TESTIMONIALS - A REFLECTION OF EXCELLENCE
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Sarah and Tim Keil, Phoenix, AZ
Our son and daughter have been participating in this amazing program for the past three summers. Being an educator within specialized instruction myself, I can confidently recommend this program because it meets each student where they are at, recognizing the importance to nurture not only their minds, but their social and emotional well-being. This is the place that both of our children experience a safe haven to be themselves, build confidence, think outside of the box, develop collaborative skills, and enjoy in-depth conversation without the fear of “being different”. This is the place where they are accepted, valued, and appreciated for both their heart and mind! |
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Michael Tucker, Scottsdale, AZ
"My daughter has been very fortunate to have had Mr. Parvin for her gifted teacher for the past few years. My challenge as a parent is to find growth and learning opportunities during the summer that will complement her gifted abilities. My daughter was so happy and excited about taking “SMART MINDS” over the summer with Mr. Parvin and his teaching staff. I was delighted to see that she was in a nurturing environment where all her curiosity and what-if questions were in caring, competent hands. A wonderful reward is when we hear our kids say, “That was the best time ever.” Or, as Sara Teasdale says in her poem Barter, “And children’s faces looking up holding wonder like a cup.” “SMART MINDS” is a great place for kids to wonder and learn."
"My daughter has been very fortunate to have had Mr. Parvin for her gifted teacher for the past few years. My challenge as a parent is to find growth and learning opportunities during the summer that will complement her gifted abilities. My daughter was so happy and excited about taking “SMART MINDS” over the summer with Mr. Parvin and his teaching staff. I was delighted to see that she was in a nurturing environment where all her curiosity and what-if questions were in caring, competent hands. A wonderful reward is when we hear our kids say, “That was the best time ever.” Or, as Sara Teasdale says in her poem Barter, “And children’s faces looking up holding wonder like a cup.” “SMART MINDS” is a great place for kids to wonder and learn."
C. Scott, Scottsdale, AZ
“My daughter has attended Smart Minds camp at Chandler this month. What a fabulous camp! My daughter who just completed 2nd grade this Spring, has been steadily loosing interest in school, as it has not been challenging her for awhile. When she first heard about Smart Minds, she was very intrigued by the variety of subjects such as Law and Justice, Mythology, Engineering, Chess, Genetics, and Math. She asked that I sign her up right away. Each morning during the three week camp, she was up early and ready to go well ahead of schedule - anxious to get to the camp. On the drive to and from the camp each day, she talked non-stop about the activities she was involved in. Our evening meals were full of lively discussions, as well, about the “trial of the day”, or the problems in Engineering, or a structure out of spaghetti and marshmallows to support weight. Thank you and your entire teaching staff for bringing back her enthusiasm for learning! Everyone was friendly, and enthusiastic and encouraged my daughter to think creatively. It was a summer camp she would never forget. When you decide to open your charter school with this format, I will be one of the first in line to sign up!"
“My daughter has attended Smart Minds camp at Chandler this month. What a fabulous camp! My daughter who just completed 2nd grade this Spring, has been steadily loosing interest in school, as it has not been challenging her for awhile. When she first heard about Smart Minds, she was very intrigued by the variety of subjects such as Law and Justice, Mythology, Engineering, Chess, Genetics, and Math. She asked that I sign her up right away. Each morning during the three week camp, she was up early and ready to go well ahead of schedule - anxious to get to the camp. On the drive to and from the camp each day, she talked non-stop about the activities she was involved in. Our evening meals were full of lively discussions, as well, about the “trial of the day”, or the problems in Engineering, or a structure out of spaghetti and marshmallows to support weight. Thank you and your entire teaching staff for bringing back her enthusiasm for learning! Everyone was friendly, and enthusiastic and encouraged my daughter to think creatively. It was a summer camp she would never forget. When you decide to open your charter school with this format, I will be one of the first in line to sign up!"
C. Kaspszak, Scottsdale, AZ
"I Wholeheartedly recommend Smart Minds Summer Academy to any student who thrives on challenging, stimulating material presented in an engaging, inspiring, and fun learning environment. My daughter has attended this superb program for 3 years and eagerly anticipates the next installment each summer. She says, "The teachers are awesome because they make the classes so much fun." Indeed, the caliber of the instructors is unsurpassed both in their subject knowledge and how they foster such an optimal learning environment. Across the board, the teachers employ a highly active, engaging, experiential approach to learning. They seem to intuitively create an atmosphere where kids feel inspired and learning just happens organically. My daughter says, "We learn so much, yet it never feels like we're being 'taught'!" Rather, it's simply a natural outcome of the Smart Minds' experience and the engaging manner in which the material is delivered. In summary, I am grateful to have found this richly rewarding program. I confidently recommend it to anyone who's looking for an exceptional summer learning experience for their children. Smart Minds truly delivers the perfect balance of fun and satisfaction that kids crave coupled with the high-quality level of instruction and learning that discerning parents desire for their children."
