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.

I don't usually participate in online discussions, but I'm speaking up here again. Redwood Day has…read morea history of downplaying negative experiences that don't fit their narrative, and their response here is no exception. 1. Singapore Math is an excellent way to teach math. However, its execution at Redwood Day falls short tremendously; pacing is inconsistent, and children move between levels without achieving mastery first. 2. I'm glad the parent in the previous review had a positive experience with inclusivity. Listing cultural months and one-off events, however, is not the same as demonstrating that all children feel equally seen and heard. Inclusivity is not a calendar; it has to be embedded in the ethos of the school and in day-to-day practice. When the classroom consistently centers the voices and experiences of some communities over others, children from less represented backgrounds are left on the margins. It's worth asking whose experience is reflected in a positive inclusivity review and whose isn't. 3. Authoritative discipline is well-defined in child development research, and it's worth understanding before dismissing it. All the qualities that the parent wants their kids and the next generation to learn are in fact core to the authoritative discipline model, which calls for: administering fair and consistent discipline when rules are broken; allowing children to express opinions; encouraging children to discuss options; expressing warmth and nurturing; fostering independence and reasoning; listening to their children; and placing limits, consequences, and expectations on behavior. Redwood Day's approach to discipline lacks clear boundaries and consistent follow-through. If teachers struggle with conflict resolution, how are they going to model it for children? It's worth understanding a concept fully before using it to invalidate someone else's experience. Redwood Day is teaching children that it's acceptable to be whoever they are without consideration for the world around them. Teaching history, social justice, and displaying cultural symbols is not enough; all of this is superficial when there is no expectation from children to be upstanding citizens of the world. It makes for a good brochure, but does little for the social-emotional development of children. Every family deserves a school that genuinely aligns with their values. For those considering Redwood Day, I'd encourage you to look beyond the marketing and beyond the parent advocates who echo it. Ask hard questions about whether what's promised is what's actually delivered.

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.

We sent our 5 year old to Laurel for kinder mainly just because it was the local school, but it has…read moreturned out to be a great experience. The teachers and staff and principal all seem to genuinely care and be good at their jobs, and it shows in the happiness of the kids. As an example, my kid for some reason we may never know was scared to go into the lunch line at the cafeteria, and therefor wasn't eating lunch. I mentioned this to the principal who happened to be outside before school and he took us right at that moment to go meet the lunch lady and practice going through the line, and then when we got to class I told the teacher why we were a couple minutes late the teacher said he would walk with my son into the lunch line that day. He's been eating school lunch every day since. He plays better with other kids than he ever did in preschool. Oh, he also reads at a 2nd grade level (but I get part of the credit for that!). They have a pretty awesome brand new playground, a garden, fieldtrips, music class, (optional) parent meetings and volunteer opportunities, and a pretty good budget for a public school. We'll be sending our second kid here in a few years once she's old enough

I think that the new principle has definitely changed things for the better. I'm excited to see…read morewhat else he comes up with that is new and creative. The parents and community have been really reacting well to him....very good thing. I went here, my middle sister went here, my best friends went here, my youngest sister goes here, my younger cousin as well. Its just a really good place to raise your kids. Not just because of the school, but the community around as well. Laurel district ROCKS

The principal the office personnel vice principals the teachers all seems very very nice even the…read morecafeteria people. The holes are clean everything looks fine I could use more balls for playing. It's very secure no one wandering in the school unexpectedly.

St Elizabeth elementary school, is a school rooted in faith, students attend mass, every week!!…read moreBecause I believe we can do all things in Christ who strengthens, Students achieve goals when our lord is given first place. Great programs, wonderful teachers, magnificent Principal! Mrs Rodriguez in the office is awesome!!! Helping with Financial aid and everything that goes on in the office. She's simply the best.

Hello, I am one of the parents of Saint Elizabeth, and my children, ages 33 and 31, attended this…read moreschool. Now my daughter and grandchildren do too. Principal Mrs. Packer and the staff are wonderful. Principal Mrs. Packer started this school year, and I can tell you that she is a firm believer in giving second chances. She did it with my daughter, and she also suggested therapy for her, which we attended. Her attitude and many other things changed for the better. At Christmas, Mrs. Packer put on a nativity play with the children and an extraordinary Christmas concert, the first of its kind at Saint Elizabeth Church. The children's performance was outstanding, and the Christmas carols with all the classrooms were magnificent. All of this was made possible by the efforts of Principal Mrs. Packer, who has been very positive. Thank you, Mrs. Packer, and thank you to Saint Elizabeth Elementary and Saint Elizabeth Parish.

The school has so much going for it, and mainly was a great place when my kid attended more than…read moreten years ago. However, an excellent and beloved aftercare, Adventure Time, was forced out under false pretenses in 2014. Their contract was broken so another aftercare could slide right in. It made me wonder back then. Makes me wonder even more now.

A few years ago, my husband and I first visited Joaquin Miller on a parent volunteer led tour of…read morethe school. We were pretty happy with the private school our then-preschooler was attending and were considering keeping him there through elementary school. Our primary concerns about public school were mostly about class size and colored by negative stories then in the news about the financial woes and generally poor performance of schools in the OUSD -- concerns that were quickly dispelled upon learning more about Joaquin Miller and enrolling our kids there. Right off the bat, we were immediately struck not only by the bright hallways and cheery classrooms decorated with student art projects, but also by the intelligence and passion shared by the teacher and parent guide we met that day. We saw parent volunteers and aides helping out in the classrooms, and kids who looked happy and engaged. Lessons were creatively approached and students' individual talents and needs were respected and addressed. We saw that this was a place where everyone involved was working together to create a vibrant, supportive community where kids learn and thrive -- and that our whole family might benefit from getting to know our neighbors better (not always an easy trick in the hills). Now, we have two kids doing great at Joaquin Miller, and we continue to be impressed by the staff and the dedication of the parents to contribute the success of the school. JM has an impressive library and computer lab, Khadra and African dance, after-school enrichment programs, and phys-ed and music classes, supported by the PTA. The multicultural education though the Living history program is especially terrific. We love this school and would recommend it to anyone in the neighborhood. The JM website has more info on academics, parent involvement, and school performance. Yelp! has the wrong school office phone number listed: it is (510) 531-6688.

