My daughter has been going here since kindergarten and now she's in 7th grade. The experience has…read morebeen amazing and the community is wonderful. We will miss it when we are gone

St. Joseph isn't your typical school. It's a place where kids are truly at the heart of everything…read more From the moment our family joined, we felt welcomed and part of something special. The teachers make learning fun, and our kids get the kind of personal attention that helps them grow and thrive. What really makes St. Joseph stand out for us is the strong sense of community. Families are encouraged to lean in, get involved, and be part of the experience. It's not just about dropping your kids off at school. It's about becoming part of a community that supports one another and grows together. As a parent of mixed-race children, finding a school that embraces diversity and celebrates different cultures was really important to me. St. Joseph has done that beautifully. It's a place where my kids feel seen, valued, and proud of who they are.

This review is for their online program. We were very optimistic about this program. We homeschool…read moreour 2e son to avoid inevitable teasing (our son is autistic and very earnest). We paid $1,400 for a two week trial (classes offered 4 days a week). On the second day, a classmate couldn't stop talking about how there were now "stupid people" at Big Minds. The teacher worked very hard to get this student to switch gears but he was locked into convincing the class how stupid our son is. I received an ostensively neutral email apology saying this was rare and they also explained why they never stopped the boy. They said they never publicly reprimand students for anything. While the other student continued to verbally attack my son after every comment he made, no one stopped him as is there policy. While this surely helped that student save face, my son wasn't similarly protected. They asked if we'd reconsider their school. We said no. We were interested in their school because it seemed like a safe space for 2e kids. For my son, it was not. They didn't offer to refund any of the money we paid for the trial and we didn't ask for it either. We just wanted it to be over. After all of this I was still willing to accept that sometimes these things happen: no hard feelings. We had also paid $800 (total is now $2200 for 2 weeks) for our 6 yr old daughter to trial part time. She did one day from her 2 week trial and it was obvious she was too young. Admissions kindly offered the following: "Since you have already paid for the shadow weeks, however, how about we switch over to the HSSP program and I get some 1:1 coaching lined up for her!" This was BEFORE (10/4) my son was bullied. The next day, AFTER my son was bullied, we made it clear we would not be enrolling. Three weeks have now passed, after giving them our final 'No Thank you', and we never heard from them again. The tutoring offered "since we had already paid fees" disappeared. They knew we weren't potential 30k/year tuition payers so we weren't worth the effort or resources. That's when I realized we were just potential revenue and nothing more

Having our son enroll at Big Minds 2 years ago was one of the best things that has ever happened in…read moreour family! The school's unique structure allows the students to embrace learning and unleash their creativity and growth. All of the teachers are trained in how to support and guide the students in this very caring environment. Our son looks forward to school everyday and we look forward to his continued growth and development at this positive and supportive school. It truly is impossible to say just how wonderful Big Minds is. I am forever thankful that we heard about it. Our initial tour and meeting at the school lead to successful shadow days and we knew this would be a wonderful place for our son.

We have had our children enrolled at Stewart School for two years now and have had a positive…read moreexperience. We appreciate that Stewart is a small school with an active PTA and parent community. Despite budget cuts that have impacted the entire WCCUSD district, Stewart's leadership has remained communicative and committed to building back and strengthening school culture. We made the decision to send our kids to Stewart because of the Dual Language Immersion program, and have not been disappointed- they both can read in Spanish and English and have been exposed to many cultural experiences that they would not otherwise have been.

We have loved our time at Stewart! My son started at Stewart as a kindergarten with an amazing…read moreSpanish dual language immersion teacher. He is now in 5th grade with another amazing teacher. He is excelling well above grade level and speaks, reads and write in both Spanish and English even though we are not a Spanish speaking household. My daughter also goes to Stewart and had the same teachers as he did. She is in 3rd grade with a truly great teacher, Maestra Reyes, and also excelling. The culture at the school is what drew us there. It's very inclusive and friendly. The PTA and admin staff hold events for the community to come together including academic nights, community potlucks and movie nights. Since this is a TK-8 school the students get to stay on the same campus making the transition to middle school a breeze. Stewart is a true gem in Pinole!

They have really improved on this school since the last time I was a student here. My daughter is…read moremeeting her educational needs and she seems very happy here.

I went to a nearby McDonald's for dinner and was told the restaurant closes to customers between…read more4-5 PM--no one allowed inside. When I asked why, an employee told me it's because students from this school come in after dismissal and cause so much disruption that staff can't keep the restaurant open. Their words: students come in and "destroy everything." I didn't witness it myself, but the outcome is undeniable--a local business is shutting down during peak hours because of student behavior. That doesn't just reflect on the school. It speaks to a deeper lack of accountability--from leadership, and from parents. Kids don't act like this in a vacuum. This isn't about blaming teachers. But when behavior spills off campus and disrupts the community to this degree, something upstream is clearly failing. Right now, the surrounding neighborhood is left dealing with the consequences. Vote accordingly.

Trunk or treat was a great success ! A huge thank you to Mr Gomez ! The ESCS staff and families !read more

First off I would like the thank the Pastor and staff of this school. They truly care about the…read morekids and instill the word of God and high family morals into them. This is an excellent christian school which our kids need and their education is amazing. Its a safe, loving and God fearing environment who put God, the kids and education as a top priority. To those who read Laurie M. review she is a complusive liar with major anger issues. She reviewed them negatively because the school wouldnt force me to leave a parking spot so she can have it. Which sounds crazy but it is the truth. She lied about the pastor and the staff whom she only met once to ask him to make me move and calls everyone ignorant when she doesnt get her way. Clearly she has serious anger issues and needs Jesus. Today she blocked me in forcing me to contact the school to talk to her. I am glad her son is in 8th grade graduating so I dont have to deal with her next year. If she would have asked me like a normal person to please move and explained why, I would have, instead she flipped me off and blocked me with her car. Again please do not let her post steer you in the wrong direction if you are looking for a Christian school to put your young kids in. I believe this is one of the best schools that the bay area has to offer. Thanks goodness for them.

everything here is great they have fun activities for the kids every good teachers lots of…read moreopportunities and instead of them jut telling you the answers they deeply explain it multiple playtime.

