My Child went RSM San Mateo for more than 5 years and the experience was great…read more One of the greatest benefits of Russian math schools is their emphasis on problem-solving skills. They teach students how to think logically and critically, which helps them not only in math but overall in all aspects of life. The curriculum is challenging and rigorous, but students are provided with all the support they need to succeed. Teachers go above and beyond to help students understand difficult concepts and provide individualized attention when needed. The atmosphere of San Mateo RSM is also a positive aspect. Students are encouraged to collaborate with one another, and teachers foster a sense of community in the classroom. Any student can take homework help . This creates a supportive environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and sharing their ideas. San Mateo Russian math schools are an excellent choice for students who want to excel in mathematics. Ms. Armine and Ms. Kseniya were excellent and my child enjoyed both of their classes very much ! We recommend this Math curriculum , to students from all math background.

I'm a little bit torn about this place. Our daughter started here in first grade and just entered…read morefourth. RSM attempts to provide kids with a thorough understanding of mathematical concepts (much more than our kids' public school) and challenges them with advanced topics. In the third grade honors class, material included full on algebra, systems of equations, early geometry, and multi-step word problems. Each topic is viewed from multiple lenses. There are graphical and symbolic representations, traditional step-by-step problem solving, and derivations / proofs / logic -- but delivered in a relatively age appropriate way. Every week, there are 1-2 homework problems meant to conceptually challenge the kids. It is not uncommon for me (and my multiple engineering degrees) to have to pause and really think before attempting to guide our child on how to approach something. I've also gotten some problems straight up wrong and had to rethink them. :) Our eldest is a perfectionist and hates not knowing the answer. She prefers having a rote method (e.g. PEMDAS) and answer attached to every problem. RSM is a huge challenge for her personality type, but I think it's also built a lot of resilience in her over time. Our younger child is more carefree and loves puzzles. Although he just started in the first grade class, we can already tell that it's going to be an easier fit. There is a good amount of homework, which I know some educators and researchers do not approve of. The homework is also hard, and parent support is likely necessary. Alternatively, the San Mateo center offers hours when kids can drop in for homework help. We've also had mixed experiences with the instructors. Our daughter has had three different instructors so far which have garnered the following ratings: love, like, and I-have-no-idea-what-she's-talking-about. During the few months when we had the poor instructor, our daughter was not learning, couldn't do her homework, and cried. It was tough. Luckily, it didn't last for long (but note that this instructor is still there!). Overall, I don't regret enrolling our kids in RSM and will continue to do so. They learn a ton and develop a much more well-rounded understanding of numbers than public school provides. The work is hard, though.

We are incredibly happy with our experience at Huntington Learning Center. Our first grader was…read morestruggling with reading and I felt lost in terms of how best to support her. She just couldn't seem to focus and was falling behind. In the 4 months since we started, I have seen great improvement in reading skills, but most importantly, an increase in her confidence and reading is less of a battle with us. She is happy to be there, loves her tutor, and most importantly, enjoys reading. More recently we have had to switch to online tutoring given the Shelter-in-place order. I was very worried that our successes would come to a halt. It took some adjusting but the tutors and center have been creative in finding ways to keep her engaged and focused during our video sessions. We have our good days and our not so good days when my daughter is less engaged, but the best is when she tells her sister about how fun Huntington is.

Our granddaughter has been going to Huntington since second grade. She is currently in third grade…read moreand we have seen how she has improved and gained confidence in her math studies. The way schools are teaching math today differs from how we learned many years ago. It can be frustrating for parents and grandparents to help with this new math. Our granddaughter likes her tutor and doesn't complain about going to tutoring and having someone else explain concepts (even though we wish the school that we pay for did a better job at this). A tutor can take the frustration away from us and our granddaughter which helps her to be more open to learning. Huntington has been flexible when a schedule change is necessary. Additionally, it is nice to see how our granddaughter has improved when we meet with Huntington for her progress reports. Admittedly, it is not inexpensive, but our hope is that it will give her the confidence and foundation to be successful in math in the future. Thank you to Geetanjali and Casey.

