Wonderful school and community for our two children. Feel so very blessed for the experience. Tim…read morewas the BEST! Thank you all! - Warm regards from Terry, too- Valerie Houghton

My grandson is 10th grade now and he's been experiencing some wonderful things educationally…read more He's got good grades and exceptional skills and lots of new friends. He said he would like to finish school there

Mr Blair is the best spanish teacher in the world, he is very good at spanish and very kind to…read morestudents and he makes learning easy and fun #mrblairisthegoat

I downloaded this app to leave this review I walked in the school bathroom and when I went in i…read moreimmediately smelled very specific smell and a group of 3 boys walked out and what could have they been doing in there?! And when I opened the stall I saw a load of feces and toilet paper clogging the toilet it smelled horrible!

First, there were 75 reactions to my original post plus I received many messages from families who…read morefelt mistreated. I just want to express my deep sorrow for every family who has been mislead and mistreated by this school. It has been devastating to get a glimpse of the dark reality. Final update: this school is even worse and more corrupt than before, in my carefully considered and humble opinion. We had a deeply concerning and disturbing set of interactions with the new director, Luthern. I remain proud of the way that we handled our interactions, and very bothered by the way he treated us. Furthermore, we undetstand that they are removing and/or drastically reducing the nature campus component of their program which was a huge part of the draw in the first place. We are thrilled that this chapter is permanently closed for us. We finally found the most outstanding school for our children, and we will never look back. Good riddance to a poorly run institution with what we believe is an unethical and corrupt administration. And by the way, the "Gifted Qualitative Assessment" is manipulable. It's largely based on parent surveys, and which parent searching for a school for gifted children won't see their kids as gifted? We all do. Your best bet if you're not a founding family is to make sure you have a ton of money and that you are willing to part with in their capital campaign, and always tread cautiously when it comes to expressing yourself authentically.

Having a preschool aged child, I speak to many families about their interest in Tessellations, so I…read morethought it'd be helpful to share my experiences with children in both the K-8 and preschool programs. When my son was struggling in a more traditional education setting (with boredom causing other issues), and as we thought about the skills and traits to nurture in an evolving world, we found what we wanted with Tessellations. "Challenging experiential education" is a core part of Tessellations' mission, and I see it everyday in the projects, conversations, and enthusiasm for school. I've seen the growth in my children's capability and confidence in tackling new problems, and their continued curiosity. It's amazing to me that in 4th grade, my son and his friends can talk excitedly about the latest non-fiction book they are reading, which could span many subjects. One of their favorite games just involves taking turns talking through imagined adventure scenarios. (And that's when they're not being active - I hear that most of their recess and lunch is spent playing dodgeball across many grades.) Video game addiction is pervasive in these times, but I feel we have a haven from it here. The kids have so many interests that gaming is just one of many. Social emotional learning ("SEL") is a priority at Tessellations, and though many schools now say they focus on this, it can be an elusive goal. One evidence I see is how kids (K-8) play together across many grades: this requires empathy and adjustment. I believe that this is promoted by the general culture, the kinds of kids here, and mixed grade classrooms. The preschool program, called Tessellations Children's Center (TCC), started just last year, has been equally wonderful for our younger child. The teachers, who are engaging and observant, supervise almost a full day of free choice time, play-based learning, and novel activity options. Recently they planted vegetables, learned about space, drew self-portraits, and experimented with pendulums. Note that TCC is separate from the K-8 school, and kids must go through a separate admissions process for Kindergarten. Although my kids have loved the school, I'm giving 4 stars since it's been a bumpy ride, and I feel for those who've been affected. We've had growing pains and changes in leadership as we've grown to Pre-K through 9th in just four years. Many admin (and parents) have felt stretched thin as they balance competing needs. As we evolve from a startup to a larger, more established school, there will continue to be bumps. During this time, I'm so grateful to the amazing teachers, and staff, including our new & experienced Acting Head of School, pouring their hearts into the school and mission. Even though Tessellations has grown incredibly quickly, it is just one school, and not enough to handle the tremendous demand for progressive and gifted education, especially in the Bay Area. I hope we will see more schools that cultivate the love for learning and holistic development like this one.

