General Info
Facilities
| CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.7) |
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| Building, bathrooms, hallway |
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| Classroom equipment and furniture |
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| Outside play equipment |
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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!
Quality of Teaching
Teachers Are:
| OVERALL RATING: (4.4) |
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| Full of energy and seemingly happy in job |
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| Patient and affectionate with children |
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| Talks with children and listens carefully when they are talking with him/her |
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| Praises children for accomplishments and good behavior |
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| Provides feedback on what my child does during the day |
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| Shares insights on my child that are helpful and accurate |
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| Identifies my child’s strengths and weaknesses |
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| If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off |
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| Resolves disputes quickly, calmly and fairly in a manner that allows children to learn from the dispute |
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| Notices children who are not on task and/or engaging with other children appropriately and quickly reengages them |
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| Manages the energy level of the children so that all children feel safe and able to learn |
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| Provides additional support to a child when s/he is clearly failing in her/his efforts |
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| Strikes the proper balance between active and quiet play for children |
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Director's Comments on Individualized Teaching
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
The art teacher at Aspirations is phenomenal. She really knows how to use the children's creativity to come up with beautiful works of art that the children can be proud of and know that they created it together.
Parent #2
On one school tour, my daughter dumped out a giant box of wooden blocks onthe floor and the teacher clearly looked bothered. When w toured here, the teacher actually encouraged her to enter, touch things, and play. It was a breath of fresh air for me!
Parent #3
Love the low ratio and team-teaching approach. It works for him to have two teachers constantly and less than twenty others. We selected the lower numbers for Kindergarten this year for that purpose. His 2 teachers were incredibly patient and they had waterdays EVERY Thursday and Friday of the summer! That's a lot of work!
Parent #4
His teachers were both credentialed and experienced. It was obvious by his learnng they knew their stuff!
Parent #5
The directors have told me many times how lukcy and blessed they feel to have such a terrific staff of teacher, and that the Aspirations family is special. We think so too!
Parent #6
We actually followed our child's former teachers here to their new school, and Aspirtions was an amazing discovery. We could not be more thrilled to be here where family is valued and children are respected.
Parent #7
My child had amazing teachers! They are both very attentive to their students and we are so happy to have our daughter in their class this year.
Parent #8
My daughters classroom has two teachers. Both are sincerely enthusiastic about the their relationships wit the kids and are natural teachers. The management team works with the teaching staff regularly to embrace new ideas and brainstorm.
Parent #9
The teacher I had was nice, but she was young, and really had no idea about what it was like to be a working parent. I heard her talking about the other parents and children on numerous occasions. Very unprofessional.
Parent #10
They actually closed the school for toddler parent teacher conferences. I had to take two days off work for this. They need to come up with a better plan.
Parent #11
Our teacher is a very loving and kind teacher who always has a kind word or a hug for my child. We love her! She keeps the kids interested in what she is teaching them.
Parent #12
with only 2 teachers to 24 kids, my child got lost in the mix. She is a high-functioning child & extremely bright. Since she never required much assistance, she was left to her own devices. I feel that her social skills actually decreased & her behavior became more negative after learning it from the other children.
Parent #13
The teachers in my son's classroom were hired the week before school started. Here is where I have a problem with the adminstration: Why put 2 brand new teachers together instead of putting 1 brand new teacher with one of the teachers that is already established at the school? One of the teachers had a dry sense of humor but was good with the babies. One of the teachers was quiet & more passive, but was a little more affectionate. I saw teacher #2 oftentimes walk by a child that was asking a question & say (without looking at the child), Yeah/sure/okay...even if that wasn't what the answer way. Just being a bit uncaring & aloof in my opinion.
The teachers really didn't use a lot of Reggio Emilia philosophy other than having the kids paint a lot.
One of the highlights of the school is the art studio where the kids have access to amazing art supplies & a specially trained teacher. My child got to go to the art studio maybe once a month. It was supposed to be once a week. The older kids in the preschool program got regular visits but the toddlers didn't. I was really disappointed with that.
Parent #14
I have never seen a situation in which the teacher didn't handle it with grace and maturity. She is always loving, kind and patient and with our son, that isn't always easy.
Parent #15
My child's teachers are phenominal. The classroom is set up and looks fun and inviting upon our arrival each morning. Someone is actually inside to greet us and outside to greet us when we go there too! All of the staff is so friendly, and we like how no one has left in a year. That says a LOT about a school when they keep their entire staff the first year too!!!
