This review is for the Pre-K program, and I would strongly warn any parent considering this school…read moreto look elsewhere.
My son started in July 2025, and at first, everything seemed fine. The previous Pre-K principal, Mrs. Ana, along with Mrs. Lisa and Ms. Brittany, were supportive and caring. Once Mrs. Macias took over in September, the entire environment changed--and not for the better.
From that point on, parent concerns were dismissed, minimized, or completely ignored. It became very clear that administration would back staff no matter what, instead of addressing legitimate issues being raised.
My son was in the Rainbow Room (2-3-year-olds), where a teacher, Karina Vasquez, was brought in. Almost immediately, I saw a negative shift in my son's behavior. He would come home saying, "She yells at me." No parent should ever hear that about someone entrusted with their toddler. In my experience, there was a serious lack of patience and an inability to appropriately handle very young children.
What is even more alarming is that after my son left SHA and began attending Walnut Montessori, there was communication about him between Karina Vasquez. She used to work at Walnut and was talking to staff at Walnut about my son and saying very negative things. That is deeply concerning and raises major questions about professionalism and confidentiality.
When this was brought up, the responses from administration were inconsistent and dismissive. Instead of accountability, there were excuses.
The way discipline was handled was completely unacceptable. There was an attempt to suspend my 3-year-old child for over a week. A preschooler. Rather than working toward solutions or support, it felt like certain staff members were pushing to remove him altogether.
There are also serious concerns about transparency. I was informed that classroom cameras either do not work or are not being used. For a school responsible for very young children, that is unacceptable.
The overall culture felt toxic--favoritism, gossip, and protecting staff seemed to take priority over the well-being of the children. As a parent, I felt unheard, unsupported, and ultimately forced to remove my child for his own well-being.
Do not be misled by appearances. Based on my experience, this is not a safe, supportive, or trustworthy environment for young children. Mrs. Macias is a horrible principal and Karina Vasquez yells at the kids and hates children. Parents if you feel this way as well and have children attending the pre-k side, report everything to the state licensing department.
