Our twin three year old boys have been doing a weekly class with Coach Gio for the past year, and…read morethey frequently attend the No School Day camps. HoH has been great for them to learn the basic of gymnastics and build body awareness. It's a large and well equipped facility, and the community of parents and coaches is very welcoming.

I really wanted to like Head Over Heels, but our experience hasn't been great. For a place that…read moreworks with kids, the environment often feels chaotic and poorly managed. Several staff members also came across with a surprisingly rude or dismissive attitude. Even simple questions felt like an interruption, which doesn't inspire much confidence. On top of that, a few of the teachers seemed low-energy and disengaged, which made the classes feel flat and not particularly motivating for the kids. The facility is not clean either and some days there's a noticeable smell in the building that makes the space less inviting. Overall, the experience just didn't match the expectations we had going in. I hope they improve the staff culture, energy level, and overall organization, because the potential is there -- but right now, it's not somewhere I'd recommend.

We love Aurora School. My daughter is in the lower grades, and watching her blossom here has been a…read moretrue joy. Aurora is not just child-centered; it's human-centered. Everyone on campus, kids and adults included, is treated warmly and personally, and people put in the time and effort to get to know each other on a deep level. My daughter is bright, sensitive, and neurodivergent--full of big feelings and big questions. In other environments, that combination has sometimes been "a lot." At Aurora, it's simply... who she is. Her teachers approach every child as a unique person, with diverging strengths, challenges, and interests. They notice how each kid learns, what lights them up, and where they struggle, and they adjust accordingly. You can feel how much they like their students as people. The school is small enough that my child is known by name and personality across grades. When we walk onto campus, peers and older kids alike say hi to her, and all the staff know her. There's a strong emphasis on social-emotional learning and conflict resolution, and it shows up in everyday moments--how teachers help kids work through disagreements, make space for big emotions, and practice repair. As a family that cares a lot about neurodiversity and inclusion, I've been impressed by Aurora's willingness to learn and grow. They're open to collaborating with parents, trying new supports, and investing in training so they can better serve kids who don't fit the "typical" mold. I feel like a true partner in my child's education. No school is perfect, and Aurora won't be the right fit for every family. But if you're looking for a place where your child will be seen, respected, and challenged in a humane way--and where curiosity, kindness, and individuality are treated as strengths--it's hard to imagine a better fit than Aurora.

Aurora School is a truly special place. We had both of our…read morechildren at Aurora, starting in Kindergarten, and looking back on our 9 years there, we couldn't be more grateful. The school fostered incredible academic and emotional growth for each of them in ways that felt personalized, thoughtful, and deeply supportive. Aurora strikes a wonderful balance between academic rigor and social-emotional learning. Our kids were challenged intellectually, but equally important, they were encouraged to develop empathy, resilience, and confidence in a changing world. The progressive approach to education here doesn't just prepare students for high school, it helped them shape them into the compassionate, curious, and capable young people that they are. The teachers and staff are dedicated and truly know each child as an individual. The sense of community among families is warm and welcoming, and we always felt supported as parents. If you are looking for a progressive education school where your child will thrive both academically and emotionally, Aurora is an amazing choice. We are so happy with the foundation it gave our kids.

My son enrolled in Public Speaking and loved it! The instructor was very organized, engaging, and…read moreprovided a thorough evaluation of his speaking ability along with constructive comments. He had numerous projects and speeches but even with him prepping 3-4 hours per class, it didn't feel like work. He became a more confident speaker and developed close friendships with the other like minded students in his class. The only drawback is that they are very strict on missing class (rightly so, as this is an intensive program) so if you don't plan to attend every class, this may not be the right program for you.

My daughter attended this program for years. She met lifelong friends, got great work experience as…read morea TA, and learned some cool stuff! No exaggeration: ATDP had a huge impact on her life. Many kids attend for several years and there are students there whose parents attended ATDP when they were kids! For those who stick around, ATDP becomes kind of a family. Certain classes have really stellar instructors that you hear a lot about. Google Flossie Lewis: she's a legend! Google Lloyd Nebres: he was blogging before "blog" was a word.

