My son has a great experience with young wonks. He is learning python and learning really well. The…read moreinstructor is very patient and explains content well. He also attended the 3D modeling summer camp in person, which was a great experience. Coach Leo is amazing and connect very effectively with kids. I would highly recommend Youngwonks to any parent who's kid enjoys coding and CS.

From the actual student. Homework questions are about stuff…read morethat haven't been taught yet, the instructor is confusing and adds unwanted pressure. Im currently in pygame and need a few moments to figure out the coordinates to graph. My instructor does not give me that time and expects me to know functions that are barely used. Ex: max() and min(). He also expects me to remember complex lines of code we only did once, and is very passive aggressive when I don't understand something. Overall, the lessons are not properly taught with unreasonable expectations, and the problems are confusing, containing unprofessional wording (typos, incorrect grammar, etc.) and do not properly explain what I need to do.

My son is currently in first grade at the Academy and we consider ourselves very lucky to have…read morefound this gem of a school. It is a place that nurtures his innate curiosity and encourages deep learning and a personal intellectual engagement with the world. This is balanced by a warm, diverse, and kind environment where children feel seen and are accepted for who they are. From our first visit, we were captivated by the cozy charm of the campus and its welcoming atmosphere. Walking through the halls, you can't help but notice the confident, composed, and articulate students. On any given day, they're engaged in meaningful conversations with peers and teachers or participating in lively, thoughtful classroom discussions. A Love for Learning What sets the Academy apart is its focus on deep, meaningful learning. In kindergarten, my son quickly grasped math concepts through Ms. Cherney's "double-decker bus" technique, a creative visual tool for numbers that add to ten. By year's end, he was proudly bringing home story pamphlets he had written, blending creativity with growing writing skills. He also adopted the SEL class mantra, "nothing is ever perfect," which inspires him to embrace a growth mindset daily. Now in first grade, Ms. Labarca builds on his foundation with hands-on, multi-sensory learning. Montessori cubes and open-ended questions challenge his critical thinking while teaching him to understand the "why" behind concepts, not just the "how." It's been great to see his curiosity deepen as he learns to think from first principles. The Academy fosters a culture where learning is both prioritized and celebrated, with academic rigor as the standard. This is beautifully balanced by a community that values students' well-being and sense of belonging and genuinely prioritizes diversity. A Thriving Community The Academy is a close-knit, supportive community where every child is valued and heard. The teachers are both kind and inspiring. Their passion for their subjects and for teaching shines through, making them exceptional role models. Many of the teachers have been part of the school for over 30 years, a testament to their dedication and the strength of the community. Our Head of School, Cecee Penney, has a remarkable talent for inspiring and connecting with the children. The parent community are warm and unpretentious. Many are intellectuals with ties to Cal/Berkeley and the surrounding research community and bring a rich diversity of perspective. Many volunteer their time and expertise to enhance the school experience. Some have given talks to the school, some recent topics include The Science of Climate Change, Cultural Lessons about Ethiopia, and Day in the Life of a Doctor. Why We Love the Academy The Academy is a place that sparks a love of learning while fostering a strong sense of community. From Yayoi Kusama-inspired art to Socratic discussions, it seamlessly blends an education that prioritizes creativity and critical thinking. It's a place where children explore, ask questions, and grow to be ambitious learners. For our family, the Academy feels like home--a place where our son is thriving, not just academically but as a thoughtful, curious, and confident individual. We're deeply grateful to be part of this community and happy to share more about our experience. If you are considering the school, feel free to reach out to me, Jaireh Tecarro, at tecarro@gmail.com.

