Del Mar Pines School

Posted: June 26, 2025

A Wonderful School with a Family-Like Community

We couldn’t be happier with our choice to enroll at Del Mar Pines Elementary. The school has a warm, welcoming, and family-like atmosphere where every teacher knows every child by name—something that truly stood out to me. The sense of community is genuine, and it shows in every interaction.

One of the highlights for me as a parent has been the opportunity to join field trips. Not only are we encouraged to participate, but the experiences have been an absolute blast! The teachers go above and beyond to plan engaging and educational outings, as well as performances that the kids truly enjoy.

Special shoutout to our MVP teachers—Mrs. Canzone and Mr. Kelly—who have the perfect touch when it comes to balancing education and fun. Their passion, creativity, and care make such a lasting impact on the kids.

It’s clear that the staff put a tremendous amount of heart into making learning meaningful and memorable. We’re incredibly grateful to be part of such a thoughtful, tight-knit school community.

Posted: June 26, 2025

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Posted: April 5, 2023

Del Mar Pines is a special place. With small classes, caring teachers, and a supportive parent community, it represents education at its best. Marci, the director, knows the students well. She supervises recess, serves up lunch, runs arrival and dismissal, and sits in on every conference. She is always available to parents, staff, and students. The teachers at DMP are a hard-working group who care deeply about every student. They put great thought and effort into planning lessons and are willing to go the extra mile to enhance learning. DMP parents are invested in their children’s education. They share their knowledge and expertise at Science Discovery Day and Young Artists’ Day. They go on field trips, run the annual Halloween carnival, and help out in a myriad of other ways. But the students at DMP are the magic. They come to school each day ready to learn. They are inquisitive, engaged, and excited to take on new challenges. They are DMP.

Posted: April 5, 2023

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Posted: November 20, 2022

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Posted: November 20, 2022

Del Mar Pines has been the best experience for my two children. My first daughter was attending another private school in Encinitas that was poorly run. She applied and started mid-year and the director, Mrs. McCord, was so compassionate and welcoming about our situation. The transition was amazing. The attention to detail is what is special about Del Mar Pines. The teachers are very articulate about each child's needs and learning levels. With the amazing teacher-student ratio, every student gets the attention they need to excel in each subject. It is a very well rounded school. There are advanced sub groups in math and english. The performing arts is very strong here with fun classroom plays and also a year-end whole school musical production. Best elementary school in San Diego.

Posted: July 23, 2022

We transferred our daughter to Del Mar Pines from a public school to join the six grade. At the beginning, we hesitated and were even a little worried about her transition. But the school was amazing. They, the full staff, the 6th grade leading teacher Mrs Stoke, the math teacher Mr. Fortin, the director Mrs. Marci, the science teacher, technology teacher, music teacher, art teacher etc, etc. really care about the students. The transition turned out quick and smooth. Within two weeks, she made new friends. She loved the engaging and challenging curriculum. They created many interesting class projects which made her excited. They have a rigorous LA and math curriculum which well prepares her for her new middle school, and they also have a very good science, technology, music and art curriculum. Besides the academics, they also care about the well being of the students. During this school year, we noticed she changed. She became more self-disciplined and more confident. Watching the video of her graduation speech the other day, we felt really proud of her. We couldn't be more happy about her growth and feel lucky she was nurtured to her full potential at DMP.

Posted: July 23, 2022

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Posted: June 20, 2020

Small and nice school. Because it is small(1 class per grade, 20 students per class), young kids have a lot of attention they need. Teachers are nice and patient and rich in experience. This year is tough due to the Covid19, but DMP acted very fast. They got on-line classes ready in the first week of closure! And did I mention they were daily zoom meeting classes that only 5-8 kids each time slot? They divided kids to small groups according to their academy levels, that means teachers work are doubled. Yet the teachers are working tirelessly to make kids feel like in school. The public school in my neighborhood is not bad, but I don’t regret to send my kid to this private school. Worth every penny I spent!

