This review is long over due, we our going on our third year of enrollment at HillPoint Montessori…read moreand we are extremely happy about our decision. Prior to having our child here, school was a real daily struggle. We did not enjoy having to spend long hours each night completing work sheets and hw; our child was not happy. Being professional working parents having to come home and complete a stack of "work sheets" was utter misery for all of us. Each Sunday night we began to hear "my tummy hurts", since school was on Monday. The final straw came the day when our little one yelled at us in tears "I HATE SCHOOL!!!", we finally accepted that we needed a change. I searched and spent countless hours reading, talking to other parents, and doing campus tours of different private schools in the SFV area. Most were either not affordable for us or followed very traditional teaching methods. We knew our child needed something different, "aHillpoint Montessori was the answer. I remember the first day we toured the campus with our child; we meet the school director and lower elementary teachers. We were in awe as we saw that Ms. Alyssa (the lower elementary teacher) had in her "parent library" the same books that we were reading about child development and child neuro-development. The more we got to know Ms. Alyssa and ask her questions, the clearer it became to us that the Montessori teaching approach was in perfect sync to what our child and family needed. We were in disbelief that such a school and classroom could even exist and that the tuition was within our budget. By the time we were done with our tour we knew we had to enroll our child at Hillpoint Montessori. We asked lots and lots of questions to the school director Ms. Dayani; our questions were very direct and upfront--we needed to know and feel secure that this school would be the right place for our child and family. We didn't want to find our child and family in another school environment that didn't support our child's needs. Making a change was a bit intimidating, having to change your child's school is and can be nerve wrecking. However, the school and Ms. Alyssa made the transition a smooth and beautiful one. The approach that Montessori takes is one of respect, inclusiveness, and acknowledgment. In other schools I noticed that children are "talked at" and not "talked with"; now our child has a voice and is heard by the teachers and classmates. In the Montessori method, children are taught empathy, independence, good citizenship, curiosity, and creativeness which foster an environment of learning. Our child loves to learn and explore the world, the questions we now get asked and engagement is astonishing. At our previous school, which followed the traditional teaching method, our child did not want to go to school and upon being picked up there was nothing to share or mention about the day. All the answers were "I don't know..." followed by endless silence-regardless of what we asked, how we asked, or how creative we were in engaging a conversation about the school day. Prior to Hillpoint, the passion/curiosity to learn within our child was disinterested; we were able to see a drastic difference within the first week of starting class at Hillpoint Montessori. It's as if our child was back!!! Now, pick up time is the best part of the day, and very often our child says to us "why did you pick me up so early! Can't you pick me up later please?". The car ride back home is endless chatter as we hear about everything that happened at school that day, what lessons were taught, and what subjects were learned. We have also been able to form beautiful friendships with other school families and our children very often get together for play dates and to do fun activities together. We didn't have this at our previous school, it's a special community we have built at Hillpoint. There is no other learning method that comes close to the Montessori method, with the exception of the Waldorf Method, however, this is not financially permissible to our family or most families. If you don't know what the Montessori method consists of, I encourage you to look it up-- if you are reading my review, and taking the time to get this far, it's probably because your child and family are searching for a better fit and learning environment. We understand as we were there three years ago. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out; happy to pay it forward and share more of our experience with you. * We are a real family and we were not paid nor given any type of incentive from the school or anyone at the school to write and share our experience.

My son started at Hill Point Montessori when he was just 2 years old, and the growth we've seen in…read morehim over the past two years has been incredible. His vocabulary and communication skills have evolved remarkably, reflecting the Montessori approach that truly fosters independence, confidence, and a love for learning. He has had amazing hands-on experiences making fresh orange juice, churning butter, observing the life cycle of chicks, and gardening that taught him practical life skills, responsibility, and curiosity about the world. The community at Hill Point is wonderfully diverse. Along with our son forming beautiful friendships, we as parents have also built lasting connections. Mrs. Dayani and Ms. Anishka are incredibly passionate and dedicated, and their love for Montessori education shines in everything they do. Their wonderful teachers Ms Dinorah, Ms Ishani, Ms Maryam, Ms Rakhi and staff ensure every child feels seen, supported, and celebrated. Hill Point Montessori is a nurturing, vibrant, and truly authentic Montessori environment. We are so grateful for the foundation they've given our son--it will stay with him for life.