We have 2 girls in k and 2nd grade at McAuliffe, both love school and flourish here. Its our 3rd…read moreyear with the school. We as a family love the school, each teacher and IA that we've had here are absolutely amazing, they see each child - their strengths and challenges they work with the children, they seem to love what they do and it is reflected on the children. The respect, social emotional support and collaborative environment is truly exceptional, one of a kind, and I see how it allows children the emotional availability they need to focus learn and thrive. The parents involvement makes it a village, and I believe- it takes a village. Aiding on campus and in their classrooms, has strengthened my connection with my children and their friends, and their friends' families. The community is amazing, we share similar values, and as a family we feel surrounded with like minded people. We help each other and each other's children, we notice them we pay attention when they are struggling or sad and we support them with tools we learned from the School's unique parents training program, where we learn to communicate to get cooperation and support kids confidence and well being, help navigate more tricky social situations that otherwise could have had a big impact on our kiddos'.. The training I got here has helped me become a better person and a better parent, feel more capable solving conflicts and support children resolve conflicts, teaching them essentially how to listen and how to help others feel heard, how to come up with thoughtful solutions by themselves, and execute them, to eventually learn how to resolve conflicts on their own.. I wish I learned that when I was a child. Academics alone does not have the impact that critical thinking and communication tools and independent problem solving have on a person's well being and success in the world. So schools that teach both have a huge advantage in my view. The academics here taught thoughtfully while using variety of elements for kids to grasp a deeper understanding and a strong foundation that is not relying on tedious memorization, but on curiosity and learning by experiencing. After hearing from alumni children it sounds like that type of foundation they got here gave them an edge over their peers in a more fast past complex academic environment. Win win :) This school is a gem! Highly Recommended!

This school is a gem in the CUSD…read more - very low risk of bullying. Bullying happens anywhere and in a setting where doors are closed (most schools), it's hard to stop it. At McAuliffe there are eyes and ears everywhere (teachers, parent volunteers, Ia) , so this behavior is stopped very quickly - risk taking. This is one of the pillars. In first grade, for example, I saw kids raising hands asking for help with spelling during writing class. The teacher told them to write the first draft using everything they knew (phonics) and not to stop because they didn't know how to write a word perfectly. (The teacher showed them the correct spelling in the second draft). This is brave spelling and another example where risk taking is encouraged in every curriculum - small group teaching helps kids learn better. In other schools, it's 1 teacher for 20 some kids. My friends have volunteered one day in their kids' class and they were horrified: Kids unable to focus. Literally one student was disturbing the class every 5 seconds. Both my friends felt sorry for the teacher.

Graduated from Cupertino High in 1968. School was good then, and has only gotten better! Someone…read moreblogged about Sports being bad, then it turns out it was just whining about the "Cheer" section. Gee - where's your priorities - Don't you care about your child's education? What's that girls future? - Professional cheerleader. Those jobs pay $15.00 a game. People lie, cheat to get their kid into CHS. Wonder why? When I was there, it was a student-run school - with adult supervision. Helped immensely to prepare me for real life. Russ Danielson

I was fortunate enough to attend last week's Spring Choir Show, an impressive presentation of song…read moreand movement, a high-quality formal concert, as described in the printed program but clearly not accepted by the rowdy parents in the audience, who continued to use their cell phones, take photos, move about the auditorium to get better shots, whistling and cheering and shouting. An initial announcement warned that "ushers would be busy enforcing these rules" but they were not. This leads me to wonder if the Music Department should consider giving, in addition to the regular show, one Performance (perhaps higher-priced) for those who truly desire a formal setting and are willing to behave, and where enforcement would be a fact. What a difference it would make to my appreciation of the music!

