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.

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.

This is my daughters school and so far we are loving it. She is finishing up second grade and was…read morenew to the school this year. The education is very solid and the music program is fantastic. They have small class sizes and two teachers per class. I feel that they really know my child here and that is worth every penny. Amelie's review: I really like my school,teachers,music and science. I love sitting near the class room at snack and hanging on the high bar.

Our daughter has completed two years at Black Pine Circle and every morning she is in a hurry to…read moreget to school. I'm writing this review because she has flourished at BPC, both academically and socially, and without a doubt the school can take a lot of credit for it. The headmaster John Carlstroem knows what he is doing, and runs a very happy ship. A school is a complex environment with many personalities and expectations that need to be managed. John works with a reservoir of deep intellect and excellent management skills and has managed to set a harmonious tone for the whole school. He thinks deeply about education and pedagogy, and he spends the school's money wisely. John's passion for the school is reflected in extraordinary commitment by the teachers, who are superb. In the lower school the kids learn english and math well, and the school's emphasis on music permeates lessons and activities and is wonderful to behold. In a review such as this it is not possible to describe the full extent of the curriculum, but I have been continually amazed by what my daughter is learning. Most importantly, her teachers have taught her self-respect, self-confidence, and have instilled in her a love of learning. I have spoken to many parents around the Bay Area, and I know there are many good schools. Still, I may be biased, but I feel that BPC is special, in a very good way. P.S. The math club is among the best in California.

After trying 10+ summer camps across San Francisco over the years, Stratford has been the best…read moreoverall experience for our family. The camp offers the perfect mix academics and fun enrichment. We've been consistently impressed with the quality and structure of the program. We signed up for the 4 week camp this summer and honestly, wished we signed up for more weeks. Each week, Stratford staff sends out a highlight reel that gives us an idea of camp happenings. Its a very sweet gesture. Almost every single day, our child comes home with an art project or hands-on activity (we honestly don't know where to keep them all!). The teacher-to-kid ratio is low I think for one kiddo it was 7 to 1 ratio. Special shoutout to Teacher Cole, Teacher Ben and Principal Sherrie! They are the best! The academic curriculum is strong, we get weekly packets to see what the kids are learning each week. I'm constantly surprised by the things they're learning and can tell its setting them up for the next grade. Stratford sets a high bar, we will be returning for (more) weeks next year!

We thankfully left the Pre-K Chinese immersion program early and got a refund due to disappointing…read moreand questionable practices we experienced at Stratford. We felt staff and leadership lacked transparency and focused too much on negative reinforcement to correct behaviors. We didn't want our 4 year old to stay in the class due to teachers inability to maintain control over the class and concerning practices they implemented without parent consent or agreement provided in the school policies or handbooks. Prior to Stratford, our child was advancing in all areas, socially, emotionally, and academically. During our child's time at Stratford, we observed concerning comments from parents/teachers and inappropriate phrases he picked up from the class. Since leaving, our child's focus, academics, and language vastly improved immediately. It's really been a blessing to have left, but I regret not leaving sooner when I saw earlier red flags. We stayed because our son enjoyed making new friends and socializing with his peers. We felt the educators didn't understand how to apply appropriate labels of behaviors for kids who are still developing at the age of only 4. In what professional training do educators apply harsh labels to 4 year olds like gun violence, intentional choking, and frightening attacks? When asked staff to clarify these statements, we later discovered they were either highly questionable with no evidence, exaggerated, or escalatory. Hearing these statements are deeply disturbing to parents and do not accurately represent the intentions or true behaviors of the little children at age 4. We even paid out of pocket for two medical professionals to investigate and they told us our child is very cheerful, healthy, and even ahead of the curve based on typical metrics scored for these types of behavioral tests. To try to work with the staff who didn't want us to leave, we requested a third-party professional to observe the class and better understand the dynamics of the classroom to see if we can improve the situation. They concluded the teachers were treating our child in a way that was not age appropriate, intimidating, and constantly singled out, and that's when we knew it was time to leave this place as quick as possible. We knew the experience our 4 year old child was telling us vs what teachers were telling us didn't add up, and having professional observers witnessing the class helped us understand the situation clearly. After we decided to leave, we asked for a refund, in which the Head of School (Ms. Sherrie) and the Director (Ms. Laysan) told us it would VERY likely not happen, despite the messages, observations, and violations of school policy that we outlined and showed them. We brought it up higher to the regional director, and she promptly refunded us without disputing our observations, finally validating our disappointing and disturbing experience. Another significant concern for us that we wish we researched earlier is that the school was bought out by a foreign investment firm based out of China called Primavera Capital Group a couple years ago, which as a mission seeks to create the best value for global investors. We felt the family and school values we had were not going to be aligned with the overall ownership based on what I researched. We sincerely hope Stratford is working to improve it's program and that leadership will consider the values and expectations of similar neighborhood families entrusting their children to the school, so future parents and toddlers do not have to endure the deeply troubling issues we experienced. Added/Updated: Response to business owner's defensive remarks. I understand their reaction, but these defensive remarks exemplify why parents should exercise caution when considering sending their children here. The notion that a little 4 year old with no life experience could be labeled as a "safety threat" to a group of adult staff or cause significant disruption is not only ludicrous but also highlights a lack of tact, empathy, and understanding -- skills crucial for any educational institution catering to young kids. Moreover, the claim of "voluntarily" inviting social services is highly questionable as such visits typically arise from serious complaints about child welfare. It's disconcerting that a social services inspection is a point to vindicate yourself, instead of taking a reflective look at how you could better accommodate a child's needs, which is ostensibly the foundation of your business. My hope is for the school to walk away from this with a genuine commitment to transparency. To any parent considering preschool, I urge you to do a lot of research or reach out for an open conversation about our experience. The well-being and happiness of our children is paramount and they should be fostered in environments that value and understand them. Good luck in your journey of finding the right school!

