Del Mar Pines School

I picked Del Mar Pines for my son in Kindergarten, and he is now getting ready to start 4^th grade. I couldn’t be happier with his experience! Del Mar Pines has individualized his instruction from day 1, allowing him to have a richer elementary experience than he would have had in public school. The staff is exceptional and very in touch with my child’s needs, but what really is surprising is that the kids are universally so very conscientious and nice. Having the kids move up together as a class has enabled them to form deep bonds, and they are all like brothers and sisters. Enrolling our son at Del Mar Pines is the best decision that we could have made for our child’s educational success!

We have be associated with Del Mar Pines School since 1994 when my oldest daughter started Kindergarden. Currently, my youngest son is a 4^th grader and then and now there has always been a consistancy in the quality of education and the sense of community within the students, parents and staff.
Having a child that has already graduated from Del Mar Pines School I have been able to see how her educational foundation, fostered creativity and the encouragement of moral from her 7 years at the school helped her not only during her entire academic experience but also now in her professional career.
I highly recommend this school is you are looking for a nuturing enviroment that encourges confidence, creativity and academic excellence for your child.

Our child just finished Kindergarden at Del Mar Pines (DMP). This school is everything a parent could wish for and more. We started the school year at a Blue Ribbon public school with very high test scores and great reviews. We were so unhappy with what we saw at the public school that we switched mid Fall to DMP.
Marci McCord, the Director, is honest, caring and really has the best interest of the school and its students at heart. From the moment we toured the school, we immediately saw the difference and knew this was the place for our child.
First, our child was not going to be part of the «masses». There are only 150 students K-​6. There is no way your child will fall through the cracks. The school itself is small, clean and has a warm and loving environment.
The Kindergarden teachers are superb. Exactly what you would expect. They are loving, warm, open to parental questions. Class size is small. Two teachers per 20 students. Technology is a huge part of the school. In Kinder, each of the students has their own iPad to be used during technology time. The curriculum is above average and challenging. There is plenty of individualized instruction. Our child transitioned very well and flourished. Art, Spanish and PE are part of the normal curriculum.
The after-​school care is wonderful. Our child begs to go and spend time there. There is a wide variety of enrichment programs available. Mandarin, Chess, Mad Science, Lego Building, Cheer etc.
The older kids are so polished and polite. Many of the graduates go on to top tier schools such as Pacific Ridge, Francis Parker and Bishops.
Each Kindergardener and 1^st grade student have 6^th and 5^th grade «buddies». The bond that is formed with their Buddy is amazing to watch. The children look up to the Buddies and the Buddies look out for them. This program teaches the invaluable lesson of friendships and responsibility.
Finally, the parental community is fantastic. You really get to know the other families well and the sense of community is such a positive. Since our child stared mid-​year, we were a little apprehensive. The entire DMP community welcomed us with open arms.
I highly recommend DMP to any parent searching for a school. We count our blessings daily that we found this school.

We have been so impressed with everything about this wonderful school. Del Mar Pines seems to strike the all important balance between warmth and strong academics. Our daughter has blossomed and we attribute that to the low teacher/​student ratio, the warm, caring atmosphere, and the philosophy of teaching to each student. The staff truly care about each student and their families and we have been welcomed with open arms into the parent community.
Earlier in the year 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, particularly because the encouragement was strictly student led. Our 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. The 6^th grade/​kindergarten and 5^th grade/​1^st grade buddy program seems to integrate the school as a whole, so the upper grade students know and care about the little ones.
We have been very impressed with the children we have met who have come through this school which says something about both the school, and the families it attracts. It really seems as though the school brings out the best in each student. My husband and I would recommend this school without hesitation and we look forward to our younger children starting here.