Encinitas Country Day School

We have been at Encinitas Country Day school now for the third year (first grade through 3^rd grade) and we love it! We went to the Albert Einstein Academy in San Diego before, but I was not happy with the curriculum and the overall feel and atmosphere of the school. It was not nurturing enough, mostly academic drive. My son was getting stressed out and depressed (also from the long commute) already in first grade! Encinitas Country Day is nurturing, as well as academically driven, it encompasses the whole child, with heart, brain and body! I love the teachers, they are very caring and create an amazing environment for the kids as well as it is a very welcoming environment for the parents. I love dropping him off in the morning, it has an amazing atmosphere and when I pick him up, he usually sends me home, because he wants to stay longer, to join the after school program. It has changed this year with a lot of amazing activities. I the morning my so loves to get there early, because the kids can play as well. I am thankful to have found this amazing place, it really suits us and is such a healthy and fun environment which is making my son thrive and be a happy balanced child.

I was browsing around Unilocal and was shocked to see such negative reviews about ECDS. My kids have been attending this school for 5 years and we absolutely love it. They have had good teachers every year with small class sizes (never more than 16). The best part, in my opinion, is the friendly atmosphere; at drop off and pick up, parents hang out and talk to one another and the teachers are always available for casual conversations about kids and curriculum. All this in an absolutely beautiful setting; overall a great experience for students and parents alike.

This review is in regards to their Summer Camp Programs. Do not sign up for any camps here… They are running a bait and switch. The camps website and brochures advertise a wide variety of camps. They cancel 80% at the last minute leaving you in a lurch and your child disappointed. The directors care only about making money, not the kids. They also have no courtesy towards the parents. They claim they offer morning child care at 7:30 a.m. but for a whole week the place was not even open at 7;30 when we were ready to drop off our child. Good luck getting your refund if you do sign up for a camp they will inevitably cancel. On Monday, they told me the check was mailed. On Friday, they said it would take a few weeks! Are you kidding me! This place was one huge headache and disappointment!!!

My role as vendor to both campuses has me spending a great deal of time with the staff and administration on a regular bases. My observations are as a business professional; however I am also a parent and grand parent of small children so my perspective is based on many years of involvement with the education industry. While we do not have children attending the school, I have found the staff to be professional, caring and well educated. Since my work is often on one-​to-​one bases with the employees, I get to see a lot of what goes on behind the scenes both with the children and the parents.
Everyone is very dedicated to the Montessori approach to education and I wish I had an opportunity to send my granddaughter to school there. Unfortunately she resides out of the county so it simply is not possible. Recognizing that the previous post was from 2008 and we are well into 2011, I feel they have upgraded the facility and programs. I have been onsite on the last day of school several times and it is really refreshing that the students make their way around the school to say their good byes to staff and employees for the school year and are not racing out the door to get home and begin the summer vacation. It is obvious that the students are getting a good lesson in life about education, relationships and human interaction.
The focus at this school is totally on the children and is demonstrated from the Principal and Executive Director on down. Watching the children and the relationship with staff is impressive and makes we want to volunteer more than I can possibly afford. I would recommend anyone wanting to send their children there, that they will be pleased with the results. In checking the prices they appeared to be in line with my other accounts and good education is never cheap and cheap education is never good.

This is a glorified day care. Very nice campus and caring staff but Variety Camp and Adventure Camp were advertised as academic camps claiming «math and reading clinics and science and computer labs». My son did no math reading or anything else even remotely academic and when I asked for my money back ($ 250) they said they could only give me a credit!