The Day Prep Private Education Difference 

Education, revolutionized. At Day Prep, children in grades K – 12 pursue topics across disciplines, synapses unleashed to forge connections. Built on the practices and habits of global innovators, 21st-century skills are the guideposts. Learning opportunities and achievement tracks are tailored to the individual, removing mainstream barriers accepted as the only way. Day Prep is WASC-accredited, meeting and exceeding the standards of our nation’s highest accrediting agency.

Change leaders recruit re-framers. We put to rest the content-based curriculum relic, designed in 1860 and still used in other public and private schools today. Students are freed from memorizing–and from taking multiple choice tests– on piles of information that is readily available on the internet. Students learn without a ceiling. A low teacher-to-student ratio fuels exploration as a class, in small groups, 1:1, and individually. Immersion in this optimal format speeds investigation, discovery, synthesis, mastery, and production.

Get into flow. Instead of reading a science textbook and answering questions at the end of each chapter, followed by a multiple-choice test, students write their own scientific journals based on hands-on science work. Students write and publish scientific journals with the elements included in professional journals. Embedded QR codes bring student publications to life. The same for History. Technology literacy is interwoven across the curricula.

Children create without constraint. At the heart of the Day Prep program is an autonomy traditionally unavailable to a schoolchild. Until now, the place a child goes to learn to think is where they are systematically taught how not to think. At Day Prep, the profound curiosity with which we are born is maintained and cultivated–with a paradigm shift that bids the child to co-create learning. Parents fervent about keeping their child’s light alive, choose Day Prep.

Learning without a ceiling means each child gets what they need when they need it–so, they progress faster.

The Method. The Material. The Master. Education is a profession based on science. So, you can leave it to us. We want families to enjoy their time together not to have to manage schooling or unnecessary homework. We believe in setting children and families up for success–removing obstacles with adaptable teaching, project-based learning, and engaging instruction. Exceptional people lead all. Our teachers teach–your child is not sitting on a screen. We hire the brightest and the best. We train them in our revolutionary methods. Teachers who place the scaffold–at just the right moment, in just the right place, for just the right length of time–inspire each child to progress at their peak performance level. Research has proven, multiple times since 1965, that the most important element in the classroom is the teacher. Day Prep creates an environment for its team and families that becomes a second home. At Day Prep, our teachers are valued as the highly educated professionals they are.

Foundational skills solidified. Signature skills amplified. Each of us does what we do all day with our abilities, not our disabilities. Signature skills, top values, innate drivers: Day Prep students learn how to identify these in themselves and others. Gone are the wasted days and years of simply following. We are all leaders. Every day we lead ourselves out of bed and to make choices throughout the day. From day one at Day Prep, children are taught to self-examine, evaluate, and hold themselves accountable. To ask: “How is this working for me? How do I change my results?”

With our Integrity Curriculum, Day Prep students learn skills in six key constructs: emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, communication skills, mindfulness, and executive functioning skills. One can be very good at math, write well, or be an expert reader, but achievement and joy in life can be significantly diminished when self-awareness, emotional regulation, executive functioning skills, and communication skills are lacking. We know this. So we provide the skills. Not for “those kids”, but for all our kids. Children implement proven, usable tools while guided by responsive teachers who understand and are deeply connected with themselves. As these lessons are taught, families are invited to apply these tangible skills at home.

Share with a friend. Call or shadow to learn more. 858.255.8135.

Enter a new educational world at Day Prep. Reimagine education with us.

What they say…

The head of our WASC Accreditation Dr. Wendy Parcel reported, “Standardized, school-created, custom curriculum is being used with fidelity by all teachers at the school. This allows for teachers to step in seamlessly for one another at any time, but more importantly creates a common language and vocabulary which is used school wide and helps promote greater student learning. Teachers commented positively on this common vocabulary, as well as voiced that they are taught to use the same methodologies and tools. The teachers feel well-trained, respected as educators, and mentioned that the high level of support they receive from administration is appreciated and allows them to focus on their job of educating students.”

