Top Kindergartens in Boise, United States

This is THE BEST school and community. Our daughter has attended for 5 years and will continue until 9th grade (the last year offered). It's a supportive, inclusive environment that nurtures kids who LOVE learning.

Academically, they're flying through incredible books (The Giver in 5th/6th grade, read in two weeks), doing units on chemistry and physics before 6th grade, and doing complex math that they truly understand. Imagine my surprise when we were flying in bad turbulence and my 11 year old turned to me and said, "We're completely safe... it's physics!"

Socially, the kids are confident, independent, and encouraged to share their ideas and curiosities. They form deep friendships with their peers and there aren't the typical cliques seen in many other schools. There is extra (exceptional) support for kids who need it.

We can't say enough about what a caring, warm community this is. Our family is forever grateful!

Our children are excelling at this IB school, benefiting from a rigorous curriculum and a supportive community. We've made great connections with other families in the elementary school and look forward to many more successful years.

We’ve had our children at Riverstone from preschool onward (they’re now in 4th and 7th grade). The education and educators are great. We value particularly the outdoor program (one fifth of the curriculum is focused there), as well as the flexibility the teachers have to tailor learning uniquely to a child. They’ve fostered a culture of learning at Riverstone, and since learning is never done, our kids are in an environment that encourages trying new things, exploring pathways to different ideas and new discoveries for themselves. And yet, for us all the growth and challenging learning our kids have received over the years, it’s second to how happy they are everyday to go to this school. I can’t underestimate the value we as parents get from seeing our kids wake up excited to go to Riverstone International School.

I have been fortunate to be a student, a staff member, and now a parent at Riverstone. The school has evolved over its almost 30 years, but the same small community that deeply cares about the success of its students continues to be at the heart of everything.

I am thrilled to have my kids attending now. I love that their teachers get to know them so well and see the care afforded to them in the small classes. I look forward to them gaining the same experiences at Riverstone that I did as a student. The international diversity and the outdoor education are two of the most important aspects of the Riverstone experience to me. My kids get to know students from around the world and gain a better understanding of different cultures. They also learn important outdoor skills through exciting and empowering outdoor experiences, I know that they will develop the same appreciation for nature and our world that was instilled in me.

This school is a gem and we are lucky to have such world class academics a d programming here in Boise.

Riverstone has been an amazing experience for our two daughters. The academic standards are excellent, and the school’s ability to connect and foster growth within each child is something we hadn’t experienced at previous schools. The teachers are highly qualified, caring, and motivated to push each child to achieve their personal best.

We moved to Idaho from another state, and Riverstone has truly helped us to find a caring and supportive community within Boise.

We absolutely love Riverstone International School! This year has been incredible for our son, and we’ve already seen so much progress thanks to the personalized attention and the small class sizes. The teachers really get to know each student, which has made a huge difference in his confidence and learning. The supportive and nurturing environment helps him thrive, and we couldn’t be happier with our choice. Highly recommend Riverstone for anyone looking for an amazing, individualized education experience!

I have had two children attend Riverstone International School from elementary school through middle school and into high school. Both have benefited greatly from the school's academically rigorous IB program, its unique outdoor experiences, and its incredibly kind and supportive student body. The faculty have been very accessible and helpful in personalizing education for each child, and I have seen the results of the education when my children have participated in programs outside the school and received recognition for outstanding performance. I would recommend Riverstone highly and without reservation to anyone looking for an outstanding academic education within a supportive environment that helps them develop a range of important life skills including critical thinking, community involvement, and communication skills.

I’ve been teaching at Riverstone for the past five years and I’ve seen first hand the energy, compassion, critical thought, and love that our faculty pours into our students and community! 😊 I’m grateful to work alongside such stellar educators and such motivated students. The culture at Riverstone is unmatched - social-emotional learning is prioritized, as are transferable skills like self-management and communication. Our rigorous, real-world applicable, inquiry-driven approach to academics sets our students up for success in higher education pursuits. Our outdoor education program offers incredible opportunities to raft, climb, bike, and pack across gorgeous areas while fostering leadership and independence. We truly believe in our mission to enable students to lead purposeful lives. I love this school community!

