The Children's School

2225 TORREY PINES LN

San Diego, CA 92037

65 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 08, 2025

My son has been there 3 years now. He looks forward to each day, wanting to go early for Kids Club- a before and after-school time where students can play and do arts/crafts, read with the staff, play games while parents have to get to work. The staff before and after school is lovely and make kids feel part of the rooms. I love how well known he is by his teachers- 12 per classroom the last two years. The kids learn to relate to each other in expressing their needs or in solving conflicts. Teachers will gather kids in conflict and have them talk until they can resolve their conflicts. They are patient and experienced. I think that is the most impressive part of the place. The faculty is innovative, playing off of student choice, and yet experienced. It's like the administration understands the importance of hiring experienced faculty who stay for years. You see it in the routines of the teachers, in the conferences and reports they write, and in the fact that their own children go to the school and are lovely kids. Teachers know his gifts on Day 1. The school has some events in the year to bring the community together. Each Friday the parents can come to Community Meetings for the school and hear from a different class about what they are learning for the year. Kids lead the meeting, and they do the speaking throughout. Great Artists being the most impressive. Every classroom and grade studies a different artist and creates art inspired by him or her for a month. They have a night in April to celebrate in which every classroom becomes a room of an art museum with a different artist. They take another month in music to rehearse and perform songs for a whole school event in February.My son has really progressed in reading this year and the math seems ahead of his public school friends. They recommended speech therapy for him early on, and he has been able to fix those issues with the right help. He also gets art, music, PE and Spanish and Science classes during the week. He does a couple after school activities with the school and loves the Kids Club if we can't get him at 3. We were lucky to stumble on this school when the public schools shut down. Even now the difference between this school and his larger local school otions is huge. The parent community is highly educated and fairly affluent, and they have been wonderful to get to know. Families I have met are from Poway, Del Mar, La Jolla, Clairemont, UC, La Mesa. Good people.
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2024

The Children's School is wonderful. It’s has a warm, welcoming community and the classrooms are all about individualized, personal education. The campus is beautiful.
Submitted by parent on April 01, 2024

When our first child was about to start school in 2009, we sought a school that would be a home away from home for her. We wanted a school that values and espouses community and connectedness. We were elated to have found The Children’s School. Today, 15 years and 4 children later, we are so blessed to still call The Children’s School our children’s second home. All four of our children began The Children’s School in the Toddler program at two years old. Thus far, two of them graduated at eighth grade and were primed and more than prepared to attend the high schools of their choose. We are so happy to have two more children still attending The Children’s School. Nestled in the heart of La Jolla, the Children's School embodies the essence of Reggio Emilia-inspired education, fostering a vibrant community where connectedness, creativity, and child-centered learning flourish. As a firm believer of progressive education, The Children’s School is dedicated to nurturing life-long learners through an innovative approach that prioritizes the holistic development of each child. At the Children's School, the Reggio Emilia philosophy serves as the cornerstone of its educational framework. Embracing the belief that children are competent, capable individuals, the school fosters an environment where curiosity and exploration are celebrated. Through a child-centered approach, students are empowered to take ownership of their learning journey, guided by passionate educators who serve as facilitators rather than lecturers. The school's commitment to progressive education is evident in its emphasis on hands-on, project-based learning experiences. Students are encouraged to delve deeply into topics of interest, engaging in meaningful inquiries that spark creativity and critical thinking skills. The Children's School provides a fertile ground for intellectual growth and discovery.
Submitted by other on January 03, 2024

We are in the preschool program and plan to continue here for elementary because of how wonderful the school and teachers are. My child is thriving thanks to TCS.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2021

Hosting a drive-in movie fundraiser this year was the most memorable moment I have had at TCS. The fact that my class was able to propose an idea to faculty, get it approved, and have support throughout the community is a part of this school that is truly amazing. I am looking forward to making new friends, trying out different classes, and challenging myself in high school next year.TCS has taught me to always challenge myself academically and to be generous towards others. I am extremely grateful that I have had the chance to go to The Children's School, not only has it prepared me for high school next year but it has also created an environment where I have learned to create and cherish bonds with my peers and teachers.
Submitted by parent on April 08, 2021

TCSLJ has devolved in the past five years. The ‘child-led’ curriculum lessens as children enter middle school. In fact, kids are given less autonomy, fewer choices and curriculum is less focused on social emotional education just when more social-emotional issues arise.Leadership is defensive, controlling, rejecting collaboration from students, teachers and parents. The head of school shapes the school and it has become less creative, provides fewer opportunities for individual expression. He sorely lacks knowledge of middle schoolers’ development and their respective challenges. Tween/teen mistakes are met with shaming; conversely, blatant cheating is ignored. Expectation, encouragement & warmth disappear in 6th grade. Look closely at the specialty teachers, teachers hired from outside agencies, and in particular, the so called social-emotional curriculum. Ask the older students what they’ve learned, actually learned, without parroting the school’s prescribed talking points. Ask about students’ relationship with teachers. Ask about teacher turn over. The school unravels at a certain point. Hindsight, I would have chosen another middle school experience for my teen.
Submitted by parent on February 05, 2021

