Rocklin Academy Gateway

This is a wonderful school. There’s a reason it has a waiting list. The staff genuinely cares for the children here. The parent involvement is really high. It’s obvious they spend their money wisely with all that is provided for the children. I would highly highly recommend this school. We are so happy here.

My kids do not go to this school. Here’s why: I called in February to get more information about the school as my child will be in kindergarten next year. I had apparently missed the open house held in December for the next school year, so I was out of luck. (How is a parent who’s never had kids in school supposed to know almost a YEAR beforehand when the open house is?! I was calling around the time the regular public school was taking registrations.) I was extremely disappointed in how I was treated on the phone by a female employee. She rudely told me how they will basically not allow you in the building unless your child is enrolled and you have been been fingerprinted and had a background check. No private tours/​appointments. How do I know if I want my kids to go there if I cannot tour your facility? What if I had just moved to the area during the school year? I would not send them to a school I have never laid eyes on! I would expect more transparency from a public institution. Ms. Rude said she would leave a message for the principal’s secretary about my complaint, but I was never called back. If I remember correctly, she actually hung up on me.
Then last week I went to pick up a friend’s daughter from the school as a favor to her and arrived a few minutes early with my pre-​school kids, so we hung out outside near the play yard fence to see if we could see their friend. After a few minutes (when we happened to be walking away from the fence), a female yard duty employee told me I could not stand next to the gate. I told her that I was not doing so, I was standing next to the fence (which was true). She told me I couldn’t stand next to the fence either and proceeded to give the inane reasons why not. Her attitude was condescending and disrespectful as well. What if I was there to pick up my own kids? Are you saying I don’t have the right to see what they’re doing, how they’re being treated, etc.
I will also simply allude to the rude and disrespectful treatment my friend (whose daughter I picked up) told me she was given on at least two occasions by office staff (most likely the same one I spoke to by phone). Let’s just say, don’t forget your kid’s shoes or try to safely back out of the parking lot during drop-​off time or you will be reprimanded and your kid punished because of no fault of their own.
I get that they want to protect the children – obviously I don’t want predators to hurt ANY kid! – but a little common sense and basic human decency should prevail in most situations. Apparently that is not a value at this school. Keeping the riff raff out is more important. Beware! Maybe your kid will learn their 3 R’s, but you will be treated like crap.

Great teachers and we are very happy with the attention our girls get in class. We have two here now and two more that will be coming here! Pickup and drop off are extremely busy but very well orchestrated. They also have an after school program if you need it!