Testimonials

My child has had an 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. 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!

Some reasons why Del Mar Pines is such a special place: (1) Kids are separated in groups by ability and then each of these groups works at a level that challenges them. (2) The school is completely child centered. (3) Marci McCord, Head of School, does a fantastic job balancing actively listening to the parents and at the same time being very practical and pragmatic about issues/solutions. Del Mar Pines is a gem.

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.

We have been with the school for the past four years and I am pleased with the way the school adapts to changing needs of the community and individual children. What differentiates Del Mar Pines from other schools is a program that challenges each child to their individual potential without adding layers of unnecessary stress and pressure. It is a school that focuses on developing academically strong, well rounded, well-adjusted and HAPPY children who are prepared to succeed in middle school and beyond.

It is so refreshing to know that the end of year surveys are received, analyzed, discussed, and positive change happens based on those discussions. To let every parent and child know that they have a voice, however big or small, is something to celebrate. I have immense gratitude for DMP, you, your staff, the families and kids and appreciate the amount of effort you put into their academics but also their environments and their emotional wellbeing. Thanks for creating such a safe and wonderful school for the teachers and kids.

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. The small group instruction with leveled groups affords each child the opportunity to flourish at their own pace. The teachers are caring and nurturing and make every effort to ensure the success of each child.

The teachers at DMP are extraordinary. They truly care about the kids and foster an environment not only for learning but also from developing great people. The school also keeps the parents informed at all times and proactively resolves any potential issues. Marci is the only principal I am aware of who knows each of the students at the school, on an individual basis.

This is a phenomenal school, and is the most child-driven, child-centered program we have ever experienced. The directors and the teachers put an extraordinary amount of energy into figuring out what makes each individual student tick, and what will unlock his/her love of learning and social potential. The teachers meet with parents four times during the school year, and it is a true two-way exchange.

I am thrilled to share my positive experiences as a teacher for the past 10 years at Del Mar Pines School, an institution that stands out for its exceptional staff, dedicated administration, and commitment to fostering a genuine love of learning.

The sixth-grade year is such an important growth year. It’s a time to cherish and solidify all the small lessons they have learned. In 6th grade they work hard but can also slow down and enjoy being the oldest on campus and mature, rather than becoming the youngest in a much bigger school, before they are psychologically ready for that.

We transferred our daughter to Del Mar Pines from a public school to join the sixth grade. At the beginning, we hesitated but the school was amazing. During this school year, we noticed she changed. She became more self-disciplined and more confident. We couldn’t be happier about her growth and feel lucky she was nurtured to her full potential at DMP.

We write this testimonial for Del Mar Pines School to say a profound thank you to Marci, her faculty and staff for the tremendous and positive impact they made on our children from kindergarten through third grade. In fact, while we recently moved out of state, the hardest part about leaving San Diego was taking our kids out of DMP and into an unknown new school setting. DMP community, education, and overall program was exceptional in the development of our children, both academically, and personally. They loved their teachers and excellent special instructors, and felt completely safe, as we did, in the DMP environment. We could not more highly recommend a school than we could DMP; we absolutely miss our friends at DMP!

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!

The teacher’s level of care and personal attention add to the overall quality of education and fosters a fun academic environment with high quality ancillary programs such as music, art, Spanish and technology.

My daughter graduated from DMP two years ago and is currently attending another top private school in the area. She was incredibly well prepared for middle school both academically and socially. She has been in all the honors/accelerated classes. Del Mar Pines School gave my child the confidence and skills to be successful in whatever academic environment she is in. The teachers, administrators and families are all exceptional.

The small group instruction gives each child the attention and assistance they need to succeed as a student. It sounds simple but it sets DMP apart. Your child will also receive an incredibly well-rounded elementary education which is rare these days. Music, art, Spanish, hands-on science and technology are important parts of the curriculum. Also, the sense of community is second to none. Children feel safe and nurtured which allows them to focus on learning and truly want to go to school every day.

Our children are quite literally filled with joy on a daily basis and completely engaged in learning. It’s impossible to exaggerate how much better things are going from that environment to this small nurturing school with wonderful teachers and small class sizes. We can barely get our kids to leave at the end of the day and the first thing they do when they get home is work on their homework excitedly. They tell us daily about all their experiences and our 2nd grader has asked us why we didn’t make the change sooner. For other parents weighing public vs private I can tell you that we regard this as one of the best decisions we have ever made.

From the moment we toured the school, we immediately saw the difference and knew this was the place for our child. There are only 150 students K-6. The school itself is small, clean and has a warm and loving environment. Class size is small. The curriculum is above average and challenging. In Kinder, each of the students has their own iPad to be used during technology time.

Our daughter recently completed the 6th Grade at Del Mar Pines. She transferred from another school and started in the 3rd Grade. I only wish we had known of this school earlier as we would have had her attend from kindergarten. She loved (loves) this school. As soon as she began in 3rd grade, we noticed that everything started improving – math, spelling, reading, writing, etc. The school has exceptional academics in a very warm and caring environment. It is a real community.

