As we approach the end of our son's time at Gillispie, I find myself pausing to take it all in—nearly a decade. That’s not just a school experience; that’s a childhood... And what a journey it has been! We weathered a pandemic together. We navigated big life changes. We showed up, year after year, trusting that this school was a safe and steady place for our son to grow - and it was. Thank you for the countless milestones and memories. Thank you for being part of our son's story. 

We started Gillispie preschool last year when our daughter was 2 years old. My husband and I toured a few preschools and once we saw Gillispie we knew it was perfect. My husband and I both commented that we wish we could have gone there as kids! We felt so connected and involved in the school from the start. They had a great summer intro program I could take her to so she could get used to her classroom with me still being present. By the time school started she couldn’t wait to go without me! The staff makes sure you meet other families and feel so welcomed being a new family. Our daughter has blossomed at Gillispie. It has been amazing to see her confidence grow and become so connected to all of the teachers, students and staff.

Our family has been part of the Gillispie community for one year, and our son recently completed 1st grade. He is excited to return for 2nd grade, which speaks volumes about his experience.

What stood out most to us was the caring and supportive environment. Our son's teachers have been wonderful throughout the year. They are caring, thoughtful, and always willing to help. Communication with our family has been outstanding.

Over the past year, our son has grown academically, socially, and emotionally. Gillispie has helped him build confidence, independence, and a genuine love of learning. We are grateful to be part of such a warm and welcoming community and highly recommend Gillispie to other families.

We have two children at Gillispie, both of whom started in preschool at age 2. Our older child LOVED it from the first day - he would shout "my school!" anytime we drove past it and both kids have always been so happy going there.

The teachers are all amazing and invested in their social and academic development. Faculty and staff are easily approachable and readily available for questions or feedback. We always feel that we know what is going on in the classroom and what our children's strengths/areas of focus are.

We have also gained a community through the school, having moved to San Diego as new parents.

The school has modern facilities and the outdoor space for preschool is one-of-a-kind.

Overall, it is refreshing as a parent to see your children running out the door for school and even asking to go there on weekends!

As new parents to the Gillispie community, our three boys just completed an incredible first year in Kindergarten, 2nd, and 4th grade. Thanks to the personal attention from faculty who truly knew our kids, they thrived academically and socially through standout experiences like recreating California missions, studying mummies, delivering public biography presentations, and participating in high-quality music performances. We were immediately embraced by the staff and families, making Gillispie feel like home from day one.

As a parent of a second-grade son and a daughter in kindergarten, I am extremely pleased with the quality of education and the culture at Gillispie.

Teachers truly care about helping to grow our children into happy, well-educated young people with integrity and compassion. The administration is exceptionally well organized and provides solid communication with the parents.

Parents are enthusiastically involved in the school community and help provide a welcoming environment.

Most importantly, the students truly appreciate the wonderful opportunity they have by being a member of Gillispie. We feel very fortunate to be a part of this wonderful community.

What truly sets Gillispie apart is the extraordinary care and professionalism of its teachers and staff. During our child’s kindergarten year, we saw firsthand how every decision is centered around what’s best for the children. The teachers are not only experienced and thoughtful but also incredibly nurturing—they meet each child where they are and help them grow with patience and encouragement. Our child feels safe, supported, and excited to go to school every day (almost, sometimes it's hard to compete with Bluey and Bingo). We feel so lucky to have started our educational journey here. Schools and parents each have incredibly important roles in early childhood development; it’s my opinion that Gillispie takes theirs very seriously.

We’ve been part of the Gillispie community for 9 years, and it’s been like a second home. Gillispie does a great job nurturing creativity while also providing a strong academic foundation. The staff and teachers are caring, passionate and committed to helping the students thrive. There is also a strong sense of community among parents, teachers and staff which is really important to our family.

The Gillispie School has been a dream realized for our family. I attended Gillispie as a child and cherished those formative years--so enrolling our eldest in the Early Childhood Program in 2022 felt like coming home.

From day one, we were struck by the school's deep commitment to character development, curiosity, and collaborative learning. Our son has truly flourished, thanks to the exceptional teaching staff who nurture not only academic growth but emotional well-being. Their dedication is evident--years later, our son still greets every teacher and staff member by name, and they warmly do the same.

Gillispie fosters a strong, inclusive community that extends beyond the classroom. We've found lasting friendships with fellow like-minded parents who share our values around education and kindness.

Our middle son starts in the Littles Cottage this fall, and we couldn't be more excited for his journey. Gillispie is everything we hoped for--and more.

As parents of two young children who started in Gillispie’s pre school program three years ago, our time there has been nothing short of absolutely wonderful. The facilities and curriculum are outstanding, but what truly separates Gillispie as a private and independent learning environment for early childhood is the people. From the front office staff to the classroom teachers, the personal touch and connection they create are truly magical and you and your children feel it at every turn of the experience. A major testament to Gillispie’s head of school - you would be hard pressed to find a better early childhood educational team top to bottom anywhere in the world. Five stars!

As a parent to a Kindergartener at Gillispie, I could not be happier with the experience our family has had during our first year at the school. We have felt supported by the entire team of teachers and staff who are attentive, proactive and caring. Our daughter's confidence and skills have grown tremendously, and we love that she gets a well rounded education including specialty classes.

Our family has had the great fortune to be able to attend The Gillispie School for five remarkable years, during which our experience has been nothing short of extraordinary. The school's exceptional programs are noteworthy, yet it is the vibrant and dedicated community of teachers, staff, students, and parents that truly sets it apart. Gillispie's guiding principle, "The Journey Matters," is beautifully embodied in our son's educational experience. Gillispie’s approach to education fully integrates real-life experiences, making learning engaging, enjoyable, and infinitely valuable. The devoted teachers, who appreciate their own growth alongside their students’, are at the heart of this enriching environment. Furthermore, the staff—from the warm and welcoming individuals at the front desk to the exceptional specialty teachers—play an indispensable role in creating a nurturing atmosphere.

Students find a welcoming embrace at every juncture of their educational journey, while parents are not only esteemed and listened to, but also actively engaged in enriching their children's academic pursuits. Faculty and staff alike experience a profound sense of belonging within the school community, buoyed by robust leadership support. The prevailing sentiment is one of enduring commitment and contentment. Collectively, the community exudes warmth and affection, fostering an environment akin to a second home for all its members, where each individual is esteemed and acknowledged.