Topeka Collegiate School

Posted: October 20, 2021

The school is very welcoming of new families. Given the small classes, parents get to know each other quickly. Academically, the school helps the students advance at a quick pace. If a child is having trouble, the teachers are more than accommodating in helping students be successful. Our transition has been very enjoyable, having students and parents focused on academics will only benefit kids throughout their educational endeavors, along with their careers.

Posted: October 20, 2021

Posted: October 20, 2021

Posted: October 20, 2021

Posted: October 20, 2021

Posted: October 20, 2021

Posted: October 20, 2021

Posted: October 20, 2021

Posted: April 13, 2021

Posted: April 13, 2021

Topeka Collegiate no longer offers a unique learning experience in comparison to local schools. The technology offered is woefully inadequate, and the middle school students have classes in trailers that were not supposed to be permanent. The leadership has not kept up with new trends in learning either. The head master has changed frequently and there are members of the board of directors that don’t have a college degree. The teachers and staff are often current/former parents, which seems to be a cost saving measure.
When considering the advances in education such as The Avenues World School in NYC, Topeka Collegiate is surviving not thriving.

Posted: April 13, 2021

Posted: April 13, 2021

Posted: April 13, 2021

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Posted: April 13, 2021

Posted: April 13, 2021

Posted: October 13, 2020

Posted: October 13, 2020

Posted: October 13, 2020

Posted: October 13, 2020

AMAZING! I go there, and love it. My cousins and friends who go to other schools, even in higher grades, say I'm smarter, and my school is awesome. The teachers have an effective approach to learning as well.

Posted: October 13, 2020

Posted: October 13, 2020

Posted: October 13, 2020

Posted: January 26, 2018

My daughter went to Topeka Collegiate for first grade after I pulled her from the Lawrence school district (LHES) for seriously underqualified teachers, poorly managed classrooms, and out-of-control students. Yes, we drove from Lawrence, and I would do it every day, every year if we still lived in Kansas. My daughter has a gifted-level IQ and was challenged by the curriculum and given opportunities to learn ahead of the class in the subjects where she most excels. I walked down the halls with her every day, and teachers she didn't even have (and students not in her class) would say her name and tell her hello with a smile. It's one of the most welcoming school communities I've ever seen, and between the two of us, we have a significant amount of experience with different schools. The parents are also very welcoming, not cliquey like in other prep schools. Since moving away, I've also found that many school administrators are really unpleasant and/or don't know the answers to seemingly important questions about their own schools, so it makes me that much more appreciative toward everyone at TCS. We wish that we could move the school with us!

Posted: January 26, 2018

Posted: January 26, 2018

They all seem to enjoy being there, are qualified to be there (very important!), and they get to know your child.

Posted: January 26, 2018

The classes do service projects and volunteering.

Posted: December 5, 2017

Posted: December 5, 2017

Posted: December 5, 2017

Posted: December 5, 2017

Posted: December 5, 2017

Posted: December 5, 2017

Posted: December 5, 2017

After poor experiences at public elementary schools in two local districts, we made the decision to switch to Topeka Collegiate and have never regretted that decision and only wish we'd have done it sooner. An environment that fosters academic excellence, small class sizes, staff supported by a community of parents and family involvement, unique volunteer and learning opportunities inside the classroom & out, the best support & office staff in any school you'll find in Topeka, just an overall positive and nurturing atmosphere. I would and do highly recommend Topeka Collegiate to everyone I know.

Posted: August 16, 2017

Topeka is lucky to have this educational option in the community. This is truly a school community - faculty, staff and parents. We've been there for 10 years; every year we see our kids grow in confidence and competence and are reminded about why we make sacrifices for them to attend. It's truly a gift to have teachers who get to know your child, not just in their current grade but before and after having them in class. They get to know them as individuals - where they excel, where they struggle and how they can help students graduate Collegiate as the best version of themselves. They can think, write and speak - we're not sure what the future holds, but we know they are being prepared in the best way possible.

Posted: August 16, 2017

Posted: August 16, 2017

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Posted: August 16, 2017

Posted: February 6, 2017

This is a wonderful school that has a superior academic program. They stress the physical and emotional safety of each individual child. They teach beyond the book by using hands-on activities, field trips, experiments, etc. Best school in Topeka!

Posted: February 6, 2017

Posted: February 6, 2017

Posted: February 6, 2017

Posted: February 6, 2017

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Posted: February 6, 2017

Posted: October 19, 2016

Posted: October 19, 2016

Posted: October 19, 2016

Posted: October 19, 2016

Posted: October 19, 2016

Posted: October 19, 2016

Posted: October 19, 2016

Topeka Collegiate has given my kids a great education - meeting them where they are and taking them farther than they knew they could go. They are challenged daily, encouraged always, and even in the midst of a rigorous academic setting, are creative, playful, thoughtful and caring. We have good public schools in our city, but I wouldn't choose anywhere else for my kids to get their education. Topeka Collegiate is the best fit for our family.