"I Wholeheartedly recommend Smart Minds Summer Academy to any student who thrives on challenging, stimulating material presented in an engaging, inspiring, and fun learning environment. My daughter has attended this superb program for 3 years and eagerly anticipates the next installment each summer. She says, "The teachers are awesome because they make the classes so much fun." Indeed, the caliber of the instructors is unsurpassed both in their subject knowledge and how they foster such an optimal learning environment. Across the board, the teachers employ a highly active, engaging, experiential approach to learning. They seem to intuitively create an atmosphere where kids feel inspired and learning just happens organically. My daughter says, "We learn so much, yet it never feels like we're being 'taught'!" Rather, it's simply a natural outcome of the Smart Minds' experience and the engaging manner in which the material is delivered. In summary, I am grateful to have found this richly rewarding program. I confidently recommend it to anyone who's looking for an exceptional summer learning experience for their children. Smart Minds truly delivers the perfect balance of fun and satisfaction that kids crave coupled with the high-quality level of instruction and learning that discerning parents desire for their children."
C. Segneri, Scottsdale, AZ
"I can't express enough how much my children and I love the Smart Minds Summer Program. My two oldest children have attended multiple times, and my youngest child will finally be old enough to attend this upcoming summer! Every summer they beg to attend the program, which speaks volumes about the teachers' abilities to make learning fun. They use a hands-on approach to teach each subject, and their enthusiasm with the children is like none I have ever experienced. Every single teacher we have had at Smart Minds has been absolutely top-notch. The programs' hands-on curriculum is like nothing else offered in the valley, and is written for real world application. For instance, in math my daughter didn't just read and talk about 3-dimensional shapes and angles. She created a town called Polyhedraville, out of 3-dimensional paper polygons. Each group of students was given a certain amount of money to create their town, and there was a set price per square foot. She had so much fun with this project, and in the meantime learned more than just geometry. She also learned how to budget and work within a group. It was incredible. Smart Minds is without a doubt the best of the best. And they know how to make learning FUN! We will definitely be back for more this summer!"
"I can't express enough how much my children and I love the Smart Minds Summer Program. My two oldest children have attended multiple times, and my youngest child will finally be old enough to attend this upcoming summer! Every summer they beg to attend the program, which speaks volumes about the teachers' abilities to make learning fun. They use a hands-on approach to teach each subject, and their enthusiasm with the children is like none I have ever experienced. Every single teacher we have had at Smart Minds has been absolutely top-notch. The programs' hands-on curriculum is like nothing else offered in the valley, and is written for real world application. For instance, in math my daughter didn't just read and talk about 3-dimensional shapes and angles. She created a town called Polyhedraville, out of 3-dimensional paper polygons. Each group of students was given a certain amount of money to create their town, and there was a set price per square foot. She had so much fun with this project, and in the meantime learned more than just geometry. She also learned how to budget and work within a group. It was incredible. Smart Minds is without a doubt the best of the best. And they know how to make learning FUN! We will definitely be back for more this summer!"
Y. Chen, Beijing, China
“I am very impressed with how they teach Math at Smart Minds. In the beginning, it looked just like what we would expect in regular classes, but then my son (2nd grade) came home and talked about negative numbers and decimals! The next week, he asked me how to calculate the area of a prism. I have to say that the way the teachers at the science camp stimulate kids' interest in math is unbelievable, especially considering that I am a statistics professor at a university.”
The Cooper Family, Scottsdale, AZ
"Smart Minds is a one-of-a-kind camp that is exciting, fun and challenging all at the same time. We have sent our three boys through this program and they have loved it! The quality of teachers and their curriculum is outstanding. The boys talked non-stop about the hands-on science projects and the building cities. They didn't even realize all the math, communication, and problem solving skills they were learning on the way. We HIGHLY recommend this camp for kids who love to learn. All schools should teach with Smart Minds' methods."
C. Atlee, Scottsdale, AZ
"My son Chase has attended Smart Minds for the past 4 summers. I find that Smart Minds provides an excellent opportunity for kids to spend the summer in a stimulating environment. There are a variety of hands on classes that are structured in a way that really engages the kids to participate. The instructors are incredible teachers who are truly enthusiastic about teaching. It is great to be part of a program that encourages and motivates the kids to use their inquisitive minds. My son believes schools should be more like Smart Minds. It is refreshing to see such enthusiasm."
