Temple Emanu-El Preschool

In temple Emanuel your children can learn Modern/​Biblical Hebrew and will be ready to their bar/​bat mitzva. Their is a great teachers and stuff. It’s the place where all kids love to go and learn Hebrew and Judaic studies.

When I got to San Jose last January, I’d been looking for a preschool for my five year old daughter for several weeks with no good options. I was extremely blessed to have a friend recommend TEPS to us, and that they had room.
The school itself is extremely warm and inviting. My daughter made friends immediately and started asking to stay later in the afternoon (!). The atmosphere here is very supportive, and a good mix between (overly) academic and play-​based. My daughter has improved her handwriting, reading, and math skills this year.
My favorite thing about TEPS was the director, Barb, who took a personal interest in my daughter. Barb teaches the kindergarten class and is very gifted with the little ones.
I would recommend TEPS to anyone in a heartbeat. This place was so amazing to find, especially after how dismal my search had been.

My son just graduated after four years at this wonderful school. The teachers have been supportive, patient and loving. My daughter just finished her second year so we know all the teachers and staff well. They are all top notch!

We had all three of our children at Tempple Emanuel-​El preschool since they were 2 years old, the last two just graduated. We loved this preschool for so many reasons. The staff here are amazing– most of the staff has been with the school for over 10 years which instills a wonderful foundation of teaching styles and communication. The school and staff have a wonderful and caring approach to all students. We liked the balance between social skills and academics. The school’s director, Barb Smead, is a wonderful woman who is always talking and working with the children. We would highly recommend this preschool!!!

It is a ridiculous idea to pick a school because the director gives marriage advice. I pick a school expecting my child to be safe, educated and respected for his individuality. I sent my son here for 14 months. On a regular basis we were told all that is wrong with him to the point that I thought there really was something wrong with him. When we consulted doctors, they all said find a better placement. While we were looking, we were asked to leave. It has been a week we changed schools. My «hard to manage» son is thriving. The one who supposedly found «transitions hard» has found it extremely easy to adjust to the new place. All I can say is thank you for firing us. We have never been happier with our son’s school. Sad thing is we had to go through so much anxiety and heartache to get here. There is no reason to send your kid to a school when the director calls you and emails you on a regular basis asking you when are you picking up your child.

Let me begin by saying that I hope you read all of these reviews. Do you see a thread? Yes, it’s the director. It is exactly what the negative reviews say and you’ll notice the positive ones attempt to defend her.
A parent should decide what’s best for the child and also be at a school with someone willing to hear opinions and work with you. If the child comes first for all of us, why do the «teachers» always come first for her?
I found this woman to live up to her diploma mill education by not knowing much. The worst trait is that she is deceitful. Yes, that’s right, she tells flat out lies. It can bring her own employees to tears. It’s a shame she targets certain types she doesn’t like — that is, the type that challenge her.
The bottom line is that this director is not helpful at all. She has no insight and the teachers aren’t that great either — they recently let a child walk out because… well, there is no because (you can look it up, too bad she doesn’t self report the lies). Let’s face it, if you brag you have lower ratios, you should be able to do the basics like watch the children. Leave this basement where it is and find a real preschool.

We have had our son at TEP for 4 months. We are very happy with the preschool.
What we like:
They run the toys through an industrial dishwasher once a week, minimizing the risk of our children picking a new bug or virus.
They have children wash their hands or use sanitizing gel upon entering any classroom, again minimizing germs.
They are very kind, supportive, and gentle with potty training.
They were quick to help my «big for his age», but very eager boy make friends. He had trouble connecting with age mates, and they have helped so much.
They have fun activities, encourage children to bring a book every day to share, and really foster a community environment.
I see many teachers take the time to get to know my son, even teachers who are not assigned to his room. This means he knows them all, likes them, and feels he can go to them with questions or to ask for help.
Thanks, TEP!

I’ve been working with this school for 5 years now. I see kids running around all over the place having a great time. I see lots of colors and projects being done. I see the 20+ year principal keep everything in order. I see teachers who are young and full of life and ready to teach. Wish I could have gone here as a kid.

We love this preschool!!! The classroom sizes are not large, all the teachers get to know all the students, there is little turnover with the staff, and the director, Miss Barb, keeps the place humming along. I’m impressed with how much my children learned with the focus on the whole child — not just academic or social. We have now moved 20 minutes away and I’m still doing the drive to TEPS and will happily be doing this drive for another two years.

I am shocked to see anything less than 5 stars for this preschool. I have had kids at this school for 5 years and couldn’t be happier with the school. The review that the teachers don’t speak English well is absurd. There is not a single teacher who doesn’t speak English. I don’t even know where that comment came from. The majority of the teachers have been there for years. One of the teachers just celebrated 10 years with the school and the others are too far behind. My kids have loved each and every one of them.
Your children will not sit in chairs and do worksheets at this school, they will actually learn. Both of my kids have left this school already being able to read and do standard addition and subtraction. However, the most important thing they learned at Temple Emanu-​el is how to be a good friend.
When I started taking my kids there 5 years ago another parent described the environment as a «great big hug» and that is exactly what it is. Our kids are safe and you need to announce your name through an intercom, before they will open the gate. It feels like a real family there and your kids join part of their family when they start.
If you are the kind of parent who values family, friendship, creative play and diversity, then this school is for you.

I cannot give this school enough stars. You can tell when you are at a party with TEPS children. They play well with others, they use their manners, they can sit and wait for the cake and ice cream to be served. It’s like magic.
The children learn a lot at TEPS in regard to reading, writing and math. There are also wonderful enrichment classes in Spanish (including native Spanish speakers!), Science, Cooking, Art & Dance. All Kinders give speeches they write themselves before they leave the school. Pretty impressive for 5 year olds.
In addition to the amazing foundation in learning my child has received, I have been very impressed at the time and attention they give to the social and emotional needs. The teachers care so much for the children. They take the time to help children who have a rough time with anxiety, separation, social issues. The children learn to be kind to each other, to be inclusive, to learn about people different than themselves.
If this school had more grades, we would stay for sure. We couldn’t be happier with TEPS. After three years there, it will be hard to leave the school, the teachers and principal, and the community. I highly recommend this school

My daughter is now in second grade and we are still scared and traumatized by this preschool. The director is not accommodating and some of the teachers are not very good. The preschool location is in the basement of a building and is very dark and gloomy. You could do a lot better for your child.

We love this school. Our daughter graduated last year, and our son is there this year and will continue to be there for the next 2 years. We have found the staff to be loving and caring. The director is great to work with and we love to recommend this school to our family and friends!

We’ve been at this preschool for 4 years between two kids. We love it! The director has always been about supporting our kids to get excited about learning and excel. Other parents I’ve talked with agree the academics program has our kids more than prepared for kindergarten. They also offer enrichment classes in dance, science, cooking, and Spanish. They are warm and affectionate with the kids. Both my kids have felt very special and loved there.

I agree with Ildiko. I think the reputation is a little inflated, mainly because some of the teachers are not as good as others and when you voice that concern, you get shut down by the director.
My daughter was at the preschool for 2 years and we loved it, because of the teachers, but when she was supposed to start her last year of preschool, I wasn’t happy with the 4 year old classroom teacher and voiced my concern to the director and was told that I could either put up with it or leave the school. I ended up leaving the school with a bitter taste in my mouth, and was soooo much happier with a preschool that was run by a friendlier and more understanding director. So I would not recommend the preschool to people based on the fact that the principle is inflexible and some of the teachers are not as good as in other schools.