The primary years and elementary school programming that we have experienced so far have helped both my children learn and grow with confidence socially, emotionally, and academically. The teachers are thoughtful in their approach and individualize learning to meet the child where they are. The growth in reading that occurred in Kindergarten was amazing to see. The staff genuinely cares about how they can support any needs or concerns related to life outside school as well. Additionally, the outdoor programming has really challenged my kids and has encouraged them to want to try new things.

Foothills offers the most progressive approach to education in the Treasure Valley. The school utilizes hands on experiential learning, encouraging students to ask questions and guide themselves to critical thinking while still offering traditional math and science and language instruction. Each year builds on the next and I've witnessed my two kids blossom into independent thinkers and doers. It's wonderful to watch their confidence bloom. My "left brained" math and science boys' favorite classes are performing and visual arts, PE and history. The faculty and staff are the most amazing people I've ever met. They meet each child where they are with no judgement and curate an individual learning plan that keeps the right pace for that individual child. They are masters at their craft.

My experience with Foothills School in Boise has been nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment you step onto the campus, you can feel the warmth and dedication that permeate every aspect of the school.

One of the most impressive aspects of Foothills School is its commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment. The faculty and staff go above and beyond to ensure that every student feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. Foothills School truly caters to the diverse needs and interests of its students.

As a parent, I couldn't be happier with the education my child is receiving at Foothills School. The positive impact it has had on their academic and personal growth is truly remarkable. I wholeheartedly recommend Foothills School to any family seeking an exceptional educational experience in Boise. It's more than just a school; it's a nurturing community where students thrive.

We have loved being in the foothills community for the past 5 years. Our kids are thriving academically as well as socially emotionally. The school has high quality teachers and staff, smaller classrooms and learning that starts with the children's ideas and interests. We all love this school!

Ncie

Foothills School of Arts and Science is a special place.
Our child has continued to thrive each year through the school’s inquiry based learning curriculum. The progressive education approach has helped him stay curious and challenged academically. Each teacher has taken extra care to understand our son as
a learner and person. He enjoys the variety in the school day, as no day is like the other with well rounded arts and academic programs that keep his creative juices flowing. Another important piece for us is the schools focus on social emotional growth. He has learned so much about collaboration, diversity, acceptance and contributing to the world. He is becoming a passionate critical thinker at the the young age of 11.
Overall the staff and teachers make this school a warm, friendly and incredibly talented community. A huge bonus is the Foothills guardian/parent community. I love that Foothills takes full advantage of its downtown location by visiting local businesses and participating in Arts, Literature and cultural events. Our family feels lucky to have found this amazing school!

My daughter has attended Foothills School of Arts and Science for 10 years. And even before we thought to enroll her there I had met students from this school. There was something amazing about the way these kids held themselves as well as interacted with you. A confidence and security in who they where was very evident. I wanted my daughter to grow up to be one of those people. In the 10 years at this school I have seen why these students act this way. They are allowed to make their own choices and learn in a way that suits their style. Teachers challenge them to be problem solvers and think critically. There is a sense of community at the school that goes beyond the students. The parents, faculty, and staff all are involved in the school in a way that draws you in and makes you want to be a part of this amazing experience. I'm proud to say I see all the attributes I hoped for blossoming in my daughter. And I know I have Foothills School to thank in part for that.

Our older boy went here all three years (half-day pre-school, full day pre-school, kindergarten) and now our younger is in half-day. The staff and teachers care deeply about helping the kids learn and grow. We have had a wonderful experience in all aspects and our kids love it.

We're putting our 2nd child now through this school and are so happy we are able to do so. The executive staff is friendly/fantastic, and were able to manage through Covid about as well as possible given the difficult circumstances. Jamie was there every step of the way, and has recently been promoted to principal which we have been very happy about. Our 3 yr old is currently in "room 3" and we're happy to have Miss Tiffany and Miss Nikki supporting him. He's learning a lot, making tons of friends, and comes home everyday excited about where he spent his time at school.

