We are blown away by our shadow day/application experience at this school…read more First of all, let me say that gaining entry into private schools on the peninsula in the Bay Area is not for the faint of heart. The process with all of these schools has been completely grueling overall, so I have nothing but love and deep appreciation for the schools who met us with kindness and handled our family situation with care. This school is a phenomenal choice. After struggling initially with a couple of private schools, we steeled ourselves and made it our mission to engage wholeheartedly in the process. We applied to five top notch schools and our daughter got into all five of them! It can be done. Alongside one other school, Waldorf was tied as top choice. The teacher moves through all grades with the class until 8th, and wow--Mrs Sykes is a quintessential teacher!! The arts program is so powerful and strong, and kids emerge deeply talented and capable. Childhood is kept intact, and academics are rigorous. This school produces well-rounded humans, no doubt. It was painful to decline the offer, but we ultimately decided that another school fit our family's current journey slightly better. Marginally. Finally, I want to acknowledge Jaime in the admissions office. She was so responsive, kind, knowledgeable, and passionate! I wish I knew the name of the other two women we interacted with--one beautiful human behind the desk in the front office, and another who sat through our parent interview. Again, simply lovely humans. I am including he body of the email we received in response to declining. This is such a classy, humble, kindhearted, and generous way to respond. I'm sad to say that we now know firsthand that this is not the way that all private schools in this area treat people--not even close. We are so grateful! Please check out Waldorf!

Our family has had a wonderful experience at Waldorf School of the Peninsula. My son started in…read moreNursery and is now in 5th grade, and we're planning for him to continue all the way through 12th grade--that's how much we value this school. He genuinely loves going to school every day, which says so much. The teachers truly care about the students in front of them--not just academically, but as whole human beings. They are attentive to each child's development and also thoughtful about the class dynamic as a whole, creating a supportive and nurturing environment. The curriculum is incredibly rich and diverse. From math and English to music, gardening, handwork, world languages, arts, and games, the education is well-rounded and engaging. It fosters creativity, critical thinking, and a real love of learning. We feel very grateful to be part of such a warm and inspiring community and highly recommend WSP to families looking for an education that nurtures both the mind and the heart.

Our family has had such a wonderful experience at LACS. From the very beginning, it was clear that…read morethe staff truly care about each student--not just academically, but spiritually and emotionally as well. The teachers are incredibly dedicated, creating a nurturing environment where children feel supported, encouraged, and inspired to grow. Our son has absolutely thrived here. He has gained confidence, developed strong character, and built meaningful friendships within a community that emphasizes kindness, respect, and faith. The integration of Christian values into everyday learning has made a lasting impact on him, helping shape not only his education but also who he is becoming as a person. What stands out most is the sense of community. Families, teachers, and staff work together in such a positive and uplifting way. There's a genuine feeling of belonging that makes this school truly special. We are so grateful for the love, guidance, and commitment the staff pour into their students every day. This school has been a blessing to our family, and we wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a supportive, values-centered education.

LACS has been great for my daughter. The staff and faculty are loving and care about the…read moredevelopment of my child as a person as well as academics.

I like that this school is run like a business and very professional. They are well organized and…read morethe website has all the important information. Small class sizes and technology is integrated into the curriculum. Looking forward to a great school year.

My older son (now in 6th grade) transferred to St Simon (from Bubb Elementary) in second grade. My…read moreyounger son started at Little Saints Preschool PreK and is now in second grade. Prior to St Simon, we were the "never-private school" people. Having 2 kids at St Simon has completely changed our minds. Not only is it academically more rigorous/challenging; the Catholic values of being neighborly, helpful, respectful, etc. are incorporated in every aspect of the curriculum and reinforced daily by staff and administrators. Social Emotional Learning is reinforced throughout the day. There are MANY opportunities for students of all ages to volunteer/contribute to the community. Yesterday, while we're on vacation, my older son (12 years old) asked if my husband and him can volunteer together again, then was excited to find out that there's an opportunity coming up in January. This is just one of many examples that SSPS is fostering an environment where the students think of others, instead of themselves. Even though many families are well-off financially, there isn't a culture of competition and/or bragging/showing-off. There's also zero-tolerance for bullying. My son was threatened by a friend (not sure if it was a joke or not, and nothing bad happened), but the administrative staff and teachers took immediate action and ensured that my son felt safe at school (my son said his friend wasn't serious). My younger son was diagnosed with ADHD and other special needs and the SSPS staff was SUPER helpful in both providing accommodations for him in the classroom, as well as coordinating with an OT to come onsite to work with him twice a month. The accommodations makes his day at school much more smooth and enjoyable, and he absolutely LOVES school. I was raised Catholic but my husband is agnostic. Neither of us have found anything to be "overly religious." The values that are taught are the ones I ascribe to: be kind, be polite, be helpful, respect your teachers/parents, love your siblings and friends. My kids don't like the Mass but they are able to appreciate the value in sitting still and having the time to reflect (or daydream). The school + parish also offers wonderful activities throughout the year! There are BBQs, sporting events, and lots of other ways to be involved in the community. I used to do yard duty once a a week and really enjoy getting to know the kids in the lower grades. Highly recommend SSPS!

