A HIGHER “GRADE” OF LEARNING

ABOUT ALPHA-KIDZ

Alpha-Kidz is a warm, vibrant, and collaborative community that offers an enriching education in a nurturing environment for students in Preschool and Elementary Grades. Nestled in the heart of Santa Clarita, our roots began humbly with 2 students at our dining room table. Today, we have grown and expanded, though still considered a small school, now serving the wonderful community in Santa Clarita.

Alpha-Kidz recognizes the uniqueness of each child and is committed to the preservation and development of that individuality. We embrace students and families from diverse cultures of the world, and teach the history and wisdom of these traditions, as well as religions. We inspire a love of learning, and develop those qualities which provide strength and direction for a lifetime. We promote respect, integrity, responsibility, and optimism among our students. We celebrate our love for our country by commemorating our nation’s holidays and honoring its finest traditions.

MEET THE DIRECTORS
OUR TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

ABOUT THE DIRECTORS

TRULY DEDICATED TO EDUCATING CHILDREN

Craig & Jessie Kodish

The directors of Alpha-Kidz are a husband and wife team, Craig and Jessie Kodish, and they have been happily married for over 20 years.

Jessie Kodish is the founder and director of Alpha-Kidz International. She has been an Educator of young children for more than 25 years in the USA and Malaysia. She graduated from the California State University of Sacramento, with a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Bachelor of Science in Child Psychology. She is also certified in Montessori Education. She is a dance choreographer, swimming instructor, certified PADI rescue diver, CPR and Medic First Aid trained in preventative health and safety.

While in Malaysia, she was the chief coordinator of 3 very successful family-owned Montessori Schools, which have been operating for more than 35 wonderful years. She developed a passion for teaching when she was given the privilege to lead all 3 schools. It was then when she developed her very own phonics reading program, “Wacky Animal Phonics and Phonics Discovery Series,” and became a published children’s book writer.

TRULY DEDICATED TO EDUCATING CHILDREN

Craig & Jessie Kodish

The directors of Alpha-Kidz are a husband and wife team, Craig and Jessie Kodish, and they have been happily married for over 20 years.

Jessie Kodish is the founder and director of Alpha-Kidz International. She has been an Educator of young children for more than 25 years in the USA and Malaysia. She graduated from the California State University of Sacramento, with a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Bachelor of Science in Child Psychology. She is also certified in Montessori Education. She is a dance choreographer, swimming instructor, certified PADI rescue diver, CPR and Medic First Aid trained in preventative health and safety.

While in Malaysia, she was the chief coordinator of 3 very successful family-owned Montessori Schools, which have been operating for more than 35 wonderful years. She developed a passion for teaching when she was given the privilege to lead all 3 schools. It was then when she developed her very own phonics reading program, “Wacky Animal Phonics and Phonics Discovery Series,” and became a published children’s book writer.

Over the years, Jessie has taught hundreds of children to read, write and excel in school. It brings her great joy to see children glowing with confidence when they discover their intellect and hidden talents, and realize that learning is actually fun! Many of her students have achieved GATE (Gifted & Talented Education) status, and last February 2020, 16 of her high achieving GATE students qualified and received an endorsement of a lifetime acceptance into MENSA, a High IQ Society.

Moreover, Jessie has directed children’s performances in music, speech, drama, and choreographed dances for their annual performances and graduation ceremonies. Many of their performances can be found on Our Videos Page.

Craig Kodish was a former avionics engineer. He decided to leave his job in order to support his wife’s endeavor, when she started her elementary program in 2014. He is also a certified Montessori instructor and is currently leading our Alpha-Kidz Robotics program.

Over the years, Jessie has taught hundreds of children to read, write and excel in school. It brings her great joy to see children glowing with confidence when they discover their intellect and hidden talents, and realize that learning is actually fun! Many of her students have achieved GATE (Gifted & Talented Education) status, and last February 2020, 16 of her high achieving GATE students qualified and received an endorsement of a lifetime acceptance into MENSA, a High IQ Society.