For oyr family the more important is our children feel confident, happy, comfortable is a small school with huge heart, we really like it the village

This school is by far the best decision we have made for our children and their education! The 7 Healthy Habits that are embodied at this school should be the foundation at EVERY school, and I am so fortunate that my family was introduced to this amazing life long concept! The staff is always on top of everything, informative, and know every child and parent by name. Ms. Daigle at the front office makes me feel like an old friend every time I call or go in. This school really, truly cares and always goes above and beyond for the students and families! I am beyond proud of my children and their effort to reflect good 'citizenship' in their daily lives and it is all thanks to such an amazing school, staff, teachers and the absolute love they are shown every single day while attending this school!

We are so thrilled with the care and education our child is receiving. The staff and teachers are amazing. They want parents to be involved, engaged, and participating in the child’s care and education.

We couldn’t be happier at VLA. We moved our daughter here from a private Christian school, after several years of extreme bullying.
We have watched our daughter gain confidence, excel in her academics, and make quality friendships. The teachers are excellent, dedicated and passionate. We love the small family community. Our only regret is that we didn’t place our daughter here sooner.

I called to schedule a tour because I said I needed care immediately for my two year old. They did not tell me that there was a waiting list so I was scheduled a tour on false pretenses. When we got there they told me there was a two year wait for the two year old class and I was shocked! Why would I agree to schedule a tour for my two year old if they was a two year wait for the 2 year old class?!?!? And then we decided to do the tour anyway and the teacher that was doing the tour looked sick. They made our kids take our temp but the teacher looked sick yet was doing tours!! And to top it off we got a call a few days later from the director saying that the teacher tested positive for COVID! WHAT!? She knew she was sick and did the tour anyway knowing the times that we are in right now. Now our family not only wasted our time going there, we have to quarantine now because of their negligence.Dissatisfied is an understatement when it comes to this academy.

We love this school! Each year is about growth and each child is different! I see this school embracing this! Love their schedule at school 4 days a week instead of five; and last year with Covid this school was on top with their model of learning. My son did not fall behind because of the pandemic! I appreciate the front desk and all they do for us every time I ask for help, Andrea is there doing what she can! Our third year here! It just keeps getting better and better!

Zero security. We went for a tour a while back. Walked right in to see kids playing on the floor in front of us. Definitely could've taken a few if we wanted to. We turned around and left immediately. Super sketchy place.

As someone who actually attended both Boise Bears and Hillside Academy, I loved it there. My teachers were always making sure that is kids knew what they were teaching us and actually have a ZERO tolerance policy on bullying. If I ever had issues with a classmate, I knew it was okay to go to any of my teachers. As for "unwarranted price hikes" I'm not personally positive, but I do know that there were a few personal medical issues among ownership a few years back, as well as just hard times on the family. It's still a business and price hikes and drops will happen, hopefully they let families know before hand though.

All in all, a great place to take your kids.

My grandson started last summer and could not be happier with the teachers and staff, children, and parental involvement. Exactly what we were wanting for him. His little sister has been on the waiting list and will soon join. School is clean, organized, teachers are amazing at classroom management and direction. He has been challenged and just loves going to school. Highly recommend it.

If I could give this place 10 stars I would-- this school is the most amazing place I could imagine to send my son. He was at a chaotic environment before starting at Northview and the moment he started, he felt safe and taken care of. The teachers are amazing-- and let me tell you their model works. My son isn't even 5 yet and he is already reading... but more importantly than that is the feeling of safety and emotional growth he has experienced. They have not only encouraged his education but helped shape him into a compassionate member of his society-- at 4 years old. I honestly can't sing their praises enough. I smile walking down their hall EVERYDAY when dropping my son off because I am so glad he is in that environment. LOVE Northview Montessori!!

My son has thrived since starting Pre-K at Hillside Academy. Barbara has a very well-planned and structured curriculum, you can tell a lot of thought was put into each activity! Not just thrown together, like other "preschools" do! All the teachers really pay attention to each child's individual needs. We are moving away from Boise, otherwise I was planning on continuing with Kindergarten at Hillside! I can't recommend them enough!

We have sent two kids through the school and have had a great experience. Both our children are very well prepared for elementary school and are excellent readers. Our oldest is now in 2nd grade and reads at a 4th grade level.