Our experience with the school has been good overall. The school environment feels welcoming, and…read moremy children feel safe and motivated to learn.While we are very happy with the education they are receiving, there is always room for minor improvements. Specifically, communication regarding upcoming assignments and school events could be a bit more streamlined, and expanding after-school activities or enrichment programs would be a wonderful addition for the students. Overall, it is a good school with a wonderful community, and we are grateful to be a part of it!

no absolutely not this school is horrible, the teachers there bad, the staff out on the field bad,…read moreeverything at the school is bad nobody really gets an education there

There aren't enough positive things I could say about being part of the community at Highland Hall!…read moreHaving been at the school for three years, and having been a very active member of the schools parent community, I can say with full confidence that it is the complete staff and parent collaboration that makes the school so amazing. Both of my children are thriving in this environment, where the focus is not on technology, but in developing their creative skills in writing, mathematics, music, sports, and above all how to be wonderful humans with their fellow classmates and teachers. We see a dramatic difference from the students around the school in comparison to children who are at the same age group going to public school and for us there's no comparison. This environment allows the students to thrive in ways we only hoped our children would experience. We truly have only wonderful things to say about our experience thus far in these last three years and will absolutely look forward to staying at Highland Hall for the remainder of their education.

The antidote to hustle culture--for kids AND parents…read more Highland Hall has been transformative for our family. In a world of stress, hurry, and noise, this school pushes back hard. My ECC student is thriving in their play-based program, and I'm equally impressed by what I see in the grades. What stands out: Teachers are genuinely cared for (you can feel it in how they show up) Outdoor learning is central, not an afterthought Learning is experienced through hands, heart, and mind (and truly offline and not through a screen) Warm, open community that walks the talk Upper school students are bright, engaged, and have real relationships with each other Academic excellence through curiosity, not pressure The slower pace in early years is intentional--less rote memorization, more wonder and deep learning. It teaches families that thriving happens through joy and community, not grinding. Don't let tuition stop you from exploring. The financial assistance program is robust and real. Schedule a tour and see if Highland Hall is right for your family. For us, it's been worth every penny.

We toured this school and though we ultimately decided to stay at our current school (my child is…read morealmost done with elementary and the change felt too big) if we were starting over again we'd put all of our kids here. Delightful staff and such a lovely holistic environment. Academics, arts, earth sciences, music. amazing. Small class sizes and from what I could see pretty ethnically diverse.

Valley Waldorf is a tiny school. It has only a few teachers and few students, but it has so much…read morejoy. I heard that it was a large and thriving school before the pandemic and it is now growing, but organically. But currently, the classroom size is about 6 or 8 kids in my son's class, it has room to grow. The timbre of the theory of the school is to develop the child with wonder, curiosity, desire, and the confidence to learn and create, and then they could pursue the facts to learn. In this world of technology changing everything exponentially, some educators wonder if they should drill the children with facts and figures when computers will be providing all of that. These educators seem to think that the children who will succeed in the future are those who think and create. My son likes this school. He was recently diagnosed with ADHD, and the instructors are continuously learning and growing to work with him. And the biggest thing they seem to be teaching are social skills. This school currently runs from pre-k to 5th, and they are in talks about going up to 6th grade.

My daughter went in first grade all the way to 5th grade they are very kind they encourage the kids…read moreto get good grades love it !!

great school and great teachers! I totally recommend this elementary! I love this school and…read moreeveryone is so nice and I have great memories from here! The teachers and staff are really kind and supportive!