Moreover, Jessie has directed children’s performances in music, speech, drama, and choreographed dances for their annual performances and graduation ceremonies. Many of their performances can be found on Our Videos Page

Craig Kodish was a former avionics engineer. He decided to leave his job in order to support his wife’s endeavor, when she started her elementary program in 2014. He is also a certified Montessori instructor and is currently leading our Alpha-Kidz Robotics program.

HOME IS WHERE OUR STORY BEGINS

HOW ALPHA-KIDZ BEGAN

Prior to starting Alpha-Kidz, Jessie didn’t even think that she could make a difference or serve her community at all. Her neighbor discovered that Jessie was an avid Educator and asked if she could tutor her 4-year old daughter. She claimed that her daughter learned more from Jessie in 1½ hours than 2 years at her previous preschool! That neighbor, whose daughter became our first student pioneer, insisted that Jessie should start a preschool and private kindergarten because, in her own words, “parents are looking for quality education.” Jessie told her that if she really liked what she had just seen, then she would like it even more if there were 2 kids! Hence, Alpha-Kidz started with 2 students being tutored at their dining room table in 2005.

Jessie held her 1st Graduation Concert with these 2 fortunate students, who entertained a crowd of 25 people for 30 minutes, in their small and humble home on Shinedale. They sang, danced, delivered speeches in foreign languages, and performed speech & drama and kindermusical 2-person band playing several instruments. The audience was blown away. This was how Alpha-Kidz International started in Santa Clarita, and Snowbear became our school mascot.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SNOWBEAR

HOME IS WHERE OUR STORY BEGINS

HOW ALPHA-KIDZ BEGAN

Prior to starting Alpha-Kidz, Jessie didn’t even think that she could make a difference or serve her community at all. Her neighbor discovered that Jessie was an avid Educator and asked if she could tutor her 4-year old daughter. She claimed that her daughter learned more from Jessie in 1½ hours than 2 years at her previous preschool! That neighbor, whose daughter became our first student pioneer, insisted that Jessie should start a preschool and private kindergarten because, in her own words, “parents are looking for quality education.” Jessie told her that if she really liked what she had just seen, then she would like it even more if there were 2 kids! Hence, Alpha-Kidz started with 2 students being tutored on their dining room table in 2005.

Jessie held her 1st Graduation Concert with these 2 fortunate students, who entertained a crowd of 25 people for 30 minutes, in their small and humble home on Shinedale. They sang, danced, delivered speeches in foreign languages, and performed speech & drama and kindermusical 2-person band playing several instruments. The audience was blown away. This was how Alpha-Kidz International started in Santa Clarita, and Snowbear became our school mascot.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SNOWBEAR

1st Teacher Appreciation
by parents & their children

TIME FLIES

WHEN YOU’RE TEACHING FUN

Alpha-Kidz was approved and licensed in 2006, and since the very first day of operating a child care, we have had full enrollment, with up to a 2 year wait list. In 2007, Alpha-Kidz moved to our current location on Calypso, and parents continued to be excited and rave about our curriculum. We’ve been blessed that we have not needed to rely on advertising, as parents have been happily referring our program to their friends. A parent once said, “It’s not just a bunch of words that schools tend to put in writing to impress parents. Alpha-Kidz International actually means what they say, and say what they mean. They are able to produce results! Every single child at Alpha-Kidz is excelling! It is absolutely amazing!”

In 2020, Alpha-Kidz celebrated its 15th year in Santa Clarita, and Jessie’s 28th year of teaching internationally. Every year has been an achievement and we cherish every moment of it, without ever forgetting how far we have come. Families who have had to relocate would let us know how difficult it has been for them to find a program like Alpha-Kidz. They have said that Alpha-Kidz is “irreplaceable…one of a kind,…and the real McCoy.” We are deeply humbled with gratitude.