I call the education Saint Andrew's provides love-based education. The teachers love what they do…read moreand thrive in Saint Andrew's environment because the school and community truly support them. They're encouraged to attend conferences, take classes, try new approaches, bring in fresh ideas, and leverage their networks to take learning to the next level. It's a simple formula: happy teachers, happy kids. Happy kids, happy parents. Here are just a few examples that stood out over the years: 1. The science teacher allowed students to participate in an NPR project; some of their work was even featured in the showcase library. 2. The English teacher spent incredible time and care editing students' writing. The growth and learning that came from this process were remarkable. 3. The math teachers made lessons fun, engaging, and practical. Many students who never attended outside math programs were still placed in the highest-level math class as high school freshmen. 4. Teachers prepare students for high school through thoughtful program design and daily practice. Students learn to be organized, take responsibility, know when to ask for help, and approach school seriously. 5. The athletic education team provides diverse programs that engage all students and offers life coaching based on each child's developmental needs. 6. Teachers often use their own time to help students who need extra support. At Saint Andrew's, children grow up in a community where they are loved for who they are and are taught to love others for who they are. When children know they are loved, they dare to take risks, stand up for one another, perform under pressure, bounce back from setbacks, and be generous with empathy and help. That's what real mental strength and resilience look like. As parents, it's important for us to be partners in this journey. Be kind and open with the teachers. Talk to them. Collaborate with them. When school and homework go hand-in-hand, the results are powerful. No one school fits everyone. If your child is academically far ahead or must be ranked number one in every category, you may want to explore other options. But if you're looking for a school that nurtures both the mind and heart to make an exceptional young adult, Saint Andrew's is a very special place.

Three years at Saint Andrew's: excellent kindergarten, then labeling and classroom removals without…read morerestorative follow-through Sharing our family's experience so other parents . Our child attended Saint Andrew's for three years. Kindergarten was outstanding. Miss Gaulden brought warmth and deep experience; our child thrived and we were grateful for her classroom. She left mid-year after more than 15 years--a sudden change that removed a stabilizing presence. First grade was a sharp contrast, especially in how concerns were communicated and handled. Our child later told us he was told he was "not a good student." We were not informed at the time, so we can only speak to the impact. We believe that phrasing is inappropriate for any young student. Effective feedback should name a behavior and the next action ("Here are the two steps to start," "Use the 'I need a break' card"), and if harmful language is used, there should be a restorative repair with the student. In addition, our child reports being removed from the first-grade classroom multiple times. The teacher reportedly told him "Out" to make him leave--sometimes after he repeated "silly" comments. For early elementary, removing a child from class for that kind of age-typical verbal behavior, without a consistent coaching plan and brief data, felt disproportionate to us. When we suggested teacher coaching/training to align classroom language and routines, the lower-school administration framed the situation primarily as a child issue and provided an extensive list of requirements for our child, rather than discussing staff coaching and consistency. We were told the expectation was an overnight jump to independence in first grade, rather than a developmentally typical, linear progression. In our current school that emphasizes written/visual directions, defined roles in group work, and strength-based language, our child is observed as empathetic, helpful, and an active group participant. That contrast suggests the issue was not a fixed trait in the child but the classroom approach and how behavior was defined and supported. this is our experiences.

This school has really gone downhill in recent years. 1…read more They have had 4 principals in 3 years. Joseph Nuno was absolutely the worst of them all! 2. Cathy Olsen and Cathy Walsh both are not as nice but especially Mrs.Walsh, she screams at kids for no reason and got mad at someone I knew for wanting cold water. 3. Mrs.Heydari was the rudest substitute as she was getting mad at people for the smallest things and even screaming for no reason.

This school has really gone downhill in recent years. 1…read more They have had 4 principals in 3 years. Joe Nuno was absolutely the worst of them all! 2. The office staff (specifically the secretary Cathy, not the vp Cathy Olsen) is very rude. Cathy is frequently seen yelling at students, barking orders at fellow staff and chasing away many good substitutes with her rudeness. 3. Fights in the hallways, bullying, racist and anti-semetic remarks made by students...make many students and adults feel unsafe. 4. Band and Drama are excellent. As usual. Really hope this school can get its (*$# together.