La Jolla Country Day School

Besides the bias I have because I went here… my two children go here, and well, it is a stellar education. Like the other review a big plus for me was the diversity of the student body. Unlike some of the other privates which are religiously affiliated.
My sons are in the elementary school (Lower school) and the academics are, as expected, great! Socially, there is a good boy/​girl ratio, and each grade has about 55 kids, which is divided into 3 classes at each grade level.
Of course you will find some «snobs» but that is to be expected when the tuition is what it is. (very pricey) the other 95% of parents/​kids are exceptionally nice and down to earth and only want what is best for their child academically. The work load is a lot, (In my opinion, 7 yr olds shouldn’t even HAVE homework, but that isn’t reality, even at the local public so…) but the kids are taught good time mgmt skills.
The TEACHERS are just beyond awesome. If one has an issue there is a team in place to deal with just about anything. The admin. is wonderful as well. The campus is 21^st century modern and the labs the children work in look better then the chem lab I had at the U of AZ.
Great school!!! Lots of cultural diversity, and no cut athletic policy that allows all kids to play a sport even if they aren’t the «best» at it. music, art, computers, drama, garage band, PE everyday, just so much over and above what my local public school offers!

Superior academics, including an amazing foreign language program (Arabic, Mandarin, French, Spanish, Latin – starting in middle school). Leadership/​administration is top-​notch, as is faculty in general. College placement is excellent, with each graduating class (110 – 120 students) sending kids to the ivies, Stanford, etc. By my calcs, about ½ of the graduates are admitted into what I would call «high end» universities (roughly defined as «USC and better»). Average SATs are in the low-​to-​mid 600s per section, to give you an idea of the caliber of the average student. I also like the fact that LJCDS has no religious affiliation. The bad? The work load can be a little much, especially if your kid is involved in sports (it is no coincidence that there are very few athletes in the honors/​AP courses). Also, like any expensive private school, there are certainly your stereotypical brats. However, the vast majority of the kids seem to come from working professional families, and they seem to realize/​appreciate the fact that their parents are shelling out hard-​earned $$ to send them there.