Alpha-Kidz was approved and licensed in 2006, and since the very first day of operating a child care, we have had full enrollment, with up to a 2 year wait list. In 2007, Alpha-Kidz moved to our current location on Calypso, and parents continued to be excited and rave about our curriculum. We’ve been blessed that we have not needed to rely on advertising, as parents have been happily referring our program to their friends. A parent once said, “It’s not just a bunch of words that schools tend to put in writing to impress parents. Alpha-Kidz International actually means what they say, and say what they mean. They are able to produce results! Every single child at Alpha-Kidz is excelling! It is absolutely amazing!”

In 2020, Alpha-Kidz celebrated its 15th year in Santa Clarita, and Jessie’s 28th year of teaching internationally. Every year has been an achievement and we cherish every moment of it, without ever forgetting how far we have come. Families who have had to relocate would let us know how difficult it has been for them to find a program like Alpha-Kidz. They have said that Alpha-Kidz is “irreplaceable…one of a kind,…and the real McCoy.” We are deeply humbled with gratitude.

HOW SNOWBEAR BECAME THE

ALPHA-KIDZ MASCOT

The echoes of September 11, 2001 were felt across the globe. It brought an unexpected twist of fate for Craig and Jessie, who at that time, were living in Asia. When the horrific attack happened, Craig’s previous company gave them 9 months to prepare to leave everything, including her family, behind in Malaysia and start a new life here in the US. Jessie dreaded moving and felt disoriented at that time. She was afraid of her new environment. She developed an anxiety leaving the house, going out into the backyard and even getting the mail. She felt out of place, like a fish out of water. She felt she didn’t belong here. She would happily go back to Malaysia to be with her family for a month and then return to the US for a month, and she did this for 3 years. Not only was she missing her family, she felt responsible for her schools, her teachers, the children, let alone their parents, who needed her guidance and leadership. Moreover, her publisher needed her to work on more books. It was a very difficult time for Jessie, to a point where her traveling back and forth took a serious toll on her health, plus it was costly to travel to Asia 6 times a year! Craig put an end to her travel madness by presenting her with this beautiful white fluffy bear-cub puppy, which she named Snowbear. Snowbear changed her life. She saved her from herself by giving her a reason to stay. How?

HOW SNOWBEAR BECAME THE

ALPHA-KIDZ MASCOT

The echoes of September 11, 2001 were felt across the globe. It brought an unexpected twist of fate for Craig and Jessie, who at that time, were living in Asia. When the horrific attack happened, Craig’s previous company gave them 9 months to prepare to leave everything, including her family, behind in Malaysia and start a new life here in the US. Jessie dreaded moving and felt disoriented at that time. She was afraid of her new environment. She developed an anxiety leaving the house, going out into the backyard and even getting the mail. She felt out of place, like a fish out of water. She felt she didn’t belong here. She would happily go back to Malaysia to be with her family for a month and then return to the US for a month, and she did this for 3 years. Not only was she missing her family, she felt responsible for her schools, her teachers, the children, let alone their parents, who needed her guidance and leadership. Moreover, her publisher needed her to work on more books. It was a very difficult time for Jessie, to a point where her traveling back and forth took a toll on her health, plus it was costly to travel to Asia 6 times a year! Craig put an end to her travel madness by presenting her with this beautiful white fluffy bear-cub puppy, which she named Snowbear. Snowbear changed her life. She saved her from herself by giving her a reason to stay. How?

A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND

SNOWBEAR TO THE RESCUE

When Craig went to work then, Snowbear would beg for walks. Once, she escaped and Jessie had to chase her down the street, and before she knew it, Jessie had forgotten about her fear of leaving the house. It was from walking Snowbear that Jessie was able to turn her weakness into her strength. Soon, people started joining them and their daily walks became a “doggie parade.” Snowbear was a very social dog. She “introduced” the families of our student pioneers and teacher assistants into Jessie’s life. Snowbear wasn’t just a pet who became a mascot. She had a hand in making Alpha-Kidz possible. She was a hero, and will forever be fondly remembered.