The Child's Primary School

3811 Mount Acadia Boulevard

San Diego, CA 92111

28 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on December 05, 2024

Our son is in Kindergarten at TCPS, and we have nothing but good things to say! Our son absolutely loves going to school and comes home excited about his day. Finding a school that fostered a love of learning and curiosity was really important to us, and we found it! The school culture is fantastic. There is a big focus on social/emotional learning and community involvement, and it feels like everyone knows each other. Class sizes K-2 are capped at 12, and 3-8 at 16; can't beat that! With classes that small, teachers are really free to engage in a ton of different teaching methods and give kids much more individualized attention. There are a lot of cross-grade activities so my son gets to regularly interact with even the middle schoolers, and it's so cute to see them greet him in the morning, when at bigger schools Kindergarteners are kept so separate from the older kids. It truly feels like a community and not just a school. We truly love this school.
Submitted by parent on September 19, 2024

My two boys are on their 3rd year at TCPS. One is now in 6th and one is in 8th. Now that we have been there 3 years I feel I can give you a more comprehensive review of the school.We moved from out of town and my kids had always gone to a small school and the smaller classroom sizes had really worked for them. I was excited to find the smaller class sizes in TCPS so we took a tour.When you first approach the school it doesn’t compare to many of the fancy state of the art private schools throughout San Diego but don’t let that discourage you.What you will find walking through the halls are colorful peices of artwork and creative displays brightening up the corridors between the happy kids walking past you. The energy is palpable in a good way.What I have found in these past few years is that the teachers and staff actually like eachother, have fun together and work as a team. They communicate very well to us parents and to the students. I have never sent out an email to where I didn’t get a quick yet thoughtful response. If there is an issue, no matter how small, it is handled appropriatly and in a timely manner. I have no doubt that Head of School, Donny Kim’s, leadership plays a big role in this. Besides being kind and funny, I truly beleive he makes decisions based on what is best for the students. In turn, the students respect and love him and so do us parents. You might see him in the yard playing wall ball with the students and breaking a sweat! I honestly can’t think of a teacher or staff member that I don’t love. From the front desk, to admissions, to accounting, to all the wonderful teachers; TCPS has a great thing going and we are grateful to be there.
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2023

We are so thankful we found The Child’s Primary School and that it is so close to home in Clairemont. Our daughter started kindergarten there this year and it has been a wonderful experience. The staff are all so amazing, caring, excellent at what they do and adored by the kids. I’m amazed every day how excited our daughter is to go to school. The kindergarten curriculum is age appropriate, creative, fun and still challenging, with a big focus on reading, and helping students to learn to love reading and love learning overall, which I love.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2023

Although we are still a fairly new TCPS family, I have so many wonderful things to say about The Child Primary School already. I was a bit nervous starting a new middle school on my behalf of my daughter but that nervousness went away as I started to experience TCPS.When the school talks about community, they really mean it. From the beginning, everyone has been so nice and welcoming and TCPS parents always say to me "You made a good decision. We have been happy here for x number of years." Some of them started since kindergarten, while others joined in 6th grade.It is also very evident that TCPS offers a quality education. Their teachers really care about their students, and they also teach in fun way. I will never forget when my daughter came home to tell me about a nice debate she had with her classmates on whether pineapple should be added to pizza. There is no right or wrong answer. It's a preference question but what I liked about the exercise was that no matter which side you were on, it was a creative way for my daughter to learn about forming her own opinion and her ability to back up her opinion.Socially, my daughter is thriving as well. She has become friends with many of her classmates but she also made friends with children from the other grades. It's a small school, so making friends in other grades is encouraged.Overall, although early, we have been very happy with TCPS. For this reason, I highly recommend TCPS to other families looking to join a wonderful community with a quality education.
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2022

We initially heard of TCPS from two separate families who had multiple children attending. My husband and I toured mid year before the pandemic hit because we were curious to understand what the other parents were telling us. It sounded too good to be true. Once the pandemic hit, we immediate contacted TCPS to check on space for both of our girls (1st and 4th). We decided to continue the year at our current school so the girls started 2020 in 2nd and 5th at TCPS. In hindsight, we should have moved them sooner. Education during the pandemic was an awkward time for everyone but TCPS handled it with an extremely high level of professionalism that focuses on the kids education, well-being and socialization (as much as could be allowed during the time). Their teachers and staff worked many many hours overtime to keep the "new" routine as consistent as possible for the kids. The teachers and staff care about the students and their success. Our daughters have very different academic strengths. The teachers recognize this and work extra to provide additional learning material for every level of learning. They push our kids to help them find their strengths and potential. The classes are small so the grades work together which gives older kids the opportunity to be leaders and the younger kids to learn from their older peers. Another bonus is that we really appreciate the direct communication with the staff when needed. Our experience at TCPS has been remarkable. We have recruited multiple families to join....which says a lot when someone else's child's future depends on it.
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2021