The Children's School has an incredible atmosphere. They have been nothing but accommodating during this otherwise complicated year. They have a dedicated Distance Learning liaison to help families transition from in-person to distance learning in a smooth manner and are understanding of each family's personal needs and concerns. (Which is proof of their commitment to learning)We just completed parent/teacher conferences, and let me tell you... While most teachers at other schools will check boxes to determine how your child is doing, TCS has teachers write full reports on your child. They go much deeper in the understanding of your child as a whole. The teachers almost know my own children better than I do! I was so pleased to hear that they encourage their strengths and help them overcome their weaknesses both academically and socially. This is truly a unique and wonderful school. How many other schools can say that their Head of School knows each child by name?If you're looking for top notch education and a supportive community, this is the place to be.
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2020

This school is a truly magical place for children and parents. The community is amazing and the teachers really know and care about the kids. Words cannot express how grateful I am that my kids can attend such an extraordinary school.
Submitted by principal on October 30, 2019

This school makes learning fun and kids thrive. Great parent community, amazing teachers and lovely environment.
Submitted by student on October 11, 2019

the best time of my life ever
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2019

TCS provides the kind of education every child deserves. I only wish it were more affordable. The school would benefit from increased diversity, both economic and racial.
Submitted by parent on July 15, 2019

Many positive experience are available to students, there are many loving and kindhearted staff members however, there are elitist helicopter parents that are not to be trusted.
Submitted by parent on July 15, 2019

Our 2 boys have spent 1 full school year (preschool and preK) at TCS plus summer sessions and we could not be happier with the experience. My older son dreaded going to his Montessori preschool so I was beyond pleased at how quickly he fell in love with TCS. Both boys are eager to get to school and do not want to leave at pickup. The teachers focus heavily on social and emotional development, weaving learning into everyday play and activities. There is a consistency to messaging regarding social development. The kids are encouraged to be themselves, to be creative and kind. The classrooms have various play/learning areas and have a relaxed and comforting vibe. So much art is created! We just could not be happier.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2019

My kids have been at TCS for nearly 10 years and are thriving. They have a very positive attitude towards school and learning. They are happy to go to school everyday, they are inspired to work hard and achieve academic excellence, while also flourishing with strong physical and emotional health.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2019

This is the best school available for young kids. TCS has created the most wonderful environment for my 3 children. They have grown in to happy healthy kids that are excited to learn and go to school every day. They have learned confidence and how to be kind to others. I can't thank this school enough for the service they have provided for my family...I highly recommend this school to all.
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2018

The Children’s School is the best. As a new preschool student, my child loves her teachers and is beyond excited to go to school every single day. The teachers are experienced, calm, patient and nurturing. The indoor and outdoor environments encourage play and exploration. The community has been very welcoming to our family. Even though we are a preschool family, we are already eyeing the elementary and middle school programs. This feels like a place we want to be for the long haul.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2018

Terrible preschool and school. I didn’t like it. And very expensive
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2018

Exclusivist, classist, and by no means a diverse population or pedagogical approach. Favoritism and arbitrariness of decisions is rampant at this nearly all white school of the richest kids in SD. Do NOT borrow money to send your kids here. You cannot buy your kid’s way into a class to which you don’t belong, and you don’t want to. I learned this the hard way.
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2018

What a great school it is!Early childhood education is the crucial foundation for life. So I toured 10 preschools for my 3 year-old girl before preschool enrollment.Finally I chose the school. It has excellent social program with stunning academic learning. Additionally the school is play-based.Every weekends my daughter missed teachers a lot and enjoyed so much for whole school year. She was a kind of shy kid but after preschool she totally changed! She has leardership and good social & communication skills even though she is a little girl.As only one child mom, I had worried about her shyness. But now I don't have any concern about child development for my girl. The mentor family and elementary buddy system is very good !The preschool director, Denise, and the curriculum strongly help to develop self-esteem, self-knowledge, respect and empathy for other people.Additionally academic approach with play-based and hand-on experiences promotes children's learning so much.Every school staffs is very nice, warm, and friendly themselves. The community mood is supportive and encourage all together. Also the head of school is great. If you talk to him about your kid, any education concern or academic information, he know very much and help you a lot beyond your expectation.
Submitted by other on June 07, 2018

Totally prepared me for high school....both academically and socially/emotionally.