Carmel Mountain Preschool

Carmel Mountain Preschool is a private preschool and 6-hour private kindergarten.
CMP is in the Rancho Penasquitos area of San Diego, within the Poway Unified school district.
CMP offers an early literacy curriculum for preschool, and is aligned with Poway Unified standards for kindergarten.

Quick Stats (2024)

Top Rankings

Carmel Mountain Preschool ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-Kindergarten
Summer School Offered
Yes

Student Body

Total Students
378 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
24%
State avg.: 51%
Students by Grade
Carmel Mountain Preschool Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
2 teachers

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Admissions Director
Gretchen Masterson
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Carmel Mountain Preschool's ranking?
Carmel Mountain Preschool ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for: Largest student body.
When is the application deadline for Carmel Mountain Preschool?
The application deadline for Carmel Mountain Preschool is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
What neighborhood is Carmel Mountain Preschool located?
Carmel Mountain Preschool is located in the Rancho Peñasquitos neighborhood of San Diego, CA. There are 2 other private schools located in Rancho Peñasquitos.

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (15 reviews)
5  
This is our son's third year at Carmel Mountain Preschool, and I can say without hesitation that every teacher and staff member at the school is patient, kind, and well-versed in the needs of young children (both academic and social-emotional). In my opinion, this is what sets CMP apart from other schools. Their facilities are beautiful, and they offer amazing extracurricular opportunities, but the core of what they do - cultivating a love of school and learning - is what makes this place truly extraordinary.
- Posted by
5  
Our daughter has been attending Carmel Mountain preschool for 3 years now. The staff is amazing; the school is great, and our daughter loves it here. She's developed into an amazing kid and have the dearest friends at school. I'm glad we found this place for our kiddo!
- Posted by
5  
Our youngest is in here last year at CMP, and we are so thankful to have given all three of our children an amazing introduction to school via CMP. They have been more than prepared to start kindergarten socially and academically. CMP focuses on learning through play and I feel confident when I drop off my kiddo that they will have fun, enriching experiences in a nurturing and beautiful, clean environment every day! Such a special place. Walking through the glen and past the art studio I wish I could have attended a school like CMP! It's a neighborhood gem and has been for decades, only improving with time.
- Posted by
5  
This preschool is wonderful! What sets it apart from other schools and daycares is its facility and programs. There are specific art, science, and tinkering teachers who help students gain a love and appreciation for learning about the world around them in a very hands-on environment. Additionally, each teacher my son interacts with is kind, patient, communicative, and fun. The skills he is gaining in his 3-year-old class are amazing - he can use scissors to cut, use a pen to write his own name, and he is more self-sufficient because the school emphasizes independence. I've toured other schools in the area, and this one is absolutely the best!
- Posted by
5  
I visited several schools for my three year old before I finally found Carmel Mountain Preschool and instantly fell in love with it. My number one priority was finding a school that does a lot of outdoor education. CMP is definitely great at it with their amazing nature lab, art studio and tinkering classes. My son absolutely loves it and I`m amazed by the quality of projects teachers put together with our kids. There are non stop activities. They even bake in class, have field trip visits and celebrate all the major holidays by including parents in the celebration. I highly recommend this school to everyone who is seeking a good quality place for their child. Also, their hours are perfect for parents who work full time!
- Posted by
5  
My wife and I have been looking for a good preschool for our son and decided to come and tour CMP. We both loved this school so much and we signed up our 3 year old to attend it. We could have not been more happier with the quality of care and attention our son receives on daily basis. We recently signed up our youngest son to attend this school as well. I can honestly say that this school is worth every penny we pay for it!
- Posted by
5  
As a speech pathologist for 43 years in the school district, a background in preschool education programs and a grandmother to 2 current students, I can attest that Carmel Mountain Preschool is one of the most elite programs in the area. Both of my grandchildren are thriving in their classrooms. I couldn't be happier with this program, the teachers and support staff.
- Posted by
5  
My daughter is a CMP grad who is now a first grader. She was very prepared for elementary school thanks to CMP. My boys (4,2) are currently at CMP and are thriving. I can`t say enough good things about the teachers, office staff, activities, cleanliness, professionalism, the list goes on. We are very very happy with this school.
- Posted by
5  
My daughter has been attending Carmel Mountain Preschool for 3 years now and we (and she) have been so happy there. The teachers are phenomenal - I feel like they really know my daughters individual personality and tweak things to what will suit her best. Their outdoor spaces and activities such as nature lab, art studio and tinkering add such value on top of their great play-based curriculum. I can't recommend the CMP enough!
- Posted by
5  
CMP has been an amazing place for my daughter! She started in June at the age of 18 months and I was a nervous wreck. The teachers have been so patient and my daughter has really thrived in the environment. She is so social and verbal and really looks forward to going to school in the mornings. She loves her new friends and teachers and it's so fun to see her learning and growing. The school itself is beautiful with so much for the kids to do - the art studio, the glen, playgrounds, monthly yoga and dance classes, holiday activities and spirit weeks, chickens to feed and organic snacks provided daily.
- Posted by
5  
This is our daughters second year at CMP and we continue to be impressed with the high-quality care and education she is receiving. She has started in the pre-K program and learns something new everyday. I love that she is learning great pre-academic skills while continuing to play and develop strong social relationships. She adores her teachers and all of the staff there and she is always happy to go to school each day. I cannot recommend CMP enough!
- Posted by
5  
Our daughter has been a student here for 2 years and she loves it. The teachers not only teach but make her feel welcome. She feels loved and wanted when at CMP. There is so much versatile learning that goes on here. From art, to nature, to writing, to Yoga, the kids are being taught to be well rounded. The school is constantly planning trips(pumpkin patch), as well as parties with parents, and concerts for the whole family. My daughter especially liked getting to talk to fire fighters and police officers all set up by CMP. Her vocabulary and social skills are amazing and most of that I attribute to CMP and their encouragement to make and be friends. The staff is amazing always keeping the parents informed and up to date with "goings on" at the school. We are never in the dark about anything. At CMP the kids are called "friends" but really since we found CMP they feel like extended family.
- Posted by
5  
Our children have been attending for 6 months and we couldn't be happier. Our children love coming to school, the teachers are attentive and it's amazing how much the kids have learned. There are also age appropriate playgrounds which is great. We couldn't be happier.
- Posted by
5  
My granddaughter (4) and grandson (2) have been attending CMP since June. From the moment we entered the school I knew this was the place to send them. My granddaughter has been learning her letters and how to write words. My grandson, who can be challenging, has been doing wonderful. His teachers say he is one of the best listeners in the class! Thank you CMP for all that you do!
- Posted by
5  
We have been a part of the CMP family for 3 years with both daughters attending. We could not be any happier with the school, staff, programs and development we have seen in our children. Both academic skills and social skills are important and we have complete trust in the staff. Enrolled full time, our daughter who still attends (currently in her last year there) spends more waking hours with her teacher and staff during the week than we do and I am so comfortable knowing she LOVES school and engages with so many different experiences and lessons. I would give 10 stars if allowed, I love the school that much!
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024)

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in San Diego, CA is $13,662 for elementary schools and $24,118 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in San Diego, CA is 86% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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