Very kind and respectful staff overall. Ease of finding the building, and escort support from the…read morefront desk person. Clean space all around, easy instructions upon arrival, and no confusion whatsoever. Testing space RE lighting, temperature, and comfort was satisfactory.

Just passed my second (and final) test for my professional license at this center. It's well…read morelocated, easy to get to and most important, when I am 100% freaked out about my high-stakes test, VERY NICE and VERY KIND people that work there. Check in and security check terrific. I can't express how grateful I am that they are organized and really put one at ease. Note -- everyone is taking a different test so don't go by what time others leave. They have noise canceling headphones available at each cubicle, this easily distracted person is very happy for that. THANK YOU!

My son has been going to PEL for over a year now and it's definitely positively supplemented his…read moreregular school learning. We felt like he was starting to fall a bit behind and school work/assignments alone weren't giving him enough practice/rigor. He's been doing both English/language arts and math programs. The extra attention and practice/repetition caught him up and then some. PEL also has some fun incentives for kids to help support their motivation: they earn "money" for work completed successfully and can "buy" prizes. This also helps teach value and rewards/incentivizes saving for bigger prizes. If your kid could benefit from some extra practice/structure, it's worth at least doing the free consultation to see if PEL would be a good fit for their learning style.

PEL stands for "Pre-Eminent Learning" and is the new Kumon with the Singaporean math trend focus on…read morecommon core math that us millennial parents didn't grow up with. There aren't any Russian math options around Alameda yet so we decided to sign up for the free consult/testing for PEL for our then five year old at the end of TK to see where he was at and he's been enjoying it ever since. We go twice a week for one hour and with the daily homework, our kindergartner is enjoying math drills and writing practice/phonics/reading. It takes a second to make it a habit but now he enjoys it and timing himself on the homework (cue childhood trauma from Kumon where my mom had a stopwatch!). I stopped correcting the homework for my sanity (more trauma - my mom corrected all our Kumon with the borrowed answer books and yelled if we got too many wrong). At this young age, they have Junior PEL which is with a teacher in a small group (versus the older kids who independently work and then raise hands for help). Our son's favorite teacher is Teacher Anna. For the waiting parents, this place has better parking, location and amenities than Mathnasium or Kumon with the Southshore shopping center. You can go grocery shopping at Trader Joe's and Safeway, pickup dinner, get a foot massage at W Spa, go for a run/walk by Crown Beach, return Amazon purchases at Kohl's, go to the bank, charge your car, etc. It's a carve-out time for errands that makes PEL seamless into our hectic family life with two young children. You can also just veg on the phone or work while waiting in the lobby (they have a super clean bathroom and it's quiet). The couple that owns this location also has a sister location in San Leandro and they run it efficiently and smoothly bc Alameda is their second location. Director Lawrence and Ms Kiwi are caring and kind and they also conduct regular parent teacher conferences, which is helpful at projecting and quantifying the hours invested into PEL. The icing on the cake is the annual honor roll ceremony in October. They did a great in putting the event together with the kids and parents in mind and our son is so proud of his honor roll trophy and shows everyone that comes over. Highly recommend PEL (especially those in public school in alameda bc K doesn't have homework!)