We are new to the school and this year and couldn’t be happier. We were looking for a school with sound covid protocols (that could manage in-person learning), small classrooms, an engaging curriculum and passionate teachers. With TCPS we have all this and more. There is a strong sense of community, even with the limitations of a pandemic and a very nurturing environment. Our son comes home happy and excited each day.
Submitted by parent on November 10, 2020

Our experience at TCPS has been incredible. It's been incredible in-person, as well as incredible during COVID-required remote learning. The entire administration and all the teachers just deserve limitless kudos for their efficiency and effectiveness at quickly adapting to changing state requirements, and all the while providing these kids with a robust academic experience--not to mention bringing them normalcy and routine at such a challenging time! The small class sizes are central to everything this school does and is able to provide; it is a very tight learning community, where teachers know each kid well-- what keeps their attention, how they learn, who they're close to, who their siblings are, what their pets' names are... it's just an incredibly "whole child" approach, where the students are looked at and treated as whole people, from whom a lot is expected, but to whom all the needed support is given to enable them to achieve and learn and grow. I know teachers who send their kids to school here, I know parents of former students who now volunteer or work here, and every year at their annual Big Event, tons of former TCPS students come back to help out, participate, or just visit and give their former teachers big hugs-- it is all a testament to what an exceptional community they build and foster at TCPS.
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2020

This little school of ours stands as a bright and shiny beacon during these uncertain times. Under the guidance of TCPS faculty, our children continue to develop the strong critical thinking and social skills not only to survive but also to thrive in these challenging times. With each passing day, we see our children continue to grow as independent thinkers and global citizens.On the day schools around San Diego closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, TCPS students including our own came home with school-issued chrome books, regular books, rulers and other materials - ready to continue learning. The following week, the teachers confidently and competently jumped into the new brave world of remote learning. Teachers adeptly and quickly set forth a daily schedule that not only promoted stability for the children but also was of great assistance and relief for those of us parents crushed with telework demands. At the direction of the head of school, staff members individually called us parents several times for wellness checks and to obtain feedback about the remote learning process.The teachers ensured our children remained involved and engaged. When children including our own needed additional assistance with learning, teachers had one-on-one sessions with them. The smaller class size also helped the children maintain their strong social bonds with their teachers and friends from different classes. In this time of turmoil, there is much to wonder and worry about what the future will bring. And yet, TCPS continues to show only empathy and compassion with our families. Thanks to TCPS, we remain optimistic about our children’s future.
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2020

Our daughter attended TCPS from first through eighth grade. The early years were a little rough for her because she is very outspoken, but easily frustrated. This would lead to constant interruptions and outbursts. I didn't want her to be in an environment that would try to teach her that only silence is considered "good" behavior. At TCPS we found an environment and staff that were patient and understanding and worked hard to teach her how and when to effectively use her voice, and how to manage her frustration. Adjusting to a large high school was intimidating for her, but she is doing very well. She is also very confident in her interactions with teachers and assumes (as she should) that they are there to help her. She gets a bit misty eyed now when she remembers TCPS and how they seem to be so sneaky and effective at teaching and making it interesting. I can't say enough about the impact of a smaller classroom and school. It effects every aspect of the school. The "Big Event" was exceptionally at teaching while having fun. For example, in her 9th grade Earth Science class, she found that she already knew most of the planetary material because of her participation in The Big Event last year, but if you had asked her the time, she would have claimed that it was all just for fun. For out family, TCPS was the perfect fit.
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2019

The Child's Primary School (TCPS) is a private school in San Diego. It has a very low child to faculty ratio and is results-driven. The staff is well-qualified, engaged and always open to feedback. The school a hidden gem, as it doesn't get as much mention as other private schools in San Diego. It has been a great school for us and would highly recommend it to any parent looking for a small, education-rich environment where their children can safely explore, learn, and grow.
Submitted by parent on December 21, 2018

