Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions a parent can make…read more After feeling concerned that my four-year-old son's previous transitional kindergarten lacked structure, guidance, and meaningful engagement, finding Mountain Boulevard Montessori has been an incredible relief for our family. At his former school, the program relied heavily on unstructured free play with little intentional academic or developmental support. While socialization is important, I watched my bright and eager son become under-stimulated and disengaged. As a parent, it was heartbreaking to feel that his potential was not being nurtured. From the moment we entered Mountain Blvd Montessori, the difference was clear. The environment is calm, purposeful, and thoughtfully structured. The staff are attentive, nurturing, and genuinely invested in each child's growth--academically, socially, and emotionally. My son now has a daily rhythm that encourages independence, responsibility, focus, and confidence. Most importantly, he is excited about learning again. He comes home proud of what he has accomplished and eager to share what he discovered throughout the day. I can see him developing not only foundational academic skills, but also concentration, problem-solving abilities, and self-confidence that will prepare him for kindergarten and beyond. Mountain Blvd Montessori has given my child the balanced, enriching environment he truly needed. I am deeply grateful to have found a school that values structure, curiosity, and each child's individual potential. I highly recommend it to families seeking a more intentional, supportive, and engaging early education experience.

We are so grateful to have found Mountain Boulevard Montessori School for our son. It's hard to…read morefind a daycare you can truly trust, especially when you're starting them at such a young age, but we immediately felt comforted by the staff's warmth and genuine care during our initial tour there. Our son started here at just two years old, and we have been amazed to watch him blossom over the years. The teachers and staff have not only provided a nurturing and loving environment but have also been deeply committed to the children's education. We've seen him learn and grow so much, and the curriculum has thoroughly prepared him for his start in grade school. Mountain Boulevard Montessori School is a truly special place, and we are so grateful for all the hard work they put in. We're so happy with our experience that we've already decided to bring our next child here when she is old enough. We couldn't recommend this school more highly.

Sequoia Nursery is a special place! The staff, the parents, the kids, the environment are all top…read morenotch. It's very well organized, structured perfectly, well balanced and run by teachers and parents who really care. We are proud and grateful to be a part of this wonderful community

Teachers Margo and Susan are so gentle and effective with the kids. Our child has really enjoyed…read moretheir time with the other kids and the teachers. We see growth and are excited to see how much is to come by the end of the year. The school is managed by the parents and follows an organized model for how teachers & kids are supported in the program. It's a beautiful school and we're happy with our experience and truly welcome others to visit and see for themselves.

Our youngest child went here for the PACT program and it was a wonderful experience. The teachers…read morewere sweet and very attentive and had great interventions and teaching moments (for the kids and me!) throughout the day. Having had an older kid go through a different program I'm familiar with the stress that can sometimes accompany a co-op preschool but they made the experience pleasant, judgment free, and safe for everyone! I highly recommend the school!

Our daughter has been attending BCSO, in the PACT classroom for a year now and words cannot…read moredescribe how much we love this school. First and foremost, the teachers are very caring and attentive, not only to children but to parents as well. Since it is a play-based school, different toys are provided each time we attend class. Hence, children have plenty of learning opportunities through play such as working on their fine motor skills, social skills, and exploring different ways of playing. Having a nurturing environment for our daughter to begin her education journey is very important to us. We are very grateful that we've found BCSO as they continue to exceed our expectations. Our daughter wakes up in the morning wanting to go to school and leaves school with a big smile on her face. She had made tremendous progress with her learning development as well. Lastly, we recently relocated to another city, but decided to have our daughter continue attending BCSO. This school is truly a gem!

My child has been at Mitzy's for almost 2 years, since he was about 20 months, and it has been a…read morewonderful place for him. The whole space is lovely, and is somehow exciting and calming at the same time - very much in keeping with Mitzy's own way of being. All of the maestras are warm, caring, and communicative, and have supported my child through many things, including potty training and the death of a pet. They are also great at supporting social and emotional learning. The kids have lots of time for unstructured play but also plenty to do each day - all kinds of activities including arts and crafts, sensory play, gardening, special birthday celebrations and holiday-related activities. At the end of the day, the kids are thrilled to see their parents, but none of them seem to want to go home, and I always want to linger in the backyard for a while, too. Highly recommend this program.

