Great school went there when I was a kid. I had such good teachers and learned a lot. It was my…read morefirst public school after Montessori.

Our daughter just finished 6th. grade at NBMS and It was a very positive experience for her…read more She loved all her teachers and excelled in academics as well as sports. I was able to witness how the principal Craig Broadhurst and the vice principal Andrew Weiss handled several conflicts that arose. They were professional and quick to act with wisdom. I personally saw how their love and compassion for students and their dedication to creating a safe learning environment was a major priority.

Whenever I ask my daughter if she likes her school she shouts, "No, I love it!" Wonderful teachers,…read morelarge campus, bilingual program, fabulous librarian, and some of our dedicated parents have worked to launch EXPLORE AfterSchool, an after school enrichment program with enormous potential. Plus, the totally rad people of Santa Cruz approved a measure that is allowing us to do some major, much needed maintenance upgrades. Our score on Great School doesn't look like much but when I come to Bay View and watch my little daughter run, laugh and play with kids from so many different backgrounds I am filled with optimism and pride. She is learning so much at this wonderful school. I'm proud to be a Bay View parent and proud to send my kids to a Santa Cruz city public school.

I think sometimes people get a little over-anxious about junior's second-grade experience. Is he…read morebeing challenged? Are his interpersonal skills appropriate encouraged? Do his teachers understand his personal foibles? He's in second-grade. So long as he's reading the appropriately-colored book and hasn't bitten anyone, he's probably fine. This was a great school, as far as I recall. We were a rag tag bunch of kids of hippies, some farm workers, academics from UCSC and pretty much everything you could think of. What I remember best is that we had great guest speakers. There was an environmentalist from up on campus who came to give a talk about unleaded gas (yes, I'm that old), and a lady from the temple who showed us how to play the dreidel at Hanukkah, someone's dad gave a translated account of Mexican Independence for Cinco de Mayo, and a sweet hippie who played us songs about love and peace in music class.

Academics and teachers are top notch. Administration is good, can't imagine a school would be run…read moreany better. However, your experience here is very dependent on your situation going into the school. There is a lot of affluence here as you can imagine, and you'll be exposed to that as parents, and your kid will as well. For most of the parents and kids at the school, its a world they are comfortable with. For those not in that circle, you will quickly realize that it's not your circle...and your kid will too. Towards the end of our time here, our daughter was old enough to understand these things, and that was very disappointing to us. It's a private school with all that it entails; that needs to be understood before deciding on sending your child here. While a good school, it's not for everyone.

Dear readers, as an individual who attended this school in the past, I must honestly express that I…read morefind it to be an unsatisfactory investment for your child's education. My time at SCM was quite extensive, but I eventually transferred to another institution due to the persistent issue of bullying, which remained prevalent from 1st to 6th grade without any effective intervention from the school administration. During my time in 6th grade, I endured both physical and mental bullying to such an extent that it necessitated my admission to a Mental Health Hospital for various reasons. Shockingly, the three girls responsible for this reprehensible behavior faced no consequences, resulting in me missing out on my graduation day and celebration due to their actions. This unfortunate reality extended to my friend as well, as he was also targeted and compelled to switch schools. Moreover, it is important to note that I am autistic and suffer from a chronic illness that causes severe pain when walking or running. Regrettably, the school disregarded my condition and failed to provide any support or accommodation during times of autistic meltdowns. I found their indifference towards my physical and emotional struggles disheartening and disconcerting. When I requested alternative activities during physical education classes to alleviate my chronic pain, the school administration threatened to involve my parents, rather than understanding and addressing my health concerns with compassion and empathy. In terms of education, I observed a significant emphasis on the subjects in which students demonstrated proficiency, while minimal effort was made to help students struggling in other areas. This unbalanced approach hindered overall academic growth and development. In conclusion, my personal experience at this school was largely negative, and I believe there are superior educational establishments available. However, it is essential to recognize that individual experiences may vary, and some individuals might find benefit in this environment. Regardless, I urge prospective parents and students to exercise caution and carefully consider their options before making a decision.

We have had an absolutely wonderful experience at Santa Cruz Waldorf School! The nurturing…read moreenvironment and dedicated teachers truly set this school apart. From the moment we stepped on campus, we felt welcomed and inspired. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to foster creativity and critical thinking, allowing children to explore subjects in a meaningful and hands-on way. Our children have flourished here, academically in math, writing, and languages, as well as more broadly with the arts, music, gardening, outdoor education trips, and more. If you're looking for a school that encourages a deep love of learning, I highly recommend the Santa Cruz Waldorf School.

Santa Cruz Waldorf School has been a good fit for my children. The kinder program is magical! Being…read moreable to play and learn to connect with peers and teachers AND nature is just what my children needed at that age. Over the years, we have learned reverence and rythm and the beauty of slowing down from our time at the school. Their love of festivals and community connection is unmatched. I appreciate the deemphasis on screen time as well. The Waldorf practice of teacher looping was something that was quite new to me and at first I was a little hesitant about. I have grown to see the process of keeping the same teacher from grade 1-8 as a true gift. It has given my children time to be seen and understood to learn most effectively. If you are exploring elementary and middle school alternatives, SCWS is a great option to consider!

We transferred two of our children to Gateway during the pandemic and could not be more…read moreappreciative for the welcoming and yet still rigorous environment. The leadership is excellent and the children have made wonderful friends. I'm very happy with our choice to move them to Gateway.

I went to elementary and middle school here and loved it…read more The teachers were great and the campus is awesome. It's less than a block to the ocean and lighthouse field as well. Say hello to the surfer statue!

After hearing how difficult it is to get kids in to childcare, we got our son on the waiting list…read moresuper early and paid $2096 for a spot a year in advance. When we were able to get in sooner elsewhere (five months prior to our start date with little acorns), they refused to give us our money back due to the "non-refundable deposit". I guess we should've known or expected this but still it seems like a ridiculous policy. They will have plenty of time to fill his spot and now we are out 2K. Moral of the story... don't give them a deposit

We couldn't speak more highly of the wonderful care we received over the past two years at little…read moreacorns. The teachers are warm, well educated, caring and so fun! The school is clean and bright. We were so impressed with the sweet touches: birthday circles, parent/teacher meetings, graduation ceremony, parenting workshops, options to give parent hours. We felt supported, as an entire family, from billing questions to changes in schedule. We will sincerely miss it!

I love the school it is always a good place. Have a good day or not the choice is yours.read more

I'm a parent in the works of enrolling my child in this school! What a great impression I've seen…read moreso far! The principle has a really awesome deminor about him! The front staff has been so helpful navigating the parent portal! Today Pam Perkins went above and beyond helping me with the enrollment papers! Thank you so much! We are excited about 6th grade! Wahoo! Sincerely from a parent that was born in this town and went to Branciforte middle school!

We had great communication with teachers and our children loved the school. Horrible experiences…read morewith office staff/admin. (my rating ) Definitely a result of the pandemic and How tough this all is on everyone. Just ruined the whole Holy Cross School Experience I think we would have had. We love Holy Cross Preschool, maybe if the office up at the main school were more like the pre school admin/teachers it could have been a different year for me And my husband. But the schools teachers go above and beyond with the students. just was my experience. hope this whole thing passes. good luck and blessings

This is a horrible school. They lie to parents, they break labor laws and have no business being in…read moreeducation. The teachers are poor and under trained. Many don't have teaching credentials and lack teaching experience. They go through principals like a revolving door. Kimberly Chang was the worst of them all. Don't send your kids here if you want them to get an education or learn morals like honesty and faith.