We completed the full application process with Sonder Creek Academy, including paying the $100…read moreapplication fee. Because we applied a bit late, we were placed on the waitlist, which we completely understood. What was disappointing was the total lack of follow-up after that point. Despite reaching out directly to the admissions officer to inquire about our waitlist status, we never received a response -- not even a simple notification that a spot was no longer available. When a family pays a $100 application fee, there is a reasonable expectation of communication and transparency throughout the process. To add to the frustration, we continued to receive marketing emails about summer programs despite never hearing back about our child's application. The disconnect between their marketing outreach and their admissions communication was striking. We can't speak to the school itself, but based solely on the application experience, the lack of follow-through left a poor impression.

Sonder Creek has absolutely been the best school for my child. We were looking at a wide variety of…read moreschools (public, non religious private, and religious private) to see what would be the best fit and I can tell you from the moment we reached out with interest, to the tour, to our child having his first 1/2 day visit there, we knew this was his school.  Staff is knowledgeable and knows my child to a depth that truly sets him up for success. It also makes me feel comfortable that they are doing everything in their power to help my child succeed and thrive. I love that they allow him to excel academically (even past his grade level) as well as support him with challenging subjects (teachers stay current with where he's at and are skilled at providing support very quickly if the child needs it while also keeping parents in the loop so we can help when needed too) while allowing him to stay with his grade level of peers so he's not only being cultivated in the classroom, but also learning to be social amongst peers his age. A big concern of mine was coming out of covid, my child wanted to so desperately make friends, but I know sometimes kids show no mercy. At Sonder Creek, overall it's been way over my expectations. Very involved parents, attentive staff that keeps you in the loop, and students who are open to connecting to one another.  My child has loved the STEM programs at school (especially the after school robotics class) as well as learning both Mandrin and Spanish (coming from an English speaking household, it's been amazing seeing him now speak another language which we will continue to encourage moving forward). He also is asking to do the after school Art program and this is coming from a child who started off barely wanting to hold a pencil correctly.  The community here is so special and you get to see that when everyone comes together. This was our first year we participated in Trunk or Treat with his school and it was such a blast; we will be doing it again next year. The international potluck is a family favorite to attend (combo of incredible foods from all over as well as mini performances from the language programs with the students is so darn adorable) and the Christmas Concert is absolutely precious. Sonder Creek is our child's school and we cannot recommend it enough.

My daughter really enjoyed her time at NLA. She worked on…read moreimaginative projects that she learned quite a bit from. She would often talk about interesting discussions she had in class or assignments she was working on. We found the teachers very supportive and went out of their way to help our family. My son is there now and likes his classes and the other children there a lot. We really appreciate being part of NLA's warm and inclusive community.

Noble learning academy is a exceptional middle school for my children. The student/teacher ratio is…read moresmall and very personal. The teachers know their students well and truly care. They accept their students how they are and give them maximum support to be successfull later in highschool. The students are academically challenged according to their individual needs.

This school is genuinely one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Shout out to Gabe for…read moredealing with my tomfoolery on a daily basis.

Fusion Academy has been a good fit for my son . Having to be online for most of the 2020 school…read moreyear can be a big struggle for any student. My child has a learning style that is accommodated and is bringing home excellent grades. One on one learning gives him every tool available to succeed .

This school is an absolutely gem. My child transferred here from a public school at the beginning…read moreof this year. After having two extremely difficult years in a public school system, where my child went from happy and thirsty to learn, to nearly hating school, we knew we needed a change. From the first conversation with Mel, to watching their open house video and hearing their viewpoint on learning, we instantly felt this could be the environment that our child needed. As a Licensed Marriage, Family and Child Therapist, I am consistently reminded the importance of a safe and nurturing learning environment for the overall well-being of a child. The Saklan School understand the importance of children feeling safe and connected in order to learn and grow. Today's parent-teacher conference confirmed everything that we had thought this school would be. My child is absolutely thriving. His teacher doesn't just tolerate his "all in" nature, she encourages and celebrates it, while pushing him to be his best self. The small class sizes allow for each kiddo to feel seen and be known, and project-based learning gets them excited. We absolutely adore this school. Yes, it is a big financial investment, but we are already seeing the return in his growth and joy, and it is also having a huge impact on our entire family's quality of life. We're so thankful for The Saklan School.

