Columbia Academy: Thunder Hill Preschool

Prior to Columbia Academy, we have attended other daycares, claiming to be a schools. There were good people, but they didn’t last. It was a rotating door of teachers and aides. By the end, my daughter didn’t want me leaving her. She would cry and cling to my leg every day. It was miserable. We then joined Columbia Academy and my daughter has progressed significantly. She is only in the two’s but she can count to 20 and sing the ABC’s. They have activities scheduled each day that keeps her engaged. They play; they have musicians come in and sing; they have coaches come in for physical education; they have splash days in the summer. She loves going to school. And I can see how much she learns when she comes home. I also know she is in good hands when I go to work. The teachers have been excellent. And while there has been a recent change in ownership, my daughter has not felt any of the effects. This school was the best choice we have made for our child. It’s worth every penny.

My 3, now 4 year old thrives here This is the best school she’s been to Very communicative school Amazing and fun learning She has confidence and gained practical knowledge all due to her teachers Ms Owen’s Ms yessica and Mr tiger

Our child has only been with C.A. for a couple of weeks now but from what we can tell it is a great school. The teachers are involved with the kids and our child is so happy to be there.

We would not recommend Columbia Academy due to their handling of a tuition deposit refund. We’ve never had an issue paying Columbia Academy, but when it comes to returning money to parents, they seemingly treat the matter with indifference. I say parents because we’ve spoken to others and they have conveyed the same issue. It took over ten weeks of emails and probing to receive our refund. I don’t know if this was the fault of a single person or just a systemic attitude of not caring when they have to pay out money to parents. Throughout the whole ordeal, we felt ignored and not taken seriously. We were on the verge of taking this matter to MD Small Claims court. I don’t have the writing skills to concisely convey the level of anger and frustration we felt but I’m hoping those feelings are not lost in this review. Our anger drove us to withdraw our son from their TK program even though it cost us two months’ tuition and fees we had already paid. This is not a reflection of their teaching staff. Most of them are excellent. We just could not stomach doing business with an establishment that lacks integrity. Because what else would they not share with you? To Columbia Academy, if you should see this review, please spare us your canned response.

We have a two year old boy who has attended this school for over a year. He always receives quality care from his teachers who are caring and giving people.