I am so happy and grateful that I found SquareCare! My son started the program soon after turning…read more2. Until then, he had only ever been cared for by his dad, grandmother, and me - no babysitters or nannies - so being away from us was a big adjustment. From the very beginning, the team at SquareCare was incredibly understanding and supportive. Mitzy created a thoughtful transition plan that truly set my son up for success. At first, I was able to stay with him at school so he could get comfortable with the new environment and teachers. Then, we gradually increased the time he spent there alone. Finally, once we all felt confident that he was happy and secure, he began napping at school as well. Now, my son loves school and attends full days three times a week. Mitzy, Yessi, and Tiara are so patient and genuinely invested in his success. We're all so proud of his progress and growth. I highly recommend this program! The teachers are not only caring and wonderful with the children, but the environment is exceptionally clean and inviting. Plus, there's a bunny and chickens--such a fun and unique touch that the kids absolutely love!

My daughter was at OGS for 2.5 years and really thrived there. We are so, so thankful to have this…read moreamazing place in our neighborhood. Christina, the director is wonderful and so are the teachers. Everyone is dedicated and the kids are happy as clams. The whole facility is great with the amazing backyard with sunny and shady areas, sand pits, mud kitchen, a yurt, a boat and even goats! Every time I picked up my dirty, crusty, smiling kid was a great day! She learned so much every day and came home tired and happy. My kid has now graduated and moved on to TK and it's still bittersweet because of the great people we met there and the wonderful community. We are still in contact with many other families and will hopefully continue to see them

We visited several preschools for our daughter, but nothing came close to the magical wonderland…read morethat is Oakland Garden School! Nevertheless, I was admittedly still nervous after reading some pretty damning reviews. But I soon discovered that pretty much ALL preschools have some real scary reviews, or no reviews at all. What made me feel most optimistic about OGS, was the emphasis on creating a true sense of community and accountability with families. In addition to regular community events and volunteer opportunities, OGS also has a parent advisory committee (PAC). As a former PTA president, I think such a group really can have an impact on as school, and along with Christina's leadership, the school seems to be a thriving community with some VERY skilled and caring teachers. I want to give a special shootout to Teachers Sam, Melissa, Candace, and Emily who all went above and beyond to support, encourage, and care for our neurodivergent daughter. The classrooms at OGS are large, air conditioned, and full of quality and creative toys and activities with special areas for kids who need a quiet and calm space. And absolutely NOTHING compares to the outdoor space. If OGS's outdoor space was a public park, it would be our favorite park! It's true that in this industry there is a fair amount of teacher turnaround. But our sense from teachers (and I really prodded them to give me the dirt!) really like working at OGS. While there was some staff turnover during our time, it certainly didn't strike us as abnormal or excessive and because each class has multiple teachers, there was always some consistency. Director Christina was often helping in classrooms, especially during times of transitions and she also, was great with the kids. My one critique for OGS is something I really doubt other schools are doing better with, that is communicating and enacting protocols for illness. There were many times when I noticed HEPA filters not turned on and I would occasionally not see soap or towels by a sink. We were always given alerts when there was an exposure to anything other than a cold, but it was not always clear when it was or was not OK to bring our child in. Again, I think OGS is probably far above average when it comes to dealing with this stuff, but I would be remiss if I didn't prod them (and other families) to do more. The extra outdoor time at OGS also probably gives the school a leg up on others. My wife and I were so impressed at how OGS went above and beyond our high expectations of the school. We are going to miss it as it sets a pretty high bar for whatever is next for our children!

As a parent of two young children, I'm wrestling with how best to prepare them for a world that's…read morechanging so rapidly. With AI coming, what skills will really matter? Two years into our journey at Escuela Bilingüe Internacional (EBI), I've come to appreciate the value of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, especially its focus on inquiry-based learning and bilingualism. A few reasons this feels more relevant than ever: Intellectual curiosity IB helps students develop a love of exploring ideas, formulating questions, and seeking deeper understanding--skills that will set them apart in a world of instant answers. Cross-disciplinary thinking IB encourages students to make connections across subjects and approach problems creatively. Bilingualism and cultural fluency Learning in two languages strengthens cognitive flexibility and helps students navigate a more connected, global society. Global and ethical perspective The program develops empathy, collaboration, and a strong sense of ethics, which our world needs now more than ever.

