Children's Day School

My criticisms center around two ideas: lack of emphasis on rigorous academic standards and overemphasis on political education of children.Academics.My son arrived at CDS from a great Montessori school enthusiastic about math and a very competent early reader.By christmas both skills had atrophied to the point where he lost everything gained in preschool. When I compare the work saved from preschool to the work brought home from CDS it s genuinely startling. CDS utilizes a Project Based Learning (PBL) approach.One of the more legitimate sounding criticisms of PBL is it s inappropriateness for mathematics instruction. Politics,my son was taught a song which included the lyrics protest, petition, let big business know I m particularly concerned that he learn the skills of protesting and petitioning at 5 especially when he is not mastering the basics. I would prefer something along the lines of innovate, invent, do the hard work I find it telling that this political correctness is taught within the context of a private school with its hand picked diversity. The school has a contingent of true believer parents who undoubtedly disagree with me, but this is my experience.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter started at preschool here and is now in kindergarten. She's confident, engaged and curious about everything. The two teachers we have had over the past three years are enthusiastic and passionate about what they do. Learning new things in such a warm and caring environment has set a positive foundation for the future for her. Our son is currently in the preschool and over the first semester we have seen him go from a tentative child to one who loves partaking in the different projects. He loves working in the farm and garden - caring for the chicks and studying plants. Most of all we are really happy with how our kids are turning out. They are respectful of other's feelings and care about the world around them.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter completely blossomed at CDS. She has been there four years now and has no interest in any other school. Her grades and test scores are great and she is confident. She feels she has a place at her school and that's a wonderful thing. The approaches to teaching are innovative and effective. We are more than pleased.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of two CDS students. The two negative comments to me seem out of place and certainly out of context. Our children are thriving--their reading and math skills have improved incredibly this year. They fly out of the house each morning with never a complaint about going to school. To me, that is the most concrete evidence of the great job CDS is doing. As to the negative comments below, a teacher was dismissed last summer. The school, rightly in my view, does not comment on personnel issues. But that teacher, while some families really liked her, I hear was nothing but trouble to other teachers (not office staff) and refused to participate in the integrated curriculum (preschool through 8) . She was replaced by a very experienced teacher whom I understand the kids really like. The fact the review was written by a "fomer parent" leads me to discredit the facts and also to wonder if it was written by someone with a grudge (perhaps the fired teacher?). I can't speak to another kid's experience, but I have never found a CDS teacher or the Head uninterested any any child or family. Again, why would someone post the questions below here? Seems like a fake review. CDS: great
--Submitted by a parent

CDS used to be a fantastic school. My children went there for a few years and then they got a new head of school who's only concern was making the school bigger and bigger and putting lots of cash in the bank, not what's the best educationally for the children. They fired very valuable long term accredited and after school teachers because of low level personality clashes between the office staff. It doesn't matter to the powers that be to have the best teachers for the children if the office staff don't like them? Seems so! I preferred the better teachers. Unless the staff is killing each other, it should have nothing to do with teaching and shouldn't matter more then the children's education. The kids need to come first, they do not. The staffs "friendships" do. Children's Day School does NOT put the children's best interest first so therefore I can no longer recommend the school. Former CDS parent.
--Submitted by a parent

We've been really disappointed with this school this year. Our son has been at the school for 3 years and we feel his teachers this year are having problems controlling the class. He's doesn't seem to be learning much and his social skills appear to be deteriorating. I tried to bring it up with the teachers but they seem uninterested. The new head of school seems disengaged. We really miss Rick Ackerly. We feel like the school has taken a turn in the wrong direction and we're trying to figure out if we should move him? You'd think everyone would be a bit more interested in our concerns for the amount of money we are paying? We feel like the academics have gotten lost this year.
--Submitted by a parent

Our daughter is just finishing up her 2nd year of preschool and she loves it here. The teachers are engaged and caring and the rich learning environment stimulates curiousity. The community is warm and welcoming and we are so happy to have met such nice people.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in her 11th year at CDS, so I have watched the school grow and mature from a small preschool and early elementary school into one whose first 8th grade graduates are now applying to college. CDS is a special place and a special community committed to diversity. Its graduates are wanted by San Francisco's best high schools because they bring not only excellent academic skills but a sense of social justice and responsibility that translates into being valued contributors to their school communities. CDS grows not only smart, engaged learners but children with strong emotional intelligence. Both these abilities will serve them throughout their lifetimes and are known to be critical to adult success. Finally, CDS is a warm and inviting community for both children and their parents.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is enrolled at CDS. There is such a supportive atmosphere between kids, parents, teachers, and administration. There are so many things I like about the school, but the intangible that I keep coming back to is that the kids seem so engaged. They are all active members in the school, as opposed to passive observers.
--Submitted by a parent

Children's Day School is an amazing school. Strong academics, experienced teachers, and a wonderful diverse community. Students at CDS are excited about learning and loves coming to school every day. Great art, music and farm and garden program. A wonderful school that nurtures the love of learning.
--Submitted by a parent