My daughter began going there in 5th grade. Brand new student. Moved to Pinole. The kids are…read morehorrible to her, bunch of bullies. The school does nothing. The parents of those kids can care less as well since nothing has changed. I've complained, I've talk to principal and nothing changes. Do not bring your kids here. The school is also old and dirty. My daughter deserves better and I would not recommend this school to a good kid.

Started here with my kids in TK - teachers are extremely dedicated to having child learn & grow…read more PTA is very committed to creating a community. Parents enthusiastically volunteer for events. Principal genuinely wants all students to thrive. And love the diversity!

There are some really great teachers at this school, no doubts. I have two children attending this…read moreschool 2021/2022. Kindergarten teacher goes above and beyond for her students! First grade teacher doesn't report safety incidents to parents. The staff intentionally avoids conflict resolution and doesn't respond to parents to resolve issues. Principal says bullying is acceptable and doesn't need to be reported to parents. She ignores all further requests for mediation or resolution even when a child is physically hurt. She will hide in her office to avoid parent conversations. Reported incident to school board.

East Bay Waldorf School is one of the most amazing thing that happened to our family :) …read more.. The transformation we've seen ever since our older daughter started to attend the school 6 years ago was amazing !! She became more social, out-going, loving nature and most important ... growing up to be a healthy positive and happy young adult. She love going to school every day! She love learning ! Now we've signed up our younger daughter to start Kindergarten this year, and we're all looking forward for her start - I'm sure it would be an amazing experience for her too... I'll recommend this school, teachers, and stuff to ANYONE i know !! 5 Star !!

Wildcat Canyon community school is an amazing and healthy environment for children and families…read morelooking for a like-minded community! Waldorf education is a world class education serving the children with a wide variety of subjects and languages, math and science all given through the arts. "Education from the inside out" the children are thought to freely think and with empathy and compassion for each other and the world. This is our fourth year at the school and our two children are loving it! Every year we fall deeper in love with the curriculum, teachers, and community members! Truly, a futuristic school that gives a Renaissance style of education with top-notch educators and holistic minded families. It would be in your best interest to take a tour of the school and then you will be able to see and feel the uniqueness for yourself! Don't be surprised if you see healthy children running and skipping and singing and climbing trees and gardening and playing games together just like schools should be producing healthy, open minded free thinking, individuals!

Hi my name is Carolina, I have 2 children at this school, my 10 y/o in 5th grade and my 6 y/o in…read more2nd. I'm so sorry the way you feel Lisa but this principal is the best thing that happened to Olinda in a long long time. Not only she wants to be number 1 but we parents do too. Before you blurt into this review you should get your facts straight before making this ridiculous accusations. The "good teachers'" retired because they've been teaching for more than 30 years, and one of them (which both of my kids were in her classroom) lost her voice. Sadly, she could not continue teaching. We are very grateful to both of them and we will love them and appreciate them Forever! In fact, one of them at least still wants to be involved with the school not as a regular teachers but still wants to be around. About Mr. Ajayi, how could you possible talk about someone you don't even know? He has been nothing but wonderful to our kids. PTA hired him to run an after school program and he did wonderfully! I invite you to see what my son created in his class Last year. http://m.youtube.com/#/user/RenaissanceSean?&desktop_uri=%2Fuser%2FRenaissanceSean If you had a bad experience with the school doesn't mean you can blame the principal for everything. She "inherited" the teachers, the good ones and the "bad" ones. You should blame "tenure" for those "bad" teachers, not the principal. By the way, "that" teacher is gone. About not being able to talk to Ms. Ajayi couldn't be farther from the truth. She is ALWAYS available to talk to parents. She makes a huge effort to accommodate you even after school hours because she knows parents like me have to work too. I invite you to visit our beautiful school, it has changed a lot since you left, FOR THE BETTER. Always remember Olinda will continue to be the little school that could! Sincerely Carolina.

A lot has changes since these reviews were written in 2013.I have no prior knowledge of the…read moreprevious principal, but the current one who has been at the school since the 2015-2016 school year has been wonderful. Ms. Randhawa is approachable, kind and truly cares about the Olinda community and those looking to contribute to it with a collaborative effort. The teachers have been attentive and supportive and I look forward to the beginning of each new school year.

Coming to the end of our first year and very pleased with teachers, staff, students and most of all…read moreour Principal. She is respected by all, she is at ease, self-confident, approachable and leads with a parent mindset. The long list of electives gives each student the opportunity to build their own natural​gifts and try new subjects. Music program is very strong and teacher shares her passion in a unique teaching style to blend all levels of experience. They have many clubs including Makers Club with access to 3D and laser printers, new student computers issued to every student next year. My son has grown beyond measure at HMS, it's a phenomenal Middle school.

this school is amazing! i have never experienced anything that made me uncomfortable! this school…read moreis the best school i have ever gone too.. except for the fact we have no economics class this year.. heh! guess i deserve this for going to the what the kids say as "mid" heh! i guess i deserve it..