Orange Tree Christian Preschool

"TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE"

"This school is not a school "in it for the money" or a "business." This is a ministry that dedicates their lives and the program to not only teaching children about Jesus, respect, self-control, discipline, manners, a time and place etc. but also provides the parents with resources to help pull through the learning at home. I can honestly say, they have made me a better parent. I am more relaxed and enjoy my children more than ever before. We actually have TIME to have fun in the mornings, afterschool etc because they know they need to get their "responsibilities" done first (brush teeth, get dressed, clean up their toys) before it is time to play. My children are respectful of adults, loving, kind, sweet and giving children because of this schools program that centers on how to be a good Christian, a good friend and at the same time be self-disciplined and responsible. As an aside, the squeezing finger thing is NOT abusive and is actually gentle, no more than placing your hand on their shoulder. I mean, I can't tell you how often my son will be extra exhuberant one day, and just placing his thumb between my thumb and forefinger is a memory trigger that tells him, it is time to take a deep breath and pay attention to me. Funny thing is, my son does it to me sometimes when he needs my attention, but doesn't want to interupt me! So, what they are learning is to not HIT other children, or interrupt adults or scream or any other tactic other kids use. They learn great manners in comparison to children I see who just interupt adults and demand attention...of course that is because the adults allow them to do this... My children have learned that they need to have manners, follow the rules and be respectful. These skills are more important than learning their numbers, colors, shapes etc, which they still learn there at OrangeTree. But you can't learn...really LEARN, without being able to pay attention. And, in the end, it doesn't matter if you graduate from Harvard or Oxford, if you don't have appropriate social skills, or you are a self-centered sociopath, you won't be happy and TRULY successfull in life."

"This is the first time putting my child in preschool and Mrs. Ortiz, teacher/director at the Lake Forest explained to me in detail what their curriculum consists of. She was very kind and seemed to genuinely enjoy her job. The price is very reasonable compared to any of the other schools in the area ($437.00 plus the $150.00 registration fee for M-F from 8:30-11:45 (Lunch: 11:45-12:30). The classrooms are very clean and uncluttered. The owner, teachers and directors are caring and professional. The student/teacher ratio is low 6:1. They also incorporate teaching the children good manners into their daily routines which I really appreciate. Every day, my son cries because he doesn't want to leave. He comes home wanting to read, write and can’t wait to go to school the next day."