Addison – Penzak JCC Preschool

Finishing off our third year at APJCC Preschool, I’m so glad we discovered this school (after striking out at three other preschools). It’s such a friendly and nurturing community. My oldest is thriving in kindergarten but really misses the preschool and is super jealous his baby brother goes to school here. We still keep in touch with the families from my older son’s pre-​K class because they’re just awesome people. Feeling very grateful to be part of this wonderful community. Can’t wait until summer camp fun starts soon!

Our son just finished his first year (including Summer Camp) at the APJCC Preschool and we love it. The families we’ve met are so friendly and genuine. It’s a really amazing and involved community. Our son grew so much developmentally in the year and made really great friends. And he absolutely loves the extracurricular classes offered. He did yoga, cooking, gardening, soccer, and art. The JCC also offers tennis, swimming, full range of dance, martial arts, circus arts & gymnastics, opera, drama, Spanish lessons, etc. Really fun stuff. It’s nice knowing that while I’m working away, he’s having a blast doing the things he enjoys and that there’s on-​site options for him to explore a new activity/​interest.
I love that the school is play based, but also has a good balance of discipline and structure. The regular preschool classes have music (the music teacher is so much fun!), art, seasonal/​holiday themes, and gym classes every week, along with occasional field trips (library, farm, etc). Very well-​rounded curriculum. They’ve incorporated Project Cornerstone for the 3s and 4s classes. There’s lots of opportunities for parents and grandparents to participate. In the aftercare program (includes lots of outside play), our son learned some Spanish and is really interested in taking Spanish lessons this coming year. It’s so awesome to see him passionate about learning.
During Summer Camp, our son got three days in the pool each week — two days of lessons and one day for free play. I’m pretty sure we’re going to be sending him back to the JCC for Summer Camp every year. Can’t wait till he’s 5 next summer and can do the LEGO camp sessions. There’s even circus and dance camps. It’s really hard to beat the facilities and offerings of the JCC — swimming lessons, full soccer field, tennis courts, great playgrounds, bikes, sand + water play, gardening, etc. There’s a ton of really fun events outside of school hours too.
I think it’s important to disclose that we’re a Catholic family, but we’ve been warmly welcomed to the preschool and it hasn’t been an issue at all. My son is learning about Judaism — traditions, holidays, some Hebrew, etc. The core values and lessons are transferable between our two religions, though. I’ve helped with the weekly Shabbat celebration in the class and not felt uncomfortable at all (pray, light the candles, break the bread, and drink some juice… sounds familiar, right?). We’ve learned a lot about Judaism and it’s full of beautiful traditions. I hope our son appreciates Judaism and keeps an open mind about other religions as he grows up.
Our son just outgrew a milk protein allergy (not life threatening — just upset stomach, hive-​like reaction) and the school was super accommodating about working with us on that/​letting us provide substitutes. They take life-​threatening food allergies very seriously, as well. This is a no peanut school.
Worth noting: There’s also security at the school/​JCC all the time, and we appreciate knowing that our child is somewhere safe. Security guards/​cameras aside, the teachers are very loving and warm as well. He’s in a safe place. And we can’t wait until his younger brother is old enough to enroll in preschool here.

I have two boys, 2 and 6, and both started before two years old here. The school is amazing at welcoming, nurturing and providing a base for future educational years. I would recommend this school to anyone in the surrounding area (we drive from Sunnyvale and it is well worth it!)

Our 2 boys attended the APJCC Preschool from 2008 — 2013. We love it! The teachers are the best; consistent, kind and wonderful. Most of the teachers have been worked at the APJCC Preschool for many. many years and truly enjoy teaching and playing with the students.
The activities are creative and educational in a fun and engaging way. It is a play-​based preschool, the students learn letters, numbers and songs through experiences — not drills. It is a Jewish-​based preschool, although I would guess more than half the families do not specifically practice Judaism. It’s warm, nurturing and caring — everything you want in a preschool for your children.
The best part I would say is the community! Everyone knows each other and we have become part of an amazing group of families. We have made many of our closest friends during our time at the preschool and are very sad to go. I love this preschool so much that I keep trying to convince my husband to have more children! (somehow he just laughs…)

I like the café, very friendly, the gym is relaxed with nice facilities, and the dance and yoga classes are very nice.