B. Woodman, Scottsdale, AZ
"My son has attended Smart Minds Summer Academy the past two summers. He just loved it and looked forward to going to the camp every morning. He can't wait until this summer. When asked what he liked most about Smart Minds he said, "Everything!" What I like about Smart Minds as a parent is the small class sizes, the enthusiastic well-trained teachers and the subject matter they present. Where else does a second grader get to learn about architecture, law and communication, and forensic science? It is a hands-on learning environment. I would highly recommend Smart Minds to any child who loves to learn."
D. R. Saporito, Scottsdale, AZ
The hands on experience in Science, Math, and Public Speaking allowed the learning to come alive and introduce students to possible career options. The teachers are dedicated and engaging curriculum kept my sons looking forward to the next class. This was a three week program that did not allow for "can I not go today, Mom!" instead "it was only a week left….it has gone by too fast!". My sons have been prepared for the upcoming school year the in the past four years they have attended and look forward to more... I have a son who wants to be a scientist... thanks to Mr. Londot (Science teacher @ Smart Minds). I have recommended this program to numerous families and embrace the three week length…all the students are disappointed that the three weeks of classes are over! We are so grateful that we made this a priority for our children for the last four summers in a row."
T. Pena, Scottsdale, AZ
"Having our 8-year-old son enrolled in the Smart Minds Summer Academy Program was one of the best decisions we have made. Our son spent his summer discovering, experimenting, analyzing, but mainly, having fun! He heard about this summer program at school and he, himself asked us to sign him up. Needless to say, he was first in line the following summer as well! Our son is now 10 years old and there is no other summer program he'd rather be in than Smart Minds Summer Camp. The learning environment is one of respect, dedication, and a lot of one-to-one time is spent with each child. This summer program also prepares children for the upcoming school year and they go back to school feeling ahead of the game because they have been participating in a safe, fun and challenging environment. We highly recommend it."
A. Dodell, Scottsdale, AZ
"Both my boys have enjoyed the summer program at Smart Minds. It makes learning fun for the students. When they come once, they look forward to going back again. The kids enjoy learning in the way it is presented by the teachers. It is hands-on and the students talk about what they have learned when they come home. The kids don't mind going to this camp even though it is their summer break. It is more like having fun and doesn't feel like school even when they are learning a lot. Thanks so much for working so hard to put such a wonderful program together."
M. Brown, Scottsdale, AZ
"I heard about this program from another mother of a gifted child. When she told me that her children chose to be in this program over all other summer programs, I was intrigued. How could children want to be in such an academically challenging program....during vacation?! Now I know! Our son Dan was so taken with Smart Minds from the start. Boys and girls actively learning debate skills, challenging one another with complex math problems, hands-on science experiments, educators creating a learning environment that engage children, and getting these students excited about what they were learning! Truly excited! When Dan would come home after the day's program, he'd open his notebook and share what went on in each class. This program has unlocked parts of Dan's mind and created such desire in him to learn and excel. It has affected Dan's entire course of study and motivation. Mr. Parvin, I want to participate next year….and so does Dan. Learning never has to be drudgery. These highly gifted educators you have gathered have shown me that. If only you could send some of our teachers to Smart Minds so they catch the fire for learning and teaching again!"
D. Desmond, NE Mesa, AZ
"When I stumbled across the AZ Smart Minds Program, I knew that it would be a perfect fit for my grandson, Aidan, who loves math and science! From the very first contact with the director, Mr. Parvin, to Aidan's last day of camp, the experience has been nothing short of amazing! Mr. Parvin and all of the staff at AZ Smart Minds are experts in the field of gifted education and they know how to make learning fun. Imagine wanting to study math, science, and archeology in summer camp! Aidan wanted to come 15 minutes early everyday so he could "play" with the math games before the start of his regular math session. He was not alone- there were always children "playing" games when we arrived. All of the teachers are warm, funny, and engaging and they make each child feel special. The interactive curriculum is perfect for young curious minds. Although Aidan lives in NE Mesa, the 40 minute drive to camp each day was well worth the drive. Each day on the ride home, Aidan recounted with enthusiasm everything he had learned that day. There is nothing else like this program anywhere in the Valley and I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone who is searching for a challenging and fun summer program for his or her children."
“I am very impressed with how they teach Math at Smart Minds. In the beginning, it looked just like what we would expect in regular classes, but then my son (2nd grade) came home and talked about negative numbers and decimals! The next week, he asked me how to calculate the area of a prism. I have to say that the way the teachers at the science camp stimulate kids' interest in math is unbelievable, especially considering that I am a statistics professor at a university.”
The Cooper Family, Scottsdale, AZ
"Smart Minds is a one-of-a-kind camp that is exciting, fun and challenging all at the same time. We have sent our three boys through this program and they have loved it! The quality of teachers and their curriculum is outstanding. The boys talked non-stop about the hands-on science projects and the building cities. They didn't even realize all the math, communication, and problem solving skills they were learning on the way. We HIGHLY recommend this camp for kids who love to learn. All schools should teach with Smart Minds' methods."
