We have had our infant son attend guidepost for a couple months now. The staff is extraordinarily…read morekind and deeply care about the well-being of the children. I myself am deaf, and the staff was open to using sign language in the classroom to affirm his basic language skills -- that is incredible and no other daycares we toured seemed so happy to embrace our Deaf culture! Our son always gets dropped off with a big smile on his face and truly loves it here. Miss Yvette is a saint and our son loves her deeply :)

It's Teacher Appreciation Week, and a great reminder for me to share a review…read more May 2025: A year later and we are still loving Guidepost. Ms. Emilia, Ms. Carol, Mr. Miles, Ms. Tanya, Ms. Shelby, and so many others have been amazing teachers to our precocious, rambunctious toddler. He loves his class and looks forward to school every day. The guides take such great care to nurture our toddler's curiosities, spending a great deal of time organizing events and exposing him to new words, activities, cultures, and habits every day. They spend some of their evenings and weekends as well to facilitate fun activities like movies & pizza for Parent's Night Out or summer water parties when the weather is warm. We feel so fortunate to have been introduced to this place and know that our kids are happy and healthy here. The teachers use apps to help log activities and photos, so we never miss out and get tons of updates throughout the week. Ms. Emilia sends weekly updates about our toddler's class and their focuses for the week, and Ms. Shelby send weekly updates about school happenings. Ms. Stephanie is always available to chat if we have any questions or concerns to share, and all of the guides seem to celebrate the mini milestones our kids achieve every day. --- Jan 2024: Our little one just started in the Nido infant class and is thriving! We were so worried about the transition, but Mrs. Yvette and all of the teachers are so wonderful and kind. They guided us new parents and helped make the environment so warm and welcoming for our baby. It's only week 3 but our little one is eager to go to school to see his teachers and friends!

The last time I went to a private school for little kids was when mine was a little one. But what…read moreI found visiting this school, during their Fall event was a bunch of kids who had manners, something rarely seen, even with parental supervision. There was no drama, and they seemed to enjoy themselves, including the older ones. They played nicely together at the various amusements. Those kids communicated with the teachers and staff themselves. They felt safe there and I could feel that. As for the negative reviews I read about the school, having once had a child in two, parents always have the option to pull a child out if the school lacks the alleged ability to control unruly kids, or, as I read in another review, where any semblance of racism or maltreatment because of race would also be cause to pull a child out instead of using social media to bad mouth a school which the 'Great Schools' website rates as one of the best private schools in Oakland. Some kids are just not suited for private school. I learned about differences when I enrolled my kid in Montessori School years ago, then later put him in a private school where the teachers were loving but didn't play games with kids who thought they could act out. Parents always have the option to remove a child out of school not suitable for them. I'm hoping my grandkids attend there. I was impressed with what I experienced during my visit.

Sport L.'s experience doesn't reflect the Redwood Day School that I send my kids to. Redwood Day is…read moregreat in so many ways, from the teachers, administration, the beautiful campus, and a true sense of community. I have two kids at the school, and I am grateful that I made the decision to send them here for these very important years of their education. For math, the school uses a hybrid form of Singapore Math, which for most parents seems very different from what we learned, but it works (and has success metrics - students in Singapore have one of the highest math mastery in the world). They use a different model in the Middle School for the 6-8th span that equally prepares students for higher level math in High School. Redwood Day has ways for kids who need or seek more in math - my kids are always challenged. They also have a Math Olympiad program and programs/staff to help students who may need additional support. I have never found Redwood Day to be lacking in helping my kids learn, grow, and master math. Culture and celebrations are also very integrated at the school - which celebrates everything from Latin, African American, Asian American, and Jewish Heritage months to Women's History. The school is having something for Ramadan, and I know they have also hosted a Shabbat dinner in addition to other cultural celebrations. All to say, Redwood Day is super inclusive, and my kids come home learning a lot about their friends' cultural traditions - just a couple weeks ago, they did a Holi event. No school is perfect, but I believe that Redwood Day is always evolving, changing, and listening to the parent community. For discipline, I'm thankful for the social and emotional learning that starts in K and goes through 8th. Even as 5 year olds, kids learn about choices, options for dealing with conflict, and what and how to make different (and better) choices when there is conflict. I don't know what the prior post means about authoritative discipline, but long gone are the days of that type of discipline model. My kids (and these next generations) need to learn self-awareness, self-regulation, critical thinking, and agency in working out their own differences - with the guidance and oversight of teachers, coaches, mentors, and role models. Personally, I much prefer that my children talk through issues with their friends, take accountability, practice humility, and have the support of trusted adults to help them navigate challenges. Not everyone is the right fit for any school - and as a parent, it is absolutely on us to ensure that we find mutual synergy with the school, teachers, faculty, and community. For me, Redwood Day was the absolute right choice for my kids - and I know they are more because of it.

