My Special School Preschool offered our daughter Alegra a safe environment to explore and grow due to the small group setting and the individual attention each child received due to their particular needs. Our daughter, who is shy by nature, learned to find a strong voice and to gain confidence in a group setting. As we are educators by trade (Teacher and Principal), we knew how imperative it was for Alegra to have a solid educational foundation in a Preschool. During the time Alegra was with Alice, we were always very pleased by the education she received. Alice was always very kind, loving, and caring, yet she also balanced this with consistent high expectations of the children. We would highly recommend Alice Tropper and My Special School for a strong educational foundation for your preschooler.
Parent Testimonials
Parent Testimonial: Susie & Ruben Lopez
Anna blossomed under your care and guidance and enjoyed every moment of her time with you and the other children in her class. You so firmly but gently ushered her (and us!) through those early years in a way that reassured us all, and made it so the experience and growing pains were as easy and pleasant as possible. Anna learned not only a very solid educational foundation, and had such wonderful tastes of Yoga, Dance, etc. but learned the more important skills of kindness, honesty, patience and to use and trust her voice and feelings. We are all so grateful for the wonderful experiences we had with you Alice, and know that you will always have a special place in our hearts!
Susie and Ruben Lopez
March, 2012
Parent Testimonial: Bonnie Hill
My Daughter’s time at My Special School was not only magical and wonderful, it well prepared us both for the Kindergarten year to come.
Bonnie Hill
August, 2012
Parent Testimonial: Sharon Currie
My daughter attended My Special School from 14 months old all the way to kindergarten. From day one, my daughter was loved, cherished and taken care of in a way at least equal to what we would do at home. The way she was introduced to responsibility, ethics, being a good friend, fairness and adventure were all the building blocks that made her the fine young lady she is today at 12 years old.
Sharon Currie
November, 2012
Parent Testimonial: Erin & Ethan Boehme
My Special School is a unique and enriching Preschool program. Being a teacher myself and holding a degree in Early Childhood Education, I am very specific and critical about the care and education my children receive. Alice has been an exceptional teacher, caregiver, and friend to both my children. She has created an environment for children that allows them to build confidence in becoming independent thinkers and doers. Alice is detail oriented and understands the importance of consistency in a young childs life. Through this, the children know that they are safe to trust, try, make mistakes, and try again, even in areas that challenge them. Alice is careful to bring valuable experiences to her students on a daily basis. Alice conveys the importance of human relationships for all ages and supports this by taking her group to weekly meetings in an elder community where the children eat lunch and tell stories with their elders. Through these experiences, the children are gifted with the skills to behave appropriately , to respect people of all ages and cultures, and to contribute to society in a meaningful way. We feel so blessed to have attended My Special School and we have benefited greatly from the quality of care Alice gave our two children.
Erin and Ethan Boehme
April, 2009
Parent Testimonial: Sabra Weber & Jeff Mills
Our son Trystan attended My Special School for three years. Alice creates a warm, safe and comfortable environment where children develop a passion for learning. This success is mostly due to her unique ability to create strong boundaries and pedagogical structure while always interacting with deep love, caring and understanding for each individual child. Alice’s communication style is always gentle and clear. Each day, Alice establishes and reinforces strong values in all of her students – kindness, compassion for all living things, authentic communication and a vital curiosity about the world. Trystan developed a wonderful sense of confidence and relaxation during his time with Alice. We could not dream of a better place for Trystan to spend his pre-Kindergarten days! We feel lucky to have been a part of her (ever growing) community.
Sabra Weber and Jeff Mills
March, 2010
Parent Testimonial: Rebecca Zendejas & Matthew Thornley
It is with deep appreciation the we give thanks for your participation in our son Morgan’s Preschool experience. While we have had our challenges adjusting to new routines, environments and expectations; Morgan’s transition from Preschool to Kindergarten has been an overwhelming success. By his own account he loves Kindergarten. We believe much of his appreciation is an extension of his first experience of school with you. It amazes me that the first time we visited your school Morgan was just over two years old. Though visits will be less frequent, it is warming to know that you continue to be a part of our lives. Much love and gratitude.
Rebecca Zendejas & Matthew Thornley
November, 2007
Parent Testimonial: Susan Rakov & Vince Semonsen
Asher is moving on to Kindergarten after four full years at My Special School, and we want to take this opportunity to thank you for that experience. Asher’s time at school, spanning the key developmental years of his life, has been all we could have asked for. You have given him the opportunities and encouragement he has needed to move gracefully through toddlerhood and his preschool years, developing into the beautifully adjusted, creative, inquisitive, active, musical, physical, fantastic little Asher-man that he is today. The community of families you’ve built has offered him, and all of us, a special sense of belonging and friendships that have endured. For all this we thank you. Long may you wave!
Susan Rakov & Vince Semonsen
August, 2007
Parent Testimonial: Kim Selkoe & Ben Halpern
Alice is one of those rare souls on this planet that has the passion, love, patience, and ability to be a tireless and beloved teacher for young kids. She provides structure and discipline in a positive, loving and peaceful way. She makes time for one-on-one learning with each child when she sees s/he is ready for it, whether its potty training, street safety, preparing to become a big sister or brother, reading, writing or math. Alice works hard to give her students a diverse and exciting set of experiences that gets them engaged with the broader community. She instills in the kids a love of life and an adventurous, out-going nature. It is clear she deeply bonds with every one of her students and the kids adore her – graduates now in their teens and college years regularly visit to reconnect with her, which is a remarkable sign of the influence she has had on their lives.
Kim Selkoe & Ben Halpern
January, 2012
Parent Testimonial: Jennifer Miller
Many years ago, before I had my own child, I worked at Girls Inc. On Tuesdays after the Gym-minies class, I used to overhear Alice and her kids interacting outside my office window. I thought, when my child goes to preschool, that’s who I want him to be with. When it was time for my son to start preschool, I found Alice and that’s where he went. My son was always happy to be at Alice’s; not once did he tell me he didn’t want to go to school. Alice is warm and nurturing in addition to being fair and patient. The blend of onsite activities and offsite field trips was awesome. My son is now a junior at Santa Barbara High School. What he learned about relationships and interacting with others at Alice’s, he still practices today. I have since recommended many families to Alice and all have been pleased.