Winston School

215 9th Street

Del Mar, CA 92014

25 Reviews

School District
Grade

6-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on August 31, 2024

I enrolled my child in the Winston School because of their reputation for academics (A-G approved classes!) and transition program (Life skills! Internships! College readiness!). They said they would tailor their instruction to my student’s unique strengths and learning disabilities. Instead, my child fell through the cracks. What is worse is that they gave my child passing grades and credit for classes where no work was done, and nothing was learned. The result: My child graduated with a high school diploma, completely unprepared for either work or college. Winston swept my concerns under the rug, and swept my child out of the school system.Teachers at Winston are compelled to pass all students, regardless of whether or not they do any assignments. So your child will graduate at age 18, whether they have learned anything or not. In California, students can stay in high school up to age 22 if they have not completed the requirements for graduation. But if your child’s school says they “earned” all of the credits, they will graduate and will no longer be eligible for any special education services. Period. Even if your child cannot write all 26 letters of the alphabet. Winston will graduate your child out of their IEP, and you will have to figure out how to teach the alphabet to your 18-year-old. All. By. Yourself.These are facts:•My child has a diploma from the Winston School, with credits for A-G approved college prep courses that supposedly prepared them for coursework at the University of California system. •My child does not know their address or phone number. My child can’t remember what comes after P in the alphabet song. My child can’t carry on a conversation with neurotypical peers. My child cannot write coherently. My child cannot keep up with the most remedial courses available at the community college. •My child will never get special education services ever again.I’m on my own. Don’t let this happen to you.
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2023

Going on our 3rd year at The Winston School has been a tremendous experience for our child with ASD and learning challenges. We have been in many different schools and finally found one that acknowledges differences and celebrates them while providing strong resources and helping the student hone in on their strengths and learning style! She has developed confidence in learning and it’s because she is in a school that believes in her and sets a bar for her to learn! The teachers here care, every single one! She receives socialization support and our family feels involved! This is an amazing school! We are so grateful!
Submitted by other on November 10, 2022

We registered our child at Winston with the hope that they would live up to what they advertise themselves for, i.e., being the only non-public school addressing learning differences. Truth is that they have no clue as to how to address learning differences. 1) The level of academics is extremely low. The school is just a holding space. Courses have been slashed down and the school is at disarray to even fulfill basic courses they need to teach, such as Science. 2) Unfortunately, sports are even worse - basically non-existent.3) The ability for faculty to address developmental challenges of children with differences is null. Be ready to have to teach the faculty what to do. 4) The Dean of Students left about a year ago. The new person is highly incompetent. Instead of providing support for students with differences, engaging them, making sure they are not isolated but, rather, feel integrated, easily panics at any instance, reflecting the lack of proper training and experience. Overall, I would strongly recommend against this school, unless you are simply interested in getting a degree with no substance behind. It's a holding place and a fake. Do not waste your money. Hire good tutors to support your child with academics outside the classroom and register him/her in extra-curricular activities that support her/his socialization and development. They will be better off.
Submitted by student on July 05, 2020

I love it. It helped me earns high school diploma
Submitted by teacher on June 08, 2020

As an employee, even I view my experience at Winston as life-changing. Winston is a "safe space" for students and staff alike. We support each other, celebrate our differences, and teach that to our students as well.
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2020

My son was struggling in public school & falling through the cracks. He hated school. When he started in 5th grade, he said the best thing about Winston was that "I don't feel stupid like I always did (at his public school). The teachers and administrators are amazing. They see my son (now finishing 9th) as a whole, with everyone coordinating to provide him with the best education possible. He is not a typical kid and he frequently got the message in many areas of his life (especially school) that he is not okay as he is. At Winston, however, they see through the bluster. They don't just accept or tolerate him, they appreciate him for who he is. Probably more importantly, they help him to appreciate himself for who he is.
Submitted by student on October 22, 2018

No personal devices of any kind are allowed in the school yet most everything is online. They never answer any of my parents questions. They do not support all learning disabilities.
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2018

This is the worst school that my son had ever been, they never answer my questions and if they do the secretary is very rude, they never answer emails or calls to my lawyer, communication needs to improve
Submitted by parent on December 02, 2017

New headmaster BEWARE! Winston was once a great school not any more. Long time staff have left. Major cut backs, students suffer. It’s all about the money now. Tuition is high along with every other fee they can add on to charge you. Homework club once free now another fee! Students are forced to attend Saturday school for any and all absences excused included so they can get money from school districts. Even if students get caught up on missed work you will be told you can lose your placement. Winston will pass off as it is required by school district, not true at all! In fact illegal. Administration is new after long time dean left, again another turnover. Save your money and look around!
Submitted by parent on July 22, 2015

