La Jolla Country Day School

Expensive, and worth every dime. Our son attended the best SD public schools before coming here, and there is no comparison. Don't kid yourself. . . your child will get a far better education in a class of 10-20 students than in a class of 30+ students. Besides pure numbers, these kids (for the most part) WANT to be here. What a concept. . .getting kids to recognize education as a prvilege (rather than a burden)!
--Submitted by a parent

Best of the best in San Diego. Closest competitors are Francis Parker or Bishops. However, FP is ugly and in a questionable part of town, and Bishops is religious and requires the kids to wear uniforms (Yuk!). LJCDS looks like a mini college campus, with beautiful, spacious grounds in one of the best, safest areas of San Diego. LJCDS foreign language offerings are incredible. Girls' sports are top-notch, especially basketball and volleyball. The rest of the sports programs are sort of "B+". Great faculty with very happy kids. Not nearly as many "brats" as you would think, given the sort of "fluffy" school name.
--Submitted by a parent

The potential is there, but the school really needs some changes...clean house, get rid of the bad teachers and stop taking the weak kids who hold everyone else back. Most importantly, let's see more than talk from the admin...let's see some action.
--Submitted by a parent

How very blessed we are as a family with 2 Country Day Students. One currently enrolled and the other just recently graduated. As a low income family we were so fortunate to receive the financial support from the school. This allowed my children to be part of this wonderful community called La Jolla Country Day. I read the majority of the reviews and find it very difficult to understand how any parent could be critical of the School. With the most beautiful campus in the Country to the magnificent Teachers and Staff, Country Day has what every kid needs, character. I just can t emphasize this enough. La Jolla Country Day School is one of the best all around college preparatory schools in the U.S. and the graduates will rock the world.
--Submitted by a parent

We are so happy our children are in the care of loving, supportive, challenging teachers. They look forward to going to school each day. But I totally agree with the previous review. The lack of air conditioning in several classrooms of the lower school is ridiculous. There is no reason for our kids to come home lethargic and cranky for a month when simply adding air conditioning would create a condusive learning environment.
--Submitted by a parent

I've attended public school from kindergarten to 8th grade and I can say there really is a difference between the public school system and CD. I've been here for 9th and 10th grade so far and am looking forward to my next two years here. Teachers are available and are extremely willing to talk after class and during free time. Most teachers take a genuine interest in their students and their future. For example, just last week I was able to talk with my history teacher for over an hour (on his free time) about history related extracurriculars that he'd recommend for me next year. Student body is extremely diverse in race and personalities. There really is a group for everyone. The Student Diversity Leadership Club/Conference attendees also work hard to promote tolerance and respect between people of different race, socio-economics, religions, and sexual preference. I myself being a minority, don't feel any tensions here or experience the same amount of labeling I did in public school. Lastly, many programs here depend on the leadership of the students and create many opportunities to get involved! Getting involved is super important to enjoy your time here.

Our son just started as a Freshman and has had a terrific experience at this school! Beautiful facilities, yes, but more importantly, an energetic Admin team, willing to to look at everything with a critical eye and move mountains to deliver a top-notch education. As parents, we enjoy the 100% transparency the school operates with- no pretense. Doesn't often win them the PR game more deftly played by other local private schools that present a more "perfect" image. Diverse student body and an amazing faculty teaching these kids to think for themselves. LOVE it!
--Submitted by a parent

Campus resembles a college. Middle school buildings look like a prison and Upper School is so small the kids are on top of one another. Middle School teachers have been there far far too long and are bored and boring. Curriculum is mundane and needs new blood and fresh eyes! Lower School is a joke. $25K for art, sci and music 1x a week! You can get that in public school! Don't come here for elementary. Beware of Middle School unless you enjoy mean girls, cliques and horrible teachers (with a few really great exceptions). If your child is smart, you won't find the challenge they deserve because LJCDS wants them all to fit in a little box. Lots of BMWs in the lot - sixteen and driving Porche's. It's the overarching message sent to the kids here. Lots of entitlement. No community sense whatsoever, very urban, very standoffish. Not for our family.

A phenomenal school. It's emphasis on the whole student -- the scholar, the artist, the athlete of character -- fit perfectly with what we hoped for our child -- a rich and balanced life. He has had that and then some at Country Day. I owe the good teachers and forward thinking administrators much for what they have done for my son and my family. You might hear some griping about the place -- but only from parents whose children chose not to engage fully in a school that offers so much.
--Submitted by a parent

I have two kids at Country Day and I feel lucky every day that they're at school. The arts, athletics, and academic program that is incorporated in the daily curriculum is unlike any program in San Diego. You really are paying for a top-notch education here. I can't imagine sending my kids anywhere else. It's horrible to see how programs are being cut from the local schools and teachers are being pushed to the max - not so at Country Day - small class sizes, daily arts, music, athletics - it truly is amazing.
--Submitted by a parent