We feel so lucky to have found TCPS...gem of a little school!
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2017

This is an update from my 2013 review. Now, 2017, my daughter is graduating from the 8th grade. TCPS has been an amazing experience for her. She has gone from being a meek and shy student to one who can advocate for herself. She is engaged and continues to enjoy the academic environment at TCPS. The staff have created a wonderful environment for the students to learn and develop into young adults. We were planning on our daughter transitioning back to public school next year, but she encouraged us to consider other options. In the end, we relented. She scored well on the private school placement test and she was accepted at the 3 schools she applied to. We are grateful for TCPS and how ithe expierience helped our daughter grow.
Submitted by parent on January 05, 2017

This school is a gem! My son (in kinder) loves his teachers and the staff. We are very happy to be part of this nurturing, community that inspires learning and has provided our son with so much confidence.
Submitted by other on November 17, 2016

Our daughter’s pre-school teacher’s son attended TCPS K-8. Her pre-school teacher was adamant about the risk of our daughter’s creativity and intellect going “under-nurtured” in the public school system – that she would be bored and grow to dislike school very early on. TCPS has provided excellence in education, nurturing her creative resources through each teacher’s individual interaction with each student (class sizes of no more than 14 students), without “common core”. She is close to all her classmates (under 10 students in Kindergarten). She is learning “real-life” application of academic concepts – not memorizing, but leaning “how” to apply what she is learning. TCPS teachers make learning “fun” and rewarding in a loving, yet firm learning environment. Our daughter has been able to see the fruits of her efforts and actually understands how much she has grown personally and with confidence that comes from accountability and achieving goals! She looks forward to school every day with enthusiasm as she is very close to her classmates and also close to friends she has made in grades 1-8 through daily interaction and cross-grade mentoring programs. Fast forward today – 1st grade. To my daughter, school is fantastic because she has all her friends from last year and has made new friends. The school has only 95 students and cross-grade interaction is encouraged. She has PE, Spanish, chorus and art is incorporated and encouraged throughout her daily learning assignments. She is having even more fun this year and when I come to pick her up, she wants to stay and play with her friends. The class sizes are so small that we have also become close with not only the parents of her classmates, but also with many parents of children in other grades. This year they are also learning to code (program) a robotic mouse through a maze. It is high-level programming, but they are actually providing instruction sets to get the mice to a desired location on a board. They are learning “logic” and how to apply it – 1st grade. Wow! My daughter, my wife and I LOVE THIS SCHOOL! Words cannot describe how positively this school, the teachers and Sherry the founder have impacted our lives. We are so grateful!
Submitted by parent on November 14, 2016

Our son has been at TCPS for two years now. His kindergarten year could not have been more amazing. I watched him learn by doing, instead of just rote/memorizing/worksheets. I believe the future of education hinges on a much more project-based style of learning, incorporating STEAM along the way. And TCPS understands that, and does an incredible job of teaching core ideas through group project work. They learn by doing, together and one-on-one with their teachers. He got SO much individual attention from his teachers, it was almost as if they were private tutors. He also had a music teacher, PE teacher, and Spanish teacher. Every teacher and child in the school knows his name. He is friends with kids in every grade 1st through 8th, I didn't hear of a single incident of bullying. He felt safe at and excited to be at school every day. He was still a little shy at drop off, but I noticed that every day it got a little easier for him. The feedback and information we got from his teacher made me feel like we knew exactly what he was working on, what his current progress was, and what his goals were, as well as how he was doing in working towards reaching those goals. Not to mention what we could do to help and support him.Now he's in 1st grade, and I already see the fruits of his first year at TCPS. He is reading on his own, and enjoying it! He has a designated science teacher now too, and LOVES doing experiments in their own science lab. His math skills are impressive, and I can see that he loves mathematical challenges. Every student at the school has a tablet for technology education, and they're learning coding! He has so many friends cross grades and is always saying hi to kids and teachers, and now HE is proud that he gets to befriend kindergarteners and be a good buddy to younger children. And the shift in his confidence is nothing short of amazing. No more shyness at drop off, or worry about talking to other kids or teachers, or being alone at school for the day. The trust and confidence that this school helped him build over the past year and a half is something I can never be grateful enough for. I attribute that entirely to TCPS' focus on community, which encourages everyone to work together, and their small class sizes, which allow the teachers to spend an incredible amount of time one-on-one with each student. TCPS is the best school in San Diego.
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2016