Parent #16
Excellent teachers. They have done a great job getting our girls settled into the classroom and the new environment
Parent #17
The teachers seemed unable to handle even the simplest requests. When we started, I thought this would be a great place for our child to grow, but I was mistaken. One teacher mocked my three year old daughter, asking her "didn't your mother ever teach you how to wash your hands." Listen to the way the children are spoken to in the rooms when they don't know a parent is around and the topics of conversation and you will have a totally different opinion about this school then the impression they try to give.
Home School Connection
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (4.4) |
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| Conducts an open house at start of school year |
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| Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year |
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| Conducts regular parent teacher conferences |
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| Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year |
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| Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year |
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| Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools |
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Director's and Parents' Comments
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Deop off is never fun, but the extra staff members sure do help ease the transition, and they have interesting things to interest the children with there, very clever toys and games.
Parent #2
Many of the above questions are not applicable, but there is not a N/A choice to check.
Parent #3
We were given his portfolio, with documented pictures and things our child said while creating and learning, he grew over the summer and learned how to count higher, his writing improved and his manners are much better! They wrote him a beautiful letter at the end that we will cherish forever.
Parent #4
The home visit will be great! He can't wait to show his new teacher his room and car collection!
Parent #5
His teacher visited him at his home this week! Wow, did that make an impression! He cannot stop speaking about how she saw his toys, room, house and parents at his house.
Parent #6
Very very strong Home-School connection. School has not officially begun and yet the teachers have been in our home, we've exchanged multiple e-mails, I have my child's cell phone number and we've visited the school informally 3 times so far and to an Open House!
Parent #7
The school maintains a strong belief in the home school connection. For this reason, my daughter has experienced virtually no anxiety at drop off, for the first time ever. We have been to two other schools in the area, and the strength of the parent teacher community is stronger then we have seen. The management team inspires the teaching staff and ensures a positive and constructive environment for learning.
Parent #8
We receive detailed daily udates from our teacher, complete with a link to pictures and videos from the day, which facilitates dialogue with our preschooler - who loves the updates as much as we do!
Parent #9
Teachers tell you how to run your home and then gossip about you after you leave
Parent #10
I have been so disappointed with this school, there are not enough words to describe. They came to my house when we enrolled, and I thought it would be great!
Parent #11
Having our teachers come to our home was a thrill for our daughter. It really gave her something to talk about and helped to ease our minds as well.
Parent #12
My son still has separation anxiety when I leave him in his classroom. The teachers really don't make an effort to come help me. One time my son wasn't wanting me to leave & then asked to go to the bathroom. Instead of taking my son to the bathroom, the teachers just stood there finished preparations for the day, leaving me to take my child to the bathroom & stay with him. My son doesn't talk about his teachers outside of class, miss them, want to say goodbye to them, etc. He is a very social child & bonds easily but really could care less about his teachers & never wants to go to school.
Each classroom has a different way of communicating with the parents. In the preschool classrooms, the parents often get a daily or weekly in-depth overview of what was focused upon in class with pictures & narratives. Our particular toddler class got weekly emails & then it changed to paper newsletter with a general paragraph as to what the focus of the week was & what kind of donations were needed. No effort was made by the teachers to involve the parents or get the parents together outside of the classroom. Other toddler classrooms at this school had great cohesive teacher/parent communication in which the parents got in-depth feedback rather than daily update that said "Your son had a great time! He played outside/on the bikes/had fun painting." We got nothing substantial whereas other classrooms got specific interesting things about their child that they could take home & focus upon. I spoke to the administration about this & they did nothing to improve the situation.
Parent #13
I love the concept of home visits. It was so nice to have the teachers come to our home and see my son's bedroom and house. He fest connected before they were in the classroom!
Parent #14
We know our teachers are always willing to talk to us, and each day the teachers give us cute examples of what our daughter did that day. We appreciate them knowing our daughter so well and bothering to talk to us so much.
Parent #15
They only social gathering was some art show they did. The teachers seemed irritated and the kids were running around uncontrolled.
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (3.3) |
Parents:
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (4.0) |
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| Parents at this school, on average, believe that conflicts between children:
are handled extraordinarily well in a way that not only gives me confidence in the safety of my child but also reassures me that my child (and his/her peers) are learning the early skills needed to socialize effectively with one another
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Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
As of July 2008, the school is only a few months old and they will be adding more to the playground area. The art room is fabulous and the children's artwork is documented throughout the hallways. The atmosphere seems very peaceful both on the playground and in the classrooms. Everything seems so much more calm than other schools we have attended.
Parent #2
I like how there is an actual office staff member who sits in a front inner office that buzzes you in the building, it is an added safety measure, no one cn follow someone else in with her there!
Parent #3
An altercation with another child was handled extremely well and a plan was put into place with the other family to prevent such a situation again. The children were shadowed daily to assure harmony in the days that followed. Regarding the classrooms, they are very clean and kept sanitized frequently. Well stocked with the needed supplies for exploring, learning, and experiencing nature....Very pleased with the classrooms!!!
