Vanguard Preparatory School

4240 Sigma Road

Dallas, TX 75244

24 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 15, 2024

This marvelous place! These kind, patient, hardworking people! This loving, trusting, supportive, non-judgmental community! Vanguard has been an absolute dream for my family. The preschool and pre-K years were a struggle for my daughter at schools that were not set up for kiddos whose brains work differently. We worried that a school where she could be supported, listened to, and loved for who she is did not exist... until we found Vanguard. From the moment she stepped on the campus to visit, my daughter has felt at home. Her classes are small and taught by excellent professionals who lead with love and kindness at every turn. She receives individual attention when she needs it, as well as valuable, daily feedback that has helped her with her behavioral challenges, building friendships, and creating a solid academic background for the future. She and her peers learn how to love and accept themselves and their peers for who they are, even as they work to meet their daily challenges. In addition, the school encourages continual communication with families. If a problem crops up, we hear about it immediately from her teacher and we work together to figure out a solution. Parents are also encouraged to escalate concerns to school administration ASAP so that solutions can be collaboratively constructed. But at the core of everything, we have seen results: it's no longer a struggle to convince our daughter to go to school, she loves her teachers and her peers, she takes pride in her schoolwork, and her confidence has grown with each passing year. We absolutely love Vanguard and the innovative, loving, and dedicated people who work here.
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2023

Vanguard has changed our lives! I never dreamed I would have this much hope for my son. The emotional support he has received and the tools he has been given have changed our families lives. Additionally, the staff and teachers are unbelievable. They truly care about the kids and are gifted in knowing how to teach kids who need extra help. We have tried different schools, programs and therapist. Vanguard had the answers we needed.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2021

I can't say enough positive things about Vanguard!! It was a game changer for our son with ADHD. Public school was completely failing him, academically, socially and emotionally. He was miserable and fought about going to school every day. Vanguard fills the gaps that we were left with in public school. We finally found a place where our son feels like he belongs and he is doing so good now! The teachers and the counselors at Vanguard really care about the students and their progress. The therapeutic environment is absolutely amazing for kids that need it. For the first time in our son's life, he actually likes going to school! Way to go Vanguard staff for the amazing job you do everyday!
Submitted by parent on December 16, 2020

My son has attended Vanguard for 2 years in the lower school and I’m thrilled at how they’ve helped him blossom. I’ve been blown away by how customized and flexible his plan is and how they’ve been able to transform him into a more confident and social kid, while respecting who his is. It’s a truly therapeutic environment and with the addition of the clinic, he can get support without spending all of his afternoons driving all over the metroplex for therapies. I feel so lucky that my family is part of the Vanguard family!
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2018

Vanguard is a great fit for our son. He’s had tremendous growth both academically and socially. Vanguard has been a blessing to him and to our family.
Submitted by teacher on September 13, 2018

I taught in public school prior to working at Vanguard, and there is just no comparison. While I loved my students in the public school setting just as much as I loved my Vanguard students, I simply did not have the ability to support and teach them the way I wanted to. At Vanguard, I had: less students, more time with the students, freedom to truly individualize each child's program to best suit their needs, amazing relationships with families, deep and supportive relationships with the staff, and even encouragement to develop new programming when inspired. Vanguard felt like a second family, and I never would have left had my family not moved out of state. I miss this wonderful school!
Submitted by parent on July 06, 2018

My son was in public school and as much as we tried to work with teachers and administration it just didn’t work for him. Everyone cared but with the TX laws there were limits. My son was very smart, high functioning and no one knew how to properly address his ADD, ODD and high anxiety. He would just shut down and if pushed would shut down even more. Vanguard has been a lifesaver. After seeing the school and students, I could not believe there were other kids just like him. Vanguard didn’t act shocked at his behavior. They had the tools to help him AND us as parents. We truly feel we are apart of the Vanguard FAMILY!
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2018

There is no other school on earth that I would rather have my son. He has attended Vanguard for almost 4 years and we are continually blown away by the love, care, and attention that the staff shows every single child. They pour out ALL of themselves for these kiddos. Truly some of the best people I have ever known! My child has felt heard, understood and accepted for who he is. His teachers see his potential and help him daily to reach his goals. The growth we have seen in him has been remarkable!
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2018

My daughter will graduate from Vanguard this summer. The school has been a Godsend to her and our family! The high teacher to student ratios and having teachers and counselors on staff who "get" kids with special needs is invaluable. I can't imagine where she (and we) would be without Vanguard! Keep up the great work!
Submitted by parent on March 02, 2017