Posted: June 20, 2020

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Posted: May 23, 2020

We love that there are specialist teachers for ancillary classes, from arts, PE, and science. DMP provides flexibility, giving extra education to those who excel beyond grade level, but not being an overly competitive school. There are a variety of after school activities (enroll in advance like a camp), and the standard aftercare is available without scheduling in advance. The classes become very close-knit, and the parents often get to know each other well. There is only one class per grade. This allows the kids to really get to know each other well. But in some situations may not be right for everyone. If a child does not click with his or her classmates or teacher, there is no other class into which you can transfer. I would love if there were a middle school option up to eighth grade so our kids could complete their formative years in this environment before moving to a bigger high school.

During the COVID-19 quarantine, the school switched from typical classroom activities to online learning over a long weekend. This was a quick transition and worked well.

Posted: May 23, 2020

We prefer less homework but know that some other parents prefer more, so the school has balanced between our requests. There is still more than I like, but I understand why.

Posted: May 23, 2020

Most teachers are excellent. There are 1-2 from time to time that pull the average down, but overall we've been very happy.

Posted: May 23, 2020

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Posted: April 27, 2020

The time spent in homework increases gradually over grade levels, and seems to be just the right amount and format.

Posted: April 27, 2020

Every year we are sad to leave a teacher behind because we can't imagine having a better one, and every year we continue to be amazed about the consistent quality of learning and ability of all teachers.

Posted: April 27, 2020

Posted: April 27, 2020

Marci, the principal, leads the school with passion and compassion, and is always available to discuss any issues that come up.

Posted: April 27, 2020

Posted: April 27, 2020

Posted: April 27, 2020

We couldn't be happier to have our kids at DMP. Our son was in two top rated public schools before we made what at the time seemed the tough decision to move him to private school. It was not something that we had envisioned doing, but our son was struggling, unhappy and unmotivated, and no matter what we tried, things seemed to not be improving. Making the switch to DMP is one of the best decisions we have ever made for our children! Our son flourished at DMP and we were impressed by the high quality of the education, the remarkable leadership and dedication to learning of all teachers. When it was time to enroll our daughter in school a couple of years later there was no doubt in our minds that we had to enroll her in DMP. We have now been at the DMP for 4 years, and the school has become a second home to our children. We have been meaning to write a review for a long time. What prompted us to do this now, is the way that the school has been handling these challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Within two working days of schools shutting down, DMP started remote learning. The school is making every effort to assure the children and teachers have the resources they need for remote learning, and the learning format is flexible enough to try to accommodate the realities of the different families, and the needs of kids at different grade levels. Both my husband and I have continued to work remotely during the pandemic, with work being busier than it's ever been given the nature of our jobs. Somehow we have managed to juggle both school and work from home, and we are certain that much of our success in doing both has been the way that DMP has handled the remote learning. Most importantly, our kids have continued to be excited about learning and engaged. The ability of the school to quickly adapt to unforeseen and difficult circumstances is truly amazing. We thank the principal, Marci, and all the teachers for their dedication and passion for learning, and for going above-and-beyond always, and especially during these challenging times for all!

Posted: October 11, 2019

The administrators are very involved with every level of the school. They engage and collaborate with the teachers, and have a quality relationship with each student.

Posted: October 11, 2019

No child left behind. My child feels empowered regardless of the fact that he is challenged by ADHD.

Posted: October 11, 2019

The school is more like a family. Because the teachers are so engaged and the class sizes small, there is virtually now bullying!

Posted: October 11, 2019

Posted: October 11, 2019

The teachers at DMP are passionate and therefore happily engaging in educating our children. My child loves his teachers because they love what they do!

Posted: October 11, 2019

Because this school is small and the staff engaging, the curriculum has these elements woven in. The sixth graders help to teach the kindergartners throughout the year.

Posted: October 11, 2019

We are super happy with DMP, and anyone that asks knows it! Our son is thriving after a couple of tough years elsewhere.

Posted: October 7, 2019

All homework is reinforcement work from skills taught in class
Answers are gone over as a class the following day to ensure all is understood

Posted: October 7, 2019

Qualified, caring teachers that teach rigorous curriculum, giving help needed to those struggling, or extra challenges to those more gifted

Posted: October 7, 2019

This is enforced daily by all staff and in particular, the upper grades have the privledge of working with the school psychologist on social/emotional issues on a regular basis

Posted: October 7, 2019

Headmaster is involved in everything and knows every kid personally
She does recess & lunch duties, dismissal and carpool
Attends every parent-teacher conference
Continuous development with curriculum -academically and social/emotionally
Provides speakers of important topics for parent education
Created a community /extended family vibe for school
Set clear expectations for behavior, and consequences
Accountability is clear to all students and parents
Many family activities planned outside of school