Posted: October 12, 2016

Our child started at Topeka Collegiate School in Jr. Pre-K. TCS’s mission is to prepare students for advanced education, successful careers and responsible citizenship through a commitment to academic excellence and humanitarian ideals. After having been at the school for a few years now, we can attest that they live up to this mission!

Posted: September 21, 2016

This school has an incredible faculty. They're highly successful in engaging students & creating life-long learners. The students at this school learn terrific study skills & respect for others. All around top-notch!!

Posted: September 15, 2016

Topeka Collegiate has provided an environment for my child to take risks, celebrate successes and learn from mistakes. It is an incredible place where children truly thrive!

Posted: September 14, 2016

Posted: September 14, 2016

Posted: September 14, 2016

Character and leadership development is a key piece of the school's culture. I appreciate the school' efforts to raise bright leaders.

Posted: September 14, 2016

I have two children at Topeka Collegiate and I have seen both of them blossom into confident and eager learners. Each day they are excited about what they are learning. I find the curriculum is engaging and appropriately challenging!! The teachers know my students, the culture is on their well being, and it is a great investment to their future. Thank you TCS!!!

Posted: April 27, 2016

Posted: April 27, 2016

Posted: April 27, 2016

Posted: April 27, 2016

Not sure why I paid 10k for my pre schooler to go there. Overrated. Overpriced. Underqualified staff. If your child is average and you do not enroll her/him in A plus or any other extracurricular academics (this includes supplemental homeschooling) be prepared to get flagged for being behind or slow. Do your research before you spend a fortune. They don't really care one way or another if you are there or not.

Posted: September 15, 2014

Topeka Collegiate is an exceptional school! Independence, responsibility and creativity are fostered in the most natural, common-sense ways in a truly child-focused environment. Our family loves how challenging and balanced the curriculum is and the school's priorities align with our family values. A lot of time is allotted for kids to play, read books they love and attend all the "specials" (Music, PE, Art *and* Spanish, Science, Computers and Library!). The gifted programs I am familiar with at other schools do not come close to supplementing and differentiating for students like Topeka Collegiate can. Small class sizes, commitment to personal attention and the autonomy of the talented teachers at this school make all the difference in the world. I have worked in several different school environments and have never seen students and teachers as happy as those at TCS. Our children, after attending public school for two years, are repeatedly compelled to verbalize how comfortable they feel to truly be themselves at Topeka Collegiate. We live 25 minutes from TCS and our experience here is worth every minute of the commute. Visit and tour the school, you'll be sold!

Posted: August 26, 2014

There's not enough good and positive words in the dictionary to describe TCS. My daughter has attended TCS for 5 years since pre-K and I can see the positive results in her education. I would recommend TCS to any family looking to challenge and enhance their child's education.

Posted: April 28, 2014

Topeka Collegiate is one of the best gifts we've given our children. As recent graduates, they've entered high school ahead of their peers both socially and academically. The skills they learned at Collegiate, coupled with the relationships with their fellow students and amazing teachers, will last a lifetime. We are grateful for TCS and would highly recommend it to families seeking a once-in-a-lifetime education experience for their children. The return on investment is beyond compare.

Posted: April 28, 2014

Topeka Collegiate offers a challenging academic curriculum. Students graduate 8th grade with a love of learning that lasts their entire lives. It is truly a wonderful school where children run in the doors and walk out.

Posted: April 28, 2014

Making the decision to send our children to Topeka Collegiate School has been one of the best choices and investments that we have made as parents. TCS offers an unparalleled approach to experiential learning that is focused on the development of the whole child. TCS not only prepares students to excel academically as they prepare to enter high school but helps instill the critical skills and abilities that are foundational for future learning success and leadership.

Posted: April 27, 2014

Topeka Collegiate is simply the best school in this region of Kansas, with an academic program that comparable to the best independent schools across the country. Students emerge from middle school with a degree of independence and mastery that truly shows in their high school performance and beyond.

Posted: April 1, 2014

Topeka Collegiate is a wonderful school where children are able to excel at an individual pace and builds upon the individual strengths and unique character of each child. The teachers and administration are top notch. We are very very happy.

Posted: September 9, 2013

Friendly and Knowledgeable staff. A Positive and Creative School dedicated to children's needs for educational growth and development.

Posted: August 13, 2013

As my children walked in the doors on their first day of school today, I remembered right away why my husband I make the sacrifices we do to send our children to this topnotch school. You couldn't ask for a more welcoming environment. At the end of every year, our chlldren hate to leave the wonderful teachers they had for the school year. However, we are always thrilled with the teachers they get for the next school year. The teachers are highly trained in all academic areas, including technology. In life we have found that you get what you pay for. We are definitely paying for the best education for our children! It is worth every penny!