It has been over 1.5 years since my last review, and we love the school as much as we did when our…read morechild started school 2+ years ago! Everyone on staff has been incredibly easy and pleasant to collaborate with, and responsive to my questions. The school expanded over the summer to add 2 more classrooms, so that Burkard now has 6 classrooms: K/1, 2/3, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7/8th. Having experienced a few private schools and a public school between my 2 kids, I am confident this is the best environment for my child, for both academic differentiation and SEL support. It's often lamented that parents have to choose the least bad educational option for their 2e kids, but I truly believe this is a great option. We were fortunate enough to be with his amazing 2/3 teachers for 2 years, and have a new set of teachers we love this year, too. Speaking with parents across grades, they also think highly of their teaching teams. My son continues to thrive academically (measured by his overall engagement, as well as MAP testing), and we are very happy with the math differentiation he receives. Each year, I have been pleased with the attention and care the staff takes to make sure he's challenged at the right level. They take great care to plan engaging lessons across ELA, science, social studies and SEL, and incorporate hands on projects regularly to extend their learning. My son regularly shares interesting facts he learned in class! Math is a subject he continues to be passionate about, so I reach out to the school annually for math acceleration. He is given math assessments at the start of each year to determine the appropriate placement, and is given the option of joining a higher level class, or doing independent study in his classroom. We opted this year to have him join the higher level math class on a modified schedule, and we are grateful for the ability to choose the right option for him. The daily SEL teaching is also very well done. Many schools don't have the ability to go in-depth with SEL, but our BT has devised fun games and exercises for the kids to put their SEL knowledge into practice. It was so sweet to hear that my son's 4th grade class taught new recess games to the K/1 class! The BT's keep a close watch throughout the day, so the students are able to learn and play in a physically and emotionally safe environment. When conflicts arise, the staff is there to help the students resolve the issue in an appropriate way. We get daily reports, and twice monthly newsletters sharing what he's learning, so I know he's receiving a high quality education. If your child is at a school that is not meeting their needs, I encourage you to tour the Burkard School. It is truly a gem of a school!

We found TBS about three years ago and it is quite surprising that there aren't more schools for…read morebright kids who have significant social & emotional challenges, including mood disorders. We unfortunately found very little real understanding and expertise along the way, moving from program to program, from school to school, in every case deeply involved with the IEP process. Then we decided to try TBS. The results have been nothing short of amazing. Our student's self-esteem and emotional intelligence started to grow from the start and has continued to grow ever since. No more calls asking us to come quickly, the benefits to our entire household have been pretty incredible, across parents, siblings, and friends alike. When your student talks to you about how the kids at school are 'just like me', when they express a sense of belonging and common purpose to thrive in the face of big emotions, you can only smile and reflect on the journey. ...and imagine what it's like for other parents to understand you, understand your child, and understand so much of the details of the journey. The TBS community, made up of students, teachers, and parents is one that sees your child as deserving, powerful, and good.

My son does 8-12 weeks of summer camps every summer as he is a homeschooler. He says this is the…read morebest academic camp he has ever attended. He attended this camp at UCLA. He liked that there were many people who lived nearby attending. (At many academic camps it is almost all international students.) He thought the quality of instruction was high, the best he has encountered at an academic camp especially in Mock Trial. He liked that most of the students attending actually wanted to be at the camp. He thought the camp director was amazing. He appreciated that there was more supervision of kids on their devices than there has been at other camps, but he still thinks there could be more. (It's no fun to be in a class with kids who are secretly gaming rather than engaging in class. It's also no fun to be at a camp when you want to make new friends but everyone spends every minute of their break on their phone.) As a parent, I was impressed with the level of communication provided by the camp. They responded immediately to every issue I had. It was not hard to get ahold of camp directors. As someone who attended a private university, I was shocked at the UCLA facilities. Classrooms were ... basically hallways in dorms. They were hot and not air conditioned. My son did not have a problem with this, but I was pretty surprised. This is a fairly expensive program as far as summer camps go. They could not rent actual classrooms? No idea if this is a fault of the program or of UCLA. My son also did SIG at UCLA and facilities were the same, so I assume this is a UCLA thing. Like I said, my son did not complain about this.

My daughter just completed the Cardiology Camp at Stanford, and I cannot speak highly enough of the…read moreexperience. The instructors and camp leaders were exceptional. They created a welcoming, supportive environment where the kids felt comfortable, connected, and truly bonded with one another. Thanks to this camp, my daughter has gained so much confidence. She made amazing friends and came home at the end of the week excited to share what she learned. A special thank you to Emily, who is incredibly kind and quick to respond to any questions. Dr. D was an inspiring teacher--knowledgeable, patient, and truly engaging with the students. And Julian made a lasting impression by remembering the kids' names from the very beginning and being consistently warm and friendly. Thank you so much to the entire team at Education Unlimited for such a meaningful and memorable experience!