“The methodologies, as well as the small student to teacher ratio, ensures that all students are receiving an individualized education, while being supported in a community of learners. Students report a love of learning, saying ‘the teachers care about me and help me learn.’ Students noted the myriad of hands-on activities that they get to do, from creating their own books, to excursions to further their studies, to hands-on science experiments. Discussions with students revealed students who are excited about their own learning.” – Dr. Wendy Parcel WASC Accreditation Visiting Committee

“This is how teaching should be.” –Ms. Duce, Head of School

“Mamma, at Day Prep I never feel left out, my feelings aren’t hurt and I have not cried once when you pick me up because someone was mean to me.” –Primary grades student

“We are so happy with our child’s teachers. Very grateful for everything!!” –Middle school parent

“Day Prep School is the best!”

“Hi! Thanks for checking in with us! My kids are SO happy with Day Prep. My daughter is really coming alive. I am grateful for Miss Keefer and the social/emotional component of Day Prep. I also really enjoyed the Power Parenting session and follow-up resources. I’m also looking forward to some Level Up extracurricular options for the kids! Can’t wait! Thank you for everything!”

“Happy Child – Happy Heart.”

“Sienna loves Day Prep. She only has positive things to say about her teachers, the environment, and the work she completes.”

Thanks so much! We look forward to a wonderful learning environment in the year ahead.” — High school student parent at Mission Bay

“We are so thankful for fun, engaging teachers! Mr. Montalvo is full of life and energy. Both of our girls are reading up a storm, excited to get to school in the morning, and seem encouraged and inspired. Thank you, Mrs. Day and team. ❤️💕❤️💕”

“My son LOVES his teacher and every day is SO excited to get up and go to school! My husband and I couldn’t be happier with our Day Prep decision!”

“I’m grateful for Day Prep.”

“For my child to learn and develop a love for learning”

All I can say is that after two years, Day Prep Private School has changed my son’s life and my family’s for the better. My son is being loved in a way that no other teachers have loved him. He finally feels confident and is striving to be the person he is—in his little genius self. The team goes way above and beyond for us all. I am truly grateful to have these people in our lives. Mrs. Day and her outstanding team, thank You for teaching us with your hearts. We Love You XXOO.”

“Thankful!!!!!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!!!!”

“Great work! We’ve had an excellent experience. Overall, our child is exceptionally happy. The teachers are great and very adaptable to the kids’ needs.”

“I am grateful that my kids are LOVING school. They are inspired and excited and open! Thank you.”

“Our 7th grader has had an incredible start. It was like we started to see her old energy and light re-emerge. Looking forward to learning more about enrichment classes so we can give her more daily Day Prep!”

“I am so incredibly impressed with Cara’s vision for children’s education. Her programs are organized and well-thought-out and are ideal for both younger and older children looking for more personalized in-person education, which is even more important during these times. I have amazing respect and admiration for the work that she has done to build this unique and special niche in K-12 education.”  ~Lauren Weiss, Ph.D., M.Ed., mother of 2 enrolled children, ages 10 and 12

“What we found at Day Prep is a program, an educational leader, and a community that not only preserves the magic of education in uncertain times, but a curriculum and education style that is revolutionary. One that I’ve been itching for, always knowing in my heart, ‘it could be done so much better.’ Thanks to Cara and Day Prep Private School, I’m now going into my children’s school years with excitement and pure confidence that we have preserved the magic and stability of school. I suspect we will never go back to the status quo.” ~Parents of 2

“We learned so much at the information meeting about the concept of school and how children learn in general. Wow. Just didn’t know what we didn’t know.”
~Parents of 2

“I like that there are several options at Day Prep and there is flexibility built-in. Day Prep responds to the emotions and the academics. My girls will love the fact that science and social studies are project-based, not just textbooks and worksheets. They are beyond excited. I love it.”
~Mother of 2

“This meeting affirmed much of what I knew to be true but couldn’t put into words. I have a clear path forward now, feeling much better if you can believe that. And the Level Up program for after school is also perfect for us.”
~Father of 3

Read about it HERE: In 2020, Day Prep stepped up in a time of need, serving over 400 children in 7 states, with 73 teachers–hired in trained in 8 weeks–providing in-person instruction for the 2020 – 2021 school year.

Thank you, parents!!