We decided to withdraw our children from The Academy after ongoing concerns about bullying, lack of…read moreaccountability, and weak leadership. Our son faced repeated exclusion and inappropriate comments from classmates, including remarks that he was disliked "because he is Turkish." Despite our repeated reports and requests for support, the school minimized the situation and stated that "there was no bullying." Yet even during classroom assignments, our son expressed in writing and drawings his deepest wish for a world without bullying -- something no child should have to feel so strongly about in the first place. We tried for months to collaborate with the school, to have meaningful conversations, and to trust that the situation would improve. Unfortunately, it did not. Two students -- one acting as the leader and another following his lead -- consistently targeted him, and there were no real consequences. The administration's responses were consistently dismissive, suggesting a lack of understanding of the emotional impact such behavior can have on a child. Our son's sense of safety was completely eroded. Leadership at the school often acts in denial rather than taking responsibility. Communication is reactive and defensive. We also learned later that the administration offered us a $6,000 refund in exchange for signing a non-disparagement contract -- essentially asking us not to talk about our experience. We declined. Families deserve honesty, not silence. Academically, the school claims to be "one year ahead" and to follow a rigorous curriculum. After transferring to another school, we learned this was not true. Many concepts were skipped or taught superficially, creating learning gaps. Teachers are inconsistent -- some are good, while others frequently absent or disengaged. The third-grade environment in particular suffered from poor classroom management, inappropriate peer interactions, and a lack of supervision during recess and lunch. Conversations among students included inappropriate topics such as smoking and alcohol, even at this young age. This reflects serious gaps in oversight. The school also advertises a French program, but in reality, students only learn a few isolated words throughout the year -- far from the language exposure and learning that parents are led to expect. This is one example of how the school's marketing and actual classroom experience do not align. The only staff member who genuinely helped us and consistently supported our child was the inclusion and belonging teacher. She truly cared, followed up, and tried to make a difference when others didn't. To our shock, after leaving the school, we learned that she had been laid off. It's hard to understand how a school that claims to value inclusion could let go of one of the few people who actually embodied it. Adding to the concern, we later found that in the 2024-2025 school year, the administration encouraged families to post positive reviews online to boost enrollment numbers, as the kindergarten class had only six students enrolled. That context makes recent glowing reviews highly misleading. I would advise anyone considering this school not to rely on those reviews, as many were written under pressure to improve the school's public image. When The Academy was founded years ago, it had a strong reputation. Sadly, under the current leadership, it has lost its integrity, its sense of community, and its educational quality. For us, both the financial cost and the emotional toll were high. We are writing this review not out of bitterness, but out of responsibility -- so that other families can make informed decisions. Our new school has shown us how dramatically things can change when children feel truly safe, respected, and supported. Every child deserves that.

Michaela is great with my 6th and 8th graders who have been working with her this year, including…read moreon my 8th grader's high school applications. They genuinely enjoy the sessions with her (and they're not usually the type to want to do anything "extra"). Michaela makes it fun and not intimidating which is key for my kids and probably a lot of other younger students out there. Our family is so glad to have found Michaela!

There are truly no words that fully convey what Michaela did for my daughter during her high school…read moreyears. She stared working with Michaela early on as a writing instructor and coach. She helped my daughter with her entries for numerous writing competitions, including the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, for which she won gold and silver medals over multiple years. She then helped with college essays and planning. I cannot recommend her highly enough! She became an advisor and artistic guide. My daughter's high school fulfilling writing journey was truly made possible with Michaela's support and guidance!

My niece went here for a three years. It's a wonderful school with excellent teachers. They have an…read moreincredible amount of support programs for parents and family. I was able to tag along on some of the evening nights at the start of the school year. They are very organized and well run.

We initially chose EBI for its Spanish immersion program and were soon delighted to discover it's…read morealso an International Baccalaureate (IB) school. While raising bilingual children is important to us, the IB curriculum has become the most enriching part of our experience. Its inquiry-driven approach inspires curiosity, deep thinking, and a genuine love of learning that keeps our children engaged. Our top priority was to find a school where our kids would enjoy learning, ask big questions, and develop a global perspective--and EBI has exceeded our expectations. The teaching at EBI is high quality. The educators are thoughtful, skilled, and dedicated to helping each child succeed. They create a supportive learning environment that emphasizes both academic and social-emotional growth. Group work and collaboration are central to the school's approach, helping students build important interpersonal and problem-solving skills. EBI has been a great fit for our child with a learning difference, and also the one that doesn't have a learning difference because of their commitment to differentiated learning, which supports all learners! The inquiry-based model allows them to engage with the material without relying on memorization or worksheets. We appreciate the strong Learning Differences and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) support team as well! The EBI community--teachers and parents alike--have been fabulous!

