Firehouse Pre-School

Wonderful school. They have done wonders with my very active 3 year old son. This is a structured program that has been great for our son. The teachers give him plenty of time to play and be a boy but still provide time for coloring, crafts and singing. All the teachers are very kind and genuinely care about the children. Very happy with the program.
--Submitted by a parent

We have been with Firehouse School since September 08. They did a supreme job of preparing my eldest for kinder -- in fact, most of his kindergarten year at his current elementary school was spent going over fundamentals of which he had a really good grasp. They have also been amazing with my younger child, who was extremely difficult during his toddler phase. They were infinitely kind, patient and loving with him and have encouraged him to grow while also understanding his pace and limitations. The school also has a very active Parents Club, which all parents are encouraged to join. School director Ishani Marcelline is always available to talk with and has always been open to listening to parents' concerns and welcoming of suggestions. She also always keeps us apprised of important changes or challenges the school is facing. I highly recommend Firehouse. It's like family.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers need to work on their communication skills with the children. They talk "down" to them. They need to interact instead of just react. They do not have quality conversations with the children. At times, when the children are outside the teacher stands around and does not interact with the children. My child brought home work that was finished at school and obviously done by an adult not my child. Free time activities are limited. The teachers choose the activity, kids do not choose. Very limited painting activities esp. with children this age need developmentally appropriate activities.
--Submitted by a parent

My son entered Firehouse School in March 2009. He was a very shy 3 1/2 year old at the time and has now blossomed thanks to the kind care of Ms Rose. Not only is it a nurturing enviroment but academically it is also excellent. Now at 4 1/2 my son has great writing skills and a very good grasp of phonics ! A group of parents have now started a parent group and there is a lot of parental involvement. Many field trip and fun things are planned for the kids and the school is kept very clean. The playground was just redone over the summer last year and is a very nice place for the kids to be outside. Management is very nice and receptive to all suggestions. Thanks Firehouse School for all you do !
--Submitted by a parent

My two year old granddaughter attends Firehouse and one of the biggest joy we get from her being their is to here her singing and talking about all her friends at school.

My son attended Firehouse School for about 1-1/2 and we couldn't have been happier. He is a very smart and active little boy and when teacher Lupe got to know him -- they had a great relationship and he was her helper. We always had great communication with her about his progress. He also did not nap and would spend time with her doing special projects and reading during this time period. The Kindergarten graduation was truly precious to us. I wish he could have continued there but had to go to first grade. He is now the top of his class, way beyond the other children in reading, math, etc. His present teacher said he was very well prepared. We have even gone back to visit his teacher at Firehouse School. Although my son's only teacher was Ms. Lupe, I liked the school and would recommend it.
--Submitted by a parent

My child was in the 4 year old class last year and made great strives. I wasn't expecting much but only good quality care.If my child learned something along the way it was just icing on the cake. To my surprise my child was ready for many things academically and Ms. Rose set those expectations for me- it can't be just play, eat, sleep and more play. This parent is grateful to this little school for getting my kid ready and excited about learning. It worked for us...
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter attending at age 4. I felt the teachers did not understand developmental milestones of a 4 year old and had very high expectations and demands on the children. As we dropped off our child, they were not warm and welcoming at all. The often spoke harshly to the children. They did not have any dramatic play. They expected children to nap 2 and half hours. My child was in trouble every day, due to the fact she did not nap. They gave 6 pages of homework weekly, none of them developmentally appropriate. By June, my daughter would weep as we dropped her off and hated school. I would not recommend this school.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter loves her school and all of the teachers there. She is excited every day to attend and she has learned a great deal. Her vocabulary is growing immensely.
--Submitted by a parent

We are very happy with Firehouse. Our child is happy and thriving in the environment. We like the racial/cultural diversity of Firehouse and the sense that it is genuinely a neighborhood school. It is also reasonably priced and the school management is doing a good job working to provide additional enrichment activities for the kids. Finally, we (and our child) love Miss Rose, the teacher of the 4 year olds. She's wonderful!
--Submitted by a parent