We've had a wonderful experience with the preschool program at Stratford, especially in Room 3. Ms…read more Sipra and Ms. Vaishali are incredibly caring, patient, and attentive teachers who create such a warm and nurturing environment for the kids. Our child has grown so much socially, emotionally, and academically since joining their class. The teachers do a great job balancing learning with fun activities, and it's clear they genuinely care about each child's development and happiness. Room 3 has been such a positive and enriching experience for our family, and we're truly grateful to Ms. Sipra and Ms. Vaishali for all their dedication and hard work!

Ms. Gopa and Ms. Sehr are incredibly kind, caring, and dedicated to the children; they consistently…read morego above and beyond to ensure our young ones feel supported. The monthly activities are thoughtfully planned, introducing children to diverse topics that foster language development and fine motor skills in a fun, safe, and engaging environment. Furthermore, Ms. Gopa and Ms. Sehr are meticulous in organizing cultural celebrations throughout the year, helping to instill meaningful values in the children. They are always prompt in communicating with parents and diligent in following through on any requests or concerns. Overall, Stratford provides a truly safe, secure, and nurturing environment, and we highly recommend it to any family seeking exceptional care for their children.

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.

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.

You'll wish you could be a kid again and go here!…read more This school is incredible - the teachers, staff, and students alike! The ethos of the school focuses on children as changemakers, the idea that each student has the ability to change the world. Within this framework, they center the child, and focus on "knowing the child well" and the child "knowing themselves well". The kids learn from a young age what makes them thrive (what environment, what tools, what topics interest them, what their growth areas are), giving them self-reflection and self-understanding skills which they will take with them for their whole lives. The school also focuses on instilling a growth mindset with the power of "yet", the idea that anyone can learn to do something new at any age. My absolute favorite school saying by far is "mistakes are magic"... Can you imagine growing up thinking that mistakes are just a part of learning and nothing to be ashamed or feel guilty about? I wish I could go back in time and attend this school!