We had an excellent experience with StrivePath. Sunny and Jenny gave great advice and counsel as…read moreour son was navigating college football recruiting. With Jenny being a former college athlete, she provided insight and helped us with messaging/approach across the different coaches our son interacted with during the process. They were also diligent and we could tell they genuinely cared about our son. StrivePath was worth every dollar we spent--this company is really professional in its approach but more importantly personable. I give them my highest recommendation.

Our journey at TRIS was an experience that our family will always appreciate and treasure. The…read morestaff and teachers are dedicated to helping the students grow and discover possibilities from within. Their holistic approach for academic and personal development is what stands out most for us. As parents, TRIS was a valued partner in helping us uphold and reinforce our desire to nurture responsibility and accountability in our children. It wasn't enough for our children to be "smart.," although it is evident that our children and other TRIS children are among the smartest in their respective environments. Our goal was to instill behaviors that help them to lead, to participate in and to consider the world around them. Overall, Montessori education has made an incredible impact on how my children tackle challenges and conflict in their lives. As a result, they embrace opportunities to meet new people and try difficult things even when they are nervous or afraid. This is even the case for one of our children who exhibited shyness and introversion from a young age. TRIS and Montessori education helped us to realize that our children have innate capabilities and interests that will enable them to pursue things that have purpose and value to them now and in the future. There aren't enough words to describe the foundation TRIS helped to build in our children. Completely worth the investment and sacrifice.

We were initially drawn to TRIS for its Montessori-inspired, self-directed learning style and what…read moreseemed like a knowledgeable and nurturing teaching staff. Our children attended from 2021 to 2023, starting in Pre-Primary and Primary. While our neurotypical daughter did okay, our son--who has learning differences--was not supported in the way we expected from a school that emphasizes individualized education. After his teacher and the head of the elementary program raised concerns, we pursued a comprehensive private assessment based on their recommendation. When we shared the results--which showed he was severely academically behind (below the 5th percentile in reading skills)--we received no response for two weeks. When they did reach out, the response was dismissive and lacked urgency. Even though they had asked for the assessment, they questioned the accuracy of the results and brushed off the findings by saying, "everyone learns at their own pace." His significant learning gaps were not treated as an educational concern. The burden of support was placed entirely on us as parents--recommendations focused on hiring outside specialists, while the school offered no internal interventions or accommodations. At the parent-teacher conference, we were blindsided when the Head of School abruptly informed us, with no opportunity for discussion, that our son would not be offered a spot in the Elementary program because there were "too many special needs kids" already enrolled. While our daughter didn't face academic challenges, even she--and her brother--commented on how much more engaging and enjoyable public school was after leaving TRIS. Leadership has since changed, but the current team still includes the former Head of School's daughters and son-in-law. TRIS may look progressive on the surface, but families of children with learning differences should ask careful questions before enrolling. In our experience, it was not an inclusive or responsive environment. One final note: our daughter once suffered a deep gash on her finger--apparently from one of the school's cots--and needed stitches. When her teacher called to notify us, it was made to sound minor, and we were told there was no need to pick her up. When I arrived, I saw how serious the cut was and took her to the doctor immediately. That experience reinforced our concerns about how the school handled safety and communication.

Wonderful Preschool! We've been at Growing Light for the…read morelast few years and love the school, teachers, and other families. Ms. Awa (the school director) leads a fantastic staff of dedicated teachers and we always feel that our kids are cared for, safe, and getting a great education. So happy that we are part of the GLM community.

