We are Grandparents to 3 children at this wonderful school. We have attended many great events here…read moreand volunteered in the classrooms. We have witnessed first hand the beautiful community and Catholic education that is fostered at this super school. Our Grandchildren are thriving. We also educated our grown 3 children with Catholic education and are Blessed today with healthy wonderful happy families. The sacrifice is totally worth it. John and Jill Brunold

Please note: Many positive reviews on yelp were written under previous school and parish…read moreleadership. Our children attended this school for 11 years, and there is now new administration and church leadership. Our experience with the current leadership has been dramatically different. We considered this school and parish our second home. We volunteered, supported school events, raised our children here, and trusted the community to reflect the Catholic values of compassion, mercy, forgiveness, and human dignity. That trust was shattered when our family faced its first and only significant disciplinary issue. We expected accountability, guidance, and an opportunity for our child to learn from a mistake. Instead, we experienced exclusion, fear-driven decision-making, and we felt increasingly unwelcome by the school and church leadership. It became clear that the current leadership lacked the experience to handle the situation and, more importantly, the humility to recognize its shortcomings. We believe their actions fell short of standard education requirements and practices and caused significant and lasting harm to our children and family. Catholic education should emphasize mercy, redemption, reconciliation, and the belief that a child is more than a single mistake. Instead, we experienced what felt like judgment, exclusion and institutional self-protection. The decisions felt punitive and disproportionate, with little meaningful dialogue, transparency, or compassion. Despite many families advocating on our behalf for a different approach, leadership ultimately turned its back on our family. What remains most painful is the disconnect between how we were treated and the values this school and parish claim to teach.

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.

We have been really happy with our experience at St. Catherine of Siena School. The sense of…read morecommunity is strong and welcoming, and the teachers truly care about their students. Both of our children have thrived under their guidance and instruction academically, socially, and emotionally. It's clear that the staff is dedicated to helping each child grow and feel supported. Our kids are happy going to school here and that's what is most important. We're very grateful to be part of this school and would absolutely recommend St. Catherine of Siena to families looking for a nurturing, high-quality education.

St. Catherine of Siena School truly feels like home. Our family has met so many wonderful people,…read moreand we've become part of a warm, uplifting community of supportive parents and teachers. The teachers and staff are incredibly welcoming and deeply committed to every student's growth and well being. Having our child attend St. Catherine of Siena has been a blessing for our entire family We couldn't imagine a better place for their education and development.

This school is fantastic!! Our little one started a year ago and is thriving. The staff are…read morecaring, loving, and really care deeply about our child. They go out of their way to make sure that she is included and feels safe and secure. They also emphasize learning through play with lots of tactile and sensory play that's appropriate for 2 to 4-year-olds. Ms Amrita and Ms Diana do a great job leading. Miss Epiphany is especially caring and loving toward our child and all of the children. She and Miss Marie and Miss Michelle go out of their way to come up with incredible enrichment activities and holiday festivities and artistic endeavors for the children to explore. In addition to all of that they also have a wonderful backyard garden in their play yard and the kids get to experience a structured physical education program every week and they also learn their letters and numbers and read lots of books and are building the foundations of good learning. We had been a little bit worried coming from a at-home daycare to curious explorers academy but we shouldn't have because it has just been fantastic the whole time, we highly recommend this school!

My first experience with CEA was extremely positive! When I first spoke to Ms. Amrita she gave me…read morelots of info about the school and also offered us a tour (old campus). Out of all the preschool tours we took in the area, this one just felt right. The first day I dropped my son off for his first day of preschool there were no tears, no push back, and he walked right into the building. Over the time we have been at CEA we've seen our son grow so much. He's always been very shy, reserved, and pretty cautious. Since the time he's been at CEA I've seen him grow so much! He's become more confident, made new friends, and speaking up for himself. He's also become so much more independent. The staff at CEA is extremely professional, kind, and caring. There is no doubt in my mind that we made the right choice for our child. Thank you CEA!