Posted: October 7, 2019

Each student is individually assessed and their needs met accordingly

Posted: October 7, 2019

It had a zero tolerance policy and is enforced

Posted: October 7, 2019

My daughter is in 5th grade. We moved to DMP this year from R Roger Rowe public school in Rancho Santa Fe. My reason for switching schools was the lack of supervision at recess and lunch, and problems with bullying/social emotional needs not addressed. DMP has met our needs social/emotionally. Truly all the students are nice to one another and play together. It is not clicks, with mean girls, as we previously experienced. In addition, I have found the academics to be much more rigorous! We are very happy with the school and grateful we moved there this year.

Posted: November 17, 2016

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Posted: November 17, 2016

We recently had to change schools from a local public school. We were experiencing some adversity issues, some name calling and bullying. And while the school was doing the necessary steps to try to "fix" the issues, I felt like we were in constant "fix it" mode. I had heard great things about DMP and finally decided to overcome my apprehension about exploring a private school. The decision to change my son to DMP was one of the greatest I have made as a mother. DMP has set the foundation for love, kindness, respect, acceptance and for celebrating each child uniquely. The children there exude an energy of confidence and joy. My son has not once faced the ridicule he was experiencing at his old school. Children from every grade are welcoming to him and are always saying "Hello."

The teachers there are inspired and seem to authentically care about the children; you get the feeling that it isn't just a job for them. The teachers speak with the children rather than talking to them while they explore and learn. The classroom environment is engaging and the excitement of learning is palpable. My son has made leaps and bounds with his reading skills, it is a very exciting time.

I just adore my son's teacher, Mrs Murphy; she is wonderful! She is transparent and excited to be with and teach these children. She greets each one every morning with the most sincere hello. She seems to have a "fun" way of presenting learning (which I think is invaluable for the teaching of kindergarten).

The director, Marci, welcomed us and has helped us truly fit into the program to the point that it feels like we have been there from the beginning. She checks in with me frequently to make sure all is well even though she has 120 other families to care for. The entire staff is friendly and has made us feel welcome from the beginning as well.

Lastly, this is an awesome community. Full of welcoming parents who care and want to be involved in their child's education.

So so happy we made the switch. We finally found our home. ;0)

Posted: April 28, 2016

Marci and her staff are excellent teachers and give their very best each and every day. What sets the school apart however, is its continued focus on nourturing the whole child.

I have seen the transformation in my child as they moved from grade to grade strengthening their organization, research and self-reliace skills. We are always reminded by our child that character matters and about the golden rule.

I know that my child will be prepared for the next level in her education because of her years at Del Mar Pines. Trully a great school!

Posted: March 23, 2016

The teachers are truly gifted, and very kind and loving to the children. A fantastic combination. My child has soared academically and I think the individual attention the teachers give to children is very effective and helpful. They also make learning fun!

Posted: March 23, 2016

Perfect amount! Very reasonable amount each day and no HW on the weekends and holidays. The best part is that the teachers help the kids become more independent and responsible for doing their HW!

Posted: March 23, 2016

The school encourages students to be the best person they can be in terms of honesty and integrity. The teachers role model fairness, kindness, and ethics each day in their daily interactions with the children and each other. The school also provides multiple programs on giving and donations, that the children organize and participate in.

Posted: March 23, 2016

Del Mar Pines is truly a joyful place of learning and growth. We transferred our child to an upper grade in Fall 2015 because of a relocation. I was worried that my child would struggle with the change, as he loved his previous school. The first day I picked him up and asked how it went, he said, "Best school ever! I love my teacher!" This feedback speaks volumes.. and his love for Del Mar Pines has only continued to grow. The school is unique in that it is a small and highly nurturing environment that focuses on whole child development. Hence, the curriculum effectively addresses academic, artistic, cognitive, socio-emotional, and physical development. With 2 teachers in the classroom and a small number of children in each class, the opportunity for teaching to each child's strengths and vulnerabilities is available and excellent. The structure of teaching is exceptional, as it combines applied, project based learning, traditional academics, field trips, and arts. The teachers provided an effective scaffolding and organizational system to foster the child's development cognitively, interpersonally, and across subjects. The teachers are clearly gifted, and very loving and gentle with the children. Based on my observations, the kids love their teachers and are excited to go to school. The families and children at the school are also very kind and inclusive, and it was a smooth and easy transition for us. In sum, I would highly recommend Del Mar Pines as an exceptional school, and I am confident it is a school that fosters children's development and success in the best possible ways across multiple domains. Thank you Del Mar Pines! We are forever grateful...