From the moment we first walked into Growing Light Montessori School (GLMS), we knew it was the…read moreright place for our family. Our child attended for the past 3 years (recently graduated), and we couldn't be happier with the love, patience, and creativity that the administrators and teachers bring to the classroom every single day. What stands out most is how every staff member truly sees the kids. They don't just supervise; they nurture. Our child comes home excited to tell us about art projects, science experiments, songs, and new friendships. We've noticed such growth in confidence, kindness, and curiosity since starting here. The communication with families is also outstanding. Ms. Awa (school director) takes time to personally check in and always makes sure we feel informed and heard. The teachers send updates and photos that brighten our day and make us feel connected to what's happening in the classroom. It's clear that GLMS is more than just a school... it's a community! The small touches (from thoughtfully prepared activities to celebrating each child's unique personality) make all the difference. If you are looking for a preschool where your child will be safe, inspired, and truly cared for, I wholeheartedly recommend Growing Light Montessori School. We feel so grateful to have found this school!

June 7, 2026 Parent of a new Walden grad here. Walden's…read morepriority is to foster a love for learning and to support children in a nurturing environment through arts, academics, and community. Walden is simultaneously a safe place for children to try new things and a competent and professional environment where students receive individual attention to progress objectively. As a professional in healthcare, I had my initial concerns about not having grades, but I've since been converted, seeing how positively the kids interact with their teachers and each other. 1. Coursework: a. Reading/Writing: The literature they choose is level appropriate in difficulty and has content that spans the globe, sparking discussion about issues the kids may not be exposed to in their East Bay lives. b. Math: My child is advanced in math and likes solving puzzles, and he was shown good habits for organization. Many American kids struggle with math, so in my opinion the pace of the class is a little slower than my child could have gone. But I think they need to teach to the class's pace, and they do a great job of showing math's applications in the world to make it both fun and practical for the kids who are more math-averse. c. Science: There is didactic and experimental material in life and earth sciences. Every year, the whole school does science projects, where students pose a research question, design a study, collect data, and then present a poster to the whole community on science night. d. Social Sciences/History/Current Events: Students learn about both US and world events and reflect on the shared points of humanity. During drop-offs or pick-ups, I might have had news radio on in the car, and my son would inquire about or contribute to conversations about Palestine, for example. There was a period of a month or two where there was a ceasefire, and my son was so initially overjoyed, followed by sadness when the ceasefire was broken. It is through true caring about the people involved that he wanted to know more about the complex history of the region and do what part we can to promote tolerance. e. Spanish: The kids read books aloud, sing songs, and explore cultural themes in Spanish-speaking culture. Their dia de los muertos celebration of ancestors is a powerful event. f. Visual arts: The art room has weaving, drawing, painting, sculpture, beadwork, digital and analog art. Student work is all over the school. g. Drama/Movement: Students learn to be confident in front of others and express themselves through their bodies. h. Music: Each student's vocal range is documented, and they work on pitch, rhythm, instrumental music (recorder, mallets). They have opportunities for performance for the community. The Upper Group puts on a Broadway style musical theater production each spring - a truly spectacular event, with live accompaniment from a pit ensemble. 2. Community: One central theme of the school is how volunteers from the community can make beautiful and incredible events. Highlights include a winter gala, a spring fair with games, prizes, food, music, and a darling cake-walk, where children pick out a cake to take home. Parents meet each other and the kids through the community events. Sleeves are rolled up to keep the campus clean and events bright. 3. Field Trips: They go to plays, dance performances, on 3-day camping trips, museums. We shed many tears of joy throughout our Walden experience and give it the highest recommendation for yours.

We absolutely love Walden!!! I have 2 kids that attended Walden from kindergarten to 5th grade, one…read moregraduated in 2023 and the other just graduated in 2026. Walden is a truly amazing place and my family is so lucky to be a part of it. The community is tight knit and always supports each other. The students are prepared to succeed in middle school and beyond by integrating arts and academics, while also being taught how to advocate for themselves and stand up for each other. The teachers are kind and understanding and know how to support your child in their individual learning style. The kids feel loved and seen as who they are . When a new kid joins they get immediately accepted into the community, which is something so special about Walden. I was a teacher for 7 years and coached teachers at numerous schools, and I can confidently say Walden is the best one. My kids are obsessed with Walden and are so grateful that they had the chance to go to school at Walden for many years. I highly recommend Walden for any student.