The Children's School

In my sixth year at TCS and still love it. ASlthough there has been flux in the Administration, the Faculty is outstanding there. Everyone knows and cares about each child. They work as a team to find and nurture the needs of each child, even when it may not coincide with parents and monetary needs. Dollar signs do not cancel out the best needs of the children. Kids are respected and appreciated for who they are, socially, emotionally, and academically. There is also a phenomenal support and specialty class and offering. I LOVE this school and more importantly, so do my children.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been flourishing in the early childhood program for the past 2 years. Thanks to her fabulous, nurturing teachers her transition from home to school was seamless! I am thankful for the amazing social curriculum and child-centered philosophy that has definitely contributed to my daughters overall confidence and love for learning. We are fortunate to be a part of the amazing TCS community!
—Submitted by a parent

This school has some good qualities (better for young kids), but overall it is not worth the money. Lots of time and effort spent on fundraising and not enough on teaching and academics. Major disappointment.
—Submitted by a parent

We love this school. Our 3 kids have blossomed both academically and socially, and every teacher we've had has been caring and passionate about teaching. They also have great athletic and dance programs. Best of all, our kids look forward to school every day, which is so different from our experiences as kids.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a treasure. I feel so lucky to have found it. My child loves to go to school each day and loves his teachers. I was blown away at the conference to see how well the teacher knows and understands my child. Everyone at this school is professional, warm and caring. They practice their much touted social curriculum with the parents, students and each other...these teachers and this school are amazing!
—Submitted by a parent

We left before the end of the school year as did several other children in our class. There has been significant change in leadership and staff which reflects the significance of the issues this school has been facing. There is no clear direction and no consistancy across the classrooms. Some teachers there are really great and if you are lucky to get the good ones you may be happy. The majority of the parents in our class raised valid concerns and they remained unresolved for the school year. We came from another progressive school and are very supportive of this philosophy. We had thought we found the perfect school for our child and were very disappointed in the reality.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has some potential, but just can't quite make it work. The leadership has changed so much in the past few years that there is no consistency. Each teacher has different ways of teaching the "social curriculum" that the school is known for and the school policies change year to year - my kids are smart enough to realize this inconsistency and are affected by it. I had high hopes for this school, but have been disappointed over and over again. There are a lot of differing reviews on here - my suggestion would be to look at other schools, however, if you are still interested in this School go and ask questions. Print these reviews out and see how they respond. Everything looks okay from the outside, but once you sign your contract there is no backing out. Also, be prepared for another change soon, the current leader has made it clear to everyone that she will only stay through the 2013-14 school year.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is in massive transition which has caused unqualified personnel to slide into decision making roles. We were drawn to the lower school based on reviews and lack of options in the area. We had just moved into the area and our 3 year old was having trouble with the transition. Instead of understanding that our kiddo was in transition School administration diagnosed our son with a sensory problem. Our family pediatrician did not agree and local qualified therapists stated he had a mild case at best. The school forced treatment and stuck to their guns even though we objected. We then had a therapist observe the classroom and we received negative feedback about the classroom environment and the teachers. The next week our son was dismissed. We were given the reason that they felt he needed one-to-one in class care based on our therapists comments. The only problem is that our therapist did not recommend that and drafted a letter denying that she said that. The school lied to cover up their bad review and misdiagnosis of a serious condition. The teachers and administrators did the one thing that no great educator should ever do and that is give up on a student. Dispicable
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended The Childrens School from second grade through graduation in 8th Grade. She had previously had very bad experience with school and was performing with less than a stellar record. She did not like school and was struggling with her school work. We enrolled her at The Childrens School, mid year in second grade. She blossomed before our eyes and continued on through Middle School. The Childrens School taught her responsibility, an incredible love for learning, respect for her peers and teachers alike. She learnt to communicate with all, to become curious and adventurous and our biggest hurdle was getting through "school break" as she could'nt wait to return to her class. She is now on the deans list at The Bishops School and I cannot find enough ways to thank The Childrens' School for their constant caring, concern, and love of all our children. This is an amazing school and I highly recommend it to all. With Much Gratitude and Many Thanks,
—Submitted by a parent

This school is really amazing. I would put my kids here in a heartbeat if I could afford to do it. It is child centered, with really small classes, and great teachers. I toured the campus twice, and was really impressed with what I saw. I have a lot of friends with kids there, and know a lot of other people who utilize the summer enrichment programs. Everyone I have ever spoken to, is in love with the place.