This is the worst Daycare center one can find in Boise. They charge almost $1000/ month yet don’t teach anything! My child began to hate school because of their so called education- don’t allow them to play toys, indifference to the children, discrimination, cold hearted against children! We have repeatedly complained but no change at all. My child don’t even know how to spell or count after spending years and cost our tens of thousands of dollars.
PLEASE Don’t SEND YOUR KID TO THIS PLACE!

This school has been such a gift in our lives. The amazing teachers have nurtured and cared for our child while providing a fun and well structured environment. You can tell how much they truly love the kids.

Our son spent three incredible years here and we even chose to keep him here through kindergarten, which, for us, was such a good choice. The Montessori philosophy taught us a lot as parents, too, such as learning how truly capable our young child was when our instinct was to just do things for him. To our amazement, our son could hang up his own jacket, pour water into a cup and clean up after himself at barely 3 years old.

These last years at NVM will remain precious memories to us always. I am sad we have to move on, but am so, so grateful to you all and the role you played in developing our son. Goodbye to Miss Jan, Miss Debbie, Miss Jasmine, Miss Elaine and Miss Kelly. You guys are truly making a difference.

I have kids I work with that came from the Village or currently go here. Most kids that I've worked with from this school are behind where they are supposed to be. Also, the teachers or office attendants never answer their phones, and as a parent that is really concerning. They are very disorganized as well and lack communication. Surprised they have a decent rating from others. GreatSchools gives them a 3 out of 10... that should say something if nothing else does.

Would have loved to send my child there. Then I found out how much they wanted I didn't pay that much for two kids from 7am to 6pm. in Southern California. I am not sure what people are doing to send their children to this school. It's like paying for your down on a house and the your monthly mortgage.

I have been very impressed with Northview Montessori. Everyone I have talked to has been professional and friendly. Those two characteristics are a hard combination to find. Frequently childcare places will be professional but cold or friendly and chaotic.

Northview is a fantastic place for children to be exposed to a multitude of learning devices. They have order and calm while allowing children the opportunity to explore and learn what they want to. The children also get to play outside multiple times a day.

Whenever I have had any problem, I have been able to discuss it easily and have it addressed swiftly. The staff genuinely cares and wants to make everything the best it can be.

Unlike many day cares, they don't have movies playing all day. I guess that is the difference between a preschool and a daycare. My daughter used to go to a nearby day care which boasted providing a preschool program. It was no where near as good as this. It isn't even that much more a month than day care and I can see all the great information she is learning!

My daughter has been at Northview Montessori for over 2 years and we love this little school. With only four classes, the school is small and comfortable. She has excelled under the Montessori method and at this school. Whether it's math, science, reading, writing, art or life skills she soaks up the information and work like a sponge. For her, Northview Montessori has been perfect.

The only progressive education school in Boise! My daughter just finished her first year at Foothills and I cannot say enough about how incredible this school is! The faculty, learning environment, and cirriculum are all fantastic. I cannot think of a better school to entrust my daughters education with. s

Hillside Academy is a small school with structured lesson plans. They use creativity to teach and completely capture children's' imagination. But the best aspect of Hillside Academy is their caring staff. My daughter attended for two years and now we return during the summer for swim lessons. My daughter is always excited to see her former teachers and they always reciprocate. My daughter has food allergies and Hillside Academy fully accommodated her needs. I highly recommend Hillside Academy!

My child has attended Hillside Academy for 2.5 years (1 year full time, 1 year as an after school program, plus 2 summers). The owner and all teachers create a very caring and attentive environment. The owner, Barbara, is a calm, loving person who can teach and guide the children. I would highly recommend Hillside as a part time or full time option, depending on your needs. We are currently doing swim lessons in the summertime, which I would also recommend. I don't recall any price hike that the previous reviewer mentioned.

Hillside Academy, same owner to Boise Bears, is a nice place with a good childcare staff, according to the children anyways. However, the ownership is a tragedy and the management is so poorly done that we chose to leave and go somewhere else. After the unwarranted price hike, and lack of explanation we made the decision to leave at the end of the month. However, once the owners found out, the manager texted my wife after closing on a Friday to tell her that our children would no longer be welcome. Long story short, they are ass-holes and they charge far too much for what they provide.