Parent #4
As our son will be a kindergardner, they allowed him to be in the pre-k program this summer before school begins. He loved coming and eased into his new school incredibly well.
Parent #5
As our son will be a kindergardner,he was in the Junior Kindergarden program this summer before school begins. He loved coming and eased into his new school incredibly well.
Parent #6
I fell in love with his teacher and her classroom, it feels like a home, all feels calm here every time I pick him up. The teachers are all so nice to us when we come, they share details of his day, and that is important to our family, to feel like we know what he did all day.
Parent #7
The teachers in several rooms were sanitizing toys from the day and we were glad to observe that. Our last school felt nice inside, but we looked closly and saw lots of dirt and evidence of neglectful housekeeping.
Parent #8
School is new so everything still in very good shape
Parent #9
The school is newly opened and the parents together with management are panning new additions. The facility actually has a sick room to allow children to wait confrotably for pick up. The art studio is simply inspiring.
Parent #10
Hopefully the outdoor play equipment will be expanded.
Parent #11
There is no outside play structure and the teachers just talk to each other the entire time they are outside together! Terrible!
Parent #12
They never clean the rugs or toys! I put a blue star sequence on the rug to see if it would be cleaned up the next day, and it stayed there all week! I thought a new clean school would be cleaner & nicer, but I was wrong. My child has been sick 4 times in 4 months.
Parent #13
I have found this school to be extrememly clean and tidy. I always see teachers washing something down - toys, counters, etc. There is just about no way to completely prevent the spread of germs at these ages! As for discipline, some of the kids I see have not been taught respect for others and I think this really starts at home. I realize that boys will be boys and that kids are exploring their boundaries, but it seems like it's always the same kids who "test the limits". I think the staff handles them as well as they can and sometimes a parent probably really does need to come and pick them up! I work full-time too so I realize it's a hassle sometimes, but.....
Parent #14
There was a boy in our son's classroom that had difficult behavior. In a classroom of 12 toddlers with 2 teachers, with most of the classroom being on the young end (ages range from 18 months-3 yrs), it was nearly impossible for the teachers to contain the boy without ignoring the rest of the kids. My son got hit & bit in the process. Discipline was one on one time with a teacher, which left 11 other kids with one teacher.
Kids are continually sent to the school with green mucousy noses. The school is a daycare for alot of parents so they can't afford to stay at home with their child unless their child is really sick. Well, my child was only there for a 1/2 day program so my child was stuck with at least 2-3 other kids who regularly had mucous coming out of their nose & coughing really bad, wet coughs all over the place. The school used diluted bleach to clean things (which I wasn't thrilled with since the kids put a lot of toys in their mouths).
Parent #15
The outside play yard is nice because it does not have that bright plastic crap I see at all other schools.
Parent #16
How can it be anything other than perfect still, it's been open one year. They have janitors (a whole crew) come in NIGHTLY and things are routinely sanitized. My children are never ill, other than a cold in the winter, we're glad they're aware of sanitization practices and follow them.
Parent #17
They have been claiming they are going to enhance their outdoor yard since my daughter started, but it has stayed the same. The kids get bored and hurt themselves finding ways to keep amused. Good luck getting a teacher to engage them!
Health
| OVERALL RATING (4.6) |
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| Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable |
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| Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided
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| Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly |
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Safety
| OVERALL RATING (4.2) |
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| Screen and identify all visitors
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| Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others |
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Kindergarten Placement & Tips
Parents' Admission Tips
Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions
Parent #1
We had to wait for a few weeks as the school is now full except for a few more Kinder spots. But it opened up quickly, worth the wait.
Parent #2
We had to wait about 2 weeks to get in as the school is full, but it was worth it. Now they are full except for some kindergarten spots, we'e trying to get our neighbors to come here!
Parent #3
We were fortunate in that when we first applied, the school was somewhat new and we got right in, now it's full and I tell my friends to be patient, as I know they are on a bit of a wait list. It's worth the wait!!
Parent #4
Even though there's a waiting list now, my advice is to GET ON IT and PRAY! It's well worth waiting for a high quality school for your child.
Parent #5
Get to know the management team at this school. You will be so impressed with their knowledge and sincerity. For the first time ever, I know my daughter will come home encouraged and positive, not tired and frustrated.
Parent #6
They will take you as long as you have your checkbook ready!
Parent #7
Get on the waiting list NOW. I hear that it is very long.
Parent #8
Just be patient. The school is completely full and it's odd that other, new schools around are not. There is a huge reason for that, there is a quality here you can't get in another Carlsbad school, just wait, it's worth it!!!
