Kino Learning Center

Kino uses narrative transcripts rather than letter grades. When I asked questions, complained, and eventually withdrew my children, Kino punished my children by writing untrue things about them in their transcripts. The new wanted to place my children in lower classes than they belonged in because of the horrid and untrue statements made by Kino teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

I went to Kino for three years through high school, after transferring from public school. It was a wonderful experience and a wonderful, caring environment.

My child came to Kino School believing the she didn't fit in anywhere. Kino welcomed her and provided a safe, caring environment where she could begin to believe in herself again and learn to succeed. As a result, she has moved forward with the confidence of her convictions and is living a happy, productive life.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel compelled to warn future parents of Kino School. What was once a good school with qualified teachers, plenty of learning opportunity, and an administrator with integrity, is now a place of secrets, very troubled high needs students, and lack of safety! The enrollment has gone down to the 40s, and the teachers are not qualified to teach their subjects. When problems arise the staff takes a gang mentality, and blames the victim! Lack of true leadership is at the core of the problem!! Beware!!
—Submitted by a teacher

I'm a former student and my 3 years at Kino meant more to me than the rest of my schooling put together. I've spent many of my 17 years struggling in the public school system, which is ill-adapted to support kids who are, in any way, different. At Kino, there were teachers willing to treat each student as an individual, to respect them just as much as they would another adult, and to help and educate in whatever way works for each unique student. I made lasting friendships with students and teachers alike; the accepting atmosphere at Kino is something you will truly never find anywhere else. I've since had to go back to a public school because Kino's tuition was too high -the price is the biggest drawback- but after my experience at Kino, where teachers honestly cared and worked very hard, the lack of compassionate and understanding teachers and students at public school seems even harsher, by comparison.

Kino School sounds like a great school when you go for a visit. Our biggest concern was safety. Not only physical safety but emotional safety. Some kids were lashing out in anger and cursing as other students watched nothing being done about it. Clear boundaries are not provided or consequences established. As far as academics go when a student decides he/she wants to really learn something there are some teachers there who don't have the tools to be teaching/facilitating the subject. So it's more about a feel good thing instead of really learning. The biggest academic problem is no follow through. Teachers will talk about doing lots of great classes and kids get excited and then the class doesn't happen or meeting times get interrupted when the teacher schedules other things on top of that class time. So frustrating. Lots of kids have left Kino School for this reason.
—Submitted by a parent

My high school aged child has been at Kino for seven years now. I can't imagine a better school experience than what he has had. He was allowed to enjoy his junior high years hiking, building things, making good friends. As he has gotten older, he's challenged himself to do harder academic work, and the teachers are inspiring. He's deciding for himself what is important and working hard because of it.
—Submitted by a parent

The four years I attended Kino were the best experience of my life. The community is so loving and encouraging and I learned so many things that I would never had at a traditional school how to make my own goals, how to learn for the sake of learning, and how to be a member of a community. Now that I'm in college I know that Kino has given me an advantage despite the fact that I now have to work for grades, I'm proactive and willing to take on and work through classes that I find interesting. Any parent who is willing to let go of anxiety about their child's 'competitiveness' and send them to Kino gives them a gift for the rest of their lives.
—Submitted by a student

My son is in his first year at Kino School. I read some of the reviews, and I find the feedback hard to believe. The environment is wonderful and suppoertive individually of each student in the way they need. The low teacher student ratio allows for this. My son is special needs, and he gets way more of what he needs here than with thousdands of extra dollars allotted to him im public school. He went to another private school for a few years before coming to Kino, and it is just what he needs at this point in his education. Their philosophy is to increase the intrinisic motivation of the students to learn, so they just don't learn random facts. They learn the most important thing- they learn how to learn. That is what will help them survive the most in the world no matter what their path.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been at Kino for almost four years. I know that if i had to be at any other school i would probably resent it after being at Kino. the learning philosophy is great, and the teachers are patient with the learning process for whatever student needs to take there time. i personaly wouldent be anywhere else.
—Submitted by a student

I have been teaching now for 18 years, And to this day Kino is the definition of what a school should aspire to be, especially in this world. It was my first school of work, and it is still the best. I have tried to bring the Kino philosophy into every classroom I enter, and I know it makes a difference with my students.
—Submitted by a teacher

Kino has a bunch of potential to be a great school. It seems to me that if you are paying such a high tuition you expect your children to be responsibly supervised.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school for highly motivated students. Lots of opportunities for learning outside of the box. Lots of field trips, private lessons and access to specialized teachers. Some of the in-house teachers are new and loving it; some have been there forever and are a bit burned-out. Time will likely cure this. We found it difficult to be involved in the school and our child did not choose to take advantage of most of the offerings so we decided to leave.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter went to Kino for many years. The teachers and administration are very caring. Teachers spend huge amounts of time providing personal attention to students and the teaching is imaginative and interesting. Teachers and sdministrators are readily available to talk to parents and parents are more welcome at the school than any other school I've seen. My daughter was well prepared for college. She tested into advanced classes on the basis of her Kino education. More important, she is responsible, confident, and loves learning. It's true Kino does not try to be everything for everyone, but the administration and teachers are professional, conscientious, and genuinely care about each child.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a past student of Kino. I attended 1st-8th grades and believe Kino taught me how to learn. I would highly recommend for younger students, but middle/jr. high/HS students may not excel to their potential. This is due to the lack of a structured atmosphere. I feel I had some wonderful experiences that I will never forget (extended trips, space camp, caligraphy, animal center) that most students never get to experience. Though, I also feel I missed learning about some major subjects (Geography, Science, History) because I never had the desire to learn in those areas. Overall, I am satisfied with my parents choice at Kino, but believe it was an important decision to attend a public high school.
—Submitted by a former student

This school works well for students and parents who buy into their system but it is not all things to all people. The school administration seems to be quite rigid as to its approach and if your child has needs that are different from that which they provide it is not likely to be the best place for a child. Also, they indicate that children can pursue their own interests but our child was thwarted by teacher and administrative indifference every time this was attempted. Our time at Kino was both personally and educationally demoralizing.
—Submitted by a parent

The administrator and faculty are not friendly to many of the children nor the parents. Walking through the school, only a few of the teachers ever smile or say hello to the students or the parents. They do not give the students detailed instruction and when conflicts occur, the faculty do not handled the situation professionally. Children are not given a chance to work through their problems with the assistance of the faculty. Instead, the faculty 'gangs up' on the students. This conquer and divide method makes it a very hostile and unhealthy environment for the student's intellectual and personal growth. Students should be nurtured and not alienated as the administrator and faculty have done.
—Submitted by a parent