Anonymous
Post 05/13/2021 09:18     Subject: Columbia Baptist vs St Joseph Falls Church
Just have to chime in here to say I went to Columbia baptist 41 years ago and I turned out pretty great 😂
Anonymous
Post 05/13/2021 08:45     Subject: Re:Columbia Baptist vs St Joseph Falls Church
Anyone else having major issues with the organization of enrollment at St. Joes? It seems very disorganized and although I've paid my deposit and communicated often about my childs intended start date, I'm not sure she has a spot. Current St Joes parents - is this normal? It's a LOT of red flags for me and I'm starting to panic.
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2021 22:09     Subject: Re:Columbia Baptist vs St Joseph Falls Church
Anonymous wrote:We spent a year at St J and 2 at CB. Relocated to the area and only got into St Joseph’s and it was ok but we didn’t love it so we applied to CB the next year. Our second year at CB was cut short last year due to the pandemic. I know a lot has changed at CB with Covid and the construction but we hands down preferred CB. They placed a huge emphasis on outside time and movement in general which our kids needed. At St J if there was snow on the ground or it was too muddy they wouldn’t go outside. At CB they ask you to leave boots there so they can get the kids outside as much as possible. The teachers at St J were good but the ones we had at CB were amazing. Communication with the teachers and school were also much better at CB. Let me put it this way- when I would take my kids to birthday parties with St J friends the discussion amongst the parents was always complaining about how disorganized things were at St J. Total opposite at CB. Nothing that impacted safety but just annoying stuff as working parents - last minute changes that were poorly communicated. Or asking the day before for you to send in stuff the kids needed for an activity and having to run out to the store just to get it. Only thing I didn’t love about CB was the doors all being unlocked but I understand they are resolving that with the construction.


I don't have a kid at either of these schools, but let's get real. I will take the SAFETY of my child over having to run out to buy something at the last minute any day. I could not believe that such a huge preschool had SO MANY open doors! We went with Communikids.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2021 00:49     Subject: Columbia Baptist vs St Joseph Falls Church
My kids had amazing teachers at Columbia Baptist just a couple years ago, but friends who are still there have told us that all of the staff that has been there for years has left recently and the director we loved is no longer there either.
Anonymous
Post 04/26/2021 17:03     Subject: Re:Columbia Baptist vs St Joseph Falls Church
Anonymous wrote:We spent a year at St J and 2 at CB. Relocated to the area and only got into St Joseph’s and it was ok but we didn’t love it so we applied to CB the next year. Our second year at CB was cut short last year due to the pandemic. I know a lot has changed at CB with Covid and the construction but we hands down preferred CB. They placed a huge emphasis on outside time and movement in general which our kids needed. At St J if there was snow on the ground or it was too muddy they wouldn’t go outside. At CB they ask you to leave boots there so they can get the kids outside as much as possible. The teachers at St J were good but the ones we had at CB were amazing. Communication with the teachers and school were also much better at CB. Let me put it this way- when I would take my kids to birthday parties with St J friends the discussion amongst the parents was always complaining about how disorganized things were at St J. Total opposite at CB. Nothing that impacted safety but just annoying stuff as working parents - last minute changes that were poorly communicated. Or asking the day before for you to send in stuff the kids needed for an activity and having to run out to the store just to get it. Only thing I didn’t love about CB was the doors all being unlocked but I understand they are resolving that with the construction.


Sounds like you were not a good fit for St. Joseph's, we've never experienced anything that you've mentioned and we've been there six years.
Anonymous
Post 04/24/2021 19:52     Subject: Re:Columbia Baptist vs St Joseph Falls Church
We spent a year at St J and 2 at CB. Relocated to the area and only got into St Joseph’s and it was ok but we didn’t love it so we applied to CB the next year. Our second year at CB was cut short last year due to the pandemic. I know a lot has changed at CB with Covid and the construction but we hands down preferred CB. They placed a huge emphasis on outside time and movement in general which our kids needed. At St J if there was snow on the ground or it was too muddy they wouldn’t go outside. At CB they ask you to leave boots there so they can get the kids outside as much as possible. The teachers at St J were good but the ones we had at CB were amazing. Communication with the teachers and school were also much better at CB. Let me put it this way- when I would take my kids to birthday parties with St J friends the discussion amongst the parents was always complaining about how disorganized things were at St J. Total opposite at CB. Nothing that impacted safety but just annoying stuff as working parents - last minute changes that were poorly communicated. Or asking the day before for you to send in stuff the kids needed for an activity and having to run out to the store just to get it. Only thing I didn’t love about CB was the doors all being unlocked but I understand they are resolving that with the construction.
Anonymous
Post 04/18/2021 21:05     Subject: Columbia Baptist vs St Joseph Falls Church
Columbia Baptist member here. Issue was getting approval for the building permit from the City.
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2021 09:08     Subject: Columbia Baptist vs St Joseph Falls Church
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My youngest is at CB now. It’s been good for us, but it’s going to be a construction zone for the next 2 years.


Are they having financial issues? They had planned to finish the construction this summer. It’s already been torn up for a year. What happened?


I'm sure the pandemic had nothing to do with that....
Anonymous
Post 04/15/2021 19:18     Subject: Columbia Baptist vs St Joseph Falls Church
Anonymous wrote:My youngest is at CB now. It’s been good for us, but it’s going to be a construction zone for the next 2 years.


Are they having financial issues? They had planned to finish the construction this summer. It’s already been torn up for a year. What happened?
Anonymous
Post 04/13/2021 19:36     Subject: Columbia Baptist vs St Joseph Falls Church
My youngest is at CB now. It’s been good for us, but it’s going to be a construction zone for the next 2 years.
Anonymous
Post 04/13/2021 19:32     Subject: Columbia Baptist vs St Joseph Falls Church
Columbia is not what it was a few years ago. They have had constant director and staff turnover, a major decrease in enrollment that led to layoffs, and the building is currently an ongoing construction project. It’s worth looking at, but keep in mind that any reviews more than 6 months are likely not reflective of current conditions.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2021 23:35     Subject: Columbia Baptist vs St Joseph Falls Church
General consensus in FCC would be that CB is the preferred program. Both are great. I would send mine to CB, given their facilities and resources and all of the activities they have. All things being equal, go with your gut and you won’t go wrong.
Anonymous
Post 04/04/2021 16:31     Subject: Re:Columbia Baptist vs St Joseph Falls Church
Thank you!!
Anonymous
Post 04/03/2021 22:37     Subject: Columbia Baptist vs St Joseph Falls Church
It's been a long time since we made that choice because our youngest child is at St. Joseph's now but we've loved it there and have never regretted our choice.

I don't think one is better than the other, but I do recall from when we were looking maybe 6 or 7 years ago, that they were very different from one another and we just liked the feel of St. Joseph's better. We know a few families who sent their kids to CB and were happy with it, too. Go with your gut!
Anonymous
Post 04/02/2021 13:25     Subject: Columbia Baptist vs St Joseph Falls Church
We've been offered space for our 3 year old, full time in both programs. Does anyone have an opinion about which is best?