Tucson Community School

TCS is Tucson's only parent-owned cooperative preschool/kindergarten. The cooperative model makes all the difference. Parents don't just drop off the kids at school. At TCS, parents are required by contract to participate in the running of the school. The school's motto is "Kids and parents learning together." TCS is Tucson's first racially integrated school, established 1948. My kids, alumni, say, "I wish I could go to TCS forever." I can't say enough good stuff about TCS.
--Submitted by a parent

TCS is a family-oriented and family-friendly preschool, but at the expense of academics. My kids had a great time, made strong friends, but are not where we would like them to be with reading, writing, math. This is not important to most TCS parents, many of whom appear to be there for social reasons and not for their children, but it is important to us which is why we are changing schools.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a fantastic school with a strong focus on self-directed learning activities. A tremendous amount of parental involvemet is required, but it is worth the extra effort.
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent PK-K program. Loving, knowledgeable staff. Education for the whole family, as family involvement is not just encouraged, it's required. Children are encouraged to explore, play and learn in a safe, loving environment. Excellent staff/student ratio.
--Submitted by a parent

Tucson Community School is unique -- it's like a step back in time to when life was simpler. For ages 3-kindergarten, it's a small school with small classes and a VERY high level of parent involvement. Parent involvement in and out of the classroom is not only expected but required. They do not focus heavily on academics because they believe that at ages 3-5, children need opportunities for play and exploration, for pursuing their interests and curiosities. It's a wonderful school with a waiting list to get in.
--Submitted by a parent

We have been absolutely thrilled with our experience at TCS. This is a great preschool environment for children whose parents want to be involved. The staff is friendly, caring and knowledgeable. We love being able to be a part of our child's early education!
--Submitted by a parent

Tucson Community School is a parent cooperative preschool that has been serving Tucson families for nearly 60 years. My daughter is in Kindergarten this year. She has attended since she was three. The play-based curriculum can't be beat. Children are provided beautiful learning environments and tools. The school is NAEYC accredited, and the staff attends the yearly conference, often as presenters. Children are skillfully guided through their days in ways that allow them to learn to solve their own problems, think critically, and to be inquisitive. As a parent cooperative, parent involvement is high, and all parents are required to spend significant time helping in the classroom. This allows a very low student/adult ratio, and is monumentally rewarding to parents, children, teachers and the overall school community. TCS is my daughter's favorite place. Visit and see what a wonderful, enriching place it is-- the best preschool in Tucson, hands down.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has become a wonderful start for my son's years of education ahead. I can say that he has developed tremendously since starting at this school, his social development being the most changed. He loves school and all his friends there! As a whole, the children are allowed and encouraged to develop in areas that need it at all different levels. They are encouraged to be creative in individual ways, to ask questions, solve problems, and find solutions through communication and cooperation with others. There is lots of play/choice time, time where the child can really develop in areas that need it. The teachers there are really amazing with the kids and very knowledgable on childhood development. The school is parent co-op so lots of parent involvement/time is required from the parents for the function of the school.
--Submitted by a parent

TCS is a parent cooperative preschool that has been around for a very long time. The play-based curriculum is mainly based on pedagogy found in the book The Little Red School House, but elements of Montessori, Waldorf and Gardner are evident in day-to-day activity. As it is a parent cooperative, parent involvement is mandatory to an extent, so TCS families are extremely involved in the daily function and success of the school as well as the success of their children. The teachers are the most devoted and knowledgeable experts on early childhood education you'd ever want to meet and they actively enhance that knowledge to the benefit of the children, continuously and voraciously. They are accredited by the NAEYC and the staff annually participates and aroften invited as presenters at the NAEYC annual conference. I could not imagine a better preschool for my daughter. I wish they continued through elementary years.
--Submitted by Andrea Burk, a parent