My daughter attended Montessori Family School for 3 years. While there were many things we loved…read moreabout the school, we, like many other families, were essentially forced out by the current Head of School, Alissa S. Enrolling your child at Montessori Family School (MFS) is a bit like gambling. If your child has any trouble listening, staying on task, following directions, or you as a parent are outspoken, like to stand up for yourself, or don't deal well with those who are patronizing and lack empathy, it is more like playing Russian roulette. What we loved about MFS were the families. The community was fantastic, and one of the things I miss most. I don't think I met any parents or children that I didn't appreciate and enjoy. I think this is rare; I can't say the same about her new school. On the other end of the spectrum, the school administration - specifically the Head of School, Alissa S., and the "learning specialist" Regina H. - were a nightmare. We, like most parents, were blindsided by them and how they presented our daughter as struggling, having problems, and needing help. Worried about our kids, we didn't realize until later that what they had done and said was inappropriate and unprofessional, and that they were the problem, not our kids. The sad part is that the voices of these families were rarely heard when they needed to be, and still aren't heard now. The number of positive Yelp reviews, many from hand-picked parents that were asked to serve on the school's Board of Directors, tell only the positive stories. While I do believe these accounts are sincere, they are only part of the full picture. The stories of those that were forced to leave the school, lost thousands of dollars in tuition, and were so upset with the situation that they were considering legal action, are mostly absent, and should not be forgotten. My daughter did well enough at MFS, but about half-way through our time at the school, we were told that she needed "outside support", which seems to be private school code for, "Your child is a burden to us. Go pay for an aide, tutoring, or something else." My daughter, who was later diagnosed with ADHD, and is also strong-willed, was more than the school could or wanted to support. While I understand and can accept that, the way this was handled was unprofessional and traumatizing. There was a complete lack of empathy from the individuals mentioned above. I found them to be very narrow-minded, opinionated and authoritarian, and it became clear that we would need to listen to them and do what they said, or we would be kicked out. I luckily realized this, and tread carefully for the rest of our time there - not directly or openly opposing or contradicting them. Other parents were not so fortunate. I personally know at least four families that had to switch schools in the middle of the year. One family had pre-paid their tuition for the year to obtain a discount, and it was not refunded. Two were speaking with lawyers. One was apparently threatened by lawyers from the school. For us, we were suddenly placed on "Academic Hold" in the middle of our third year, which basically meant they would not let us re-enroll. This was upsetting, and a complete shock, and came with no warning, nor had we even heard about such a thing before. We were left suddenly trying to figure out where we would attend school the next year, with only a few weeks left to tour and apply to private schools. We have since moved to public school. Despite the challenges inherent in the public school system, it has been a relief to leave behind the dysfunctional administration at MFS. Still, while her new teacher & the school staff are fantastic, I am far less impressed with the parents and other children in her class, compared to those who were at MFS. MFS has struggled with these issues for years now, and there seems to be little to no improvement. When I was first looking at MFS, I had heard some stories and I knew people that had withdrawn their kids, but I was more focused on what I saw on the surface and liked, and didn't pay as much attention to the warning signs myself. When you see something you like, you tend to ignore or minimize the negative. I don't regret our decision to attend MFS, but it would have been nice to have known a bit more and been a bit less naive. If you are considering MFS for your child, then it might be the perfect school for your family. But I write this because I could no longer stand by while a small number of families were treated so horribly. It is my belief that this situation only persists because those affected are few, they are afraid to speak up, or rather, don't feel like it will do any good. And so far, they have been right. Should the good experiences of a majority of families outweigh the mistreatment and hurt caused to a smaller number of families, which end up at other schools anyway? That is for you to decide.

Any school can call themselves Montessori, but MFS is the real thing. Accredited by the American…read moreMontessori Society, it stays true to the Montessori philosophy of multi-age classrooms based on Montessorian development stages. The student-teacher ratio is low, and the teachers and staff are dedicated, hard-working, and nurturing. My kids are challenged, stimulated, and are learning at their own pace. An added bonus-- the music program is amazing! I visited several Montessori schools, but chose MFS (we started at the preschool campus) because it just like the Children's House I attended in early childhood. If you are interested in enrolling in a Montessori but are new to the pedagogy, you may want to visit the AMS website or pick-up a Parent's Guide to the Montessori Classroom or a similar book so you know what to expect.

