Good Beginnings School

My daughter seems to like the art and music activities in the KG class at GBS. As a parent, I am disappointed with the lack of individual instruction. I asked several other parents and their children get the same worksheets. If I am always getting weekly notes to work on certain concepts at home and paying for private school, I am wondering why my child is not getting additional enrichment at school as well. As best as a five year old can, she explains that the teachers rarely help her and tell her to do things herself.
--Submitted by a parent

My 5-year-old started Good Beginning this fall. I am very impressed with their excellent academic programs in addition to awesome teachers, the extracurricular activities, friendly and involved staff and owners and their commitment to individual development of each child. Recently, the kindergarten teachers organized a kindertown for the kids to learn about community while having parents involved. The amount of details and work that the teachers put into this program to make sure that the kids are learning about banks, grocery stores, bakeries, barber s, doctor s offices, libraries and hardware stores etc in a real life sense. They were given money (fake) and they did their own purchases. My son brings homework and projects indicating some academic depth. For the first time ever, he goes to bed before 8pm so that he can get up early to go to school early. We have never pushed him academically. It s a big relief to see his eagerness to learn and progress. Awesome school. Awesome teachers.
--Submitted by a parent

My son started the kindergarten class at Good Beginning School(Reston,VA).It was recommended to me by another mom. Like every parent who wants the best for their children, I was determined to give my son the most enriching learning experience. GBS has exceeded my expectation in the areas important to me:1) The facility is clean and pretty.2) The staff and owners are very personable and caring.3) The on-site extra curricular activities(not to mention Chinese class), karate, dance, & music are time-saving for parents and enriching for kids.4) The teachers are awesome. Having taught at a Chinese university for 5 years,I can tell within seconds if the teachers care or they are just being nice.I felt the passion they have for what they do & they care about their students.It's those 5% of the teachers with a passion who can change lives & leave a legacy.My son can learn academic knowledge & skills anywhere. But it takes a person on a mission who is passionate about what they do to teach another person how to excel in life with a passion.It's not much what they teach that impresses me,but who they are.That's the kind of enriching education I want my son to have.Thank you, GBS. You rock!!!
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with another review about enrollment. The administration does not seem to be concerned about what is best for individual child. First they say your child is not ready to move on to next class. But later say, he is ready. Later I find out it they need to fill seats in next level. In my mind, this kind of trick is underhanded.
--Submitted by a parent

What a great school. Our son has been attending for 3 years and loves it. Academics are solid and teachers are very supportave. It is a very good learning experience. We would recommend it to anyone.
--Submitted by a parent

I read the review below mine and have a completely different take on the subject. This is our 3rd year with GBS. We like their programs so much that going to GBS Kindergarten has been in our plan all along. My son is eligible for Kindergarten this coming Fall, but would be the youngest in class. Although GBS has some openings in Kindergarten, the teacher thinks my son would benefit more if he goes to Pre-K next year because of his age and maturity level. The recommendation is based on each kid's situation instead of enrollment openings. My son was accepted by another Kindergarten program but we respect the GBS primary teacher's decision, as she cares about the child's readiness instead of filling the class.
--Submitted by a parent

I have to say that our son had a truly enriching and memorable experience in his years at GBS. He joined when he was 4 and stayed through the program until he was no longer old enough to attend. (He even helped one year as a summer camp aide when he turned 13!) The teachers are well educated, nurturing and have always displayed a good balance in their discipline - and believe me, there were times when our son could be a handful - yet the teachers remained fair, patient and always communicated with us. Honestly, if I had more children I'd send them here in a heart beat!
--Submitted by a parent

Our son went to this school. Have some words of caution for parents should know this. Untill the withdrawal deadline, we were told our son was doing well academically and would need additonal challenge the next year. Once the deadline was past, the school changed its tone and told us he needed to repeat the KG because he was too young and his hand was not strong. Now our son is second grade and he has been selected in the GT program. That year the school did KG program did not fill up and they attempted to hold our child back a year.
--Submitted by a parent

The school truly exceeded my expectations! Our daughter was quiet and shy when she came first but her teachers there made sure she got the attention and the extra care as she transitioned from home and different language environment to daycare. Her teachers were loving and nurturing at the same time teaching them lots of things while making the day fun for the kids with different activities all day. My daughter has developed incredibly in this school. Our family is bilingual and it was important for us that our daughter learned to be confident when interacting with English speaking kids. She started the school at 3 with minimal English and after 9 months she is writing and reading letters, she is fluent in English and is progressing with her second language that we speak at home. The school became part of our daughter s family.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm currently sending my third child through this school. Fabulous, caring teachers. Great community of parents. And the kindergarten program is highly creative, innovative, and well-rounded in giving the children a fun learning environment with excellent academic preparation. Love it!
--Submitted by a parent