Stellar saved our family!…read more Our daughter is smart, creative and funny. But reading was destroying her confidence. We watched her go from a kid who loved learning to one who resisted school and just shut down. She could not keep up. She was not even able to participate in video games during computer class due to reading challenges. One day, she came home and said "I am the dumbest kid in my class." It was heartbreaking. We tried everything. We tried to talk to the teachers and the school and got no where. We hired tutors, in person and on zoom, and saw only mild progress despite a very loaded tutoring schedule. I also sat with her daily to try to "help" her with homework. It was worse than pulling teeth and really hurting our family time. Then one week before the start of the next school year, we found Stellar!!!!! A tiny non-profit school in Newark, CA that specializes in helping kids with dyslexia. After the first info session, I knew we had to take a chance. I was worried about making my kid leave her friends and go to a new place, but it was the best decision. It has been life-changing for our daughter. We stopped fighting at home, and she was finally learning at school. !!! What makes Stellar special: Teaching methods that actually works! -- The teachers are experienced and certified on ways to teach specifically for how dyslexic brains learn. My child is making significant progress. In contrast, our local public school has no specialized support for dyslexic learners, even if you do qualify for extra support via IEP. Just extra reading exposure without the right methods just trying to brut force the solution. It is painful and does not work. Real small-group attention -- For core academics (reading, writing, math), my daughter's leaning cohorts has been around 1 teacher to 4 kids. I think that changes year to year depending on cohorts, but that is a ton of specialized, individualized attention. Recess and afternoon classes like art, PE, and science have a larger group of 10+ mixed age kids, which is great for socialization. Deep neurodivergent expertise -- The staff really get dyslexia. They been through it with their own kids. They get it on a level that goes beyond training. Beyond dyslexia, the staff is skilled in supporting kids with ADHD and morel. There is thoughtful SEL classes also weaved into the curriculum. Genuinely kind and warm -- I can't say enough nice things. It's all the little things, like the head of school is there each morning to receive the kids and greet them all individually. And when my daughter broke her toe and had limited mobility in a boot for a few months, the staff brought out bubbles, chalk, and hula hoops so she could still play at recess. During a field trip to a local park, they added a "walking contest" alongside the running contest so she could participate -- she was a speedy walker in her boot! lol Lean and financially accessible (this matters) -- Most Bay Area schools specializing in dyslexic learners are close to $60k/year. The sticker shock was real for me. Stellar was a bit less than $30k! That's a real difference for a lot of families. You can tell they work very hard to keep it accessible. This investment is truly worth it. Last bit, here's what my child has to say about Stellar: 1. the teachers are the nicest in the world. She loves all the teachers and staff and feels close to every one of them. 2. The school is so small that every kid becomes friends with each other, even across wide age ranges. This was an unexpected bonus! The small school environment did wonders for her confidence and social skills. This is a hidden gem of a school with decades of expertise and so much heart. If you're a Bay Area parent navigating how to support your kid, I cannot recommend Stellar Academy enough. They also offer summer camps and dyslexia screening.

When my son Sam started 6th grade at Stellar Academy, he was struggling. He couldn't subtract,…read moremultiply, or divide, and he was reading at a 2nd-grade level. I felt helpless, knowing he needed significant dyslexia support that his public school district simply couldn't provide. It was my parents who had the wild idea to enroll Sam at Stellar Academy--a school 133 miles away from our home. At first, I thought they were out of their minds. But after reading reviews and seeking advice from family, friends, and advocates, I decided to attend Stellar's orientation. I fell in love with the school and made the decision to enroll Sam. It was, without a doubt, the craziest decision I've ever made--but it turned out to be the BEST! The Slingerland Approach and multi-sensory mathematics instruction worked immensely for Sam. By the end of that same school year, he was reading at grade level and had mastered subtraction, multiplication, and division. But the most remarkable transformation was how much he grew to love school--something I had never seen before. He adored his teachers, his friends, and even the schoolwork. For the first time in his life, Sam felt confident in his abilities as a student. He came home every day energized and excited to share something new he had learned. As a parent, I've never felt more supported by a school. The commute was no small feat... Fridays were especially tough, with rush-hour traffic stretching the drive to 4.5 hours. At one point, I mentioned to Heather, the incredible director of Stellar, that switching the school's minimum days from Wednesdays to Fridays would make our weekly commute more manageable. Heather spoke with her staff, and together they agreed to make the change. That simple act of kindness showed just how deeply the staff at Stellar care about their students and families. Even though it's been three years since Sam attended Stellar, I still reach out to Heather for advice. She remembers Sam and always takes the time to help, no matter how busy she is. Stellar Academy wasn't just a school for my son--it was a lifeline. It's a community of people who are truly dedicated to children, families, and education. I will always be grateful for what they did for Sam. Looking back, I'd sit in that 4.5-hour traffic all over again. The end absolutely justifies the means.

