University Park

I’m writing this review with the intent of providing honest feedback in the hopes that it encourages improvement. While the school may have potential in certain areas, my experience with the front office administration has been deeply disappointing.Unfortunately, the people skills displayed by some of the administrative staff have made communication and basic interactions far more difficult than they should be. Professionalism, courtesy, and a welcoming attitude are essential especially in a school environment where families and students should feel supported and respected. Sadly, these qualities have been lacking.I sincerely hope that leadership takes steps to improve front office training and culture. A warm and respectful first impression goes a long way, and a school’s front office should reflect the values and integrity of the entire institution.It’s unfortunate that I feel the need to write this, but I hope it serves as constructive feedback. Our experience with Olympia Elementary’s front office has been extremely disappointing. The staff has consistently come across as rude, dismissive, and more focused on discussing their next vacation than addressing real concerns from parents.As a parent, it’s disheartening to be met with such indifference when trying to resolve an issue affecting my child. Communication should be helpful, solutions-focused, and respectful none of which we experienced during our time here.For these reasons, we’ve made the decision to remove our child from Olympia Elementary. We truly hope the school takes a closer look at the tone and professionalism being set by those who are often the first point of contact for families.

The teachers focus only on academic achievement, their pedagogical role is incomplete and they expect that the discipline in the classroom is handled only by the parent, they have no desire to manage situations in the classroom or anyone else who is asked of them and they are radical about it, the administrative team is terrible, they have an arrogant, overbearing and rude counselor. All this led to her changing schools where the change has been positive, my daughter feels loved and the teachers and their students love and respect each other, without a doubt they have the tools and desire to work with their students.

Kid Station has been around for 25+ years. Was featured in Despierta America in the 90's as a perfect example of a licensed center by Department of Children and Families supervisor Dolores Naranjo. The center accepts children from birth thru 8 years, making it very easy for parents to use as a full time, before, after school, off days and summers once their children are enrolled. Most of the teachers have been around since the 80's, which shows the quality of their commitment in education. Both my children attended Kid Station, and now my grandchild is also one of the lucky ones. It is a warm, comfortable, peaceful, relaxed, growing but most of all learning environment that they provide, one which is very difficult now a days to find. Go check it out. Thanks Kid Station Staff, once more for all the love you have and continue to provide to my family.

Where do I begin? We've had our kids enrolled here for a couple of years now, and we are deeply disappointed with how this school is run.Constant Fees and Lack of Financial TransparencyFrom the start, this school treats parents like walking ATMs, nickel-and-diming us every week with yet another expense. On top of that, the school charges additional fees under the guise of "upgrades and improvements." However, after all the years we've been here, nothing has been painted and everything still looks the same, dull and old. Where is that money going? They hold fundraisers throughout the year, which is fine, but there is nothing to show for it.Excessive Time OffWhile I respect what teachers do, and have teachers in my own family, the amount of time off they receive feels excessive. Between three weeks for Christmas and Easter, federal holidays, summers off, and numerous floating holidays, teacher planning days, and half days, it adds up quickly. Teachers are not the only professionals with demanding jobs. What about parents who work and have no one to watch their kids on these days? This school doesn't seem to consider them AT ALL.Drop-Off and Pick-Up IssuesFinally, the drop-off and pick-up process is a recurring frustration. The school consistently finds every reason in the book to require parents and grandparents to park and walk into the building, which creates unnecessary security risks. Rather than using some of the fees they collect to upgrade the carport and entrance, such as adding a proper booth for the staff member taking numbers, they pass the burden onto parents. When this was brought up at a parent-teacher meeting, the principal essentially deflected by saying that other schools do the same thing, and then moved on without actually addressing the concern. They simply cannot be bothered.Parents deserve better, yet most say nothing and go along with whatever they are told, treating the teachers and administration as though they are beyond reproach. The entire thing is sickening.