Del Mar Pines is a wonderful school that fosters confidence in the children who attend. The teachers are very involved in your child’s education as evident in the continuous parent feedback and thorough trimester report cards that are detailed and personalized. End of year standardized tests indicated that the schools performance as a whole is above the average standard for the state. The school caters to both gifted children and children who need extra support. Their after school enrichment program and after care make the school desirable for working parents (pickup at 5:15pm). The hot lunch program is good and healthy (even picky eaters enjoy it). The parents at the school get along well making social time enjoyable for both kids and parents.

The teachers and staff praise and encourage individuality, creative thinking, and artistic ability as well as academic success. This well-rounded environment provides students with an amazing foundation that will aid them in all future endeavors.Del Mar Pines’ small group instruction is a huge asset for its students. It allows for more individualized instruction and develops an appropriate pace for each student. The Art, Music, Science, P.E., and Spanish programs are phenomenal and give the students a very well-rounded curriculum. The teachers really focus on organization, responsibility, and independence in learning, which are the keys to students’ success for the rest of their academic lives. The teachers are very approachable and communicate with parents often about their students.

I have seen the transformation in my child and her classmates as they moved from grade to grade strengthening their organization, research and self-reliance skills. She always reminds us 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.

Having my children attend 6th grade at Del Mar Pines School benefited them tremendously. Their curriculum was extraordinary including a mock trial, 7 habits for effective teens, substance abuse prevention, learning ukulele, extracting DNA at a real lab, a deep dive into ancient civilizations, live performances and more. They effortlessly transitioned into middle school and high school with excellent study habits, strong character and solid understanding of who they are.

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.

That’s the other thing about DMP – both the girls and the boys are the nicest, most well-mannered students my family has ever encountered in a school setting. Lastly, I take my hat off and give a standing ovation to the teachers and to the director. They are each simply amazing.

One of the countless incredible aspects of Del Mar Pines is its remarkable and loving staff. Each member of the team brings a unique set of skills, passion, and dedication to the craft of education. Their commitment to fostering a positive learning atmosphere is evident in every classroom and contributes significantly to the overall success of our students.

We transferred to DMP School because of dissatisfaction with our local public school. 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. DMP provides a solid, well-rounded education by utilizing traditional teaching methods while embracing current technological tools.

I wholeheartedly recommend Del Mar Pines School to any parent seeking a nurturing and academically enriching environment for their child. The combination of an amazing, loving staff and visionary leadership under Marci McCord ensures that Del Mar Pines continues to be a place where students not only learn but thrive, leaving with the skills and knowledge necessary for future success.

Our son received a personalized education and is well prepared for middle school and beyond. The teachers know how to engage and challenge every single child and are given the tools and freedom to do it.

Our two kids go to DMP (currently in 2nd and 6th grade) and we couldn’t be happier. The academic, musical, science, art programs are great! The teachers are super nice, really work hard with the kids to make learning a super fun experience. The children are also ingrained with key values which are weaved into the curriculum and highlighted at various opportunities. Mrs. McCord is a great director and is really involved in every aspect of the children and the school. This school is a great stepping stone for middle school and beyond.

My son has had an amazing experience at Del Mar Pines! I was very apprehensive about our family starting kindergarten, as I had taught in public school for many years, and watched most things of value be cut out of budgets. I was so happy I found a school with rigorous and individualized curriculum that still provides excellent Art, Music, Spanish, and Science instruction. My son loves Del Mar Pines, and our family couldn’t be happier.

Del Mar Pines is a real gem. The staff, the principal, the teachers and the environment is very happy and they really know how to capture child’s interest. My husband and I loved the fact that our son was so happy at school. He was challenged academically in a very nurturing environment. The teachers are extremely helpful and ready to answer every child’s need. They are very encouraging and loving. We loved every moment and our son loved it too! We recommend this school to all of our friends. It is a very special place for the kids to learn and grow.

Del Mar Pines is an amazing place for our daughter. She started kindergarten in Sept 2020 when most other schools were remote only. Mrs. McCord and the entire team ensured a safe and productive learning environment and allowed students to be in person. Since then, she has done well socially and has been challenged academically as she has moved up in the school. The environment is positive and fosters mentorship between younger and older students. Has been a great school for our family and look forward to our son starting kindergarten this fall.

My daughter always felt cared for and protected at Del Mar Pines School. She learned core values of friendship, respect, good character, moral integrity. In addition, the art and music curriculum is first class. The teachers are all outstanding and very involved with their students. She was so sad to leave but we know she is very well prepared for the challenges that lay ahead in middle school. We will never forget our time at Del Mar Pines. I think she made many lifelong friends. I do recommend this school to everyone. If you get the chance, send your children there. You will not be disappointed.

Del Mar Pines is everything you would hope for in an elementary school. The class sizes are small, with math and reading taught in even smaller groups with an additional teacher. The curriculum is carefully thought out and follows a continuum from K-6. Art, music, Spanish and PE enrich the experience. The social environment is sweet, with gentle guidance toward being a kid of character. The teachers are terrifically experienced and often of significant tenure. Leadership: A+. My three left DMP with a very solid academic foundation, leading to confidence and success in middle school and beyond. DMP is a great choice!

We have been so happy and impressed by this small, but mighty, school. We are confident that our children are going to receive the education that they deserve in an environment that is going to nurture, stimulate and challenge them. The atmosphere at the school is all inclusive and there is a sense that everyone is looking out for one another, while still maintaining high academic standards.

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.