Our daughter loves going to Mathnasium and is always excited to attend. This is a huge reversal…read morefrom her prior experience at a prior after-school math program, which left her uninterested and feeling ignored. She loves the tutors at the Laurelwood center and frequently tells us all about how much fun she has had with them. We also appreciate the relative similarity between Mathnasium's curriculum and that of the local public schools. This helps the kids either practice what they're learning at school, or if they get ahead of their grade level, use their school work as a reinforcement for things learned at Mathnasium.

Before my daughter started at Mathnasium, she did not like math. There were gaps with her math…read moreskill and understand that I just don't know how to fill them. When my daughter started with Mathnasium, Angie knows exactly how and what area to focus on. A detail plan was given and surly my daughter progress beautifully. With just two hours a week for the past year, my daughter is all caught up and started to enjoy math. The best part is there is no homework and I no longer need to figure out which and why a particular area in math is troublesome for my daughter. My daughter tells me that she "needs" to go to Mathnsaium otherwise, math does not make sense for her. I highly recommend it and could not be happier.

We've had a wonderful experience at Notre Dame Elementary School! As a parent, what I appreciate…read moremost is the warm, welcoming, and close-knit community. With only one class per grade, the school creates an environment where students, teachers, and families really get to know one another. The teachers and staff genuinely care about the children, not just academically but also about their personal growth, confidence, and character. There's a strong sense of belonging, and the school does a great job encouraging kindness, respect, and community involvement. I've also had the opportunity to volunteer at school events and see firsthand how dedicated the teachers, staff, and parent community are to making the school a special place. Notre Dame feels like more than just a school. It's a supportive community where children can learn, grow, build friendships, and feel valued. We're very happy to be part of the Notre Dame family and would highly recommend it to families looking for a nurturing elementary school!

I strongly advise against this school based on our experience…read more The administration is more interested in controlling and punishing students rather than fostering an environment that encourages critical thinking, love of learning and a feeling of safety. The culture is antiquated as is the curriculum. Teachers are underwhelming. There is a stark lack of innovation and limited use of technology. A revolving door of teachers. With those who remained, issues loomed. The administration had no interest in hearing from parents. The science program is a disgrace. It lacks instruction and labs. I have attached a photo that is telling. The Spanish program is a joke. Social Studies was inconsistent. A new, inexperienced English teacher had no accountability. She humiliated more than one child by timing them when going to the restroom in front of the class. She demonstrated questionable rationality and a tenuous relationship with reality. At some point, we hired tutors to advance our child in certain areas which we likely would have done at any school, just as many students take math at RSM. We do that as well. The vice principal reprimanded my child when she heard this, claiming it was unfair. This was outrageous, but not out of character. Every opportunity they had to tear down a child, they took--and that treatment extended to parents. Additionally, the school actively discouraged transparency and honesty, instructing my child and myself to conceal a learning accommodation from other students and parents. We were told, "Do not tell anyone, and if it gets out, we will know it was you." This culture of fear, intimidation, and dishonesty are toxic. Stapled your paper incorrectly? That will be 10% off. Did not include your last name? Turn in the next day at penalty. Why not simply speak to the student and offer support if needed? Is this about learning or control? It is 100% about control and you control through fear. The anxiety our family experienced during our time at NDE was profound. If you're looking for a forward looking school that fosters critical thinking and helps develop confidence with supportive adults rooting for them, this is absolutely not the place. For some, this culture may be acceptable, but others, including myself, may consider it a form of emotional abuse on top of an antiquated mode of teaching and curriculum. This school has the potential to be a positive neighborhood institution, but it requires significant leadership change to transform.