Thinking about TCS get the facts: New this year No ERB texting (translate no teacher accountability) in elementary grades, homework reduced to appease parents/student extra curricular activities, Spanish in elementary grades is exploratory, music class has been reduced, last year went almost 2/3 a year without technology class. Social curriculum is not consistent throughout all grades so some teachers do a wonderful job while others fail miserably and the kids suffer from that. Budget cuts win over child safety - reduce school nurse to part-time. Head of school and assistant head of school left over the summer. If you are looking for lack luster and chaos this is a school for you.
—Submitted by a parent

You couldn't find a better school. The Children's School is about the whole child and what it takes to be a life learner. My son is in the 5th grade and has been at TCS since preschool. He's truly the happiest kid alive...loves learning and most of all his teachers and peers. I highly recommend TCS.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our fourth year at TCS, and I could not be any happier with our school. Unlike most schools, the philosophy at TCS is that children cannot succeed academically unless their physical, social and emotional needs are met - and these needs come first! They have taken my oldest child who WAS a shy and somewhat anxious child and have turned him into a confident, social kid who is emerging as a leader in his classroom. My younger child has a whole different set of needs - he needed to learn that the world would not end if he got something wrong or did something less than perfectly - and his teacher understood how imporant this was to his long-term well being. On top of all of that, my kids are way ahead of grade level in reading and in mathematics. They love to go to school, they feel like part of a community (so do I), and they adore their teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

We have had a truly wonderful experience at The Children's School. I highly recommend it! Amazing teachers and awesome field, science lab, music lab, etc!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in her 4th year at this school. The teachers truly know my child. They are open, collaborative and engaging. When I see rants and lies written about the school, I must wonder about the writer. Signing "a contract not to say anything negative about the school," wow; untrue. If anything, the school is open to continued reflection, constantly re-evaluating themselves and the process of learning - from administration to teachers. I have great respect for a community striving to best itself and teaches our children to think critically, deeply and multi-dimensionally.
—Submitted by a parent

The Children's School is something that has to be experienced to be believed. It's obvious, from the moment you step onto the campus, that this is a very place. My child wakes me up at 6:30 am wanting to go to school, and he never wants to leave! My only regret is not finding it sooner!
—Submitted by a parent

This school has SERIOUS PROBLEMS!! It claims to be a progressive, hands-on education in a nurturing environment. This was definitely NOT our experience. Our child spent time doing repetitive worksheets followed by unguided hours upon hours of free time daily which became a problem. This lack of challenge left my child bored and miserable. We were threatened by our child's teacher when we expressed our child's unhappiness. You have to wonder about a school that has parents sign a contract stating you will not say anything negative about the school. We were then dismissed by the administration when we approached them with our concerns. The school claims to be very progressive on education yet they do not train new teachers nor do they communicate or follow through on the school's philosophy. Teachers are not monitored. My child often told me stories of teachers providing coloring sheets and then going off to "Facebook" on the computer. The school needs a major overhaul. I find it appalling that the need for the school to appear perfect is more important than the child!!!! Our child begged to leave the school. The Children's School is NOT what it claims to be!! Run away fast!!!
—Submitted by a parent

We now have 3 kids at TCS and can definitively say it is the best experience academically and socially we could have hoped for. Our children love going to school, have done excellent on standardized tests, benefit from the great facilities and extracurricular programs (sports, music/dance, arts), and most importantly, are becoming good kids.
—Submitted by a parent

The principal commutes from Newport Beach, and the head of the middle school home schools his own kids. In addition, the vast majority of the students in the 5th and 6th grade left the school. What more do you need to know?
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school, I couldnt' be happier. Wish there had been schools like this when I was growing up.