There are not enough words to express our appreciation for Ilumin Education and the work that Kyra…read moredid with our two sons during their college application process- it was definitely one of the best decisions we made for them. From the very beginning, we appreciated how accommodating Anthony was given our limited time and how forthcoming he was with the information we needed to make our decision. Kyra was phenomenal! Although our kids were among many of her students, Kyra was so attentive and committed to their experience, helping clarify their interests in majors and helping them give voice to essays that were authentic to who they are- this was definitely not a cookie cutter experience! She was always supportive and well organized so our kids never felt overwhelmed or pressed for time. When we expressed concerns about the pathways for a particular major, Kyra put together an impressive presentation on the various options convincing us this pathway is fitting for our son. Kyra kept us in constant communication so we didn't need to worry about any hiccups or missed deadlines. We are so lucky to have found Ilumin Education to work with; they made the college application process seamless and actually enjoyable! We know that their involvement was key to our children being accepted to their "reach" schools! Thank you, Kyra, Anthony, and the entire team at Ilumin Education!

I was a highschool student being advised by Ilumin education. My counselor was always so helpful…read moreand never had me stressed or overwhelmed. The thing that sets Ilumin apart is that they don't stress out students or discourage them. I was always so stressed about the admissions process but thanks to the team at Ilumin I always felt supported and ahead on the college admissions process.

People cheat. I know that. When I took my CBEST test years ago, we teachers could not wear a…read moresweater, unless it was a pullover. We had to put any purses or bags in a pile in the back of the room. But, that was before the tech area. People still cheat because now you sign up online, have to have your name on a list downstairs and show the building attendants your identification. Then you go into the elevator they tell you to and they push the button for you to go to your floor. There are no buttons in the elevator!!! Once on your floor you arrive, have to show your name, give them your ID, promise to give them your first newborn and allow them to draw a pint of blood and wait while they test it! Just kidding!!! Actually, you do show the ID and do a palm scan, fill out paperwork and sign some papers. They you go to a locker and put everything that isn't nailed down into it. Phones, glasses, purses, bags, etc. And the phone has to be turned off. Then you go to one of two rooms where you have to sign another form (I think). If you have glasses, they have to go onto a checker or something (it was a round pad). Alternatively, you may need to leave them there. I don't wear my glasses when working on a computer. Once at the room again, I had to do a hand scan. I also had to turn my pockets inside out, which is where I found the penny. I had a choice to give it to them to hold or put it in my locker. My money went into the locker. One day, I had a cardigan on (where I found the lone penny) and she patted my back to make sure nothing was in there. The woman said, "you have no idea what we've seen." I said, "I believe it. I went to college and those rich kids were masters at cheating." Anyway, you go into a room and sit at the computer they tell you to. Then you read that there is a camera on you and a microphone. Not surprised, but three tests over two days and I passed. Yay!!! The other good thing is I don't have to go back! Yay, again! Another good thing is that they have testing on the weekends. So my first two tests were on Saturday, the day after I called in to sign up for the test. I had to reschedule my next test and was able to do it easily. I appreciated this and the convenience even though I had to nearly give up an arm and a leg.

I recently visited this testing center, and here's what to expect. Upon arrival, you'll check in…read morewith security on the first floor, who will also push the elevator button to take you to the 4th floor. Once inside the center, you'll take a number and wait to be called to the counter. Staff will ask for your ID and confirm which test you're taking. Be prepared to follow strict rules: no phones, drinks, or food are allowed inside, and you'll need to store these items in a locker. They'll also ask you to remove jackets, so dress appropriately for the conditions inside. The workers are very stern and keep everything professional and efficient, which helps maintain a focused environment for testing. Overall, the center runs smoothly if you follow instructions, but don't expect a warm, relaxed atmosphere - it's very much about business here.

My kid has been there for half year and I am glad to see him building a good study habit which he…read moredid not get from school. Also the tutors know how to work with him so his attitude is positive and being a good learner at PEL. The director Mr. Lawrence knows how the students perform, their strengths and weaknesses. Also Mr. Lawrence is happy to join a school teacher conference and being helpful. Highly recommended!