Best Brain has really worked great for my Daughter. Their teaching mythologies are really great as…read moreThey give booklet on weekly basis for Math, English, General Knowledge and Abacus. They do the first chapter in the classroom at the center and remaining chapters has to get completed as homework.They explain the basic fundamental in a very precise way on the first day and then all the remaining chapters are good for practice at home. She has the better concept before starting in the school now. Now, she looks quite confident while doing those exercises in school. Her mathematical skill is improving day by day after practicing those booklets and handwriting has got significant improvement. Their dollar incentive program works as a catalyst agent for my daughter. I see my daughter is getting better week by week in all subject.

My son started to go to best brain because he was below his grade,now he has improved so much since…read morehe's he started going to best brains he's taking math right now.He got an award last semester for math At his school his teachers saw how much he has grown.I think it was one of the best decisions I made, to take him to best brains ,, now my youngest son is attending to best brain he loves the place he says he want to be smart just like his brother... I do recommend best brain.

My daughter attended Kumon with Ms J and I am very happy with the progress we have seen in her. My…read moredaughter started reading with Ms J and went to read full books with ease under her guidance. The problem solving skills, approach to finish worksheets - have been very helpful. Highly recommend Ms J and her staff, she is very supportive and helps kids succeed.

We had a wonderful experience with Kumon. Within just a few days of starting the program, I noticed…read morea big improvement in my daughter's confidence with reading and writing. She was placed at the right level, so the work matched her pace and never felt overwhelming. One thing I really appreciated was that she was able to complete her assignments independently at home. Seeing her work through the lessons on her own gave her so much confidence in her abilities, and she took great pride in finishing her work each day. It was amazing to watch her become more motivated and believe in herself. I'm very thankful for the positive impact Kumon had on her learning and confidence.

My daughter attended Kumon with Ms J and I am very happy with the progress we have seen in her. My…read moredaughter started reading with Ms J and went to read full books with ease under her guidance. The problem solving skills, approach to finish worksheets - have been very helpful. Highly recommend Ms J and her staff, she is very supportive and helps kids succeed.

My child skipped kindergarten during the pandemic, so they were a bit behind in 1st grade. We…read moreenrolled them in Kumon to give them a boost. They are now in middle school and have entered advanced math. Kumon is a traditional asian method of study. If your child is breezing through school or feel public school does not provide enough homework to learn concepts, Kumon definitely provides them a challenge. It is not easy for them, but it is effective and instills perseverance (something that is lacking in many public schools). Kumon math is great, but we also found the English study to be very effective in improving reading comprehension. Miss Jay is very commutative and very nice with the kids. She knows when kids may be frustrated and will adjust things accordingly. In regards to the location- it is very centrally located, but parking is tough. I typically drop the kids off and wait for them to call before returning to pick up.

My parents enrolled me in Genius Kids afterschool and summer camp programs when I was in…read morekindergarten and I continued to attend all the way through the middle of fourth grade (I still remember when one of their locations was called Win With Words!) I have a lot of good memories there, but I have to say they were more related to the friends who attended than the actual learning experience. I'm not sure how the curriculum has changed since I went, but to any inquisitive parents wondering, our schedule usually consisted of being picked up from school, having snack time, doing our school assigned homework, and then free time. They didn't really give us any additional work to do so if you want your kids to get academic enrichment this probably isn't the best place. Summer camp had more ; we did get some work but we took field trips to the nearby elementary schools to stretch out legs and we did do fun activities. My main problem, as other reviews seem to say, is with the management. The teachers at this location were super nice and I was pretty close with a lot of them. I think they did care about the well being of the kids and acted accordingly. I wish I could say the same for Ms. Rennu, Mr. Gill, Ms. Shana, and Ms. Sheena. Even as a young child, I could pick up on the vibe that the staff were scared of being fired for no reason. They would always remind us to be extra neat and proper before a visit from Ms. Rennu so they wouldn't 'get in trouble'. When Ms. Rennu and the rest interacted with us, they were always harsh and impatient. I don't have a single good memory of any of them in all my years of attending. I am now a sophomore in high school and still get an icky feeling whenever someone mentions Ms. Rennu, so it's really not worth traumatizing your kid by sending them here. They also weren't very willing to listen to parents and often treated them condescendingly. Keep in mind that if an elementary school child could pick up on this, it was really a problem. If you're a parent and reading this review, I don't recommend that you send your kid here.