It has been over 1.5 years since my last review, and we love the school as much as we did when our…read morechild started school 2+ years ago! Everyone on staff has been incredibly easy and pleasant to collaborate with, and responsive to my questions. The school expanded over the summer to add 2 more classrooms, so that Burkard now has 6 classrooms: K/1, 2/3, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7/8th. Having experienced a few private schools and a public school between my 2 kids, I am confident this is the best environment for my child, for both academic differentiation and SEL support. It's often lamented that parents have to choose the least bad educational option for their 2e kids, but I truly believe this is a great option. We were fortunate enough to be with his amazing 2/3 teachers for 2 years, and have a new set of teachers we love this year, too. Speaking with parents across grades, they also think highly of their teaching teams. My son continues to thrive academically (measured by his overall engagement, as well as MAP testing), and we are very happy with the math differentiation he receives. Each year, I have been pleased with the attention and care the staff takes to make sure he's challenged at the right level. They take great care to plan engaging lessons across ELA, science, social studies and SEL, and incorporate hands on projects regularly to extend their learning. My son regularly shares interesting facts he learned in class! Math is a subject he continues to be passionate about, so I reach out to the school annually for math acceleration. He is given math assessments at the start of each year to determine the appropriate placement, and is given the option of joining a higher level class, or doing independent study in his classroom. We opted this year to have him join the higher level math class on a modified schedule, and we are grateful for the ability to choose the right option for him. The daily SEL teaching is also very well done. Many schools don't have the ability to go in-depth with SEL, but our BT has devised fun games and exercises for the kids to put their SEL knowledge into practice. It was so sweet to hear that my son's 4th grade class taught new recess games to the K/1 class! The BT's keep a close watch throughout the day, so the students are able to learn and play in a physically and emotionally safe environment. When conflicts arise, the staff is there to help the students resolve the issue in an appropriate way. We get daily reports, and twice monthly newsletters sharing what he's learning, so I know he's receiving a high quality education. If your child is at a school that is not meeting their needs, I encourage you to tour the Burkard School. It is truly a gem of a school!

We found TBS about three years ago and it is quite surprising that there aren't more schools for…read morebright kids who have significant social & emotional challenges, including mood disorders. We unfortunately found very little real understanding and expertise along the way, moving from program to program, from school to school, in every case deeply involved with the IEP process. Then we decided to try TBS. The results have been nothing short of amazing. Our student's self-esteem and emotional intelligence started to grow from the start and has continued to grow ever since. No more calls asking us to come quickly, the benefits to our entire household have been pretty incredible, across parents, siblings, and friends alike. When your student talks to you about how the kids at school are 'just like me', when they express a sense of belonging and common purpose to thrive in the face of big emotions, you can only smile and reflect on the journey. ...and imagine what it's like for other parents to understand you, understand your child, and understand so much of the details of the journey. The TBS community, made up of students, teachers, and parents is one that sees your child as deserving, powerful, and good.

We brought our elder son here over 6 years ago so to reading and math and Fran and staff were…read morewonderful on helping him get up to speed in both subjects. Fast forward to today and we were so excited to see Fran again and enroll our youngest here in both reading and math. We are very appreciative of the one on one and tailored tutoring the kids received and the family atmosphere the staff creates. Highly recommend

I can honestly say that my kids have grown so much in math because of Fran and this Kumon San Mateo…read moreteam. I have 2 kids who have gone up to higher level math and both can honestly say they wanted to continue because it was helping them so much. Fran is patient and so great with each student. She knows how to teach different levels and does so well reading each students learning style. My kids confidence in math was so important during this tender age of other pressures. I had recommended to friends who are also so happy there. They say in their own words "Ms. Fran is great". I highly recommend Kumon San Mateo

