Stratford School

My daughter attended Pre-K at the San Jose campus. Her teachers were very warm and attentive to my shy child. With their hard work she began to enjoy her teachers and school. However, the more I learned about Stratford and their some of their teachers, I decided not to allow her to continue there. Stratford has a very high turn over rate of teachers, what does that say about their school? In addition, for the tuition price I was paying I would have liked the teacher to be credentialed. Most of the teachers are not credentialed, let alone have a degree in education. If having a small class size and the "stratford" name attached to your child, I feel this school will meet your needs. But for the price I pay, I would like my child to be taught by teachers who know what they are doing and have an understanding of what standards and education is about.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school. My daughter attends preschool, and will continue on to pre-k, & on. Her teachers are very nice, & attentive with all of the kids. My daughter really enjoys coming to school. The price is worth the education. All of the parents and staff are very involved in all of the activities that are held for the children. You automatically feel a big sense of community and pride in this school. I would highly recommend it to anyone considering private school.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter goes to Stratford's Pre-K in Morgan Hill. After her first week, she was coming home singing songs and was excited to tell me all the many things she learned that day. Every month, their curriculum is geared toward a specific theme that usually ties into the holidays of that month. It is amazing to walk into the classroom and see how a 4 year old interprets Monet's Lilly Pad painting. Their phonics based program is awesome. My daughter is starting to put together words already! Parents looking to enroll students into a phonics based program should check out Stratford. What you will find in Stratford that is perhaps lacking in other private institutions is that they offer a diverse employee population and student base that is truly multicultural. I had a chance to meet the founder at the Holiday program and was delighted to learn that her grandchild, niece and nephew also attend Stratford. What you may find in other private schools mentioned on this site is that the C level execs send their children to other private schools. How can you trust a program where the leaders of the school are sending their children elsewhere?
—Submitted by a parent

I have been a parent at this school since it opened in 2004. One of the most important things to me is that my concerns are heard and dealt with quickly. I am always greeted warmly and am welcomed to visit at any time. Sure, there have been some growth issues and financial issues but each year seems to be an improvement over the last.
—Submitted by a parent

Like this school and campus. Child(pre-school) stay here around 3 months so far, significent difference compared with other school, like Kinder Care.
—Submitted by a parent

It is an extremely expensive option. The academics was not delivered. The only difference between Stratford and challenger is that Stratford offers field trips. There is nothing else they offer more than Challenger in terms of well rounded approach(They keep proclaiming this fact.)
—Submitted by a parent

Instead of dumping 30 students in 2 K classes, they should have split it into 3 classes of 20 each. Isn't there something parents can do? The teachers do their best, but my kid says they always tell him to keep quiet and never let him talk. It is ridiculous. The school management is really greedy to stuff the small classes. If you are a parent, please let me know if I can contact you and we can do something instead of just riling.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel the standard of this school has dropped down this year. There are way too many kids in each class. I understand the state recommended student to teacher ratio and all that. But this is a private school and charge so much money. There should be fewer students per teacher here compared with the public schools. This year, kindergarten full day calsses have 30 kids! That is way too many. The classroom size is also not so much to hold 30 kids. The founder Sherry Adams cannot be so greedy. This is just not afir to the parents and the kids. After paying so much, you child doesnt get what you expect. And then the teacher also gets frustrated and then the entire thing is going to get affected. The same problem is with the Preschool/PreK too.They need to change their attitude and think from the future point of view.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is awesome! I love the staff and the warm and friendly environment they provide! I highly recommend this school to asnyone!
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my boys attend Stratford San Jose. They have learned so much there. Both boys love going to school everyday. I really like the high academic standards and that all children receive art and music on a regular basis. Teachers and administrators are very approachable and happy to work with parents.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent of the San Jose campus, I love it. My son's academic level is beyond his friends, he is confident, and I appreciate the parent committee and the family events that keeps us connected! Excellent school.
—Submitted by a parent