My child is in his second year here and I cannot say enough wonderful things about the teachers and…read moreexperience we have there. The teachers are so loving and supportive and take care of him exactly the way I would want to. I also love the structure of the school. It's a mixed philosophy with a focus on play based that encourages kids curiosity and encourages them to follow their passions. The director, Cindy, is absolutely incredible. I will be so sad when my son graduates!

My daughter has been at RLS Broadway for the past year, since she turned 2, and I am so glad I…read morechose to send her here, in particular because of the wonderful teachers. They quickly became a core part of our caregiving family, and it's so comforting to drop off my daughter and know that she feels comfortable, loved, and safe. Even if we're having a hard morning, I know I'm leaving her in great hands. Over the year, I watched as my daughter made her first friends and navigated new challenges with such great support from the school. The teachers were so helpful with her potty training -- I definitely don't think it would have gone so smoothly and quickly if I wasn't able to rely on their calm, nonjudgemental handling of accidents :) Alexandra, the director, is a wonderful leader, and has given me helpful advice that has really made a difference in my parenting. And I am always so inspired by the breadth of creative projects the teachers think up. I look forward each day to the update and pics, and to picking up a very happy girl at the end of the day!

My 8-year old daughter has been attending Berkeley Rose since she was in preschool. She has been…read morehappy & thriving there, despite some difficult transitions that our family has gone through. The school is only a few years old, so I was concerned at first that the teachers would not have enough experience & that they wouldn't offer all of the subjects that a more established Waldorf school would. That has not been an issue at all. The 3 teachers she has had have all been wonderful. I can tell that they love the children & that they have a deep understanding of Waldorf education. Every year I can see that the school has grown & improved. The children learn Mandarin & Spanish, starting in 1st grade. And, they have an excellent eurythmy teacher, which is something that many Waldorf schools struggle to provide. We have sacrificed a lot, financially, to keep my daughter in the school, but we believe that it's worth it.

Awful school. They claim to be a Waldorf school but they have no idea what the true meaning of…read moreWaldorf is and what Rudolf Steiner originally intended. They treat prospective families horribly. At first they appear welcoming and supportive, but that is completely fake. They discriminate and there is complete lack of transparency.

Our three-year-old daughter attended Arbor for the inaugural school year (21-22) and is now…read morereturning for her second year. We've been very, very happy with the school so far. The location is a beautiful, tranquil space, the teachers are all wonderful, and they've brought together a really nice group of students and families. One thing we've especially appreciated about the school is that the whole staff approaches their work with humility: they've been flexible, receptive to feedback, and easy to communicate with in general. It's inevitable that a new school will have its share of logistical hiccups and a bit of trial and error in developing optimal policies, but they consistently approach these challenges with a collaborative spirit. We plan to send our daughter to Arbor for two more years -- and we hope that our son can start there in a couple years when he's old enough!

Amazing small preschool with teachers who really care. This is a gem of a community. Very very…read moresweet place.

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.

My son attended Treehouse for 2 years and my daughter attended some of their summer school…read moreofferings. I cannot say enough good things about this school. 1. The campus is beautiful. Classrooms are clean and beautifully decorated. It is set in the trees so it feels like a real retreat. The playground is beautiful and fully equipped with all kinds of toys. 2. The teachers are beyond! Each one is so loving and kind and fully invested in loving and supporting the kids. They got to know my entire family - grandparents visiting, siblings, etc. and took a vested interest in our entire family. They are kind, engaging, joyful, energetic, and professional. Most of the teachers have been there for several decades and I know that is largely due to the incredible warmth that Principal Jan and Kayla set as the administration of the school. There is truly no place I have ever visited with the same warmth and kindness. 3. The curriculum is impressive! I am shocked about how well my son is prepared for TK. They are doing kindergarten level work in preschool. But of course it is mostly fun and playing and art. I am amazed by all the creative projects he comes home with and the patience and attention to detail it must require from the staff. I truly cannot say enough good things about this wonderful loving environment and cannot encourage families enough to send their kids here.

My daughter attended Treehouse from age 3 through 5. Treehouse is such a sweet, supportive,…read morewonderful school. We are not religious, but chose Treehouse due to the great reviews, nice campus, and lack of teacher turnover (pretty much all of the teachers have been there for many years), and are so glad we did. Every member of the staff knows all of the kids by name, and the love they have for the children, and the children for the teachers and staff in return, is palpable. Treehouse is a perfect mix of fun play and deep learning of important life skills, expected behavior in the school environment, and academic curriculum. We are sad to have aged out of Treehouse for now, but look forward to returning with our younger child in a few years for the two year old class.

My 3 yo son has thrived in Joy's forest school for over a year now. The children are at a different…read moresetting almost daily. Joy takes advantage of the great regional parks and playgrounds throughout the Eastbay and we love it! Joy truly understands child development and interacts with the children in such a positive way that contributes so much to their learning. That's one of the things I love most about her and why I trusted my son in her care in the first place - she knows how to communicate to the infants and toddlers. Additionally, her curriculum is child led and research based. I've recommended her program to all my mom friends!

My daughter loves joy so much! We love the summer camps and the above and beyond care / love that…read morejoy puts into the program.