Posted: September 7, 2015

Posted: September 7, 2015

This is our second year at Del Mar Pines (DMP) and we’re very pleased. Our local public school is considered very strong, but the large class sizes and limited individualized pacing caused us to consider a variety of private schools. What attracted us to DMP was its tailored small group instruction in math and language arts, its low student/teacher ratio, and its “extra” classes like Spanish, Science, P/E and Technology. The small group instruction in reading and math, with ~5-8 students in each group, allows for students to progress at an optimal pace for them while receiving more focused individual attention. Additionally, with a limit of 22 kids per class, and one to two teachers per class, classrooms are more easily managed and kids are less likely to be ignored. Marci, the head of school, is responsive to parent input and gets to know all the students personally, sitting in on all parent-teacher conferences. We’ve found this school to not only emphasize optimal academic growth, but the development of a well-rounded, considerate and caring child.

Posted: June 9, 2015

I would recommend DMP in a heartbeat to anyone looking for a K-6 school for their chiid/ren. The quality of its academic, social, emotional and physical program is outstanding and truly prepares its students for a journey of learning and exploration. The staff are outstanding - they truly care about each and every child's success in all areas and are the most equipped, able and approachable professionals I have met in a school setting.

Posted: June 9, 2015

Posted: June 9, 2015

Posted: June 9, 2015

DMP teachers take the time to nurture honesty and integrity amongst it's students. Classroom settings are small enough to allow positive relationships between the children.

Posted: July 22, 2013

We transferred to DMP School because of dissatisfaction with our local public school. The impetus driving the change was a non-differentiation policy adopted by our school which resulted in our child becoming a disinterested student. We were fortunate to find DMP in the last semester of the 2012-13 school year. During the remaining semester at DMP, we saw an immediate change in our child from a previously apathetic second grader to a thriving student. The biggest difference was the commitment and support by DMP faculty to foster the academic and social growth of each child. We were astounded by the superb quality of work and accomplishments our daughter was able to achieve. DMP provides a solid, well-rounded education by utilizing traditional teaching methods while embracing current technological tools. I believe a quality PRIMARY school education is the best investment a parent cam make in a child's future. I would highly recommend DMP to any parent looking for a school which encourages children to embrace education. DMP assesses each child's learning style and provides the tools necessary to cultivate academic and social success.

Posted: July 18, 2013

DMP is a very special school where children develop a lifelong love of learning and leave 6th grade with study skills and independent work habits that will serve them well for the rest of their lives. These skills and habits begin in K in a fun and positive atmosphere, and by the time they are in the 6th grade they are ingrained and a part of who they are. After my boys graduated from Del Mar Pines, they went on to attend another leading private school in the area. Not only were they prepared for their new experience, but these study skills they had developed at DMP helped to make them into successful students. The small group instruction with leveled groups affords each child the opportunity to flourish at their own pace. Children are taught to treat others the way they would like to be treated. The golden rule is really just a part of the curriculum. The teachers are caring and nurturing and make every effort to ensure the success of each child. On top of a challenging curriculum for Language Arts and Math, the school provides hands on science, technology (1-1 ipads and laptops), art, music, Spanish and PE. DMP was a great launching pad for my children.

Posted: July 16, 2013

I highly recommend Del Mar Pines School to anyone with elementary age students. It is a warm, safe environment where learning is fun and the exploration of knowledge is a priority. My two children have blossomed into great people here. They truly LOVE going to school every day and NEVER complain about homework. They are thriving because of the individualized attention they get from amazing teachers and staff and the well rounded curriculum with a lot of extras. At Del Mar Pines, children are challenged to reach their academic potential and encouraged to learn through hands on science, the best elementary school art and music program you can imagine, technology with iPads for every child, Spanish, PE and much more. I hear crazy stories about the class sizes and behavior issues that go on at our local public elementary school (a really good one) and I feel blessed that we were lucky enough to find the Del Mar Pines School. It is a very special place for children and their families, so I encourage you to visit the school to experience it for yourself.