My child has attended Vanguard for three years after struggling in public schools. She had difficulty with emotional regulation, friendships and a learning difference. What a blessing this school has been to her and our family. The class size, dedicated teachers and the therapeutic environment was perfect for her needs. We searched the DFW area for a school that incorporated social and emotional learning as well as academics. We have always been pleased with Vanguard overall but the academics weren't as strong as we had hoped. I'm giving this school 5 stars because we have seen a BIG improvement in the strength of the academics this year. :) Thank you Vanguard!
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2017

What a wonderful place. The staff is friendly and helpful!
Submitted by other on February 12, 2017

I graduated from this school a few years ago. My only thing would be that the academics are very poor, even for the college prep kids. Rosalind is an awesome person, and the school will work with your child on anything they need socially, emotionally and anything health related. I would recommend Vanguard to other families, I would only say that the family (at least of a college prep kid) would need to fill in the gaps academically.
Submitted by other on October 06, 2015

My child did not succeed in the public school even with accommodations. Vanguard educates the child on their level with constructive pushing and therapy. The current educational model is broken and it is up to schools like Vanguard to "right" the ship. For the first time in 14 years, my child has friends. He is excited to go to school. I owe so much to this school.
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2015

Vanguard is a very special place where kids are accepted and patiently taught to be their best selves. Most kids at Vanguard have previously struggled in public schools, and it's thrilling to see the difference that this place can make in their lives. Social success, personal responsibility and academic skills are all part of the curriculum and the teachers are outstanding. They have created an environment where every kid can learn and grow while smoothing out the rough edges.
Submitted by teacher on October 05, 2014

As a teacher here for more than a decade, I can't imagine being anywhere else. Every teacher there wants to make a difference. We have the freedom to teach to each student, rather than aim for the average. Although the behavior plan is great, nothing is perfect for every child, so we modify it when necessary. I love seeing our kids grow in confidence, academics and social skills. Many of our students have expressed that we are their second family.
Submitted by parent on July 18, 2014

When we came to Vanguard, we a boy who had just returned home from a treatment facility, who had little self-confidence, a shaky track record, and a negative attitude about school from all the stress, bullying, and inaccurate expectations of him. There are no words I m capable of producing to thank Vanguard for all they did. The kind, compassionate young man who will graduate from Vanguard is a far cry from the boy we brought and who was gladly welcomed with loving, open arms. The Director is a wonderful person smart, flexible, and caring. She built a wonderful school with an outstanding faculty to meet the highly specialized needs of our students our children. There is no way anyone can ever know and express the complete positive impact you make on each child s life, because the impact you make starts at Vanguard and carries on throughout your students entire lives. I thank you, your teachers, and your school from the bottom of my heart for all you ve done for our son and our family. He now has a future that is brighter than we would have ever dreamed of just 3 years ago. Thank you for caring and providing such a wonderful learning environment. God bless you,
Submitted by parent on December 15, 2013

Vanguard Prep is committed to the success of the kids that enter its doors. The teachers and other staff are focused on providing the environment each student needs in order to achieve the very best outcome both emotionally and academically. Parent feedback is consistent and timely. The school was recommended to us as first rate -- and has lived up to and beyond the recommendation.
Submitted by other on August 05, 2013

I AM RAISING MY 7 YR. OLD SPECIAL NEEDS GRANDCHILD. THIS WILL BE HIS 3RD YEAR AT VANGUARD. THEY WERE THERE FOR US WHEN HIS PREVIOUS SCHOOL DID NOT OFFER WHAT HE NEEDED. HE HAS COME SO FAR, SCHOOL YEAR 2014-15 HE WILL BE READY TO ADVANCE TO A REGULAR SCHOOL. SCHOOL HAS AFTER CARE, SUMMER CAMPS, SPECIAL AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS. MY GRANDSON LOVES THE SCHOOL AND HIS CLASSMATES. CONTACT THIS SCHOOL FOR YOUR SPECIAL NEEDS, THEY ARE THERE FOR YOU.
Submitted by parent on July 17, 2013

On the brink of loosing all hope we found Vanguard through a former student. We weren't sure our son would fit in, but to our surprise he did nicely. We found the staff to be personable and caring.The one on one teaching was exactly what our son needed. Thank you Vanguard.
Submitted by parent on July 26, 2012

Vanguard is a school with very little teaacher experience. The point system used at this school is pointless. It does not teach the students anything at all. There is no clear punishments for students who are being inappropriate. The director just puts them in isolatioin and calls the school "a nurturing environment". The curriculum is just following outdated textbooks with no substance. The high school teachers are very helpful. There is a lack of organization with the school in general. The owner is not for the students. The tuition is too high and most of the time the curriculum consists of watching movies all the time. This school is a waste of money. The lower and middle school teachers just yell at the students consistantly. Curriculum does not exist here. Its just randomized. The teachers dont even meet for collaboration. This school is a complete joke. I can't believe its actually accredited.