The Village Charter School provides an excellent education that far surpasses traditional public schools. Their focus on Singapore mathematics, the 7 habits and developing leaders is what makes the program exceptional. I moved my daughter from a private school to this school precisely because of these educational focuses. The teachers and staff are extremely committed and adaptive in their teaching styles. I also appreciate the focus on learning through experience. I wish I'd have been able to go to a school like this.

:I had high hopes when I had originally enrolled my son at Northview Montessori but unfortunately it turned out to be a huge mistake! I don't think the school as a whole is bad but I think my son got the short end of the stick as far as the teachers go there, his teacher was MIss Cindy so my review is soley based off our experiences with her and how she treated our son... I enrolled my son towards the end of August as to coincide with the first day of school with the Boise School District on the third morning of my son attending Northview Montessori Miss Cindy approached me and told me she was concerned that Montessori school was not going to be the right fit for my son because he didn't want to nap (I am not personally aware of many 3 year olds that do want to nap regardless he napped at his prior daycare just fine), he didn't want to sit down for circle time, he climbed on things (He's a boy that is what they do sometimes), so I understood her concern and explained that I knew this would be an adjustment for him because his prior daycare was a in-home daycare so he wasn't used to so much structure and that it had only been two full days of attendance he was going to probably need a little more time to adjust to the different setting & routine which she agreed but then went on to tell me that school for them had started the week prior so all the other kids had already been adjusted to the routine and my son was basically a total disruption, not that things would have been any better for my son I think even if he had started the week prior and was able to adjust along with the other kids, he started when he started and I was under the impression a child could start at anytime... I guess not in MIss Cindy's class... My son was bit at this school with full mouth print on his hand, my son has long hair and the other kids teased him about his long hair, and Miss Cindy said she overheard my son saying bad words on multiple occasions which is what he was ultimately kicked out for (I am sorry his dad does construction and it's a work in progress to get them to both not say bad words) but these are all things that happen sometimes and my husband talked to one of the afternoon teachers about the bad word situation and she told him no big deal he's not the only kid here that has said a bad word... My son would cry practically every morning on the way to school and I chalked it up to the change in daycare but now looking back I feel like MIss Cindy had singled my son out and didn't want him in her class so this was her way of getting rid of him, he never said bad words at his previous daycare or even now at his new school... I think if my son even truly said all the BAD words Miss Cindy says he did it was probably because he could feel her discontent with him... On my sons last day at the school my husband picked him up and Miss Cindy told him that our son was a safety hazard because he was left unattended in the bathroom for who know how long and when they went to check on him he was standing on the toilet seat, let me reiterate my son is 3 he is potty trained but what 3 year old if left in the bathroom unattended or checked up on is not going to screw around with the water, soap, etc., we were paying a lot of money for Miss Cindy to pretty much tell us two-three times a week for a month how awful our child was, the owners were very nice and when we explained everything that Miss Cindy had said to us she seemed very concerned & apologetic, I honestly think the school is probably a great school minus Miss Cindy!

I am so impressed with Northview Montessori. My children are excited to go to school each day and are learning so much. The teachers are genuinely vested in the childrens' learning needs. This school is such a happy place for my children!

This is my second year at The Village and I love it. My 8 year started his school career in one of the public schools and HATED it! Stomach aches every morning, lots of anxiety. I tried everything to get him to like school. I moved him to The Village for second grade with Mrs. Borjian and his attitude about school changed. She built a relationship with him and earned his trust. She worked with him to figure out how he learns and was able to get him to do his work. Now he is in 3rd grade with Mrs. Brock and again same result. He loves going to school everyday and she works very hard at keeping the kids in the class learning. My son finally developed a love for reading and is eager to tell me about what he reads and well as what he does during his classroom day.
I look forward to getting to know his future teachers and seeing how his learning develops.

The school is like no other, it has everything you would want in a school! The school functions like a close community, the school is very safe, the education is beyond any other public school. There is a dress code, 4 day school week, 2 teachers to a classroom during instructional times, they teach character values, no tolerance for bullying, differentiated learning, elective programs for all ages, Spanish hour, art hour and the opportunities for parent involvement are far greater than other schools. The group of parents and students are unlike any other I promise you, the families that have put their children in this school all have the same values and standards of education.

Engaging, unique, and a hands on approach to education. Our childs interest, follow through, and desire to learn has far exceeded my expectations.