This school for hands down the best of both worlds. Before we had kids my husband and I always…read moreintended to homeschool our children as we saw that as the best way to shepherd our children's hearts in the way of the Lord. As our first child approached her school years I lost my confidence. Feared my child would never learn to read much less add 2 and 2 together. A friend of mine introduced me to this school and it was like a godsend! Perfect for those who would like to homeschool their children but need a little help and accountability along the way! The teachers are loving and patient and they reinforce all the spiritual teachings that my children already get at home. In addition they also strive for academic excellence and I can rest assured that my children are getting a fantastic academic education as well! You cannot beat their student to teacher ratios! We love how the student body is broken into teams that integrate the entire student body so there is a built in support system for the younger kids to learn from their older schoolmates instead of being isolated only in their own grade/age group during recess and lunch. If you are on the fence about sending your kids to public school and private school is simply out of the question I highly highly recommend checking out NCS as a perfect solution!

This school has exceeded all of our expectations. When we…read moremade the decision to move our kids from a local public school, we wondered if enrolling in a much smaller school and a hybrid program would be too much change for our kids, but we thought we'd give it a try and I'm so glad we did. All of our kids--all very different from one another--have absolutely thrived. The friendships that we have formed through NCS are deep and lifelong. It's a true blessing to be a part of a community that equally emphasizes academic rigor and faithful teaching of scripture. If those are your priorities, then NCS is for sure worth consideration.

This review is long overdue - not because I had nothing to say, but because I had SO MUCH to say…read morethat it took me a while to put my thoughts together. I will say this right at the beginning: sometimes you pay for what is NOT there as much as for what IS. NO bullying in our experience. NO constant drama. NO feeling that you or your child have done something wrong just by walking through the door. Those things have enormous value. The actual review was much longer but I had to shorten it for yelp. I am a mother with an older child already in high school and experience with SIX different schools due to moves, COVID, and family circumstances. So I can compare. School culture matters academically AND emotionally, for children and parents - yes, us parents who actually pay for it! THE FIRST thing you notice at Kirk: the office staff actually smiles and is eager to help. No stiff faces making you wonder, "Did I park incorrectly? Is my shirt backward? What did I do wrong?" Immediately you check the box: "They are kind. They do not lack empathy. Continue." Kirk values being smart AND being kind. Children are encouraged to ask questions, express their ideas, and think for themselves - not just memorize paragraphs and prepare for standardized tests. More programs or more homework do not automatically mean a better school. My older daughter's 4th grade projects involved tears at other school. At Kirk, my younger daughter learned just as much, if not more, without that hassle. SCHOOL AWARDS - do not take them for granted or think, "Everyone is doing it." In my experience, some schools have moved away from individual awards in the name of tolerance and acceptance (oh, if we award this child the other one will feel discriminated so we better not award anyone) , while others give awards to almost everyone. At one of our previous schools, 23 out of 24 children received the Principal's Award. Easier to name who did NOT get it, right? Imagine being that one child. At Kirk, teachers give an ACTUAL SPEECH about YOUR child at assemblies, and the ENTIRE school listens. Their effort, their growth, their strengths. Not just a name and a piece of paper. You can see that teachers know the children they are talking about. I cannot stress enough how important that personal recognition is. THEATER PROGRAM - absolutely incredible. The best musical theater program my daughter has attended. CONCERTS/OPEN HOUSE/SCIENCE FAIR - Incredible and amazing! PE COACH - an absolutely hilarious individual who genuinely loves ALL children. My daughter hated PE before and now loves it. Thank you, Coach Eric! ANOTHER THING that is rarely seen, especially in private schools - there is NO BULLYING in our experience here. Literally, I have not seen it. Kids are nice. Yes, all children are different, and children argue, that is for sure. But there is no ongoing drama due to bullying. It feels almost impossible here because being cruel to another child goes against the whole atmosphere of the school. Kindness is the expectation here. It is reflected in how the adults treat the children and how the children treat one another. That makes an enormous difference. PARENTS - do not take this for granted either, thinking parents are not that important. They are. Kind, sensible parents are VERY important for your well-being as an adult, too! I have to say these are the nicest parents I have seen out of 6 schools. The nicest, and I thank them GREATLY for that. They are absolutely incredible people, and I feel depressed thinking that 5th grade is the last year and that I will have had only 2 years of this greatness. I do not think I will get this lucky again. Parents at this school are as special as the school itself. Thank you parents if you read this review STAFF - Ms. Amanda, Lorena, Heather, Mr. Dave, Mr. Robert, and the rest of the staff are AMAZING people. No wonder the children are kind: they are led by example. On her first day, my daughter could not remember Ms. Heather's name and called her "the one who is an angel." When comparing schools, look beyond brochures, test scores, and lists of programs. Are children heard? Are they valued? Are they happy to go to school? Kirk's kindness is every bit as valuable to me as its academics. Parents, invest in your children's future and avoid the personal toys - cars, bigger houses, etc. Those things can wait. Childhood can not. Your children and their legacies will thank you greatly.

