LAA - Little Ambassadors Academy recent experience?

[Anonymous]

Any recent experience with LAA (Little Ambassadors Academy)? Specifically the Cherrydale location. Seems like there were some concerns posted on here when they opened their new location but besides that haven’t seen any recent commentary from current parents. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

We have two kids there now and wish we could move them. The ED is a TYRANT. Thankfully she doesn't run our campus - the campus director, Cissy, is wonderful as are most of the teachers. But Lauren Harris is the absolute WORST. She's rude on email and on the phone - I think she resents that parents may have opinions or questions about their kids schooling. No matter how kind we are, she cannot handle being questioned about ANY policy.

She laughed in my friend's face who is facing cancer and moved to North Arlington recently when my friend called and asked about availability. LAUGHED - because she thought my friend was so crazy to not have known how long their waitlist is.

If we had other options (we are actively pursuing), we'd leave just because of what a horrible person she is. No idea how she managed to develop these campuses - she's an abject idiot.

[Anonymous]

As long as you don't have to engage with the woman who oversees Overlee and is the boss of the women who oversee Yorktown/Cherrydale, you will be happy. We love most of the teachers we have had as well as our campus administrator, but every interaction we've ever had with Lauren Harris has been miserable. Starting in the first few weeks with our time there, any time we had a question that she responded to she always did so with snark. She thinks she is better than the rest of us and she knows that with desperate parents and waitlists, she doesn't care if families leave. So, hopefully you can deal with the individual campus folks solely.

[Anonymous]

Are you a member of MONA? I'd post there with questions. You'll get more accurate responses there than from the completely false and ludicrous posts from PPs here.

We've had a great experience at LAA (Cherrydale & Yorktown), and all of the directors have been nothing but kind and caring to us and our DC.

[Anonymous]

I second the post above. Cherrydale campus is wonderful (and so is the director). We love the school and the teachers. We moved our daughter there from another area daycare/preschool and are very happy we did.

I understand the concerns from others around Lauren. Personally, I think she would benefit from communications or customer service training. I try to give her the benefit of the doubt, running 3 centers during Covid and navigating health requirements and the opinions of hundreds of parents cannot be easy. However, it does not give her the right to be rude or dismissive to parents (or treat families like their kids are replaceable). Fortunately, our interactions with her are limited and I don’t think it should deter you from sending your kids there. I definitely would not move my daughter like others have mentioned. In fact, I highly recommend it.

[Anonymous]

If you didn't apply when you were early in your pregnancy, it's not an option given the waitlist.

[Anonymous]

Not eligible for MONA unfortunately. We have a spot at LAA and LB, we’re definitely deferring LAA because it’s just not close to our house. On the fence about LB, mainly because of price and our current school isn’t bad and our kid is happy, so super torn!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you didn't apply when you were early in your pregnancy, it's not an option given the waitlist.

That is not true right now. They just reopened their waitlist for for a specific age group.

LAA is a *wonderful* school. We have loved everything about it - DC has been there for 3 years. It is without a doubt one of the best preschools in Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not eligible for MONA unfortunately. We have a spot at LAA and LB, we’re definitely deferring LAA because it’s just not close to our house. On the fence about LB, mainly because of price and our current school isn’t bad and our kid is happy, so super torn!

You wouldn’t be the first or last person to lie about your zip to get access. I’m not even sure they enforce it anymore.

[Anonymous]

As I said, campus directors and teachers are great. Lauren is miserable. Just steer clear and you'll be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As I said, campus directors and teachers are great. Lauren is miserable. Just steer clear and you'll be fine.

Gee, you really want to have the last word on this, don't you.

You don't speak for the entire LAA parent community.

[Anonymous]

I’m a NP, not the previous poster who has had issues with Lauren and I agree that she is …difficult. The thing that’s strange to me is that if you ask this question on MONA, you will have people tripping all over themselves to tell you how wonderful the school is. And if anyone says anything negative about Lauren they are flamed. So she has many, many happy families. Have you toured both LAA and LB? I think you can tell the differences just in the 45 minute tour.

[Anonymous]

What is LB?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is LB?

Little Beginnings

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a NP, not the previous poster who has had issues with Lauren and I agree that she is …difficult. The thing that’s strange to me is that if you ask this question on MONA, you will have people tripping all over themselves to tell you how wonderful the school is. And if anyone says anything negative about Lauren they are flamed. So she has many, many happy families. Have you toured both LAA and LB? I think you can tell the differences just in the 45 minute tour.

Because it actually is a great school. I'm not understanding how it is strange to you that many happy LAA parents want to share their positive experiences.