Loving teachers and a wholesome environment. The kids are outside as much as possible. My daughter…read moreis in the preschool (sage) class. We transferred after having a not so great experience at a different school where the teachers were cold and burnt out... this is the complete opposite. The teachers are amazing. In particular, Ms.Carrie, is a gem... greets my daughter every time we do drop off, holding her hand and telling her how happy she is to see her! This is a nature based school and the have an amazing lunch program with organic healthy food. My daughter went from being a picky eater to now loving her veggies thanks to the lunch program. The director, Melinda, is fantastic, super smart and passionate about the school and loves every single kiddo. This is the best preschool in Novato!

We love Hummingbirds Nest. This is our first preschool experience where our dude loves being…read moredropped off, and tells us to pick him up from school as late as possible. The teachers are caring and supportive. He comes home singing songs about nature. They play outside a ton, even in the rain, which is perfect for us. He loves his friends there. His imaginative play is fully supported. He helps around our house more now because that is just normal, part of school too: chop veggies for soup (with safety knife), help sweep, etc. We've seen such a complete turn around in our son after a really tough school right before this (teachers there were cold, our dude said he didn't feel loved there, he revolted) and when another school closed suddenly. Melinda and team communicate openly with parents, which is so refreshing. (Note: ignore the for sale sign; that is for the property. The school stays). My mom taught kindergarten for years and knows a good school when she sees one; she also loves this place. Thank you to all the teachers and staff at Hummingbird Nest!

Teachers were always good. Just a really liberal school. Lots of the kids end up going to…read morealternative schools afterwards. Or those outdoor learning schools.

Toured many preschools and found St. Francis to be the right fit for our child. While the school is…read morenot faith based we liked that the campus was at a church and tucked away. Immediately upon touring St. Francis we felt it was something special. It felt cozy and whimsical yet they offered structure and an established reputation. The staff are competent, caring, and enthusiastic about their work. We love our teachers so far and our kiddo is constantly doing things at school like art, cooking, and general play that support her current social and emotional skillsets. Definitely a great place to start your kiddos educational journey. We feel very lucky to be a part of the St. Francis community.

We started Jan 2024. I had a kindergarten boy and a 8th grade girl that started at Marin Christian…read moreAcademy. I see a huge changes in both of my children for the better. My son is now in 1st grade: He loves his school and looks forward to hearing about God and reading his bible. His reading and math skills have caught up as last year he was behind when we started at Marin Christian. We are so grateful to see how great he is doing and my son is so proud of his achievements here. My daughter was only at Marin Christian for Jan 2024 to June 2024, then transitioned to high school. She says what she learned in those few months have stayed with her and that she is much closer to God and this has helped her find her way at high school. She also was behind as she was home schooled over covid. In these few months this school was able to help with confidences and taught her what she was missing to do great in high school. She loved the middle school and we wished that we find this school sooner. Thank you Brenda

Fantastic local school that offers an alternative to public school. Great teachers and the school…read moreadministration is top notch. My children are very happy here and I feel they are receiving quality academia and being well-cared for. The MCA parents association offers ample opportunity to meet other parents and support the school.

If you're looking at schools in Novato, put Our Lady of Loretto on your list. The thing that won us…read moreover is how much it's truly about the kids. It's a small school, classes around 14 --15 kids and that means every single child is actually known here. My kids don't get lost in the shuffle; their teachers know them, notice when they need a nudge, and celebrate the little wins. Walking in, it just feels warm. I have made wonderful parent friends too. Can't ask for much more than that. Highly recommend taking a tour.

I love OLL. I'm a parent of a first grader, and I truly couldn't be happier with our experience…read more From the start, there has been a strong sense of community that makes the school feel welcoming and supportive, not just on campus but beyond it as well. We absolutely love our first grade teacher, Mrs. Oswald. She brings so much warmth to the classroom and has a wonderful way of keeping the kids engaged and guided without it ever feeling harsh or rigid. Over the past two years, we've had a few situations come up with my son, both health-related and in the classroom, and I've always felt that she was fully in it with us. As a parent, I've felt genuinely supported, not just as an advocate for my child, but as a partner in his growth. That kind of care is rare. I've also been impressed by how the school handles concerns. Whenever something has come up, the school has followed through thoughtfully and addressed it quickly. The classroom community has been incredible, and the relationships extend well beyond the school day. The parents have truly become friends, and we regularly connect outside of school, which has been such a gift for our family. If you're looking for a school where your child is truly seen and where community extends both inside and outside the classroom, OLL is a special place.

What a wonderful school community. I truly enjoy teaching my science enrichment program at this…read moreschool. The staff, educators, kids and families are very encouraging as a whole and eager to create a positive, diverse learning environment.

I've been a part of many school communities over the years, but NBCA is truly a unique place. The…read moreteachers and staff go above and beyond for the students, and you can tell right away that their love and concern for the students is genuine. The student-teacher ratio is small, so each student gets a lot of attention and a more personalized education. I love how close-knit the community is, and I really think this school is a hidden gem in Marin County.