|
Review content:
I finally had to leave a review after my firstborn son graduated preschool from Oakcrest in the VPK program last year. After just a couple months in kindergarten at Cypress Woods Elem. down the road, I can't believe the difference in types of education for children. We once mechanically went through the school day routine, and now we have been embraced by a warm, loving school and find the days filled with social activities, communication with the teachers and principal and my son literally gets up excited every day to go to school. It wasn't ""bad"" before, but now I have a relative perspective and wanted to share.
At first I was impressed with the scholastic curriculum and ""clean"" environment at Oakcrest, and downplayed my gut instinct that it was not so much a ""warm and fuzzy"" place for my child. Once we decided to go with VPK (I'm a SAHM and saw no reason to pay beyond that great program) I saw an immediate change in reception to me as a prospective client. I say client b/c as the year progressed it was clear to me (a former teacher myself) that the exclusively VPK students were second-class citizens. The straw for me was the prep and fundraising for the St. Jude's Trike-a-Thon. My son was so excited--we raised money--we got his bike ready and helmet, and then we got a note home informing us that the trike-a-thon was going to be an obstacle course instead. No biggie, I helped my son understand the change--until we pulled up to drop off and saw that the ""paying"" students were doing the trike-a-thon complete with parents videotaping it, etc. while the VPK kids were shuttled inside past the other kids and bikes. My son was heartbroken and kept asking me to please go get his bike so he could ride with the other kids. How do you explain to a kid that the other kids can do field trips, have parties, puppet shows, special presentation, etc. and they are left out?
There was also very little contact with the teachers and staff as VPK students are exclusive drop off and pick up circle (for traffic flow, okay, but still--no smiles, no quick update, no waving--geesh). But we sure got a steady supply of notes home asking for $ for scholastic books, raising funds for a classroom computer (which my son never had in the VPK class, btw), and a private photographer was there every other month it seemed to take photos of the kids to sell to parents.
Another disturbing situation for me was the two or three times I came early to get my son, I entered the lobby to wait and there was no one around and once I was alone there for up to 15 minutes. When the owner/director finally appeared, I recall the welcome as being somewhat lukewarm. Now I am a naturally friendly person, so I mulled that it might be that they just don't like me--until I've now met a handful of parents of preschool graduates who confessed they had felt the same way all year!!!
The last day confirmed my worst fears. Sure my son was challenged academically all year--by scholastic pre-packaged lesson plans, but his teacher showed no interest in him during the closing school play, walked away from us while he tried to get her attention to say good-bye and we ultimately left on the last day feeling a bit empty. I even taped the play and closing graduation ceremony and the grandparents remarked that it seemed awfully clinical--Where was the celebration? Did my son notice the particularly cold air in the front office or from his teacher? I don't know. But I did.
I suppose there are individual teachers that might make a difference in that kind of business-like environment, but overall I sensed negativity, a real disdain for VPK in general, and a tangible lack of warmth and affection for the children and families.
I don't write this to be rude to the school, they are a business after all. I just urge parents to find a location that they truly believe puts children first--not money. Follow your gut instinct--a pretty coat of paint can hide a lot.
Pros: Strong Curriculum-Scholastic
Cons: Clearly a FOR PROFIT business
|