When I first came to PEL Tutoring, my son Ayden was in kindergarten. I noticed he was struggling…read morewith the school curriculum and had a hard time staying seated for long periods of time. I shared my concerns with Mr. Lawrence about the challenges we were facing both at school and at home. He reassured me not to worry and said he would help my son. In the beginning, Ayden struggled a lot. He couldn't stay in his chair for even five minutes without getting up. Mr. Lawrence took the time to have a serious talk with him about the importance of focusing and doing his work. Throughout the process, Mr. Lawrence was patient and understanding of what Ayden was going through. He truly cared. Over time, he became like an extra father figure not only to Ayden but to many of the kids at PEL Tutoring. Mr. Lawrence and his wife genuinely care about the well-being of the children in their program. In just the last few months, my son has improved so much. I 100% stand by PEL Tutoring -- it is absolutely worth it.

Leila is amazing and my family would have been absolutely lost without her help. We moved from LA…read moreto the Bay Area this year and she helped us figure out both middle and elementary school for our children. She has a wealth of knowledge about schools, teachers, pedagogy, the application process, how to write an essay, etc. She helped us every step of the way and also organized school visits for us on our trips up from LA. Every penny you spend on Sparkjoy Consulting is well worth it. In fact, I still text Leila with questions about extracurricular activities, restaurants, etc.! She is amazing and her sunny disposition makes her wonderful to work with through this process which would otherwise be very stressful!

I whole-heartedly agree with all these glowing Yelp reviews of Leila and her services. She brings…read morea wealth of experience as a teacher (check out her resume!) and parent to her work, and it feels like having a friend on the inside to guide you through the school selection process. Leila helped me navigate the process with more lightness, and homed in on the right questions to help us make important decisions. Leila provides a wonderful service for parents wading through the many great school choices available to East Bay families!

Our family is so grateful to have found Wise Roots Collective! My 6 year old is the kind of kid who…read morethrives outdoors, barefoot and free, with lots of time for movement, exploring nature, and hands on projects. Wise Roots has been absolutely worth it for all these reasons. They aren't just an outdoor program--they really work towards youth building a relationship to nature and the land. We were also looking for more of a mixed-age program after my son was past pre-school age and we love that there are kids his age, older, and younger at Wise Roots. The teachers are so kind and caring with the kids and they are so flexible and understanding with parents. My kid says his favorite part is making all the crafts, like making treasure bags and gnome homes! We really appreciate that there is a mix of games and play with structured activities and learning, so there is always something for my son to engage with!

My 4-year-old daughter has been attending Wise Roots since spring 2026, and we are so grateful to…read morehave found this one-of-a-kind program! She tends to get along better with older kids, so we really wanted a mixed-age environment, which is surprisingly hard to find for preschool-aged children. We also wanted the flexibility to attend just 1-2 days a week, and I haven't found many other programs for her age that offer that. I toured quite a few preschools in the area and often left feeling uncomfortable with how large and institutional they felt, especially given the high prices. Wise Roots has felt completely different. The teachers build close relationships with each child, the teacher-to-student ratio is often much lower than at other programs, and there is a genuine emphasis on community and children's well-being. From the beginning, it was clear that they truly care about the kids and want each child to feel welcomed, included, and valued. I've also been really impressed by how much art the kids are exposed to and how thoughtfully it's taught. I actually found out later that one of the teachers was a renowned artist whose work had been shown internationally before she became a mom, began homeschooling her own children, and eventually helped create Wise Roots. Once I learned that, the quality and creativity of the art experiences made a lot of sense! It's pretty special to have someone with that kind of background sharing her knowledge with young kids. I've stayed for several sessions to see what they do, and I've been really impressed by the experiences they offer. We've also met so many wonderful homeschool families who share our appreciation for nature, the arts, and community. We feel really lucky to have a program like Wise Roots here in the Bay Area!

Arthur is a great tutor He is knowledgeable, flexible…read more And caring . Very devoted Tutor . Highly recommended.

My granddaughters were having some math problems in school, grades 6th and 7th grade. We were set…read moreup with Ruby, and she is very knowledgeable, and the girls are learning more from her than their school. We have had other tutors from other companies, but they seem to favor Ruby and thinks she is the best!! Now school is much more pleasant as they feel more confident in their skills.