Posted: July 8, 2013

This is the absolute best school in San Diego! When my son was entering Kindergarten, I was very worried about the "invisibilty" of gifted students in the public school classroom, as the public school has ever increasing demands of dealing with underperforming students and dealing with behavior problems. Some of my friends children in public school were kind of left to fed for themselves, while the scant amount of resources were being fought over. My child has had amazing instruction at Del Mar Pines! He is a full grade level ahead in reading and writing, and two grade levels ahead in math. Del Mar Pines is the most successful school I have ever seen at individualizing instruction. Additionally, my child gets music, art, spanish, and hands-on science all as part of the regular school program. At my local public school most of these programs have been reduced, if not cut completely! I just can't say enough how happy I am I put my child at Del Mar Pines. It has made a world of difference!

Posted: June 29, 2013

DMP is a bit of a hidden gem and we are glad we discovered this school! While we were definitely interested in a school that would address our child's specific academic needs, we also wanted a program that prioritizes social/emotional development and that helps students develop into thoughtful and caring individuals who respect themselves and others. We have found this to be the case at DMP. Additionally, we have been impressed with the way the Director Marci McCord is always working to improve the teaching and experience for the students. She is clearly very invested in the school.

Posted: April 4, 2013

Our daughter is a kindergartener at Del Mar Pines and we have been so impressed with everything about this wonderful school. Our daughter has blossomed and we attribute that to the great teacher/student ratio and the warm, caring atmosphere that the administration works so hard to foster, and of course the academics are stellar. The staff truly care about each student and their families. Recently there was a student talent show in which any student was welcome to participate. There were some very talented kids and some not as talented kids- however, the student audience never acted like they were bored or unimpressed. In fact, when a preformer was getting nervous or scared, the kids would start clapping to the music or waving their arms in time with the beat in order to encourage and support the child performing. As a parent, it was amazing to watch. My daughter came home lit up because a lot of "older kids" came up to her afterwards and told her what a wonderful job she had done. These kids are being taught a sense of community that you just can't get anywhere. I would recommend this school without hesitation and we look forward to our younger children starting here.

Posted: January 27, 2013

The decision to change schools can be a difficult one to make. However, sending our two daughters to Del Mar Pines, after many disappointments with our local public school, is the best decision my husband and I have made regarding our children's education! They are both thriving in a safe, nurturing, and highly academic environment. The teachers are dedicated to each of their student's success and go out of their way to make accommodations for those who need more/less challenging material. Del Mar Pines really teaches to the individual child and not the masses. Since my two daughters started at DMP, I am much more aware of what my daughters are learning and how well they are doing in school. There aren't anymore surprises come report card time! Del Mar Pines' Language Arts curriculum exceeds the standards that are set in public school. Other core subjects are equally challenging if not more than public school! Del Mar Pines exceeds my expectations daily!!!

Posted: January 26, 2013

Teaching kindergarten at Del Mar Pines is my passion and a joy every day! Our teaching staff is committed to creating a nurturing environment, to encouraging creativity, to instilling responsibility and to fostering life-long learning. The kindergarten class is a place where each child is celebrated for their unique qualities, and guided with patience and enthusiasm. Our small-group reading and math instruction allows each child to be challenged and to work at the highest potential. Every day is fun, whether we are discovering a stick bug with the video projector and looking up its characteristics on Wikipedia, or recording our voices on the iPad and exporting pictures about Martin Luther King Jr. The most rewarding experience is watching the children grow from kindergarten to sixth grade. It is a totally caring and supportive community involving the students, teachers, staff and parents. I have been teaching for over 30 years, and can t imagine teaching anywhere other than at Del Mar Pines School.

Posted: September 12, 2012

Del Mar Pines is a wonderful school. Our first child went to a "good" public school in the area and it pales in comparison to the level of teaching and attention to the children that DMP offers. It offers a small classroom environment with individualized instruction. Instead of focusing on high tests scores and attendance ratings, the schools' attention is on state ot the art technology and resources, effective curriculum and teaching, as well as academic and social success. The school has created a real community that my child (and our whole family) are proud to be a part of.