We gave the Walnut Creek public school system a try then decided to send our 1st grader to Saklan…read more It's been two months and we've seen a huge change in his attitude towards learning. You cannot beat the small class size and the personalized attention your child will get. We've noticed a renewed love of learning, more confidence and comfort in his skin. My husband and I believe that investing early in his education, creative expression and social emotional development will give him a leg up in life and a strong sense of self. We also love Saklan's project based, hands on approach to learning. Focusing on the whole child is difficult to do when there are 23-30 kids in a classroom. In fact, studies show that learning outcomes diminish when there are more than 18 students in a classroom. When our son comes home excited about something he learned/experienced or tells us how much he loves to read, this warms our hearts because his teachers are getting through to him. We also love that he's learning a foreign language early (Spanish); you many not get that in public school. The public school system is a one size fits all mold. Everything is about meeting benchmarks/assessments and keeping the test scores high without looking at the whole child. At Saklan you have the luxury of knowing that your child's education is flexible enough to both challenge and support them where it's needed. We are thrilled with our decision to invest in our son's education at Saklan.

We truly cannot fully express the amount of joy, comfort, and confidence we feel leaving our…read morechildren in the loving hands of Meher Schools. When searching for the perfect preschool, we had very clear priorities - and White Pony/Meher Schools was the only preschool that checked every box after extensive research, visits, and interviews. After falling in love with White Pony preschool, we decided to stay for The Meher Schools elementary school - also, one drop off for kids if you have one in preschool and another in elementary?! Yes, please! The Meher Schools met our top priorities in choosing aas did the White Pony Preschool: 1. Teachers who genuinely practice kindness, patience, and love, creating a safe, nurturing environment that mirrors the care we provide at home. 2. A strong focus on kindness, emotional and spiritual development alongside academics, using the Nurtured Heart Approach to teach leadership, right from wrong, and strong values - something that truly matters in today's world. 3. A calm, organized, clean, and open learning environment inspired by Montessori/Waldorf principles, filled with music, dance, art, nature exploration, and joyful activities that spark curiosity and a love of learning. 4. Low teacher-to-student ratios with consistent, dedicated staff and minimal turnover. 5. The ease and convenience of reliable daycare availability and consistent school hours, which is invaluable for working parents and provides tremendous peace of mind. Our children have grown into calm, patient, loving, socially and emotionally intelligent individuals. They come home happy - singing songs, performing dances, and confidently demonstrating leadership skills such as speaking up, standing up for others, self-regulating ("resetting"), appreciating nature, and truly loving life. We are incredibly grateful for the dependable, efficient, and communicative staff and teachers. Watching our children's growth, confidence, curiosity, and joy throughout their time at Meher Schools has been nothing short of amazing. We wholeheartedly and highly recommend Meher Schools to any parent looking for the very best for their child.

I want to start by saying this is a long time coming, and this is just my experience…read more We first looked at Meher after learning our son's previous preschool prioritized moving kids up to open seats, over real development. He was three, and his old school, though called Montessori, felt like just unstructured play with no guidance. We wanted better for him, so we applied to Meher. When I spoke with the administrator, she was initially hesitant to transfer him but ultimately accepted our application but in hindsight it felt influenced by where we live and work more than our child's needs. On our tour, we learned about the school's "legacy" tradition: multiple generations attend, and one teacher is even an alumna. It struck me as both odd and charming--I wondered if our son's future children might go there too. They want you to stay on his first day (and as long as needed) to help him adjust. Since we both WFH, one of us could be there until he settled in. We appreciated the school's structure: clear work time and play time, unlike his old school's laissez-faire approach. Fast-forward to his transition: he struggled with the new routines, having mini-meltdowns when he couldn't do things his way. On day one, another child cried for an hour over a forgotten jacket. Day two, the same child sobbed over his beanie. Then our son had his first major meltdown screaming and crying. Concerns arose when a parent complained her son was negatively affected by our child's outburst, even though her child had cried extensively before our son had any issues. We were also told one of the girls in the class reported the meltdowns to her principal father. During one episode, the teacher scooped our son up facing her; he flailed and knocked her glasses off. I don't think what he did was right, but at age three, kids sometimes lash out in fear or frustration. After just four days in class, the school questioned whether Meher was right for him. They cited the legacy parent's complaint, the report to her father, and the incident with the glasses. This happened just before Founders Day; a big celebration we didn't know about and weren't part of. When I picked up his things, I saw the pomp and realized the decision had more to do with "show" and pleasing established families than supporting all students. In the end, I learned two things: 1. In the school, legacy families hold sway, and compassion is in short supply. 2. The administration cares more about appearances for legacy parents than the well-being of every child. They promised to "follow up" and welcome him back, but we never heard from them again. If you're new to the area (we moved to Saranap in 2021) and lack connections, think twice before choosing Meher. Your child won't get the same grace as those with legacy ties, and the school won't invest in you as much as you'll invest in it.