What can I say, Mathnasium make me smile. The team that they have assembled in house here- make…read moresure my two boys have an excellent and fun time with Math. The owner, Angie is an outstanding and experienced franchise owner who stands out with concern, education and inspiration. She knows this business model well. Her careful selection of team members clearly shows, from the center directors to the tutors themselves, everything shines. The location is immaculate and clean which is lovely, and the system they offer of learning math in terms of increasing fluency with numbers and being taught a system for breaking down problems so that you become both a fluid and fluent problem solver is a welcome game plan. I have a 4th Grader and 1st Grader here and both have gained some serious traction in math that easily translated into their respective classroosm. They have more math muscle to use! My Fourth Grader I was worried about as the work and complexity piled up in the 4th Grade. Having slipped slightly down the slope in 3rd Grade, I was concerned for what lay ahead in 5th Grade for him and felt this was a turning point, a time to dig in and so we dove in and started Mathnasium. So glad we did! It's made a real difference. FYI.. we did try Kumon several times back to back previous years and my son just didn't take with it. It's fine with a lot of his friends but for him it was a no go. This place.. he likes a lot. I think it has to do with the personal attention the tutors give here and the hands on material. Like another reviewer said it's about 1:3 ratio of tutors to students. Kids are given an assessment first which is great, and then you know where to begin. Then they work on fluency and also at their assessed skill level until they can move onto the next level, assessed both in terms of "fluency" and "grade level.) We were not so surprised to see my son initially tested in lower than his actual grade level. But in just a few short months he's risen right up and now at grade level (4th) assessment and hopefully pull into the 5th Grade level before he's actually in 5th Grade at school. So if you are on the fence about supplemental math, this is a fun place, with a nice casual atmosphere with intent.There is no homework like Kumon, so kids feel like they are done when they leave and that is great. They have punch card system with points, and points equal prizes which seems to motivate and keep festive the math education. Check em out! one last thing.. when I was a kid I fell behind in math and I never really recovered- it got to a point where i just wasn't comfortable and just struggled to get it done. My hope is to have my kids avoid this and while they don't have to LOVE math,I want them to feel confident and strong with it, so they can feel free to learn as much as they can without negative "I can't do it' feelings. Big Thank you's to all the staff, A.J., Keith , Angie, all who know my kids by name and make it fun while taking the time to make it cool to do Math. Oh.. my 1st grader! he really didn't need too much help he's only in 1st! but he insisted on joining because of big brother and how much fun it looked. It's paid dividends.. I think he is stronger and more confident and his teacher said math is one of his strongest subjects.

Sadly, they do not accept kids with Autism. My 10 years old son took the assessment and the lady…read moresaid that: they have not way to help him. They recommended a private tutor instead. My son attends Kumon but I was looking for extra support in mathematics. It was really sad to know they are not interested in help kids with disabilities. This was in the Burlingame CA center

Our son joined Nueva's Upper School this year as a 9th grader (class of 2021). We like Nueva's…read morerigorous high school curriculum; a number of advanced courses can be deemed college-level. Its math sequence is very well thought out (e.g., one track for pure math and one for applied math) and allows plenty of room for advanced students to progress beyond calculus. We are pleased to see that our son has been spending a good amount of time at the I-Lab before/after school (helped greatly by his new found independence via the bike+Caltrain combination) and loves every minute of it! Nueva's Upper School teachers are helpful and highly qualified; many are practitioners/experts in their field. Our son's Japanese language teacher has a wonderful sense of Japanese humor that makes language learning so much more enjoyable. The Upper School has an advisory system that allows small groups of students to interact with their advisors, who in turn provide feedback to parents (especially new families!) on how their kids are doing at school from time to time. It's a great way to integrate incoming 9th graders (i.e., many new friends were made over a 3-day camping trip before start of school) and build strong ties between school and families from the get-go. Our son has a great start of the year with Nueva. Its Upper School is one we would highly recommend for families looking for a well-rounded STEM education and great teachers in a supportive environment for their kids.

I initially became interested in The Nueva School after subscribing to receive job postings. What…read moreimmediately stood out to me was how frequently new openings were being posted -- sometimes seemingly every week. As an educator, that naturally made me wonder about staff turnover. Eventually, I applied for a position and interviewed with someone who honestly seemed very kind and thoughtful. I left the interview feeling optimistic, especially because I was told I would hear back by the end of the week. In education hiring, timelines usually move quickly because schools want to secure teachers for the upcoming school year before candidates accept other opportunities. Weeks went by with complete silence. No follow-up, no rejection email, nothing. Wanting to close the loop professionally, I eventually emailed to thank the interviewer for her time and wish her and her team the best for the upcoming year. Oddly, the message bounced back, even though I had been communicating through that exact same email thread previously. At that point, I honestly began wondering whether the communication had somehow been compromised or whether I had fallen into some strange scam situation. I even called the school directly to verify that the interviewer actually worked there, and thankfully she did. The school then provided me with another email address associated with their official domain. I forwarded my message there as well, but once again received no response at all. Whether the message reached her or not, the overall experience felt surprisingly unprofessional and dismissive, especially after what had initially seemed like such a warm interaction. After later reading additional reviews and experiences from others, I ultimately realized this probably was not the right fit for me anyway. Still, basic communication and professional courtesy go a long way, particularly in education, where relationships and respect matter.