




Pre-K 4 SA - West Education Center
At a Glance
Trust Score
Based on comprehensive analysis of reviews, safety records, and operations.
About Pre-K 4 SA - West Education Center
Pre-K 4 SA West Education Center
Pre-K 4 SA West Education Center is a specialized early childhood facility focused on the HighScope curriculum, which emphasizes active learning through play, exploration, and critical thinking. As part of a citywide initiative, the center provides a holistic educational environment that addresses social, emotional, and cognitive development. The space is designed to be immersive, featuring diverse indoor learning centers and extensive outdoor gardens where children can engage with nature and develop self-confidence through calculated risk-taking. Led by early childhood experts, the program operates beyond the standard classroom, offering transportation, meals, and extended hours to support working families. The facility is NAEYC-accredited and maintains a community-focused atmosphere with dedicated spaces like the Parent Café. Families benefit from a system that views parents as partners, ensuring that the transition to kindergarten is supported by a strong foundation of literacy,...
What Parents Say
5 reviews from parents
My child graduated from the West Center a few years ago, and the staff was always incredibly friendly. I wish this school operated throughout elementary school. It’s one of the best schools I’ve seen in a long time. As a working Mom the after school program was a huge help. Plus, I love the Annual Pre-K 4 SA reunions.
I Sent my oldest son here and I truly believed it built the best foundation to lead into kinder, he is now in 2nd grade and he has always seem to be one step ahead after PRE K FOR SA WEST! TYSM!
Five stars! All of the staff were so kind & welcoming since Day 1 of touring the school. My daughter went here for her first year at 3 years old & loved her teachers and classmates so much! Mrs Valdivia and Miss Rudd are amazing teachers and taught my daughter so much with immense care. She would tell me what she learned almost every day and how much fun she had with her friends. She would also randomly surprise me with knowledge about the weather, plants, or animals. And she also learned to write her name!
Best school ! Staff is so friendly and nice they always greet you at the door , teachers seem they love their job because it reflects in my child the way she expresses about her teachers and classmates. Thank u prek 4 sa!!
My spouse and I faithfully served in US military active duty in Gulf war and Iraq, experienced multiple earthquakes before volcanic eruptions, typhoons, tornados, hurricanes, vehicle spun around after hitting black ice (2 occasions), and been through combat. But nothing have traumatized us more than our experience with PreK4SA. From our child's head injuries and running to ER and seeing him naked on the floor stood & covered in poop while two "adults" just hands a wipe and looked at our child with disgust. Our child was neglected and left standing there for a long time because the poop caked on everywhere! Was barefoot and was freezing cold, while an "adult" handed our child clean clothes to wear even still being covered in poop. The two "adults" stood right in front of our child who struggled with the situation. With multiple disabilities, braving the situation, I saw and heard my child asked for help, but was ignored! Upon seeing me, my 4 year old child balled out crying and even tried to explain. God bless me, I held myself from becoming combative, bit my lower lip, and took care of my child instead. After asking the "adults", the excuses mounted to why they didn't help. But the excuse that stood out the most was, "We are not allowed to touch and help" It made sense to them, but the director turned red when we told her about that excuse. Our child stood on poop, covered with poop from chest to the floor, all over on both hands, smeared on the elbows, some on the cheeks, on the head, caked on skin, shivering in cold, while the entire time was stared on by two staff who just stood there. We've seen better treatments in third world countries.
Web Report
Aggregated insights from public records & parent discussions
Safety Record
On August 15, 2023, a handgun was discovered in a 3-year-old's backpack at the West Education Center; the father was arrested and charged with felony child endangerment. A 2024 city audit of the Pre-K 4 SA program revealed missing background check documentation and one bus driver with an invalid commercial driver’s license (CDL). State records have flagged this location as a 'Center Needing Improvement' with 21 recorded deficiencies according to independent severity risk rankings based on state inspection data.
Parent Reputation
The center has a generally strong reputation among parents for its high-quality curriculum and focus on child development, receiving an H-E-B Excellence in Education Award in 2017. Parents on forums describe the program as highly competitive, with spots typically filled via a lottery or income-based eligibility. While the educational quality is praised, some feedback on parent forums mentions difficulties with geographic location assignments.
Staff Insights
Employee reviews from sources like Indeed describe a mixed work environment characterized by good pay but high management-related stress. Multiple staff members report issues with 'toxic leadership,' favoritism, and a cliqueish atmosphere that contributes to teacher turnover. However, some employees still highlight the rewarding nature of the mission and the quality of their fellow teaching staff.
Quick Information
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