Business Details

My daughter was supposed to go to Aspen Leaf School, I was very hopeful and excited about her going to, what looks like, an artsy, hippy school. Unfortunately, she never attended due to the unprofessionalism of the owner, Melissa Hoskins. The school itself may be great, but the owner definitely raised some red flags with me.
I took a tour on 12/19 and was impressed with the cleanliness and brightness of the space. Melissa was nice and I was ready to sign up. I gave her my paperwork and when I went to write her the $150 deposit check, she asked me to make it out to her directly and not to the school. I found this odd but did so. Red flag #1. By the time I got back to my home after going for one quick errand (maybe 30 minutes tops), the check had already been cashed! At the counter of my bank! Red flag #2.
Trying to solidify a schedule and start date was next to impossible. After calling and emailing, I received an email the night before she was to start that was vague, unprofessional, poorly written and solidified my increasing feelings of uneasiness about the owner of the school. I then did a google search and found her mug shot for passing a bad check. I knew that this would not be a place I could send my child in good faith. I emailed Melissa to ask for my deposit back since we never even got to the point of scheduling her start date nor her attending one day there. After numerous emails to her requesting it back, I finally threatened legal action (ie small claims court) and received a very unprofessional, condescending, and, in my opinion, completely crazy, voicemail.
I write this to warn others of this place. It may be a very good school once you get by the owner but I cannot and would not recommend sending your child there due to the, in my opinion, shady actions of the owner.

Have you ever used this business? Share your experience with millions of other Moms in the Mamapedia community!