Explorations Preparatory School

Explorations has allowed both of my children to flourish academically, emotionally, and socially. They are excited about learning. Explorations has a great school culture and promotes global awareness. The teachers have high expectations, and the students rise to meet them. I am forever grateful for the quality education they are being given at EPS!

Our daughter attended middle school and EPS, and we have nothing but praise for the institution. The principal and assistant principal bring impressive credentials and inexhaustible decency to the program; both are deeply invested in the education of the students and unfailingly attentive to the concerns of parents. The middle school teachers are nothing short of remarkable: highly qualified, unflaggingly bright, easily accessible, and almost comically energetic--and, I emphasize, effective. (Side note: the school's mission statement is, well, real, as in, sincere and accurate. How often does THAT happen?) The faculty challenges students while supporting them, enabling them to grow both intellectually and socially, which is quite an accomplishment where middle school kids are at issue. Guided by their superstar school counselor, EPS is establishing itself as a feeder for top-tier high schools through the Metroplex, both private and public; parents of prospective students would be well advised to ask for data about recent placements. The tuition is gratifyingly on the low side. If I could jigger the rating system to allow me to pile on more (and more and more) stars, I'd do so. (Personal bit: my wife and I are professional educators with 50+ years of combined experience. We're pretty good at judging schools, teachers, and school administrations. Her enthusiasm matches mine.)

2 months into our daughter’s kindergarten year at a public school, we were disappointed and we sought other options looking for a school that was academically challenging, personable, involved, compassionate and fostered critical thinking. I often pinch myself for finding a gem of a school which is all of that AND secular right here in Flo Mo. EPS curriculum is far more advanced than the public school curriculum. I love that the curriculum is not only ahead of the TEKS, but also the way the kids are challenged and taught that makes a huge difference. I know that critical thinking is something that is just not taught in schools these days, and I LOVE how it is encouraged at EPS day in and day out.nWe appreciate the small sized classrooms which enable quality instruction and allow for teachers to focus on every student’s learning abilities and styles. Teachers at EPS take the Initiative of working with a student before or after school should they stumble upon any academic or emotional hurdles and we really appreciate that. We love the hands on learning and differentiated learning at EPS which is so imperative to student success! And of course, the strong sense of community feeling is simply unmatched! We’ve been at EPS 5 years now and so pleased with our decision.

My son has been at EPS for three years now. We chose EPS after careful consideration because of the low student-teacher ratio, the curriculum is not tied to a state mandated test, and the fundamental desire to allow students to think for themselves. As parents with a child who has graduated from public high school this was extremely important to us. From the first day he walked in and was greeted by Andrea and Carolyn by name, to the amazing relationships he has developed with students and teachers from various grades, EPS has been spectacular. I can say every teacher is invested in my child's educational and emotional success.

We made the decision to move our daughter to EPS from an exemplary-rated public school starting in sixth grade. She did OK in elementary school--made A's and B's--but constantly complained about having to attend and I hated that she was developing a bad attitude about school. After a day spent shadowing at EPS, she (and we) felt she had found her people!nWe love the small class size and the fact that the teachers are personally invested in the students. When our daughter first started, she was behind in a couple areas (mainly writing) and the English/Language Arts teacher called me in to discuss her concerns. During the meeting, a couple other teachers joined in. While I was a little caught off-guard, I realized their intention was to determine what they needed to do to get my daughter up to their standards.nNow, as she completes her second year at EPS, I'm amazed at how far she has progressed. Her writing skills are incredible, and she has far exceeded what I learned in high school in social studies/history. She's developed a real passion for science and her IOWA test scores were amazing.nI'm excited about her completing middle school at EPS. The nurturing atmosphere among her classmates and her teachers has allowed her to develop a true love of learning. I know her experience at EPS will serve her well in the future.