In fourth grade, we transferred my daughter from another (non-religious) private school where she…read morewas unfortunately not getting what she needed academically or socially. She hated school and I honestly didn't have much faith that anything could change that. We attended a St. Simon open house and were really impressed with the teachers and staff and so decided to give the school a shot, not sure whether we should really get our hopes up. Our expectations have been so far exceeded that I can hardly even believe it. I love this school so much, and my daughter is so happy and thriving. Within weeks of starting classes here, she completely changed her outlook on school. She is excited to wake up in the morning on school days, and she's motivated to put real thought and effort into her assignments even though the work is sometimes even more than was expected at her old school. St. Simon has made learning fun and engaging for her so that it feels like a joy, not a chore. Her teachers are always available to answer her questions or mine, and with their support it didn't take long for her to close many of the glaring academic gaps I'd been so worried about. The student body here is diverse and friendly. There are kids from many different backgrounds and kids interested in all sorts of different things, from sports to art to robotics and beyond. The students are taught to truly appreciate and celebrate their differences and to understand that everyone has a unique part to play in the school community and the wider community as well. I think it's worth noting that, although it seems the majority of the families at St. Simon are catholic, my family is not catholic - however, I have always been made to feel so welcome and this has never been an issue. If my daughter has questions about the catholic faith there is always someone to answer her questions without judgment and without any pressure. This is a very welcoming place and I have attended mass at the St. Simon parish many times over the course of the school year and have always been made to feel completely welcome. I appreciate the values and morals my daughter is taught as part of a well-rounded catholic education. In summary, this place has changed my daughter's life and by extension changed my life. She loves learning again and is being well prepared for not only her academic future but for being a caring, contributing member of society. The last thing I'll say is this: at St. Simon, every child knows they matter, and every child knows they are surrounded by grown-ups who are invested in seeing them succeed. I really could not ask for more in a school environment, and I am forever grateful.

Ventana School is a truly wonderful school and I'd give it my highest recommendation. It starts…read morewith the leadership, who are a passionate group with a founder's mentality and a strong philosophy on how to inspire lifelong learners. And, this ethos and commitment extends down the line, through the teachers, administrative staff and the students themselves. I am blown away at how well each of the teachers understands the Ventana goals and curiosity-based (Reggio) method of teaching, and how they can explain how classroom structure, lessons and activities relate to it. And at how the kids understand it, and apply it. This is not just a stale mission statement taped to a wall somewhere. It's a real intellectual commitment and culture, and it shows. We've been at Ventana preschool for a couple of years, and a few other great things stand out. First, everyone cares. The environment is nurturing, and beyond that, deeply invested in the long-term success of your child. Second, the parents community is wonderful. We've met great new friends through the program, and been delighted by the way people show up to activities and care for each other with the parent groups. And we've found folks to be pretty down to earth for a Bay Area private school (and we've seen a couple other programs, so this is at least a somewhat qualified comparison). Lastly, we've seen the kind of kids that graduate out of the program. The Ventana philosophy really seems to deliver. The leadership recently noted that in an incoming Stanford class, there are 3 Ventana alums. 3 students out of a single-class graduating size is impressive. More impressive is how well-rounded the 5th graders are. They are articulate, grounded, capable of holding complex abstract extemporaneous conversations with adults. We look forward to the rest of the journey for our little one!

