Choosing a school for your little one is such a stressful experience, but Harper makes it very…read moreeasy. We've been with them for two years now and have had nothing but good experiences. The admin staff, especially Ms. Lopez, is amazing and really cares about the students. Ms. Lopez is "on the ground" enough that she knows the kids names and they all say hi to her when they see her. The preschool teachers, Ms. Gwen, Ms. Margaret and Ms. Kim, are phenomenal. They approach any issues with kindness and sensitivity. They are also firm with the kids and set good boundaries and routines. Finding that balance is typically difficult, but they do it with finesse! The curriculum here, even with the preschool class, sets the kids up for success in higher grades. It balances play and fun with learning. From letter recognition to name writing to "STEM" - via tiny science experiments - music and Spanish, outdoor play and story time, they do it all. Since day one, my child has been excited to go each day and has thrived in the Harper environment. The learning progress I've seen, especially at such a young age, is astounding. We love Harper and appreciate all the staff very much! We hope to be a Harper family for a very long time to come!

Highly, highly recommended for elementary school! A lot of…read morethese reviews are for the daycare/pre-k programs, but I'd like to review the Elementary program, which is newer and smaller. Our son joined the Kindergarten program halfway through the year in Jan '25. He had been at a well-regarded RWC public school, but unfortunately he struggled there with behavior, academic, and motivation issues. Basically, he was slipping through the cracks. He was regressing academically, and most worryingly to me, he was starting to hate going to school. He started at Harper at the mid-year break. There was certainly an adjustment period - the Harper kids were *so* far ahead academically. But, the curriculum is individualized and the support was tremendous. It was amazing how quickly he improved on all fronts: behavior, academics, and motivation. He literally sprints from the car to class each morning. He is so excited and talks about what he learns constantly. He has developed a positive attitude, curiosity, and emotional maturity beyond anything we could have hoped for. Ms. Shaynee, his teacher, is an absolute rock star. We feel so lucky to have had her as his teacher. The class size for elementary grades at Harper is absurdly small right now. Like, 5-10 kids. At first, I thought it would be weird. But it's actually a wonderful number for this age, and it makes Harper such an incredible deal. It's obviously a new school and a new program, and I'm hoping it grows with him as he progresses through the grades. Overall, if you are looking for a private elementary, I just can't recommend Harper enough. No private school in this area is cheap, but I feel we get incredible value for our dollar. The fact that the aftercare is so affordable helps. Also, we hear that if you have multiple kids there then the cost goes down a lot.

A Thriving, Inclusive, and Supportive Community…read more We are incredibly grateful for the Mandarin Immersion program at Orion. As non-Mandarin speakers, my wife and I wanted our children to learn a new language, and this program has exceeded our expectations. Both of our kids absolutely love the school--so much so that they would live there if they could! Our youngest even gets upset if we have to pick him up early, which speaks volumes about how much they enjoy being there. The teachers are excellent--caring and compassionate while pushing the kids to reach higher standards. The level of parental involvement is something special too; it's supportive in all the right ways. As a multicultural family, with my wife being African American and me Hispanic, diversity and inclusion are very important to us. Orion fosters a sense of belonging not just for our kids but for us as parents as well. Our children also speak Spanish, and learning Mandarin has been a rewarding challenge for them. In fact, they jokingly call it their "secret language" because neither my wife nor I speak it, which adds an extra layer of fun and pride in their learning. The community here is fantastic--inclusive and most importantly, supportive of one another. Even without Mandarin support at home, our children are thriving beyond our wildest expectations. Their proficiency in Mandarin, as well as in Math and English, is impressive. The high standards set by the school are matched by the dedication of the teachers, ensuring that our kids are growing and learning more than we could have imagined. We couldn't be happier with our choice to enroll our children in Orion Alternative Elementary School. It's more than just a school; it's a community that we're proud to be a part of.

A recent transfer this year, we have fully immersed ourselves into this amazing community. From…read moreMaze Day we were received with opened arms. Fantastic Faculty & Staff. My 3rd grader LOVES her teacher. It is both rigorous and fun. So many school events put on by our PTO. The PTO involvement is amazing. We've been searching for a school like this and so happy to call this school home. The MI (Mandarin Immersion) program is wonderful too. The Enrichment programs and cultural enrichment are fantastic. You should definitely consider enrolling your child in this choice school!

yeah this was horrible I went here and the teachers were horrible especially mr Rudd we reported…read morehim nothing happend

I don't like this school it's bad the teachers are hella mean and stuff they always target me and…read moremy friends and I'm over it smh !!

