Alpha Kids Academy

I absolutely love this school. I had a really hard time finding a Preschool for my 3 and 4 year olds, until I found this gem in the city. My girls loved it from day 1 and just loved to go to school every morning. By the end of the year, they were ahead of most kids their in terms of learning and mannerisms. Ms Rachel did an awesome job with my 4 yr old as did Ms Wong, Ms Fione and Ms Carrie did fro my 3 yr old.
They are extremely warm and caring with the kids, which makes the kids love them so much. I wish they had a kindergarten program so my girl could stay with them for another year.
I highly recommend this school for anyone who’s looking for a preK/​preschool with just the right balance of education and fun for the kids.

I thought this preschool was great. I put my two year old in there because it was the only preschool in SF taking someone of his age at the time. It seemed like it was in a time of transition as there was some teacher turnover when we first started in Feb. But all the teachers were great. They really do fun art projects everyday.
They made my energetic hyperactive child into a rule-​following, toy-​sharing, potty-​trained little boy! For that I owe them so much. Even my friends noticed how he transitioned into a well-​behaved kiddo after starting at Alpha Kids.
We moved him to a different school after 6 months because the commute got too far for us, but if it had been in our neighborhood we would have just kept him there since he had friends and was doing well.
The only downside is their outside play area is small and doesn’t have a larger play structure, but it is rare to find any preschool with a large outside play area in the city.

This review is long over due. My son was one of the first students to attend AK. We love it so much! When we first toured the shiny new school (it opened April 13′), we were impressed with the director Ms. Rebecca. She devised an amazing curriculum and we were excited for our son. I was a bit apprehensive about sending him to school because he had a horrible daycare experience. It was so horrible; he stopped sleeping in his own bed! But Ms. Rebecca appeased all of my fears. He came home a happy kid every day, singing songs, learning letters, you name it, and he just blossomed.
They like the kids to have a set structure and routine. Kids thrive on routine so we make sure to have them be there at 9:00 AM for breakfast. Breakfast and snacks come with the tuition. They are a sugar free school as well and feed the kids healthy options. And another thing about feeding, they really emphasize using utensils! He loved using his fingers but now, he will only eat with them! As for lunch, they cater through bigdipperkids meals (which can be ordered through good eggs). They are delish! My son has brought some home and I’ve approved his meals! All healthy, organic meals. Also, right when they get in, the kids are encouraged to potty and wash their hands even if they don’t need to potty! If you know me, I am a HUGE hygiene freak, especially when it comes to my kids.
We loved the school so much, when my daughter turned 2, we started her right away. We had introduced her periodically to the school, taking her to have lunch with her brother. Ms. Rebecca also got her involved during these visits, allowing her to make some projects. By the time she was officially in the school, she was already comfortable with Ms. Rebecca. Double bonus, my daughter just turned 2, like a month ago and is already singing, spelling «S-​U-​N-​N-​Y, and sunny is the weather!» She also eats with utensils! She barely used a spoon before we sent her there. Her vocabulary has just flourished and she also comes home a very happy camper. If I could post videos on here I totally would to show how much they just blossomed! My daughter isn’t potty trained too so it’s a bonus that she can attend a pre-​school. Most pre-​schools don’t accept unpotty trained children. HOWEVER, ever since she started going there, she has an interest in the potty. They line the kids up and while the big kids are pottying, the little kids get changed. My daughter wants to line up at home with her brother and take turns sitting on the potty. The exposure to seeing this has helped her.
While at the school, there have been several new additions to the staff. Ms. Mimi is my daughter’s teacher and she also has help from Ms. Nona. Both my kids love them. My son calls his class the «big kids class» and it is led by the director, Ms. Rebecca. We even had a parent-​teacher conference with her. She really has a great pre-​k curriculum. My son can now trace his name, hold a pencil with control, and draw amazing! Yesterday he did a drawing at home and wrote his name without assistance. Freaked me out because he is only 3!
They really keep you inform about the events. Ms. Rebecca sends out weekly news letters which are super informative. They get the parents involve too. We had a lorax party when the kids were learning about the lorax. We also just had a Halloween bash. All the parents donated items and the school put together activities and we had a light lunch. The kids dressed in costumes and just loved it. They really had such a creative vision.
This is not a cheap day care. This is a school. They are not TV pushers. They actually teach a curriculum. They have circle time, they have projects, they do play. When I got really ill and was not able to take care of my children, it was so reassuring that they could go to school and be taken care of. If mommy can’t be there and do everything I can, they deserve the next best thing, and that’s what this school is. When I moved here from Hawaii, I didn’t have a support system. I couldn’t find quality child care. And in SF, it is so hard to get the kids in a pre-​school. The school served as my second family. They really took an interest in my kids. Ever child deserves a safe, caring, environment. My son was in love with Ms. Rebecca. He never asks people for hugs but he has taken such a huge liking towards her. She is truly such a caring teacher.
If I were considering sending my children to pre-​school or looking for a pre-​school these are the things I’d like to know:
–Teacher student ratio is low
–Kids are separated into classrooms based on age
–They do have outdoor play two times a day
–unpotty trained accepted
–Teachers are certified
–Kids have a structured day
–Breakfast & Snacks included, Lunch catered for a fee
–Part-​time and Full-​time schedules (Full time is from 7:30−6, Part is 7:30 — 3:30)
–Safe and very clean location
–Parent and teacher communication is stellar

Our 2 year old son has been here for a couple of months now, and I have to say I have never seen him so happy to «go to school» in the morning. Prior to attending Alpha Kids, he had been in the same day care since he was 4.5 months old. I was hesitant to move him from his (my?) comfort zone, change his routine, and move into a new place but this has proven to be the best thing for him (and for our family). Our son gets excited to go to school in the morning and then comes home all smiles with stories about his day. He even expresses his «love» for «Miss Becca and Miss Mimi». He is truly happy and engaged.
As a mother, I appreciate their attention to detail, their consistent/​clear communication with us as parents, and the curriculum they are using for our pre schooersl. I would certainly recommend them.

Looking for a preschool for your toddler can get overwhelming… it sure is a process!
We checked out 4 other preschools before touring the newly Alpha Kids Academy and I’m glad we saved the best one for last!
As soon as we arrived for our tour, we fell in love with the place and we didn’t even see the inside yet! Right then and there I thought to myself, this can only get better and it sure did!
Located in a nice neighborhood and across the street is an elementary school so the location is perfect!
Director/​teacher Rebecca is great! I could tell from meeting her for the first time that she loves what she does! She’s hands on and well involved with the kids. She’s also a big fan of email as well (had to mention this because not a lot of teachers are (LOL). She helps with potty training which is great!
The size of each room are just right and the building/​toys/​bathrooms are well maintained (CLEAN!). The curriculum is great! Every week is a different theme which I personally think is cute! Parents receive weekly newsletters containing the following week’s theme/​curriculum which is a great way to keep us posted! We love that our son brings home the work they did each day! We can tell he’s learning something new everyday =)
You know you chose the right one when your child looks forward to the next school day all the time! Definitely put Alpha Kids on your list… they’re worth checking out!