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!

Our family moved to Rockridge specifically for the great K-5 schools, but when those schools closed…read moreduring COVID we found a neighborhood school that was finding innovative ways to stay open and serve the students and their families. Now, 5 years later, we have every intent to see our kids graduate from the BRWS middle school. There is a rhythm to each day, week, and season. That rhythm (and the intentionality behind it) calms my children, grounds them, provides them with stability, and has allowed them to develop at their speed. This is a school that in early childhood lets kids be in nature, play, discover themselves and the world, and lets kids be kids. As the curriculum moves into the grades and middle school, it evolves into a rigorous, really well-rounded education that develops the technical analytical skills needed these days while also cultivating skills like resilience, creativity, and confidence. Beyond that we have found "our people" with the community of parents here. There is real buy-in from everyone. The school's seasonal festivals are wonderful, and weekends and holidays are often spent with other families from the school at parks or each other's houses. Unique aspects of the Waldorf curriculum (like no media in the classrooms and a de-emphasis at home, having one teacher stay with a class for several years at a time, leaning into creativity and skill development as opposed to rote memorization and an abundance of homework) really resonate with the parent community and are gaining mainstream traction for the antidote they seem to provide to many of the perceived struggles this generation of children is encountering (with respect to anxiety, isolation, depression, a lack of connectedness). We couldn't be happier here.

My partner and I have two children at Berkeley Rose, and we have been overwhelmingly happy with our…read moreexpereince. When our older child entered the school for nursery, we were certain we would transition to our local public school for the grades. However, we were quickly enamored with the thoughtfulness and intentionality of the school at large and the attuned care our young daughter received. We were also surprised and impressed by the strength and creativity of the academic programming in the grades, such that we felt a conviction to stay at the school beyond early childhood and consider oursleves very lucky to have stumbled upon such an educational gem. Perhaps the greatest benefit of Berkeley Rose is its community, which is thoughtful, kind, engaging and interesting. We've made great friends to raise our children alongside.

We couldn't be happier with Mechita Preschool! Both of our children (ages 3.5 and 1.5) attend, and…read morewe feel so lucky to have found such a special place. The staff are incredibly warm and attentive, and with a small cohort, every child gets so much individualized love and care. It's a play-based Spanish immersion program, and our kids are thriving in the fun, creative environment filled with art and local excursions. For working parents, it's a dream. The hours are great (8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.), they provide all the high-quality, nutritious food, and they are a massive help with potty training. Our kids are happy, learning, loved, and excited to go to school every day (3.5yo is often disappointed on the weekend when she finds out it's not a preschool day). We wholeheartedly recommend it to any family looking for a nurturing and supportive Spanish immersion preschool.

Mechita's provided a wonderful environment for our daughter! A very loving family that makes…read moreincredible homemade, healthy meals - and even got our daughter loving broccoli and kale. Full Spanish immersion, educational games, lots of music and dancing. They are absolute pros at potty training and have built a lovely community of families around the daycare. Highly recommend!

Our son attended Golden Bay for the 8 months prior to starting TK. He had a great time there, and…read morelearned a number of important things about the transition between daycare and school. Golden Bay's structure and team provided him with the right experience to prepare him for his next steps. All of the staff is very professional, caring and understanding. Highly recommended, especially if you are planning on attending TK in the school district, as your child will have more experience in a class-like setting, which will make the transition process more familiar and less stressful.

My two little ones love there, especially my daughter love there so much that she doesn't want to…read morego home every time we pick her up. When she wakes up in the morning, she would tell me that she likes her teacher so much and wants to be with her. I am also so happy to see my son started to write, and his teachers are so patient in helping him manger his emotions. Teachers there are so loving and patient, they also inspire kids to write and read. I can't say enough good things about here and just feel very grateful.

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.