We feel incredibly lucky to have found Kirk School…read more The teachers are truly outstanding. We had the wonderful opportunity to have the same teacher for two years in a row, which provided such valuable consistency and security during these important early years. Their warmth, patience, encouragement, and genuine love for the children are evident every day, and they have had such a positive impact on her growth and confidence. Our daughter absolutely loves going to school every day. She looks forward to seeing her friends and being part of such a warm, welcoming community. Her days are filled with outdoor play, creative art projects, and hands-on learning. We've watched our daughter grow tremendously--not only academically, but socially and emotionally as well. The Kirk School has nurtured her confidence, curiosity, kindness, and love of learning, and we truly trust them with our daughter. Knowing she is in such caring and capable hands gives us tremendous peace of mind. Amanda Vanek, the Head of School, is exceptional. She is professional, thoughtful, incredibly responsive, and deeply committed to the children, families, and the entire school community. Her leadership creates an environment where both students and parents feel supported, heard, and valued, and it is clear she cares deeply about every aspect of the school. We are so grateful to be part of the Kirk School community and we look forward to many more wonderful years ahead!

Both my teenage sons attended public elementary school, then went to Topanga Mountain School, then…read moretransitioned successfully back into public high school at El Camino. TMS provided a nurturing haven during the middle school years which has made my kids more resilient, better citizens of the world, and confident advocates for themselves and for others. Here are some of the experiences my boys had: - going on at least three one-week camping trips each year - learning to cook for themselves and to shop for their camping group on a budget - taking elective classes in pottery, archery, swimming, fencing, and aerial silks - composing and performing original songs during the music trimester - practicing public speaking in a variety of formats, from in-class debates to presentations to full-length plays - sitting in "council" and honoring the feelings and values of their classmates, even whey disagreed with them - burning off energy by playing soccer, basketball, and "mushroom tag" after lunch each day - exploring DTLA via public transportation - evaluating what constitutes a reliable source in traditional media and on social media - gaining an appreciation for nature through weekly hikes - feeling they had an actual relationship with their teachers (with whom they continue to stay in contact) - mastering the five-paragraph academic essay - working in small groups at a pace that was appropriate to their skill level, especially in math - graduating with a strong sense of self Sending my sons to TMS is one of the best investments I have made in their education and their personal growth. The only caveat I would offer is that, due to its small size and flexible curriculum, TMS tends to have more last-minute changes than a traditional school. There is no such thing as a "typical" week at TMS; the teachers may adjust the day's schedule if an issue arises and they feel the kids need to process events in the news or resolve interpersonal conflicts which impact the entire group. I f this to be a virtue, but if you are expecting rigid consistency, it's best to look to a more traditional school.

TMS has been a gift to our son and our family! Middle school can be difficult and distressing for…read moremany kids, but every morning my son wakes up excited to go to school. I've talked to other parents, and the sentiment is the same: kids love TMS! TMS is a mixture of appropriately challenging academics (with some room for individualization because the school is small), social-emotional development, the arts, and outdoor education. The school goes on four trips a year, and I love how the curriculum is integrated into the trips. For example, last year, they read a book that took place at a Japanese internment camp during WWII, and then they visited the actual camp during one of their trips. Also, there is a focus on making the learning applicable to the "real world." For some of the trips, kids are divided into groups, given a food budget, and work together to plan their meals and buy food. There is also a great community feeling amongst the parents at TMS. There is also a culture of kindness and acceptance at TMS. All-in-all, I am confident that my son will emerge from his middle school experience self-confident, ready for high school, and equipped to make the world a better place!