Carlsbad, CA
Aspirations

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
I could never recommend this school to another parent.

Parent #2
Excellent teachers, healthy and caring environment, multiple approaches to learning that are tailored to the individual child. Encouraging and safe environment for the children

Parent #3
Beautiful school, lots of light, very clean environment. The Art Studio is wonderful, but my child rarely went there, which was disappointing

Parent #4
After reading some previous reviews, it feels a bit like it's written by someone who never actually attended this school. NEVER has a child been repeatedly sent home from this place....other than illness, I think they almost put up with TOO much of certain bully-type children and wish they'd put up with LESS for the other kids sake. It's unfair to let a few kids run the show, parents should discipline their children appropriately and not leave it up to teachers.

Parent #5
This school is AMAAAAZZZIIIIINGGGG!!!!!!!!!
We love love love our teachers and would be LOST without them! Our child has grown immensely this year and we are So glad we left our last school which was run by a toxic administration. We cannot recommend this school enough.

Parent #6
The administration doesn't have their act together. The school is new & is beautiful, but it hasn't lived up to the image. My wife & I have been waiting for the classroom environment to improve & have waited for the growing pains of having a brand new school to fade out, but after almost an entire school year, the admin still hasn't ironed out the problems.

Parent #7
The administration needs to figure out what they are doing with this school--in regards to hiring qualified teachers, making sure the teachers are good matches for each other & for the kids, making sure that information gets deliniated to/from the admin to the parents in a way that is quick & effective. There is no cohesion of classrooms so that all classrooms have the same access to materials, lessons, etc. There are a lot of paid days off due to in-services & teacher parent conferences.

Parent #8
My son began at Aspirations at the age of 2.5 . He has enjoyed his first school experience. He loves to play outside and spend time in the art studio

Parent #9
Teachers are very involved in making each child's experience unique and "their own". My daughter's teachers are a great team and always great her in the morning on the playground and make her (and me) feel welcome. They encourage her to play with new friends and she has actually learned quite a bit this year and will enter the junior kindergarten program next year. I like how parents are encouraged to stay and socialize because there is always fresh coffee and something ymmy to munch on in the parent-staff area.

Parent #10
This school looks pretty on the outside but otherwise, it has no other positive attributes other than the art room.

Parent #11
Go somewhere else! The staff is so unprofessional. They would talk about the other families while we were in there. Who knows what they said when we were not present.

Parent #12
Strengths: Very well run program. Nice enivorment. Weaknesses: Have lots of off days, so you have to have a back up option if you need to go to work.

Parent #13
One of the best things about this school is the aesthetics. It is beautiful inside. Each classroom is decorated to the 9's like a comfy living room/playroom. There is a wondrous art studio as well. It has a very calming feel to it.
The biggest drawback I've experienced so far is the complete lack of tolerance for typical 3yr old behavior. They've sent my son home several times now for hitting his teacher on the arm, or different stuff like that. They have been "working with me" to help me get my son through this difficult phase in his life, but I think they make me pick him up too often.

Parent #14
The school provides a very nurturing and peaceful environment. The only criticism is that the parking is inadequate for dropping off and picking up the children.

Parent #15
The facility is designed to encourage children's learning. The philosophy is community based and invites parents to participate, which is so extremely divergent from other schools in the area. Management and staff are sincerely enthusiastic and highly experienced. Detailed communication between teachers and home is provided daily and weekly.

Parent #16
This school has been wonderful for my daughter who started right when they opened in April 2008. It is a warm and loving atmosphere with A LOT of creativity going on throughout the day. The Reggio approach is new to me - my two older children both went to a modified Montessori preschool and I always thought my youngest would follow where they had gone - and we love it so far. The teachers have completed beautiful scrapbooks of my daughters first "class" providing us with a lot of insight into how she has progressed throughout her time at the school. Can't say enough great things!

Parent #17
Our family toured and immediately knew this was the right fit for us. IT IS PHENOMENAL! They have held severl walk-throughs, our teachers came to our HOME to meet us, and we attended an Open House today! WE ARE SO IMPRESSED!!!!! =)

Parent #18
This is a great new find in North County! It is the polar opposite of our last school, which was totally teacher-driven learning based on complete academics. My grandson just started here and whenever I pick him up, he is completely involved in something fascinating. He enjoys his time here, and that gives me such peace of mind!

Parent #19
We cannot WAIT for Kindergarten to begin! Our son's classrrom looks amazing! it is full of windows, french doors that open to grass outside, non-"Schjool" looking ambience (feels like a home),tire swings on the playground, a sandbox, bikes, balls, basketball hoops, a cute little bridge, flowerboxes he planted things in, and tons of open space to play and run. We have a small backyard at home, so he loves to run around here! We're very excited!

Parent #20
We cannot WAIT for Kindergarten to begin! Our son's classrrom looks amazing! it is full of windows, french doors that open to grass outside, tire swings on the playground, a sandbox, bikes, balls, basketball hoops, and tons of open space. We're very excited!

Parent #21
Fabulous Fabulous Fabulous....When we walked into Aspirations and began our tour, I knew this was the home away from home where we could have our son begin his journey learning and exploring in a new environment. The Aspirations team is so friendly and caring, as you walk in the door each morning, the feeling of welcome is experienced immediately. The classrooms and art room are filled with wonderful things for the children to explore....no expense spared for giving our Children what they need to grow and learn in a nature filled environment. To say we are pleased with Aspirations would be an understatement... We are confident that our child is in a safe, caring environment learning to socialize and gaining knowledge through the Reggio Emilia approach.

Parent #22
This school is so new, they've only been open 3 months now (opened May 08) and so far no one has left! No children, no teachers, it's great! For a short time, we're all experiencing the newness and excitement of a new school. Everyone who attends seems happy to be here, staff, parents and children alike are always smiling :)

Parent #23
I especially like how Aspirations really makes the parents feel like they are part of their child's learning experience. They give us very detailed newsletters describing what my child is doing complete with pictures. Parents are encouraged to work together and with the teachers and school to foster a fun, safe environment for our children. The school directors are so warm and know each child by name. The Reggio Emilia approach is one that I really believe in and we are excited our kids will get to experience Aspirations!

Montessori? Waldorf? Play-based?

What school type is right for your child? Is one model better than another? What does the research say?

View an example from the Savvy Source guide to learn more.

Trace around your child's foot, with shoe on, on a piece of white construction paper or card stock. Have child cut out the shoe print and add a spooky face. Glue it to a popsicle stick and you have a ghost stick puppet!

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