As someone who moved to the Bay Area about a decade ago, I've often missed the sense of Persian…read morecommunity I grew up with, attending "mehmoonis" (parties), hearing Iranian music fill our home, and being surrounded by our rich, beautiful culture. When it came time to find a preschool for my son, I dreamed of a place that could offer him that same warmth and connection, and Golestan has given us exactly that and more. The first time I stepped into Golestan's "hayaat" (yard), I was instantly transported to my grandpa's garden in Iran. The laughter, the trees, the care woven into every detail. It's such a lively, loving, and vibrant space where my son learns, plays, makes friends, and creates lasting memories. The teachers are absolute angels, deeply nurturing, creative, and so attuned to each child. From the thoughtfully designed classrooms to the fresh, nourishing food (with ingredients straight from their learning garden!), every aspect of Golestan reflects an intentional, heartful approach to education and community. I feel truly honored for my son to spend his days in such a magical and enriching environment, surrounded by love, culture, and curiosity, and I'm already dreaming of the day my daughter can join. Regardless of your background or heritage, Golestan is a place worth experiencing. I'm sure they'll woo you at "Salaam" :)

It is an AMAZING school. They have created magic at the school and it has become an extension of…read moreour home. The teachers love being there and always have a smile. The happy environment is very accepting of kids and loving towards them. The environment is very conducive to learning and building self confidence for the kids. The Director is probably the most passionate person I have met about education and every detail in the school show it.

LVA has been an exceptional school for my step son. They…read moreprovided a high level of attention to his needs. Ferishta as well as his teachers were proactive and always available to meet when challenges arose. As a child care professional myself, I understand the challenges with meeting the needs of all students and I feel that LVA was masterful in this.

LVA was once a good school, but my family's experience over time tells a different story. My son…read moreattended from 2020 to 2023, and unfortunately, he left underprepared for high school. There was little to no support or guidance from LVA to ensure a smooth transition to a traditional school environment. I was surprised to see a couple of highly positive reviews appear about a year after my son had left--reviews that appear to describe him directly. These accounts do not reflect our experience and seem inconsistent with the reality we observed. It raised concerns for me about how feedback and reviews might be represented or encouraged within the school community. It is more shocking given that the individuals concerned had nothing good to say about one another at the time. During our time at LVA, the quality of education and communication declined noticeably. What began with promise during the COVID period gradually shifted to disorganization, inconsistent teaching quality, and removal of key student resources, such as lunch and recess. I also encountered several situations where staff appeared underqualified or lacking appropriate classroom management, including questionable instructional choices that were not age-appropriate (R rated movies) More troubling were instances of unprofessional conduct and poor handling of disciplinary issues, which had lasting effects on my child's wellbeing. Several parents, myself included, raised these issues repeatedly before meaningful action was taken. To the school's credit, there were a few dedicated and talented teachers who genuinely cared about their students, and they deserve recognition. However, the broader environment was not consistently supportive or healthy, particularly in leadership and communication. In summary, while LVA may look appealing on the surface, our experience suggests that the substance does not always match the image. I encourage parents to seek out multiple perspectives and, most importantly, listen to their children's experiences before making a decision.

As I approach my senior year in high school, I think about my time I spent here; I attended from…read morek-5 returned for 7th and 8th grade. When they moved campuses in 2015 that's when it all started going downhill. They had to renovate an office building to be the foundation for the upbringing of kids. We didn't have any real grass; we played kickball on a patch of turf. The hallways and cafeteria felt like that of a hospital's and the classrooms were white walls and brown carpet. When I started struggling with my mental health in middle school, there was no support system, I literally had to tell the Dean all of my problems. Everyone was the same and bland. Also the change in teachers was so frequent and confusing like you'd have a teacher for one year and then they'd leave the school and you'd be taught by another teacher who was just starting their first year. The tuition is expensive for such little resources like the computers we used were from 2005, no yearbooks, discontinued bus services (I had to ride the public bus for 30 minutes everyday), there was no sense of community or understanding for students. Overall if you want your kids to attend school and not an internship, don't send them here.

