. Those that took over spread horrible lies as to why the staff quit. That is beyond telling to me as a parent just how toxic the school is now. The staff they've backfilled these positions with are grossly unqualified and lack classroom management skills. If you tour the school, or look at the staff bio's on the website, be sure to look for what qualifications everyone has, as many are lacking college degrees (Hint: "went to" doesn't = graduated with a degree). Ask what Classical Education & the Trivium even are and many admin/board/staff really have no idea what those really are if you ask them. As a parent, I am beyond disappointed. They go out of their way to polish how they are presented on their social media, but it reflects a fantasy version of reality. Look at who is liking the social media posts over and over against who is on the board or on the staff page and who their family members are and you will see a pattern. There is a definite clique of mean parents, admin, and board members that certainly does not reflect the loving Christ centered school this once was. My son is visibly unhappy here now. We keep praying things improve, but they're not. We just keep getting fed toxic positivity that never addresses the underlying problems. I am thankful for what my son once had here, but now that all of that is gone, I cannot in good faith recommend this school to anyone anymore and we will be moving schools this summer.

Veritas Classical School, St. Augustine, FL…read more When God speaks, we listen. That's what led our family to uproot our lives in Southwest Florida and move to St. Augustine -- not for a job, not for retirement dreams, but for a school. Veritas Classical School wasn't just an option; it was a calling. And from the moment our daughter walked through their doors, we knew we had followed His voice to exactly the right place. Our daughter recently graduated from Veritas after attending for just two years, in 11th and 12th grade. If we could go back in time, our only regret would be not enrolling her sooner. The growth we saw in her--spiritually, academically, and personally--was nothing short of extraordinary. Veritas helped shape her into a confident, compassionate young woman grounded in biblical truth. The richness of a classical education, interwoven with a deep reverence for Scripture, provided a foundation that no other school we'd experienced could offer. This was not our first venture into Christian education. We had enrolled her previously in a Baptist Christian school, which, while well-meaning, simply didn't compare. Veritas stands apart in the way it fully integrates a Christ-centered worldview across every subject and activity. It's not just about learning about God--it's about learning through God's lens. One of the most beautiful aspects of Veritas is how welcoming the community is across denominations. While rooted in a strong biblical foundation, the school joyfully welcomes students from various Christian traditions. Our daughter studied alongside Baptist, Episcopalian, and even Catholic classmates. There is a genuine spirit of unity in Christ, and students are encouraged to grow in their personal walk with the Lord while learning how to think critically and live faithfully. From the moment we connected with the leadership, including the Head Principal and the Rhetoric Principal, to our daily interactions with teachers and staff, we felt enveloped in a community that genuinely loves their students. Their hearts are tender, their expectations are high, and their desire to see students walk in God's grace is clear in all they do. The classical model demands rigor, but at Veritas, it's paired with deep encouragement and discipleship. One of the crowning testimonies to Veritas' impact is that our daughter was accepted into Liberty University--a dream come true for her, and a path we truly believe would not have opened without the excellence, guidance, and spiritual formation she received at Veritas. No school is perfect, and if we were to offer one area for growth, it would be communication. At times, there were gaps that made it hard to stay fully informed as parents. But even with that said, the integrity, love, and mission of this school overshadowed any logistical shortcomings. Veritas Classical School isn't just a place of learning; it's a place of becoming--becoming who God created you to be. We will forever be grateful for the role this school played in our daughter's life and in our family's journey of faith. We walked in as hopeful parents. We left as firm believers in the mission of Christian classical education when it's done with conviction, excellence, and, above all, the love of Christ. If God is nudging your heart toward Veritas, don't hesitate. Listen, obey, and watch Him move. -- A Thankful Parent Class of 2025 Graduate Family St. Augustine, FL

Best school in town! My son has been going here since vpk and is now in 3rd grade. Love the small…read moreclass sizes, teachers and staff are amazing, and they take special care of your children! You wont be sorry if you choose this school

I happily worked at island prep for three years and i loved every second of it! Now that I have a…read morelittle girl of my own I wouldn't trust anyone else with my wee mermaid! EVERY teacher there loves and cares for your child deeply. I wish that those who write negative reviews could be a fly on the wall and see how hard these ladies work. All the directors at each school I've had the pleasure of working with. Rachel, and Sarah are so incredibly knowledgable and amazing (I worked with them in the toddler room.) I refer to them as my Dumbledore and Gandalf (they are like child development encyclopedias) Kate, and Dani love every single child that walks in the door and to pretend otherwise would be silly and just untrue

Love island prep I've had a great experience they're on top of things and very professional..I feel…read moresafe leaving my son here under their care

I implore you to choose a different school. My experience here has been the literal worst. Office…read morestaff and teachers were just not friendly. MS. J... ALWAYS blatantly displayed favoritism of children. I was utterly sickened. Every day after school my child would tell me how MS. J... was just always yelling at them all day and how they always had to put their heads down. Who in their right mind would employ someone who constantly yells at and punishes preschoolers? And the kicker, before I forget, the same MS. J..., on two separate occasions, was at the counter talking to another teacher about how much she hates her job and wants to leave. Who runs this place?

Love Grandmas daycare!! All three of my babies attend and we plan to stay through VPK. The owners…read moreare amazing!

I wish there were more stars! This school is beyond amazing! The staff is super friendly and the…read moreteachers are great! They're always having awesome events for the kids on the holidays and always include the parents! My daughter comes home everyday and I can't believe all that she comes home saying and spelling. She just spews out knowledge! Mrs. Carolyn and Mrs. Raquel are great and I trust them entirely. This school is very secure as well, I still have never had any issues or scares with security. You can't just walk out with someone's kids. Overall, I'm very happy that I found this school. It's been a great place to meet new friends for my daughter and myself and also a great place to ensure that my child gets a good head start on her education.

From the owner: Sunshine Academy / Sunshine Academy of Flager specialize in Early Childhood Education and…read moreDevelopment. We are a Child Care provider for children from 12 Months - 12 years of age. We offer a vast array of Part-Time, as well as Full-Time programs to fit your Child Care needs.