This school is such a gem! If you are looking for something super traditional, full of worksheets…read moreand conformity, then this is not the place for you. However, if you value kindness, hands-on learning, collaboration, joyfulness, and creativity, then Ventana is a tremendous option. I have had three children graduate from the school, and have a fourth currently there. All of my children are very different learners - whether seeking extra challenge and depth, or needing some learning support - and they have all thrived at the school. Ventana's real secret is the way that they get to know and treasure your child. Children at Ventana feel 100% seen, heard, and respected by adults. They are treated as competent and so they respond with competence, which is a key and transformative tenet of Reggio Emilia education. The social-emotional curriculum is intentional, consistent, and effective, and graduates of Ventana know how to conduct themselves in all kinds of social and group settings. All of my children have consistently received praise from their middle and high schools about their ability to get along with others in both social and work/project settings, which was one of our primary goals for their education. Another critical piece of a Ventana education is the confidence of their graduates. They are all children who know exactly who they are, are proud of that identity, and have no hesitation in advocating for themselves. We also have high standards for academics and did not want a school that focused on SEL and soft skills at the expense of academics. We have been very happy with the rigor of the academics, and our children have been well prepared to go on to top private middle and high schools in the area. Singapore Math is a very intuitive and effective curriculum, and our kids have graduated "ahead" in math, without any outside work or tutoring. The writing program is particularly robust and produces sophisticated and enthusiastic writers. The art program is just awe-inspiring - the art the kids create is unique and meaningful, led by an amazing art teacher. My kids adored the tinkering program, as well as music and lots of fun afterschool classes like robotics and sewing. The preschool is full of wonder and charm. Academics are taught in organic, intriguing ways through the Reggio Emilia-style emergent curriculum. For example, one class was enthralled by the Golden Gate bridge. They studied the architecture then built a replica out of blocks and recycled materials. When one student was afraid that their creation might be "cleaned away" by the cleaning crew at night, they decided to write signs asking that it not be thrown out - and learned about their letters. They practiced numbers and one-to-one correspondence by setting up a working toll both and counting tolls. I wanted my kids to feel magic and joy when they were in those critical early years, and to come out loving to learn for the sake of learning itself - and this is exactly what we got at Ventana.

Went here for elementary school very chill. Also nice open campus with basketball and baseball and…read morebig soccer fields

The school campus is very welcoming to both children and parents. They keep a very close eye on the…read morekids while they are out in recess and lunch. Education wise - they cater to every child's needs individually and provide the extra care or challenge they need.

When my daughter went here last year, they were pretty unorganized compared to other schools in the…read morearea. We prefer Bubb in Mountain View and Cumberland in Sunnyvale a lot more. However their school psychologist is very helpful. If you are looking for a more laid back school then this is probably a good place for you but I prefer one a little more organized and that stresses discipline a little more. We also had a poor experience with one of the second grade teachers, and when we tried to express this to the principal it was just brushed off. The school is not bad, just average. Nothing really special stands out.

My 2 kid go school here great school staff & teacher is very helpful ground is very big play…read morestation is very new all great

I can tell from having two kids and 13 years in the school. Go somewhere else, unless you want your…read morechild to be treated unfairly with clear discrimination in a toxic environment where only a few elite families get the special treatment. Jan (The principle) is in adequate to say the least. We finally left after 13 years, and we did not realize how bad St. Nick was after what we saw in the new school.

Walking into St. Nicholas Catholic school felt less like entering a place of learning and community…read moreand more like stepping into a perfectly rehearsed performance where certain kids were cast as favorites from day one and the rest of us were expected to play the background no matter how well behaved or hardworking we were. Myself, my friends, and even my sibling followed the rules like everyone else, yet we were constantly singled out, blamed for situations we did not cause, and punished for things other students did right in front of staff who somehow never saw it, and the worst part is they acted like their uneven treatment was justified instead of admitting their own bias. Over time it became painfully clear that they were not interested in supporting us, only in protecting a narrative where certain families stayed untouchable and the rest of us were easy targets whenever they needed someone to blame. The way they spoke to certain kids was shockingly mean and downright cruel, and I experienced it firsthand from certain staff who twisted the truth whenever it suited them. This school loves to package itself as nurturing and community driven, where a kind and empathetic community is the main focus, but the reality was a strange, exhausting experience where favoritism thrived, accountability disappeared, and the truth was always whatever made them look good; if you are thinking of sending your kids here, I would seriously reconsider, because no child should have to carry the weight of adults who cannot handle their own insecurities or responsibilities. St. Nicholas may your "polished" reputation shine bright enough to distract from the truth.

This school is awesome and the teachers are great. I love…read morethe activities the school has ive had no complaints about the teachers all have been great and understanding.

Huge tip to anyone registering their child for Bubb -- when filling out the registration form, DO…read moreNOT mark that you speak more that one language a home. Even if your child has some exposure to another language, do not mention it -- tell them that you only speak English, even if it is not true. If you do, your child will be locked into the ESL (English as a second language) level designation. I think they call it ELAC, but you child will be learning English as a foreigner. The Mountain View voice has written several articles over the years about the ELAC program, and none of them have been positive. To be fair, the MVWSD has made some changes to the program, but in general, ELAC students are "stigmatized" (a retired Bubb educator actually used that word) and it puts them at a disadvantage to their peers. The Voice even commented that the consequence of being in the ELAC program even in elementary school can be so broad reaching as to affect them through high school and into college. I do not want to see other kids go through the struggles our family has gone through with this misguided program. Good luck.