I wish I could say I'm completely happy with the school, but that's not entirely the case. I have…read moretwo children who attend St. John--one is already in high school, and my youngest is currently in fifth grade. Overall, many of the teachers have been very good. When my son was in middle school, he had a great experience. His 8th grade teacher, Ms. Katie, was truly outstanding. She was well-prepared, kind, and knew how to connect with her students. She exceeded all my expectations and made those years some of the best in my son's educational journey. She is very involved in the school community, always willing to help, and very reliable when it comes to communication with parents. My youngest son's 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Wilson, has also been amazing. She consistently encouraged my son to do his best and kept me informed about his progress. Her professionalism and dedication really stood out. I also want to recognize Ms. Cooke, who is part of the after-school program. She is incredibly caring, attentive, and someone I trust with my children. It's clear she genuinely looks out for all the kids. While I do have some concerns about the school overall, I want to highlight that many of the teachers who have worked with my children are dedicated professionals. My highest appreciation goes to the 8th and 4th grade teachers for their exceptional care and commitment to their students.

We've had such a wonderful experience at this school. The teachers genuinely care about the…read morestudents and create a warm, engaging environment where learning feels exciting. My daughter comes home eager to share what she's learned and the books they're reading, which says a lot about how much the staff inspires their students. My daughter actually looks forward to seeing her teacher (Mrs Keller) who she says makes learning fun. She loves her friends and a lot of her friends are in other grades. This shows me that they really prioritize community. When she goes to afterschool care I notice the older kids sometimes tutoring or reading to the younger ones. The afterschool care (Mrs cook) also has great snacks - my daughter prefers to not get picked up right away because she doesn't want to miss out on the daily menu. Mrs cook does so great with the kids I really applaud her for staying all day and keeping great energy with kids when they are full of steam after a long day. My family is not known to be athletic but coach Mike has pulled some special magic with my daughter who has runs faster than me! I used to hate dodgeball but it's my daughter's favorite game. I love that she has teachers that know how to get the kids engaged and having fun consistently. A special mention goes to Mrs. Trombettas, who brings incredible energy to the school. She greets everyone by name each morning--students and parents alike--and somehow remembers not just names, but grades and families too. That level of personal attention really reflects the benefits of a close-knit, community-focused school. Communication is another strong point. The teachers are approachable, responsive, and make it easy to stay involved. Whenever there's even a minor issue, the school is quick to reach out--and they always start by reassuring me that my child is okay, which I truly appreciate as a parent. The facilities are modern, clean, and well-maintained, adding to the overall positive experience. After four years here, we couldn't be happier with our choice and plan to continue. It truly feels like a special place, and I'm so grateful we found it.

My daughter thrived and is very happy at A Little World…read moreMontessori Academy. My child learned how to count to one hundred, she was assisted with potty training, and her reading skills increased significantly. She attends part time now, but when she started Kindergarten she was ahead of most of her classmates. The field trips are always educational and fun. When they have snack time and lunch time is very organized and the children are well mannered. During regular school breaks, my child is able to go to A Little World Montessori, and I do not need to look for a babysitter or miss a day of work. My daughter loves A Little World Montessori. The upside was the location is very convenient to where we live. TY Staff of A Little World Montessori Academy, we appreciate all that you do.

Samudra is AMAZING, and A Little World Montessori is too! I am a high school teacher and can tell…read moreyou that my son's learning and growth flourished at A Little World. My son had great experiences going to The Nutcracker ballet, learning to read, playing with others, and naptime. Samudra is very concerned with our kiddos' well-being, both academically and personally. The Montessori program is a perfect blend of play and performance, allowing each child to grow in a safe and supportive environment. Go THERE - check it out. It's just like home, but with all the things kiddos need to learn about the world in which we live.

School mean to me. Spanish teacher target us boys. Racist comments and no action from principalread more

My son attended this school for 4 years and my daughter now been there for 3 years. What a…read morewonderful community of students and families. The environment fostered at School of the Madeleine is incomparable to any school that I've ever visited before. Any kid will thrive anywhere if they are destined, but for a parent to thrive as well is a dream! There are many activities for students to make wonderful friends and build great memories. The teachers work from the heart and the principal and staff are welcoming and supportive. I highly recommend this school for families looking to give their child a well-rounded education!