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Berkeley, CA
Aquatic Park School

Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents.

Review this preschool

neighborhood: Berkeley West ·  Telephone: (510) 843-2273  · Website: www.aquaticparkschool.com

• Summary
• General Info
• School Philosophy
  & Day-in-the-Life
• Curriculum &
  Teaching Approach
• Quality of
  Teaching
• Home/School
  Connection
• Discipline,
  Health & Safety
• Ages, Schedule
  & Tuition
• Application &
  Admissions
• Kindergarten
  Placement&Tips

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.4)
Conducts an open house at start of school year
Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year
Conducts regular parent teacher conferences
Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year
Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year
Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools

source:

Separation

OVERALL RATING (4.6)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:

- Abbreviated schedule at start of school year

- Parents in classroom early on

- Extra staff dedicated to handle seperation

- Small group sessions

- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school

- Home visits by teachers

source:

Director's Comments

We have conversations about what is going to be going on in the next couple of months. We also encourage families to visit the schools that are interested in attending.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
This is a play-based school. However, we have received written reports regarding where our child fits in with the school population. There is a strong sense of cooperation between director, teachers, aides and parents. Extremely good in communication.

Parent #2
There is a lot of good communication at Aquatic Park. I'd like to point out that the teachers there are more than willing to meet with parents at any time and can also fill out skill set forms as needed.

Parent #3
The school uses a standardized (WAICS ??) assessment tool that is comprehensive in motor skills, analytic thinking skills, social/emotional development. It is filled out by 2 teachers who know my child twice during the year. A meeting was scheduled to go over this assessment with the parents. We are also invited to fill in sections or give input as to how to respond to items.

Parent #4
Very open and engaged teachers. Both the teachers and director are open in their knowledge, opinions, etc.

Parent #5
I'm not sure your survey gives an adequate opportunity to describe an individual school. There seems to be a dichotomy you are setting up between a school being a school-year based setting ('beginning of the school year') that provides specific learning goals VS. a play-based program that somehow has no goals specified? Aquatic Park School is a play-based, developmental program that of course has learning goals (holistic and academic) built-in and documented, communicated, etc. -- however, it is not the kind of place that has a big chart at the beginning of September to show to parents and say, by March, your children will know letter sounds and how to write their names. It is much more fluid than that. But it is wonderful! The home-school connection is HUGE at APS. There are communications from the school at least 5 times a week, a list-serve for parents and teachers, and ongoing documentation through writing, pictures, etc. It is a VERY strong, supportive community of learners at all levels.

Parent #6
I am not familiar with the kindergarten placement at this time. My son is too young. and actually, I'm writing this just prior to the end of his first year there, so I'm not totally sure on those points but took a best guess.

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (4.1)

Parents:

- Hold social events at the school to build community

- Fundraise

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want

- Go on field trips

- Volunteer in the classroom

- Receive newsletters

- Hold social events outside of the school (with and/or without children)

- Shares information on matter related to our children (e.g. babysitter lists, pediatricians, extracurriculuar classes, etc.)

source:

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
We have an active but low-pressure parent group, lots of pot lucks and various celebrations and fundraisers throughout the year.

Parent #2
Can help bring cultural events to the school-can share and bring fun events to the school.

Parent #3
12 hours of parent participation required of each parent.

Parent #4
Are required to contribute volunteer hours and are often (several times a month) invited to activities at the school, as well as given many opportunities to help the school fulfill its needs (through volunteering to build things, help clean, bring materials, etc.). It is a very strong community.

Parent #5
We have input as to subject matter to be discussed at general meetings. Highly supportive and connected group of parents.

Parent #6
Informal.

Parent #7
The parent community is great. There are regular emails newsletters and random sharing of information. Many teachers are also parents of kids at the school; so the teachers are interested in the school on many levels.

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Each child has an individual journal in which all teachers, whether child's assigned teacher or not, write messages to the child about their successes and difficulties - very positive.

Parent #2
Curriculum bulletin board.

Parent #3
Very open communication between parents and teachers.

Parent #4
Journals.

Parent #5
The communication is as good as the parent wants it to be.

Parent #6
The school emphasizes regular, ongoing communication in all of the above ways. They are open to input at any time.