We attended Gymboree Play & Music at Lakeshore for a year, from when my daughter was 18 months to…read more30 months old, and it was such a wonderful experience! The teachers are fantastic--Ms. Leah in Play & Learn and Ms. Muna in Music class were both patient, energetic, and great at leading activities that kept the kids involved while fostering social and motor skill development through Gymboree's catchable bubbles. The classes struck the perfect balance between structured routines and free play, making them ideal for school preparation at an early age. At some point last year, a new owner took over and made some really thoughtful improvements that elevated the space. They spruced up the otherwise plain walls, added a baby gate to prevent little ones from running in and out of the play area without their adult, and even replaced the circle time carpeting. These small but meaningful upgrades made the environment feel even more welcoming and safe. One of the things we really appreciated was the flexibility in choosing which class to attend. Most of the time, we could just drop in, which was incredibly convenient. That said, for busier days--especially when it was raining--it was a good habit to book a class in advance through the app to make sure we had a spot. At first, it took about a month for my daughter to feel fully comfortable, which I think is completely normal. She started by observing and then gradually joined in after watching her peers interact. It was amazing to watch her growth--learning problem-solving skills (like navigating play structures, balancing, and safely calculating jumps), improving her motor skills, and practicing taking turns and following directions. A big plus is that the play area is always so clean and well-maintained--much better than the park. And while socks are usually required in indoor play spaces, I appreciated that kids could go barefoot here, which helped with my daughter's stability and movement. My daughter loved it so much that she would sing the songs at home and even ask for parachute time outside of class! Now that she's moved on to preschool, I do wish there had been a transition class to help bridge that next step at a younger age. Otherwise, our time at Gymboree was truly special, and I highly recommend it for little ones and their parents looking for a fun, social, and enriching experience.

My baby loves Gymboree! We has so much fun singing (the instructor sings great!) and especially…read moreloves the bubbles. It's clean, fun, and always a great time

Amazing Campus Amazing Staff…read moreAmazing Food Can't say enough about this school. French immersion experience and social emotional learning got our attention right away. My kid is happy to go to school.

My child has attended ABS for almost 3 years now, and we would absolutely do this again if we had…read moreto. When it was time for our child to attend preschool, we wanted a school that provides language immersion and in close proximity to our home. ABS checked all the boxes with an added bonus of HOT lunches! Our child could now converse in French despite having non-French-speaking parents, and this is definitely the cherry on top. The school campus is very cute with veggie patches, chicken coop and a sizable play area. It is well taken care of; you can sense the pride Coralie and her staff has of this place. The teachers are engaged with the students and are responsive to parents' questions. We love the potluck events that brings the school community together. Most importantly, our child loves ABS and his teachers, and frequently tells me that he misses school on weekends!

St. Paul's has some of the best camps in the area. We've sent our two kids there for the past few…read moreyears and they love it! Fun in Sun provides the opportunity for kids to do what they do best - play outside!! Each day was well planned out and the trips took them to many fun local locations. Art Camp and Math and Science also provide a great, educational environment while at the same time allowing the kids to just have fun. The counselors have a great rapport with the kids and the administration is well organized, making drop offs and pickups seamless! We've been to many different summer camps in the Oakland area and St. Paul's is always a favorite of my kids. Can't wait for them to try out Hoop Camp this coming summer!

First experience, great experience. The staff was attentive and mostly everyone knew our son within…read morea short period of time. Being on the younger side of a pre kinder, we weren't sure how he'd keep up. He came home using new vocabulary and gained confidence in himself. Thank you to Mr Young and the staff!

Just spent my 15th or 16th erev Rosh Hashanah at the JCC, thanks to the wonderful organization…read moreknown as Jewish Gateways and their two amazing rabbis, Stephanie and Bridget. What a fun experience! My three year old was able to enjoy a safe, supervised playground adventure with kids his own age, while we grownups had our own time during the service. If you are searching for meaningful Jewish interaction in a safe, secure, worry-free environment, this is the place for you!

The JCC preschool is the most loving, caring and thoughtful preschool my son has ever experienced…read more We moved from a different country, with huge gaps in language and culture, and the JCC team has made this so much easier for us. My kid is always happy to get in, and never wants to leave. There is a very nice community there as well, with families from all religions and lifestyles, everyone is welcome!

Whenever I mentioned that my daughter was going to Fairyland Summer Camp people gushed about how…read moregreat the camps were. And they were right! Topaz, Fairyland's Community Engagement Manager, is kind, organized, and patient. In fact, she probably deserves a promotion and commensurate salary increase. Hers is not an easy job and still I never saw her flustered and she was especially skillful at handling parents and kids alike with care. We were originally waitlisted for Maker's Wonderland and Farm to Table. To my horror, the email notifying us that our daughter had been offered a spot for both camps went to spam. Thankfully our neighbor tipped us off and I wrote to Topaz right away and she managed to get our kid in for three weeks of camp. And she couldn't have been nicer about it. My daughter made butter from scratch, performed skits, and made a good friend at Fairyland camp (and both our families are better off for it). I highly recommend these summer camps for their super staff, excellent Oakland vibe, and engaging activities for kids.

Fairyland Summer Camp (FSC) is an absolute gem! It is a unique and valuable experience for young…read morechildren. The activities at this camp will inspire, encourage and stimulate their minds and creativity. It is awesome that my children get to spend the day outdoors in a safe environment and with caring staff members. Most of all, they are given the time and space to be themselves and PLAY.... after all, play is the primary way children LEARN. The Education Specialist Shana, is a genuine, intelligent, and professional Leader. She has a positive and loving energy that is contagious. My children have attended FSC for 3 years and I always see her connecting with all the campers and parents. My children really, really enjoy their time at Fairyland Summer Camp and I am a happy and grateful Mother.