C. Atlee, Scottsdale, AZ
"My son Chase has attended Smart Minds for the past 4 summers. I find that Smart Minds provides an excellent opportunity for kids to spend the summer in a stimulating environment. There are a variety of hands on classes that are structured in a way that really engages the kids to participate. The instructors are incredible teachers who are truly enthusiastic about teaching. It is great to be part of a program that encourages and motivates the kids to use their inquisitive minds. My son believes schools should be more like Smart Minds. It is refreshing to see such enthusiasm."
B. Woodman, Scottsdale, AZ
"My son has attended Smart Minds Summer Academy the past two summers. He just loved it and looked forward to going to the camp every morning. He can't wait until this summer. When asked what he liked most about Smart Minds he said, "Everything!" What I like about Smart Minds as a parent is the small class sizes, the enthusiastic well-trained teachers and the subject matter they present. Where else does a second grader get to learn about architecture, law and communication, and forensic science? It is a hands-on learning environment. I would highly recommend Smart Minds to any child who loves to learn."
D. R. Saporito, Scottsdale, AZ
The hands on experience in Science, Math, and Public Speaking allowed the learning to come alive and introduce students to possible career options. The teachers are dedicated and engaging curriculum kept my sons looking forward to the next class. This was a three week program that did not allow for "can I not go today, Mom!" instead "it was only a week left….it has gone by too fast!". My sons have been prepared for the upcoming school year the in the past four years they have attended and look forward to more... I have a son who wants to be a scientist... thanks to Mr. Londot (Science teacher @ Smart Minds). I have recommended this program to numerous families and embrace the three week length…all the students are disappointed that the three weeks of classes are over! We are so grateful that we made this a priority for our children for the last four summers in a row."
T. Pena, Scottsdale, AZ
"Having our 8-year-old son enrolled in the Smart Minds Summer Academy Program was one of the best decisions we have made. Our son spent his summer discovering, experimenting, analyzing, but mainly, having fun! He heard about this summer program at school and he, himself asked us to sign him up. Needless to say, he was first in line the following summer as well! Our son is now 10 years old and there is no other summer program he'd rather be in than Smart Minds Summer Camp. The learning environment is one of respect, dedication, and a lot of one-to-one time is spent with each child. This summer program also prepares children for the upcoming school year and they go back to school feeling ahead of the game because they have been participating in a safe, fun and challenging environment. We highly recommend it."
A. Dodell, Scottsdale, AZ
"Both my boys have enjoyed the summer program at Smart Minds. It makes learning fun for the students. When they come once, they look forward to going back again. The kids enjoy learning in the way it is presented by the teachers. It is hands-on and the students talk about what they have learned when they come home. The kids don't mind going to this camp even though it is their summer break. It is more like having fun and doesn't feel like school even when they are learning a lot. Thanks so much for working so hard to put such a wonderful program together."
M. Brown, Scottsdale, AZ
"I heard about this program from another mother of a gifted child. When she told me that her children chose to be in this program over all other summer programs, I was intrigued. How could children want to be in such an academically challenging program....during vacation?! Now I know! Our son Dan was so taken with Smart Minds from the start. Boys and girls actively learning debate skills, challenging one another with complex math problems, hands-on science experiments, educators creating a learning environment that engage children, and getting these students excited about what they were learning! Truly excited! When Dan would come home after the day's program, he'd open his notebook and share what went on in each class. This program has unlocked parts of Dan's mind and created such desire in him to learn and excel. It has affected Dan's entire course of study and motivation. Mr. Parvin, I want to participate next year….and so does Dan. Learning never has to be drudgery. These highly gifted educators you have gathered have shown me that. If only you could send some of our teachers to Smart Minds so they catch the fire for learning and teaching again!"
D. Desmond, NE Mesa, AZ
"When I stumbled across the AZ Smart Minds Program, I knew that it would be a perfect fit for my grandson, Aidan, who loves math and science! From the very first contact with the director, Mr. Parvin, to Aidan's last day of camp, the experience has been nothing short of amazing! Mr. Parvin and all of the staff at AZ Smart Minds are experts in the field of gifted education and they know how to make learning fun. Imagine wanting to study math, science, and archeology in summer camp! Aidan wanted to come 15 minutes early everyday so he could "play" with the math games before the start of his regular math session. He was not alone- there were always children "playing" games when we arrived. All of the teachers are warm, funny, and engaging and they make each child feel special. The interactive curriculum is perfect for young curious minds. Although Aidan lives in NE Mesa, the 40 minute drive to camp each day was well worth the drive. Each day on the ride home, Aidan recounted with enthusiasm everything he had learned that day. There is nothing else like this program anywhere in the Valley and I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone who is searching for a challenging and fun summer program for his or her children."