The staff is pretty stable for a non-public setting which makes a huge difference for our type of kids. Mike Peterson, Headmaster, hires staff that really, really cares about the student abilities which they encourage and inabilities which they assist to improve. It is a highly supported program with small classroom sizes to really get the students on board academically and socially. The school uses a hands on approach for learning which assist with kids that need assistance with auditory processing. This school truly prepares a student academically and confidently for a college or work environment.
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2014

There are a number of reasons why we love this school but the results really speak for themselves. Four years ago we were not sure if our son would graduate from high school. Now, not only is that not a concern we are finishing up his college applications. Not all students learn the same way. Winston completely understands that and works with students to help them achieve. As importantly, they work to build up the confidence of students who may have felt like failures or become discouraged with school work. The growth in our son's self confidence impacts so much more than just his grades. I wish we had started at Winston before 9th grade. Middle school was such a difficult time and the school system just didn't have the resources to help him the way they did when he was younger. Winston has changed the lives of everyone in the family and we thank them for it.
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2012

Winston School is an outstanding educational opportunity for those students who have any form of learning challenges, or disabilities. From the very getgo, the staff and administration, along with the teachers are incredibly gifted/talented to optimize and maximize student learning. Moreover, this school was the FIRST school that my son attended where there was zero tolerance of "bullying" by any of the students. The atmosphere for social interactions, self-discovery, and educational challenges allowed my son to have greater self-concept, self-worth, and experience the "victory" of academic learning. There is no greater gift than helping a child become more academically prepared for life and its many challenges!! Winston School provided a "highway" to success as a student, as a musician, and as a self-confident teenager! Bottom line: Winston School is the type of academic setting that should be the norm for all educational schools -- public OR private :))
Submitted by other on June 16, 2012

The Winston school is not a good school to go to. The teachers are really not good teachers at all at the Winston school. The school really should be shut down because it is such a bad school and also half of the kids who graduate from there don't even go on to college. So i hope that parents open there eyes and what the Winston school is all about and realize that there just throwing there money away.
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2012

The Winston School saved my son's (and my) life. I truly believe that. Before we found The Winston School, we tried all sorts of different schools. Public school, charter school, tutors, online school, 3 different schol districts in one year. None of them fit. The first day at The Winston School, my son told me "it felt like home." They recognize my son's high intelligence in some areas and severe learning disabilities in others. I remember getting "the look" at other schools. Why couldn't I get my son do the work? He is lazy, etc. The Winston School is truly a team, along with the parents and child. There is never blame, only a team working together to help the student. He is thriving there and if I ever won the lottery, The Winston School would be at the top of my list to give a million dollars to! Thank you Winston!
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2012

We are grateful to the wonderful staff at Winston that took so much care in the academic and social development of our son. He would have surely been a statistic(not a good one), if he had stayed in the public school system.
Submitted by parent on February 14, 2012

My son attended Winston for most of his education. He is now in college. He would not have graduated high school or be in college without Winston. They understood his particular learning difference and worked with it. He learned to read by finding letters in the scratches under the table. He taught the class some of the chemistry chapters in high school (with the teacher right there to make sure it was correct). His intellect was able to shine past his disability. They taught him to get the tools he needs to be successful and he has.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2012

My child was bullied made to be an outcast by students and teachers at public due to her learning disabilities. She struggled every day academically with little to no help from her so called Special Education Teachers and her self-esteem was critical low. We were the child that fell through the cracks in public school. Winston discovered how to teach my child and she excelled academically in the 4 years she attended Winston. But most importantly through the caring and encouraging staff at Winston my child became a self-assured outgoing person on campus and off. As parent of a child with learning disabilities helping them learn at their own pace is important but giving them a safe place to discover all they can be with a wonderful school experience is the icing on the cake.
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2012

Winston is not just a school, it truly is a learning community. My son would not have been successful in the public school system. He attended Winston for 8 years, graduated and is currently attending college. The school makes every effort to meet the needs of each student, even after graduation they have continued to be supportive. If you have a student with learning challenges, you could not do better than Winston
Submitted by parent on November 20, 2011

Amazing school for students who learn differently, small classes, diploma bound - college bound students (some non-college bound as well). Fully functioning school community - small class sizes, amazing teachers, individualized care, academics and accomodations which guarentee student success. Very grood arts program - drama, music, literature, painting and photography and scultping - with annual Festival of the Arts. Small school size (110 students). Made a huge difference for so many students - last years grads went to college, Up with People tour, community college, trade school -and staff help find the school that fits your senior,. Active parent group. Caring, dedicaed administrators.
Submitted by parent on October 19, 2011

My son has absolutely flourished at The Winston School. After years of lonely frustration in public school he is now getting good grades, participating in school activities and having fun with his Winston friends. The administration, staff and teachers at Winston are exceptionally creative in finding ways to help your child learn and amazingly patient with the kids as they find their way. I simply could not be more pleased.