Goddard School

We have been part of the Goddard School Cedar Park family for five years, starting when our son was just 12 weeks old. Having been here through various stages—including the challenges of the pandemic—I can confidently say that the level of professionalism and care has remained top-tier. While there was some industry-wide turnover during COVID, the staff and teaching team have been incredibly consistent and stable for the past three years. Every teacher we’ve encountered has been nurturing, caring, and dedicated to our son’s growth, but I want to give a special shout-out to Ms. Charlotte and Ms. Celeste. Our son grew and matured leaps and bounds in their care. Additionally, their music teacher, Mr. Cole is our son's biggest hero. He makes music and learning so fun! We were always excited for our son to move into the Kinder program with Ms. Celeste, as we had heard wonderful things about her for years—and she has managed to exceed every expectation! The amount of growth and knowledge our son has gained in the last eight months is truly tremendous. She strikes the perfect balance: she is deeply caring and nurturing, but also firm and maintains high expectations for her students. What we appreciate most is her transparency; she is always available to talk and doesn't shy away from the "hard conversations" regarding behavior when they occur. She handles a very demanding job with grace, dedication, and a clear commitment to these kids. While I understand that every child and parent has different needs, our experience has been overwhelmingly positive. We are so grateful for the foundation Goddard has provided our son!

My son started attending Goddard Preschool in Cedar Park at the end of September 2025 in the private kindergarten class with Ms. Celeste till today. I tried to overlook several red flags early on, but ultimately could not continue due to how my child was treated. The first concern arose within the first two weeks. When I simply asked how my son’s day went and whether she needed help with his transition, Ms. Celeste responded rudely and said she didn’t have time to answer questions because she needed to return to class—despite it being after 3 p.m. when the class was already transitioning to after-school care and the children were playing independently. As a parent trying to support both my child and the teacher, this interaction was surprising and discouraging. The second major issue was deeply concerning. During a class birthday celebration, my son was not allowed to have a cupcake because he did not eat his lunch. Ms. Celeste was fully aware that my son is in occupational therapy for an eating disorder. Denying food as a consequence is not a teacher’s place, and it was damaging to his progress and self-esteem. We even had a parent-teacher conference where I paid for his occupational therapist to attend specifically to help Ms. Celeste understand his needs and how to better support him. The third issue was constant discipline for minor, age-appropriate behavior. My son is five years old, energetic, and developmentally typical. Ms. Celeste is extremely strict, shows clear favoritism, and seems to lack patience for children who are not “perfect.” If your child doesn’t fit her narrow expectations, they are repeatedly punished for small things rather than guided or supported. The final and most upsetting issue was when my son told me he was being made to sit alone throughout the day, including at lunch. I emailed the school explaining that isolating a child—especially one in food therapy—is inappropriate and should never be used as punishment. While the director assured me they would monitor the situation, nothing improved. A few days later, Ms. Celeste confronted me aggressively in front of my son and other students. She accused me of blaming her for being a bad teacher and labeled my child as having a “behavioral problem” in front of him and the class. This was completely unacceptable and unprofessional. She attempted to twist my words and escalated the situation instead of addressing concerns appropriately. The next day was my son’s last day. While Ms. Celeste may be effective at teaching academic kindergarten material, that does not excuse her attitude, lack of compassion, or inappropriate handling of children she deems “problematic.” Young children are not robots. They deserve patience, understanding, and emotional safety. For context: my son has never been labeled a behavioral problem by any other teacher or school. He is loved by educators, and his previous school welcomed him back immediately with open arms and excitement. If you are considering Goddard’s private kindergarten—specifically with Ms. Celeste—be cautious. If your child is not perfectly compliant at all times, this may not be the right environment. There are far better schools that will prepare your child for kindergarten without sacrificing kindness and respect.

We couldn’t be happier with The Goddard School! We have two children enrolled, our oldest started at 15 months and is now 3, and our youngest began at 7 months and is now 19 months. The teachers have been incredible at supporting both of our children’s development. They worked closely with our oldest through some behavioral challenges for over a year, and we’ve seen tremendous improvement thanks to their consistent guidance and care. At the same time, both of our children are meeting and often exceeding key learning milestones. Their cognitive growth has been amazing to watch, from early language and problem-solving skills to building social-emotional awareness. They also have a growing love for music, which we credit to the teachers who nurture and encourage their interests every day. It’s clear that each teacher is dedicated to helping every child reach their full potential. We are so grateful for the supportive and enriching environment The Goddard School provides. Our kids are happy, thriving, and constantly learning, we can’t recommend this school enough!

The Goddard School has been absolutely wonderful for my daughter. From the very first day, the teachers and staff made her feel welcome, safe, and excited to come to school. Their curriculum strikes a perfect balance between structured learning and play, so she’s been able to grow academically, socially, and emotionally all at once. I’ve been impressed with how attentive the staff is to each child’s needs and how they keep parents informed every step of the way. They celebrate milestones, encourage creativity, and foster a genuine love for learning. My daughter has gained confidence, made great friends, and developed skills that I know will set her up for future success. I can’t thank the Goddard team enough for their care, patience, and dedication. If you’re looking for a school that truly invests in your child’s growth, I highly recommend The Goddard School.

YOU NEED TO JOIN THIS SCHOOL! My baby was at a different daycare for over a year. He was always getting sick and it was hard to keep his eczema under control. Since we have been attending The Goddard School of Cedar Park, my son’s eczema is almost completely gone! He has never once been sent home for getting sick either! Also, he is just so much happier and he is learning more! I am beyond grateful for the level of care he gets and for the outward show of love the teachers and staff show the kiddos. Thank you to the whole team for welcoming us in and changing our lives in such a positive way!