We're in our second year as parents at Live Oak School, and we've been very pleased with the…read moreexperience. Our daughter loves going to school and really has enjoyed the teachers and staff, the lunch program, and the the experience to date. Things We Really Liked: * Weekly Field Trips in Kindergarten, which helps the students get to know the community / city and get comfortable with public transportation and exploring. Several also involve parents driving, which is a great opportunity to meet a lot of kids and other parents. * AnjiPlay, which helps promote exploration and team work, while also introducing a hint of "risky play". * Camp Live Oak, every year the entire school community goes to camp in May for 3 days, two nights. It's a wonderful and unique community building experience. * School lunch (included with tuition) program is great * Facilities are great - fairly light-filled former Hillsbro building in Potrero Hill, most classrooms have great natural light, Jackson Park is across the street. One of the few schools with a climbing wall (and will now have climbing as a middle school class). Small gym on sight, with UCSF nearby to support sports. * Very thoughtful and intelligent curriculum that they continue to respond to feedback on. They are expanding the Spanish program (currently starts in 4th) to encompass K-8. They are trying a new 8th grade capstone trip this year (traditionally DC) to be Civil Rights movement focused -- Memphis - Alabama - Atlanta. Things to Consider / Areas Could improve * The school doesn't come out of the gate hard in academics in kindergarten, ie they stay pretty light on reading, writing, and math the first year. This ramps up - for some kids very quickly - in first grade. This is probably ok, but parents should be prepared / aligned with it. Know that Live Oak 8th Graders place very well at the more academic high schools in San Francisco. They know themselves well, and they are prepared academically. * Extended Day Program. There are great hours of coverage (730 - 6pm, and holiday care on many of the days there is school off) available for working families. The enrichment programs leave a bit to be desired -- particularly the sign-up process. they seen to have way too few slots and getting a slot is like getting a Yosemite campsite. Soccer program is good. Be prepared to augment this outside of school if you have strong desires.

This school is definitely the best school you can have for your kids. I have never felt such warmth…read moreand welcoming. Both of my kids went here from 2.5 to 5 yo. They were well-prepared for kindergarten. Both started reading at 3 years old. The teachers are great. The kids love them and we love them too. If you want an environment that your kids can learn and grow, this is it. The only thing they don't offer that most daycare do is lunch. I mean they have choicelunch which you can pay extra for but my daughter prefers homelunch. They do provide 2 snacks a day. I highly recommend this school!

We cannot say enough about Stratford MH and how much our family appreciates being in such a…read morewonderful environment for our son. Our son started Pre-School 3 years ago, and I am so thankful for the experience he had beginning with Ms. Karina & Ms. Chitvan. Our son just started Kindergarten and we are so happy to see him growing in just the last few weeks with Mrs. Bora & Mrs. Sinha. He is learning so much and enjoying his teachers and classroom experience. I look forward to see how much more he grows with this school year! We recommend Stratford Morgan Hill for their care, attention to detail and support they give to their students and families. We appreciate all the teachers, staff on campus.

We absolutely love this school! After raising two children and starting over again with our…read moreyoungest, finding the right school was very important to us. This is our favorite private school in Marin County. We are so thankful to have found a wonderful Lutheran school that offers a caring environment and an excellent education. We couldn't be happier with our choice, and we're so grateful to be part of this wonderful school community.

We decided to move our son from Kent in order to find a school that valued psychological…read moredevelopment as much as academic. The education at Good Shepherd is very hands-on as the classes are smaller and more personal. Laura the principal, heads a group of committed educators who genuinely care about their students. They strive to educate without creating a stressful environment. The language arts is fantastic. It fosters the type of analytical thinking that creates critical and creative thinking. This is a wonderful school providing a nurturing academic experience. We are very glad we chose to send our son to Good Shepherd Middle School.

This school exhibits cult-like practices and raises serious concerns about student welfare. The…read moremajority of students are white, and there appears to be unequal treatment between staff and children--for example, teachers wear shoes while students are not permitted to do so. There are significant concerns regarding child safety, emotional wellbeing, and the overall quality of education, particularly given the high cost of attendance. The environment feels judgmental and unwelcoming. The school does not accept or support all children equally, which directly contradicts the values it claims to promote. Several children are turned away after being quickly judged and denied the opportunity to attend--even when they genuinely love the school. The potential emotional impact of this kind of rejection on a child is serious and appears to be disregarded. For an institution that presents itself as nurturing and values-based, this lack of compassion is troubling. I am not impressed with this "private" school. They should practice what they preach and prioritize helping all children succeed. Staff behavior often comes across as self-centered rather than truly child-focused.

My son works at New Village school. We had a wonderful time at their Winter Faire!!! Experiencing…read morea magical atmosphere of happy families, music by teacher and students, and delicious food. In one cozy room, young children were making fairy homes. I asked if I could make one too, and they said yes.