Grow Smart Academy

We've been sending both of our kids to Grow Smart for about a year and we absolutely love it! Kids always seem happy - our kids are happy when we drop them off and pick them up. They seem to spend a lot of time playing outside, which I think is great. The teachers are nice and friendly, and are easy to establish a rapport with. Ms. Marissa is great too. She's very nice, and has been very accommodating whenever we've had extra needs. We see her a lot when we check the kids in and out, so it's easy to have a quick chat. She also does a great job of putting the summer program together. When we were looking around at daycares we found Grow Smart's pricing comparable/favorable to others in the area, and having breakfast, snack, and lunch included has been a huge relief to our morning routine.

We love our GSCA family. Lots of great things to say about the director and the teachers- patient, consistent, understanding, flexible with families, funny, creative, warm…and so much more! My daughter had some separation anxiety when she started at GSCA, and her teacher (shout out to Natalie), was incredibly patient and supportive through our transition into GSCA. She later had Ms. Joyce who is so playful and sweet <3 Needless to say that as soon as my second child was eligible to attend GSCA, I enrolled him right away. He has Ms. Natasha now who is INCREDIBLE! She sends pictures of my son’s activities everyday. Receiving pictures of my son while I’m at work is not only a highlight, most importantly, I feel at peace knowing that my son is learning, is safe, and happy. Hats off to the director, Ms. Maressa. She sets the tone that trickles down to the rest of the staff. She’s so empathetic and positive. There for her staff, the kids, and the parents. Just a calming presence. We love being part of the GSCA family!

Cannot recommend this place enough! Our son is thriving here. The staff are too notch, the app makes it super easy to communicate and view/see videos and pictures. Price is very competitive and the hours are amazing. If you are considering a day care in the area, can’t speak more highly of Grow Smart.

Grow Smart Academy is a hidden gem in La Mesa. This was the first preschool my two sons attended, and the teachers made the transition so easy for us. They were patient and kind, sending us pictures and updates throughout the day to help my husband and me feel comfortable. The children are friendly and happy, creating a truly special culture. The teachers make learning enjoyable and clearly love what they do. After just one month, both of my sons developed a new sense of confidence around other kids. If you’re debating which school to send your little one to, Grow Smart Academy is a wonderful choice.

We absolutely love Grow Smart Children's Academy! As a locally owned preschool, it has a personal touch that you just don’t find with larger corporate chains. The director has the flexibility to make thoughtful decisions based on what’s best for the kids—not what’s dictated from a boardroom—and that makes a huge difference. The teachers genuinely care, and it shows every single day. Our toddler is excited to go to school each morning, and we’re constantly amazed at what he's learning—he’s always talking about letters, numbers, colors, and more. It's clear that the curriculum is not only engaging but also really effective. What sets Grow Smart apart is how they partner with families. When any behavior challenges have come up, the director and teachers have worked with us to find solutions in a supportive, respectful way. That kind of collaboration has made us feel so supported as parents. Our older child also attended Grow Smart, and we couldn't wait until our younger one turned two so we could enroll him too. We’ve had nothing but a positive experience and truly feel like we’re part of a community that values and nurtures every child.