My son was a student there in the early 80s. He just turned 50 and he's quite successful. He often…read moresays that Dorris Eaton is the reason. He speaks about the education, the staff and the whole experience. I agree with him wholeheartedly. I was a single parent, and the tuition took about every cent I had. I have never regretted it. It was worth every cent I had to spend. As a result Of his experience, both my grand children are the products of private schools. Whether or not, they are as good as DE, I d o not know, but I do know they are better than the public school system. If Nancy and Jerry are still there, hello from Sandy Richmond . Ryan remembers you fondly.

We are incredibly grateful to all the wonderful teachers who have been a part of our son's early…read morelearning journey. He started at the school in preschool, and from the very beginning, his teachers made him feel loved, safe, and supported. Miss Sipra, Miss Poonam, and Miss Vaishali were incredibly loving and kind during his preschool years. They showered him with affection and care, making every transition smooth and comfortable for him. What stood out most was how personally invested they were in his growth -- they truly understood his individual needs and helped him develop with patience, encouragement, and warmth. As he moved into Pre-K, we were equally fortunate to have Miss Sandhya and Miss Keiani guiding him. They created a nurturing environment while also helping him learn the importance of boundaries, structure, and kindness. Under their guidance, we saw our son grow leaps and bounds -- academically, emotionally, and socially. Miss Sandhya's knowledge, patience, and years of experience truly shine through in the way she teaches and connects with children. Along with Miss Keiani's warmth and encouragement, they made a wonderful team that helped our son feel confident, supported, and excited to learn every day. We will always be thankful for the positive impact these amazing teachers had on our son's early years. Their dedication, compassion, and care mean so much to our family, and we highly recommend them to any parent looking for a nurturing and supportive environment for their child.

Just adding an update this year. For KG, my son's teachers are Ms. Lahiri and Ms. Carrillo -- truly…read moreexceptional teachers who understand child psychology remarkably well. We love seeing how much our son has grown under their guidance. As this is the last month of school, he's already saying, "I hope the school year never ends," which speaks for itself. Also, a big shout-out to science teacher Ms. Shweta, Spanish teacher Ms. Maricella, music teacher Mr. Dimitry, as well as Mr. Eric and Ms. Sheila. This will be our son's last year here, and we are truly going to miss this wonderful community.

Our child loved ELA and Math tutoring. The teacher's attention and character, along with the…read moreevidence-based curriculum, have shown good academic results. Highly recommend!

I had been thinking about putting my kid there for a while. then a sudden passing of my autistic…read morechild's father suddenly, made me postpone our first session until recently. Guess what, the Director of Lanies Learning and the school associated didn't really care about my kid learning Math. Even though it was a bit sketchy how they charged me more because I won a district settlement and charged me the "district rate" vs. the cheaper family rate, although both come with the same work involved. I questioned that at our final meeting. So here I come on the first day all the way from Piedmont to Concord, and I barely get a "hello" and no official introduction to anyone or condolences. I had to ask for a little sit down before my kid went the tutor. Then when I picked him up, I peaked at where she was having the tutoring of multi-sensory tutoring, and he was on the floor w/ many desks all around him, squished. When I brought this up to the Director in an email. She was so offended, she tore up my check she said and would give me that lesson for free. She apparently didn't like me questioning what I saw or what I expected from a "round up" after a first session. I was so excited too, but it seemed it was about conforming and not asking too many questions, than really helping my child. We since got a very amazing tutor who is amazing and trained in the exactly what he needed. I was saddened that the Director of this center and the Core Academy that it is associated with would treat a widow this way. So disappointed that they acted in such a way, after they accepted my kid, then said "he wasn't a good fit," after I had a few questions about the first session. Then to make matters worse, they let him go and tore up my check as they let me know in an email. How cruel. I really hope they don't respond, but it did happen and nothing they say, will make it ok. accept an apology.