Second Street Childrens School

Posted: April 11, 2023

The playground is amazing but I found the overall vibe problematic. Since the founder left the school in 2009, the new(ish) leadership team has had difficulty with teacher retention. Among the main classroom teachers, only Carmen has been there a decent number of years. Some parents have also had concerns with the inflexibility of the leadership. For example, they often have very long nap periods, which result in some children not going to bed until 10pm. Parents have raised this issue many times.

I have some concerns too about the admissions process. It's not first-come first-serve but rather everyone goes on the waitlist (for an $85 fee) and then they pick their favored families off the waitlist. It's basically a popularity contest where children of a particular kind of parent (rich, well-connected) have a much better chance of admission. Likewise, a child with any special challenges has zero chance. The leadership will sometimes just not respond to emails from families they've decided they don't want, which seems so very unprofessional.

The school is also challenging for working parents in that there is a lot of required volunteering and many smaller requests. Most school events are held during the workday, for example 11:30am-12:30pm on a Thursday. There is a 100 percent expectation that either you or your spouse will be there, that you will bring your assigned potluck dish, as well as reusable dishes for your family, and also any supplies you've volunteered to bring. The model seems to depend on one of the parents being stay-at-home. In that same vein, it's often difficult to secure a spot in the afternoon program, meaning that you have to pick up at 2:15pm.

So yes, the playground is amazing, but looking back I'm not sure I'd make the same decision again.

Posted: April 26, 2019

Not appropriate for this age group as this is a preschool

Posted: April 26, 2019

Posted: April 26, 2019

This is one of the greatest strengths of the school

Posted: April 26, 2019

Posted: April 26, 2019

Posted: April 26, 2019

Posted: April 26, 2019

Excellent, I wouldn't trade this experience for my kids with any other. They get to enjoy being kids while building on so many important skills such as gross and fine motor, social emotional in a creative learning environment

Posted: October 5, 2018

The teachers are very kind and understanding, and when I attended many years ago I felt very welcome there. The teachers are very skilled at working with the children who attend the school and make the kids want to come to school.

Posted: October 5, 2018

Most, if not all, of the people that I know now who attended this school are very kind and compassionate people.

Posted: October 5, 2018

I absolutely loved attending this school when I went there many years ago. Of course, many things have changed, and some teachers who worked there when I attended the school do not work there anymore, but it is still a wonderful school. I was, and still am, a very angry human being and had many "tantrums" while at the school, and the teachers knew how to deal with those things and successfully make the upset student feel heard and understood while also helping them calm down and express their feelings with words. I think that it really helped me to be able to go to such a wonderful and kind place for preschool and kindergarten. Without having attended this school, I wouldn't have learned important lessons about kindness that I can use now. The earlier someone learns how to be kind and why you should be kind, the better. This school is wonderful, and I definitely recommend people to go there!

Posted: March 27, 2011

We regret choosing Second Street. It is play-based and the children play and have fun and enjoy their time. They do not feel stressed and are happy to go each day. But they are not prepared for success in academics in elementary school. There is no curriculum, research-based or otherwise. Two years ago my husband was transferred to another state. When my two children applied to the top public elementary school (G1 left SSCS last year and K still there when we left) they were not accepted. They were too far behind. The neighborhood public school, second-tier, said my older child had to repeat G1. We have had to go to expensive private schools where they are getting individual attention and remedial instruction. Second Street may be good for Tucson public schools (what is the data on their success rate?) but not if you have to move to a state with high standards. I also heard from other parents that Second Street students struggle at St.Michaels and the International School. To the boosters who who will complain about me and my post, Second Street is good for play. But so is Himmel Park. However, it is not a school, and it is not preparation for high quality elementary programs.

Posted: February 4, 2011

We love Second Street! My two children currently attend, and my oldest is currently in her fourth and last year there. The way her loving teachers have helped her grow emotionally and socially has been amazing to watch. I have no doubt that she is well prepared to move on into first grade next year. Children are free to explore their interests with the guidance of the teachers, developing skills like creativity, love of discovery, and a sense of community and cooperation, which will help them succeed in academics (and social life!) in elementary school. The classrooms and beautiful, and the yard is a wonderful place to run barefoot and make discoveries. The director is kind, loving, and involved, and knows all the children and families. The afternoon program is fantastic! We will be so sad when our years there are over.