We are so blessed to have found St matthias preschool. Both of our kids started to attend the…read morepreschool since they turnt 3. Since the time they started at the school, we've seen tremendous growth in their academic development, and social and emotional development. They've made life long friends and absolutely adore their teachers and school director, Ms. Rose. Additionally the school has done a tremendous job connecting the parent group and engaging us to partake in school activities. We loved attending mothers day spa day, father's day brunch, valentine's day party at the school and being able to celebrate and make memories with our kids on these special occasions.

Our family has had children attend St. Matthias preschool for three consecutive years now, and we…read moreare so grateful we discovered this uniquely special preschool. My two children have very different personalities, and the incredible staff at St Matthias has supported them each individually, helping them grow in their own ways to the best of their abilities. From helping children come out of their shells, to learning independence, learning how to share, how to hold a pencil, navigate big feelings, or learn letters, the staff is incredibly skilled and patient with the children. I feel like the small class sizes really offered my children the best opportunities for feeling supported by their teachers and making close relationships with their peers. I have recommended this school to several families, and everyone that has toured the school and met the teachers has fallen in love. My oldest daughter has graduated St Matthias and recently finished kindergarten this past year as one of the youngest in her class. I truly feel like the foundation she gained from her time at St Matthias set her up for success in elementary school and she is now thriving and confident. I can't recommend this school enough, and always encourage people to tour this hidden gem to see why it's so loved.

Our family has been part of the St. Pius school community since preschool, and now, as our son is…read morein 5th grade, we can confidently say that choosing this school was one of the best decisions we've ever made. The preschool program is truly amazing--it provides a warm, nurturing foundation that prepares students both academically and socially for the years ahead. Our only regret is we wish we had started at the preschool one year earlier! It is such a special program. One of the school's greatest strengths are the teachers and administration. The teachers are exceptional--dedicated, caring, and deeply invested in each student's academic growth and personal development. The low student-to-teacher ratio allows teachers to truly know each child as an individual. This personalized attention makes a meaningful difference and helps students feel supported, challenged, and confident. Our son has thrived at St. Pius and we can't be more pleased with the support and individual attention he receives. His favorite subject is math! Enrichment opportunities are abundant, including a one of a kind Theatre program, strong music and art offerings, and Cub and Girl Scouts, all of which allow students to explore their interests, build confidence, and develop creativity and leadership skills. The school's commitment to social-emotional learning is outstanding. Students are taught empathy, resilience, and strong communication skills, helping them grow into compassionate, well-rounded individuals. Another amazing offering is the athletics program. Athletics provide opportunities for teamwork, physical growth, and school pride. Our son loves playing baseball and basketball with his friends at school and is looking forward to track in the spring. He looks forward to the school spirit days, pep rally's, and Friday night lights celebrating Shamrock spirit. Additionally, the daycare program offers a safe, nurturing, and reliable environment that supports working families and reflects the same values found throughout the school. We are so grateful for the day care program. What truly sets this school apart is its incredible sense of community. Families, students, and staff genuinely care for one another, and parent engagement is encouraged and valued, making everyone feel like a true partner in the educational journey. We've watched our son grow not only in knowledge, but also in confidence, kindness, and character. We are deeply grateful for the years we've spent here and wholeheartedly recommend this school to any family seeking an exceptional and well-rounded educational experience.

We have two elementary school aged children and have been thrilled with their education so far. The…read morecommunity is incredible. The parish and school put on a ton of events for families. The facilities are well maintained and feature a large, newly built gym and enormous field for sports and free play. The campus is large and secure. Dr. Colvert is a wonderful principal and the teaching staff is dedicated and includes some very longstanding faculty members. The extracurricular program is robust with offerings for a variety of interests (sports, art, music, theatre, Spanish, etc.) and technology is implemented in each classroom. The smaller class sizes and dedicated elementary aids offer ample opportunity for small group and individual work that allows teachers to meet the needs of each student. Our children are both challenged and testing well above grade level. While we haven't yet experienced it, the middle school curriculum has undergone significant redevelopment in recent years, including the offering of more advanced math classes. We are so happy with the eduction our children are getting and highly recommend the school.

