La Jolla Country Day School

Be careful. This is school that thinks the parents work for them. We had our daughter here for several years and just pulled her this last year. We are so much happier. The administration and the teachers want the kids to fit a very specific framework. They talk a wonderful amount about what they care about and their theory of education but in reality they practice something very different. Our daughter is so much happier at a new school, private and nearby. We wish we hadn't wasted these years. Some of the teachers truly care and truly try but they are overwhelmed by the focus of the administration and the overall tone of the school. The more we research, the more we have found out about how many kids have been leaving.
—Submitted by a parent

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

Amazing place. Rebuilt from the ground up in recent years. World studies, community service, athletes, scholars and artists all. Highly endorse the place

First off, a quick correction regarding the language program at Country Day....as of the 2011-2012 school year, Latin will no longer be taught at LJCDS. (It used to be a required class in 5th and 6th grades, but, after the current year, this will no longer the case, and the language program will no longer offer Latin as one of its languages. Yes, they have begun to offer both Mandarin and Arabic, and continue to offer both Spanish and French, but the loss of the Latin program is most regrettable. As for the quality of the education, it varies from teacher to teacher and year to year. Most of the teachers are indeed excellent, while others should have retired years ago and truly have no business still teaching. Rather than conducting nation-wide searches to bring in the best and the brightest educators, they often just promote from within. On the positive side, students are exposed to a number of disciplines (art, music, science etc.) at levels not found in the public schools, and the smaller class sizes and close interactions between the (better) teachers and the students make for a pleasant environment in which the children generally thrive.
—Submitted by a parent

Overrated and overpriced. Families are realizing this and yanking their kids. The middle school is just awful. Upper school is better, but a lot depends on the teachers. Some are good, many are incompetent. I thought private schools had no unions but you wouldn't know it from the way bad teachers are protected here.
—Submitted by a parent

Our children were "lifers" at LJCDS. The school delivered everyhing we could have hoped for their future: strong academic achievement in college, successful professional careers, and responsible, caring participants in society. Though not every teacher is a star, enough of them are stellar. They have made significant, positive differences in the lives of our children.
—Submitted by a parent

La Jolla Country Day is an outstanding school if you are looking for a progressive school that values the individual while, at the same time, teaches its students to work cooperativly together for the collective good of all. Students of all walks are welcome and valued at LJCD. The academics are tough, and there is lots of academic work, but the teachers are willing to go that extra mile to help the kids succeed. The arts are varied and strong and the athletics terrific. Participation in both the arts and athletics is very high and thew sports teams are among the most compeditive in SD. LJCD is known for developing well rounded young adults who are well prepared for college and beyond.
—Submitted by a parent

LJCDS provides a wide range of educational experiences and opportunities to its students that go beyond academics.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent learning enviroment. Students are given opportunities for community service and are very enthusiatic about helping! Very diverse student body and wonderful teachers!
—Submitted by a parent

This is an exceptional school, with loving teachers and supportive parents. As is often the case in a private school, there are always parents who can afford that extra outfit or that extra tutor. But there is more economic diversity than people realize (it's just not anyone's business who is on tuition assistance), and extra tutoring isn't necessary--availing yourselves of the existing experts (the teachers!) is all you need. The Lower School provides a nuturing ,enriching environment; the Middle School introduces students to the variety that will exist in later years, and the high school provides exceptional college preperatory instruction. The entire school fosters character guidance that will serve students well throughout their lives.
—Submitted by a parent

The middle school is unbeatably wonderful, but beware of the high school. As soon as the grades/ranking become important for college purposes (9th grade), is when the political favortism rears its ugly head. Most of the tests at the high school level allow the teachers to be very subjective with grading. If you love 20+ hours of weekly homework (including weekends and through the holidays), than this may be the place for you. But, if you are well-rounded and school is only one important component of your life, you may want to think twice before staying for high school or entering at the high school level.
—Submitted by a parent