I attended Pinewood a couple years ago. I am now at an elite university on the East Coast…read more I think that Pinewood is excellent because the teachers are able to provide you with one-on-one attention. Very good for college recs obviously. Public school ones might be very general... Anyways, teachers will help you during lunch and even after school, when they are not being paid. I think it's cool how they have math help hours after school with Mr. Green (if he even works there). My favorite math teacher was Ms. Walters (Genius lady :) ) Overall, the homework is not that excessive, and, more often than not, if we are ahead of the material, we can use the time to work on assignments for a portion of the class. The English department is good, however, I would appreciate it if they would have been stricter on us. Honestly, the longest paper I ever wrote was a 10 page paper for AP US Gov, and we allocated class time to write it. In English the longest paper was about 5 pages. I wish that the length and standards for papers would increase as one takes more advanced courses. The English department prepares you well for writing 25 minute essays for AP exams, but does not prepare you for 10-20 page papers you have to write as a college freshman at top colleges (Ivy leagues, top LAC, or top UC's). Please add a writing intensive course for seniors that IS NOT GRADED, that way students can learn to write college level papers without feeling so much pressure. Just make it a graduation requirement. The Spanish language department seemed to be more demanding than the French language department. I think because Ms. Schmidt was very very strict. I think she retired now. However, Mr. Tezlaff and Madame Daniel were/are very approachable and would always practice French with you whenever you need. They want you to succeed on the National French Contest and do well on AP French! Merci beaucoup mes professeurs. If your child does have a learning disability, the school will accommodate with longer test times, separate exam rooms, and sometimes extra hours of help with a teacher, so long as you can provide a paper verifying the disability. Also, of course disability is confidential information and students are not let known of classmates' disability. It is very common for children at PW to suffer from social anxiety, test anxiety, and depression though. Extracurriculars such as sports were really fun and the coaches (thanks Craig and Jackee) are really passionate! My main complaint is that the school lacks racial diversity. Of course this is because those who can afford the school are primarily White and Asian (South Asian as well as East Asian). When there were black and brown students (some of whom are on academic/athletic scholarship) many would feel ostracized and out of place and often leave after freshman year. Please provide counseling services/ extra funding for students of color. I specifically remember always having to pay tons of money for new uniforms (they would change each season) and new equipment. I would have appreciated it if there was fund that could help scholarship students with sports/extracurricular fees.

I went to Pinewood during the 80's, from kindergarten through sixth grade. I am still good friends…read morewith several people from my class, none of who stayed at Pinewood through high school. I say this because we feel like the best education we got, and the hardest we ever worked in K-12, was during our Pinewood years. What stands out to me is the fact that Pinewood did a wonderful job of enabling us to develop academically as well as artistically. They found a balance between the phonics-based Carden method, daily reading groups, math, science, and social studies classes, and the singing, drama, P.E., and art classes. Whenever I see Beatrix Potter books I flash back to 1st grade, and what would I do without my vast collection of oil paintings and clay sculptures of horses made during seven years of art, or my memories of being in "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" and "The Velveteen Rabbit" on the Pinewood stage. Pinewood was also strict in the sense that we feared the "demerit" and worse, "getting ten" which meant you had earned ten demerits that week and would have to see the principal. I think from that we learned responsibility and how to respect others, from our peers to our teachers. From following others in my class through Facebook updates and periodic announcements in the Los Altos Town Crier, I know many of us have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and earn PhDs in subjects like bioengineering, computer science (or English- me- maybe that's liability to the Pinewood reputation, hah). However, most of us also came from the kind of high achieving, upper middle class, occasionally dysfunctional families that make those kind of achievements seem average, and admittedly, I was a little bit of a snob coming out of Pinewood, thinking only bad students would "have" to go to a UC instead of an Ivy. In those ways, Pinewood isolated us from the realities that not every kid could have their own pony or live in their own estate, and that could certainly be held against the school, our parents, and us. Knowing what the tuition is now, I don't know how people can afford to send one, let alone multiple, kid(s) there, and I wonder if the class-based elitism is still pervasive. Weighing those two sides of the coin- the fantastic academic and artistic education against the narrow exposure to others from any other socio-economic or religious backgrounds (most of the kids in my class were from the dominant Pinewood Mormon families)- a Pinewood education might not be the right choice for everyone. However, I am still grateful for the academic foundation I received there, and the real world came anyway, after I left Pinewood.