We love it at JMSG! Our sixth grader is thriving. She receives so much personal attention and help…read moreto become a confident student. She struggles in math and is becoming a confident math learner. She absolutely loves the emphasis on women's empowerment. This is helping her grow into the kind of woman we want her to be. She participates in musical theater after school and is looking forward to playing basketball next season. What a gorgeous campus, dedicated teachers, and unparalleled curriculum! I'm so glad we found JMSG for our girl!

My 6th grader loves JMSG because "all the classes are really fun and engaging. It is a forest…read morelearning environment with positive teachers and nice friends." The Head of School and the school counselor / wellness teacher welcomes every student at the curb as they arrive every morning! They ask them how they're doing and they answer parent questions. All the teachers are incredibly kind, generous with their time, enthusiastic about their subjects and about teaching middle school girls, engaging, and well qualified. They arrive an hour before school starts in the morning for "cornerstone" when the students can come in and get extra help From them, ask questions, and look over homework. Every week they have special guests and special events, like a whole day dedicated to "words" last Friday, where 3 different authors came in and spoke to the students, and then students got to pick from a variety of literacy-themed electives to attend for the rest of the day. Pi Day was also very fun, with many activities centered around understanding pi and eating homemade pies. At the end of the year, the whole 6th grade class produces a musical. And this year the musical is an original score written by the school's very talented music teacher and a Berkeley Playhouse Children's theater educator and director! We feel very lucky that our daughter was accepted into JMSG and gets to have such a magical middle school experience. She is enjoying learning and is enthusiastic about all subjects. She is excited to go to school every day and takes pride in being completely independent and confident about all her homework assignments.

Went in today to get a registration packet for my younger sister. They had these wonderful handy…read morefolder packets ready with the application, a packet of their guidelines and rules as well as a couple sheets of student score statistics. You guys have probably heard of this school. The only school in California that had ZERO absences and the governor thus came to visit. Because of this, its extremely hard to get in now. Last year they the kids do an essay...uhhh...SCARY. Oakland residents get priority seating and if seats are filled too quick there is a lottery. Reading the packet was sort of scary. Extremely strict dress code, things like NO colored hair ties, socks, nor shoes for girls. Detention for breaking rules such as not tucking in your shirt for boys. Saturday school for missing school even if it was a valid excuse. I saw the very disciplined students go to their next class in a single file line. My first thought was zombie? But then again, its too early to really judge. I DO know that kids have dropped out after three months and even after a year of going to the school. With all that said...this IS the school if you want your kids to get a free private school education, this IS the school if you want your kids to become more disciplined...this IS the school if you want your kids to learn responsibility. Its either here or Bret Harte which my parents are very BLAH over at this moment. Our sister will not continue high school here however, just middle school. I think High School is a very critical period in ones life. As the chubby kid said in the movie Hotel for Dogs "Its a critical part of my social development" lolz...

This school has a barely functioning administration. They are incapable of the basic functions of…read morerunning a school, one of which is the accurate recording of grades.

My son had an awesome year and made some good friends along the way. I loved his instructors and…read moreofcourse loved the convenience as the school is nearby. I have 2 gripes though: not enough home work, I worry he wont be prepared for high school and big home work load lol. The other problem is I felt like the sports programs left alot to the imagination. Hopefully next year they will have better organized sports teams. However this has overall been an awesome experience for my child.

Mills College Children's School is an absolute gem and a truly transformative environment for…read morechildren and families alike. The teachers and staff are incredibly supportive, creating an inclusive and diverse community where every child and family feels welcomed and valued. Their ability to meet each child where they are--both in terms of needs and abilities--is unmatched. The educators here are first-rate, highly educated, and deeply dedicated to their craft. They foster an environment where children can blossom socially, emotionally, and academically. Every child is seen, supported, and celebrated, which allows them to build confidence and thrive in all aspects of their development. The care and thoughtfulness that go into every interaction and every element of the program are evident. I feel so privileged to have my child--and myself--be part of this extraordinary community. Mills College Children's School is a place where children and families grow together, and I cannot recommend it highly enough!

My son started in the kindergarten class and is now a 5th grader. My daughter started in the blue…read moreroom (if I remember the color correctly!). And so far our experience has great! We really couldn't think of a better school that would nurture them as individuals and build a strong academic foundation. Mills really focuses on building socio-emotional skills. My kids often came home talking about the brain and how they were in their "reptilian brain" and what they could do to get centered. As a parent who is in the education field, I can't tell you how important this is to building skills that will allow them to self-regulate and to understand what's going on internally with them. I'm a high school administrator in a public school and I can tell you that the biggest challenge I see with students that academically struggle is their inability to self-regulate and access the part of their brain where executive skills are at. I'm so glad that both my kids could come here. I know that they have a strong foundation to succeed in middle and high school and beyond! Did I also mention how beautiful the campus is! Teachers take full advantage of this.