Both of my children, who have different academic interests, found TCPS to be engaging, fun, enriching, and challenging. There has not been a single day they didn't want to go to school at TCPS. Not only have they acquired the academic skills for future academic success, but also TCPS has helped them to think critically and creatively and helped them develop the social and emotional skills for a fulfilling, rewarding life. During our daughter’s high school application process, we learned about TCPS’s great reputation with all local high schools; the entire class was accepted by their top choices! I can't say enough about the school but here are the key takeaways:•TCPS can be a great fit for any child, but is particularly well-equipped for out of the box thinkers at all levels of ability (not just certain types of students) who thrive in small class environments. •TCPS is one of the few schools that actually fulfills their mission. Talking with current and alumni parents and students can give a true understanding and confirmation of the school’s ability to execute. •Our students love the school experience and gather the academic, social, emotional tools to do well beyond elementary and middle school. The most-respected middle and high school administrators and admissions teams speak very highly of TCPS students.
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2016

After extensively researching all of our public, charter, and private school options, we toured TCPS and were immediately drawn to the school because of it's "tight knit community" feel and it's small class sizes. We saw each child getting one on one attention, and knew that is what we wanted for our daughter. We did not want her to "fly under the radar" in a large public school, but instead wanted her to be around teachers that personally knew her as an individual, rather than just another kindergartner. We were very adamant that we wanted her to learn AND apply knowledge, rather than just be bogged down by worksheets and facts that she needed to memorize. Hands-on learning was also very important to us, and we were also looking for a school that allowed the children to be creative with the arts, as that is what our daughter has been drawn to in the past. TCPS has been everything we have hoped it would be! She loves going to school every day, and feels safe and happy. The educational experience she is getting is uniquely personalized and challenging, while being fun at the same time and is far superior, in our opinion, to anything she would be getting at other schools. And no other school can even come close to having the community feel that we feel at TCPS. Every teacher on campus knows our daughter by name, and it's so rewarding to watch her interact with the older kids as well as her own classmates. As kindergarten parents we are very impressed that one school can offer everything we had hoped for for our daughter, and more. We look forward to many more rewarding years at TCPS!
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2014

My son went to this school for one year (4th/5th combo class) and I have some opinions....First of all our decision (I think) to xfer our son to this school was based on wrong assumption. Private school with $15000/year tuition does not mean you are getting the high quality competitive education like Cathedral or other prep schools. It also does not mean that your kid is in with a bunch of smart kids. All it means that your kid is in with kids whose parents can afford it. And some of them have SEVERE behavior issues. Now, I am not saying that my kid didn't learn anything or didn't get a better quality education than public school system, he probably did. He also took part in some wonderful projects that he thoroughly enjoyed but was it worth my $15g ? I doubt it ! There are some Great teachers and than there are some who shouldn't be teaching at all. There was a definite show of favoritism by a few teachers especially towards multiple kids families. My kid got into trouble for something very minor and had a in class suspension but another kid didn't get anything for doing something VERY MAJOR. Off course my kid was marked after that. Well needles to say we're not there anymore.
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2014

I have a daughter brand new to this school (5th grade) the moment I knew that I loved this school was when she came home and told me that she loved algebra! Coming from my child that was less than interested in any subject at her previous school. The teachers and staff are great and my daughter raves about how much she loves being at school. Whenever she struggles in school academically I have recieved calls from her teacher to find a solution which I think is amazing! Most schools just wait until the parent recieves the bad report card. They have a science lab, teach spanish, and the 5th graders run a "coffee shop to teach business skills. I adore this school and I am so happy that we found it! Highly recommened.
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2013

Choosing a school for your child can be a daunting task but I know we made the right decision for our son by sending him to TCPS. My son just finished attending here as a Kindergartener. I love how small the school is, how the students all work together throughout the school year in cross-age groups, and how the school really fosters a sense of community among the students. Every child feels "safe" and they can be an individual without fear of being judged by others. As for the academics, my son has a love of learning and looks forward to reading and learning math everyday. His class studied an environment (Mt. Fuji) this year and all the lessons focused around Mt. Fuji. He just really loved school! Every teacher knows every student and every student knows all the other students. The 4th and 5th graders were reading buddies to the Kindergarteners. There is a Thanksgiving Feast where the students prepare the meals in cross-age groups. The Big Event showcases the multiple talents of the school and the students. We just love this school!