We bought a house in Redwood City specifically so our child could attend this school. Since we…read moredon't speak Chinese at home and our daughter was diagnosed with a speech delay at age two, I wasn't sure how much Mandarin she would actually pick up from the Mandarin Immersion program at Orion, especially without extra support from us. But after completing kindergarten and halfway through first grade, she surprised us by initiating conversations in Chinese on her own. I'm pretty sure I cried the first time it happened. The teachers are incredibly thoughtful and professional, especially in guiding young kids through learning two languages. In the first few years, about 90% of the school day is conducted in Chinese, which provides an immersive experience during those crucial early years. I remember my daughter sometimes mixed up calling her teacher "mama" and calling me "Wu Laoshi" -- small but meaningful signs of the trust she was building in this environment. The quality of education is outstanding. It's project-based, with a rich blend of art, gardening, STEAM, and physical education throughout the week. During lunch, the kids have options for how they spend their free time. My daughter loves cooling off in the air-conditioned library on hot days, gardening with friends, or practicing her monkey bar skills on more moderate days (after all, Redwood City is known for its slogan, "Climate Best by Government Test"). What matters most to me is that my daughter wakes up excited for school. She genuinely looks forward to her day, eager to see her teacher, curious about the new things she'll learn, spend time with her friends, and engage in the many activities this wonderful space offers. It's a place where she's building her own community, being challenged academically, and hopefully forming friendships that will last at least until high school. At this age, while academics are important, a positive and supportive community matters even more to us. Finding both at the Mandarin Immersion program at Orion has been an absolute gift, and we feel incredibly fortunate to have this school in the Bay Area.

Our family has been apart of the MI program for several years; and by the end of 2027, we will have…read morehad 4 kids in and through the program! We are a non-mandarin speaking family with the desire to challenge our kids academically. This program has been a GREAT way to accomplish this. I have one child in their 4th year in the program and as of last year, they were considered bi-lingual and bi-literate! Even without the mandarin support at home, my children are thriving and learning far more and better than we could have ever imagined. we are always highly recommending parents place their children in a Mandarin Immersion because although it's been a challenge at times, my kids have always stepped up and proved their capabilities. The community has also made learning fun and engaging! Along with my kids learning a new language, we as a family are getting the opportunity to immerse ourself in a new culture and make lasting friendships. It's an absolute blast!

Cute little elementary school located in Redwood City, California…read more I just happened to be flying over and the grounds look very well maintained who doesn't like a large solar installation. From the air it looks like its super easy to drop kids off and even pick them up. Its part of the Redwood City School District (RCSD)

Please ignore the negative revie, that person was a really bad student the principal cares for all…read morethe students so does the vice principal and the rest of the staff they are kind and help in many different way.

St. Charles is a wonderful school and community. Mrs. Armando does an amazing job of cultivating a…read morewonderful setting for learning, fun and growth. We have been nothing but thrilled by our experiences with the school. I see a negative rating about a particular person -- I can say, I've not heard of that person and don't believe she's part of the school anymore. #wearestcharles

This is a fantastic school! The principal and teachers care about providing a loving and academic…read moreatmosphere. Every child is important. I am so blessed to send my kids here.

This is a wonderful preschool that I can't recommend highly enough (provided you are able to commit…read moreto the co-op duties). Between our 3 kiddos, we've experienced 2 other preschools and this one is by far the best run--with great communication, thoughtful and creative curriculum, and a warm, welcoming environment. Diana does a fantastic job as director, and Susan is such a lovely, loving teacher.

Our family loves this preschool so much! A few of the many highlights:…read more - Great, knowledgeable, loving teachers - Teachers send notes to the families about the themes / plans for the week plus some light parenting tips which are so helpful - Parents can really decide how involved they want to be -- there's some required volunteering in the classroom but it's light (we were able to do this with two working parents) and parents are always welcome to visit the classroom - Very adorable art projects that my daughter loves to do! - Great outdoor space including a sandbox, water tables, a playground, and more - Fun, sweet school community events such as a Halloween party, pasta fundraiser, etc. - Teachers and Director are responsive to emails with any questions - Good "Lunch bunch" after school option if you'd like extra hours - A great location right next to the Woodside Library and Village Hub coffee shop (my favorite!) I'd highly recommend you check out a tour and see if it might be a good fit for your family!

Great faculty but the Principal is out of touch with modern child development…read more She is very abrasive and confrontational. I was not aware that the parents were going to be held responsible for the lack of understanding by the management. Kind of difficult to understand why so many elementary students are being punished by sitting in the front office staring at the floor while being ignored by the staff. I feel sorry for the teachers but they really seem to care about the students.

The San Carlos School District is highly rated as being one of the best school districts in…read moreCalifornia. However, Heather School has a horrible system for children with special needs. The staff is unkind, unprofessional, and impatient. I've witnessed this kind of behavior from the special needs staff first hand during the 2016-2017 school year. Remember the wicked stepmother from Cinderella? That is exactly the type of cold and wicked vibes I've experienced. I could not believe how not only the teachers but the behavior therapist, several aides, and the school principal behaved that way. It was a very horrid and traumatic experience indeed. Today proves that taking my kid out of that school was one of the smartest moves I've ever made because my child is now thriving and has succeeded academically. If you're the parent of a special needs child, I'd advise you to seek elsewhere. That is unless Heather School has since cleaned up their act. I'm very doubtful though.