Last year was the first year for Shepherd's Grove after moving from Crystal Cathedral and, while the campus has gotten smaller, the academics and enthusiasm from the teachers has gotten better! SG is a small school but it encourages big things. There is an energy that is palpable that focuses on learning and kindness. The students are kind, the teachers are approachable and honestly have your child's best interests at heart. There is a science club after school and many different areas of the arts. The middle and high schoolers use iPads for their assignments and there is a focus on technology. If you want a school where your child is known by the teachers and cared about, all while achieving a quality education, I recommend Shepherd's Grove.
Submitted by parent on February 01, 2011
The school is very well organized and the environment is safe and secure. However, I think the education of this school is just OK, I moved my son from Irvine where they were excelling (even it s a public school!). Don't send your child here if they need extra help; the teachers don't seem fully trained in this field and they are not patient with your child. They made you felt bad when they talked about your child and try to kick your child out of their class, which is a shame! (I believe no matter what, your child is still a gift from God!)
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2011
My daughter is in the elementary school and has been there since Kindergarten. I think the education of this school is phenomenal. Students perform at a grade level above their own. I don't feel my child was rushed through the basics either. We did homework and consistently worked on the same things she was learning in school (which was easy as the teacher posts it all on-line). An education needs to be reinforced at home or the child will fall behind. I highly recommend Crystal Cathedral for most parents. I'm not a room Mom, am not a part of any clique and neither is my daughter. Maybe the problems stated in previous posts just occur in the Junior/High school level, I'm not sure. I'm just saying that I haven't dealt with anything like that. CONS: (yes, there are some) Don't send your child here if they have special needs (i.e. need Special Education services), the teachers don't seem fully trained in this field, which is a shame. Also the sports teams need a lot of help. Don't send your child here if you are pushing them towards becoming an athlete. They should have more extra-curricular activities (foreign languages, sports, etc) for the younger kids. Bring back Spanish club!