Posted: April 12, 2013

Inclusive, child-centered school which celebrates each child's unique learning talents. I have two children go through it, one currently enrolled. It is unique in Topeka, and is the only school in Topeka comparable to more expensive schools in the Kansas City area such as Pembroke and Barstow. My children who have graduated miss it so much!

Posted: February 25, 2013

TCS is a welcoming, inclusive academically excellent school. Our family has been so pleased with the teachers and the relationship that our children have developed with them. The education is outstanding. I feel it is head and shoulders above all other schools in Topeka.

Posted: May 27, 2012

I am a proud graduate of Topeka Collegiate School. The school has been a gem in the Topeka community for 30 years. At TCS, Learning and being smart are considered cool. Creativity and ingenuity are encouraged. Growth of the whole student is carefully nurtured. Parent participation is eagerly welcomed. Community service is part of the curriculum. High expectations for achievement and behavior are met by students every day. Students learn through meaningful experiences, not just books and computers. Families share a passion for their children s education. Tour the school, meet the new Head of School, and see the powerful results of engaged teachers and motivated students working together.

Posted: April 18, 2012

We are very happy with our experience at Topeka Collegiate. Our son has attended for four years and we couldn't be happier. The teachers clearly love their job and love teaching and it develops children who in turn love learning. We appreciate the small class sizes and the individualized instruction in science, music, computers, spanish, art, and more. I would highly recommend this school to anyone.

Posted: April 15, 2012

In this active, family-oriented environment, each student learns respect, responsibility and resourcefulness, as well as leadership, organization and decision-making skills. Each student matters and is treated as an individual not a number! Small class sizes facilitate the perfect environment for each student to develop a unique learning style that will best enable him or her to achieve academic success both now and in the future. The competition for scholarships is high, it is our job as parents to set our children up to best achieve academic excellence. Sometimes we are fortunate enough to just get it right.

Posted: April 14, 2012

Topeka Collegiate is an exceptional school where children are treated as individuals and encouraged to explore their interests. Topeka Collegiate is a school where students, parents, and faculty truly value education. The opportunities and experiences at Topeka Collegiate are unmatched. I feel very fortunate to be a part of this wonderful school community.

Posted: October 20, 2011

We have been at Topeka Collegiate school for four years. We have been very happy. My child loves the school, she excels in her academics. The teachers are amazing. They work very hard and it is obvious they enjoy teaching. The school environment is very family friendly and wehave made friends with very many people from diverse environment. Collegiate has a lot to offfer to everyone willing to get a high quality education in a fun secure place.

Posted: August 17, 2011

I am a past parent. I have a Senior in High School and a Junior in College. The education that both of my Sons received at Topeka Collegiate has allow them to excel when compared to their peers. The education my kids received is probably the best investment my Wife and I have ever made.

Posted: August 2, 2011

This school suffers from poor leadership both from the Headmaster/administration as well as the Board of Directors. When you have a concern, neither the Headmaster nor the Board are willing to talk to you. They do not want or allow input from parents unless you have BIG $$$. Over the last several years they have gotten rid or chased away most of their top-notch teaching staff. Teachers are so afraid to lose their jobs that they don't dare say or do anything unless they are told to do so. This certainly is not the friendly and welcoming place it used to be many years back. While there are a limited number of 'middle class' families, a majority are (or think they are) upper class and give upper class families a bad name. Many parents walk the halls with their noses in the air which is unfortunate. Overall, this is an extremely expensive and unfriendly school. There are other options that provide an equal or superior education in an environment that is much more family friendly and supportive.

Posted: April 27, 2011

My kids have been at Collegiate for 6 years now. They have been wholly educated--they learn from books, they learn through experiences, they learn through others' experiences and the teachers make sure they have a complete education. My kids are complimented regularly on their maturity and behavior and when I accompany the classes on field trips, the organization always says how well-mannered the TCS kids are. I love this school and as my kids enter middle school, I am delighted that they will be thoroughlly prepared for upcoming higher education. I am delighted that we will have the advantage of the experienced, professional teachers that fill our middle school. The upcoming year will be especially exciting with new leadership and the positive environment established by the departing Head of School.

Posted: January 30, 2011

Topeka Collegiate is still the best preK-8 education in Topeka. Forget the testing-driven, rote-learning that is now the norm in public schools, and many parochial ones as well. At TCS students experience rich, authentic learning enhanced by many special traditions, field trips, and experiential learning--the type of education that unfortunately is falling by the wayside in favor of test prep in many schools. They are still getting an excellent grounding in the basics. All graduates enter the honors/AP/advanced tracks in the high schools. The interim principal has done a great job creating a positive environment and the school really feels like a family. The teachers know your kid, and find ways to make your child shine. Yes, we have to make sacrifices as a family to make it work, but what could be more important than our kids' education?