Both my kids go to Genius Kids Ardenwood. The team there has been great and have been managing…read moreexceptionally well during COVID lockdown with online sessions and now post COVID with regular after school program. I like the fact that teachers there focus on activities that best suit your kid. I was worried that it might get too much for little ones, but they do come back home happy and excited to share the work they did there.

I started working with Holly few months back when I realized my kids needed extra help with their…read moreacademics. My daughter and son had ADHD and it was difficult to have them pay attention in class. After working for 3 months working with Ms. Basseri, they both are loving reading and doing excellent in school.

I highly recommend Holly Basseri for tutoring reading and spelling. She is a very effective teacher…read moreof reading using the Phono-Graphix method. It has helped my children to overcome their reading difficulties. Our experience has been wonderful with her.

We have been part of Prince of Peace Preschool for three years now, and I can't say enough good…read morethings about this school and its staff. Our daughter has grown up here, and as she moves over to the kindergarten side, we are genuinely sad to say "see you later" to the preschool staff who have loved and cared for her so well. From day one, we have felt incredibly lucky to have found such a warm, welcoming community. The teachers and staff are not only professional and attentive, they are truly kind, patient, and invested in each child. Our daughter is always excited to go to school, which says everything to me as a parent. One of the things we love most is how family-centered the school is. They do such a great job of bringing everyone together with fun, meaningful events throughout the year, some of our favorites: - The Hawaiian Back-to-School Dinner - Popsicles with POP, where the kids can worship, play, and of course enjoy popsicles - The fall festival - A beautiful Nativity during the holidays - Vacation Bible School (VBS) in the summer These events have helped us build real connections with other families and made the school feel like an extension of our home. We are so grateful for the love, care, and support our daughter has received here. If you're looking for a preschool where your child will be nurtured, encouraged, and excited to learn, and where your whole family will feel welcome, I highly recommend POP!

I attended the school when it was Prince of Peace Lutheran school from 1963 through 1969. I was…read morebeaten , whipped with belts and knocked unconscious by teachers. Praise the lord.

My daughter attended Challenger Newark for two years and absolutely loved it. It has been amazing…read moreto watch her grow both academically and socially during her time there. She is now entering kindergarten reading independently and with a strong foundation in math. The teachers and staff are incredibly caring, attentive, and genuinely invested in each child's growth and happiness. We've loved every teacher she's had--Ms. Danae, Ms. Nancy, Ms. Harshali, and Ms. Sri! In addition, the Director, Mrs. Michelle, has always been responsive, thoughtful, and supportive. It's clear that she has built an exceptional team and a positive learning environment. We are so grateful for the experience our daughter had at Challenger Newark and would highly recommend it to other families.

My daughter has recently completed TK with Challenger. I wish I could go more into detail about the…read morecurriculum but, since I'm not an educator, I can't really convey that with complete knowledge. I can say (however) how impressed I am with how much my daughter had learned within the last 9 months. She had learned basic math, she's reading, and every day that she came home from school she was overjoyed. It was just an overall positive experience (not just for her but for our whole family). As parents, all we want is for our children to look forward to coming to school - not just for the intent of learning; but also for the intent that they gain the social skills that will help them build the confidence they need. I am absolutely certain that Challenger was a great fit for our child - the perfect 'stepping stone' or introduction to guide her through the rest of her educational career. The staff - everyone from Ms. Phaily (Campus admin.) to Ms. Michelle (Principal) to her class teachers, Ms. Garima & Ms. Maggie who have all been so involved since the first day & have been instrumental in our child's development. They will communicate your child's progress and reward them for their accomplishments. They're supportive and encouraging. Your kids will feel safe and welcomed each day ... 100%. Forgive me as I'm getting emotional writing this review. Quite honestly, it took me a few days to be able to conjure up the right words. I wanted to be sure that I expressed my gratitude as they truly deserved. Challenger, THANK YOU ALL for such a memorable and meaningful experience!