Journey School

Lots of conflicting reviews! It's obvious that it is a very emotionally based school. That is the big issue we had with Journey. Administration, staff, and parents are so caught up in the "feelings" of the school rather than the actual education. The May Faire, Fairy Market, etc are cute, but do not make up for lack of core academics. Unfortunately we witnessed academic laziness, low expectations, and serious disregard for core subjects. Also, they do not teach the art of navigating through text books, basic computer skills, study skills, or test taking skills. After leaving Journey and going to a more traditional education, we are so grateful that are children are learning these fundamental skills. At Journey, the emphasis is on the arts, knitting, gardening, etc, versus mastering core curriculum. Those extras are very enriching but you have to feel OK with them being IN PLACE of basic math, ELA, and science. And science at Journey is Steiner science. You should google that to make sure that's what you want your child learning. Remember where your child will be going from Journey and make sure that Journey can sufficiently prepare them for their future.
--Submitted by a parent

Based on our experience, we are giving this school two stars. Our children spent three years at Journey, with the 2011-2012 year being their first year at a new school. We experienced positive and negatives during those three years. Unfortunately, the negatives outweighed the positives. Lack of teaching core curriculum in one class put one of our children an entire year behind. The other major issue was administration and the lack of discipline for bullies with no consistent policy enforced. Further, the parents who had real concerns were often overlooked. For us, you can't judge a book by its cover...it looked great on the outside but the interior is very flawed and isn't nurturing the whole child. We recommend keeping an eye on your children and their preparedness for high school. We cannot recommend this school at this time.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has been a blessing to my kids! Our teachers show real interest in each individual kid and I am very happy we were able to get a spot. I only wish we had more funding so the school could give my kids a full Waldorf education.
--Submitted by a parent

There is abundant evidence that ADHD increases as as TV viewing does. Ask yourself if you are working for or against the school s purpose. This school is working toward the trend of making a healthy 40 year old. I would rather have a well-rounded child who understands the area of a triangle by actually crocheting it before he learns the concept years later. And when he is twenty, has the skilled hands of a surgeon no matter what he chooses as a career. I don t understand why parents who haven t educated themselves send their children here. Check out Unplugged on Purpose about a Philadelphia Waldorf School. Then admire Journey School for attempting the Impossible for trying to provide this on $5000 or less, I ve heard, this coming year. I would suggest working toward bridging the gap and being a positive force or sending your child to the Waldorf School of Orange County for $16,000. Dream on, Right? By a potential teacher who found out too late (for her own child) about the wonders of Waldorf. P.S. I was snapped up by another school so I feel that you might consider this impartial. Good luck in your journeys!

Gosh - The polarization of 1 star vs 5 star reviews is a bit of a worry. We've read back a bit and the 1 stars reviews have several common threads, a few complaints we've heard of already. The 5 stars paint a pretty picture, some of which we seen for ourselves. However, some 5 stars are very polished, too much so, right out of a brochure it seems. I suspect the reality is somewhere between the 2 extremes. Although I'm leaning toward the underdog, we're leaving a 3 star review. We are deciding on whether to stay and commit to this system before the Community Meeting marketing blitz, 'close the gap', re-enrollment decisions. Our daughter really likes the school and is enjoying herself. We're earthy and like the slower pace but then there is the real world that our daughter has to learn to navigate. Seems to be a charter is a bit of a no man's land, not really in either camp (Waldorf or public). The teachers are great for sure. Admin is interesting, a bit inconsistent from our experience. So it's been educational reading all these reviews. We've decided.
--Submitted by a parent

I have known about this school for several years and was thrilled when an opening allowed my little one to join the community. The teachers are concerned with their students and committed to the Waldorf philosophy of educating children in mind, body, and spirit in an age appropriate manner. The student body here is well mannered and the campus is welcoming. I highly recommend this school to all I know and meet!
--Submitted by a parent

When we first observed at this school we loved the idea of children being able to be children! The school has a strong media policy and the children are not being influenced with materialism. The school also has a compassionate campus program that seriously cuts down on bullying and teaches the students how to get along with all sorts of people. The teachers are EXTREMELY dedicated. Many work on weekends and nearly all the teachers are taking Waldorf training courses and many have worked in traditional public schools in the past so they understand how to cover the state standards. The administrators are hard workers and have many great ideas that they have implemented in the few years they have been here. The school was unstable a couple years back, but the administrators have really turned things around. Learn about the school before sending your child. Many parents have a negative attitude because they send their child hoping for an individualized education, and then are upset when the teachers won't completely change the curriculum for their child. At the end of the day, my daughter has LOVED coming to school everyday for the past few years and she is learning.
--Submitted by a parent

There are a lot of unhappy parents at Journe watching stuff all this. Events do not happen in a closet, parents who vol. etc are watching and see the travesties that occur to others and are frustrated. This is reflected in lower donation rates and parent vol., etc. All the negative reviews below are correct. Huge egos, 'big talk' but little action, wishy washy decisions. We will be leaving at end of year. This school has lost the heart it once had. Newbie Admin has done a couple of good things but made huge, bad judgement calls, sweeping stuff under rug. IF school gets rechartered, school council / teachers need to insist on a proven track record of experienced, ethical, stable Admin otherwise this school won't make it. Stop the nepotism, go outside Waldorf ville.
--Submitted by a parent

The negative reviewers are spot on. Negative reviews do 'disappear...' i watched when we left in the spring and 3-4 disappeared. We left last year with others due to the substandard teacher in our class as our child was academically behind. Check out STAR scores to verify 2 classes who suffered. To be fair, recent hires are great but there are several grades that are suffering from years past. Admin promises and doesn't deliver. Unfinished website, important survey we've been told still not out, FAVORTISM of special families whose kids get off scott free. Admin Incompetence, inexperienced, etc. but happy to take your money. Middle school very unprepared for real world. School currently works for K-5, just doesn't have it for beyond that despite some good teachers efforts. This school really needs a really experienced, strong admin who won't waffle and is an educator at heart. We are soooo happy we left. i pray for the others in our old class to 'open their eyes.''
--Submitted by a parent

"If the purpose of school is to prepare our children for the future and to build the foundation for a strong work ethic and a successful career, then Journey falls dreadfully short." I quote this from another negative review because this is NOT the purpose of education for a child!!!! Education is supposed to bring out the best in a child, the whole child. Education brings out the arts, music, literature, social skills and what it means to be a **human being**! If you are looking for a means to a career go somewhere else and leave this Waldorf school to those who understand the significance of childhood!! If a child is protected and nurtured and allowed to develop as a human being, the ability to succeed at any career comes naturally. These are children not mini adults!
--Submitted by a parent