Rancho Solano Private Schools

Let me start by saying that I love (d) Rancho Solano. My daughter started the PK4 (preschool) program this year (2011 – 2012). She had never been in any kid of structured environment prior to this and it was a difficult transition for her. In a short time she was in love with the school and the friends she made. For the price you pay in a school like Rancho you expect more than the some of the other private schools in town. I can honestly say that Rancho met those expectations. That was until they decided to close down the Missouri campus with the promise to keep it open one more year. I applied for early enrollment for my daughter and considered enrolled my 3 year old son in the PK3 program. In March we find out that they plan to combine grade level because of low enrollment and cut programs. My choices where to drive my daughter to the closest Rancho Campus 20+ miles away, keep her at Missouri with a slimmed down Rancho education or put her on wait list at every other decent school and wish for the best. My daughter will attend St Thomas next year while on the Villa Montessori wait list.

Rancho Solano Missouri campus is really a well kept secret! Rancho Solano is known for academics and happy well rounded children but there really is a difference between the campuses which people do not realize. I have 2 children attending currently and my oldest has been to 4 of the Rancho campuses and I can honestly tell you this one is the best! Only 2 factors have consistently shown to benefit children’s education the most and those are small class sizes (14 students/​15 students in my children’s classes) and # of years of teaching experience. Most of the teachers at this campus have been teaching 15 years + and many have been teaching at Rancho for 10+ years. There is even a teacher at this campus that had started teaching when I was in 8^th grade (27 years ago). The principal is very involved, all of the students just love her and she has been with Rancho 25 years. Where else can my 1^st grader learn violin several days a week as part of the school curriculum and my middle schooler learn flute/​be in band during the school day? There is homework but rarely has it taken my children more than an hour. School is small so everyone is encouraged to participate in sports. Excellent school!