Our family joined the CHA family for the 2015-2016 school year. We had realized her previous school…read morewas no longer fitting our needs and we were delighted to find such academic excellence at this Catholic school. Our daughter has flourished in this supportive environment. She has regained her enthusiasm for learning and her academics have improved considerably. The school offers lots of different extra-curricular activities and sports, as well as many wonderful activities throughout the year. Parents are also actively involved with many aspects of the school and it really does feel like a close family. Our experience after one full year at CHA has been wonderful. The educators and staff are warm and genuine, and we have had nothing but positive interactions. This is also the first school where I am seriously considering putting the bumper sticker on my car, now that's commitment ;)

Fantastic school for faith, formation of the apostolic and intellectual child. Ages 18 months to 14…read moreGrade 8.

What a wonderful school! My son finished Kindergarten here, and is now in 1st Grade. He loves…read moreschool and always impresses me with what he's learned. We've been particularly happy with the emphasis on deeper conceptual understanding of material, so it's not just rote memorization and regurgitation. Word problems were a significant part of Kindergarten math, and I'm positive I wasn't doing word problems that early when I was a kid. The teachers and administration are very receptive to feedback and concerns that inevitably crop up during the school year. We've been happy with the way they've handled issues, and clearly customer service is an important part of their philosophy. Tuition is on the higher range of private schools, but in this case you truly do get what you pay for.

Our daughter has gone to Harker since their inaugural preschool class started . She loves it and so…read moredo we . Teachers are great and after school programs are plentiful . Even though it takes an hour to get to school we think it's worth it.

Called this school a couple of times to sign up for an open house. Left messages and email. This…read moreschool only caters to certain people and will not respond if you're a minority. Not the way of the Lord if you tell me.

My son transferred to this school for 1st Grade. It was not the smoothest of transitions, but…read moreduring those critical first few months, it became apparent to us what the strengths of this school were: 1. Committed Staff -- Everybody, from the principal to the teachers and support (student services and after school), is committed to help out the students and their parents. We had a meeting within the first few months to discuss my son's progress and brainstormed how to help him out in certain situations that we had identified as "tricky". 2. Quality of the teachers -- I saw the reviews. Fortunately, my son was placed with teachers that understood him and motivated him to get excited and persevere with the lessons. Recently (after his first year), I discovered that they strongly encourage parents at the end of each schoolyear to fill out a form that details kids' strengths/weaknesses/learning styles, etc... all to help them identify which teacher is best for your kid(s). And this pandemic was a blessing in disguise for us -- in the few times we were able to listen to their Zoom classes, we saw and heard the joy and the positive energy his 2nd Grade teachers have. These came across strongly, and the kids are excited to participate and raise their hands to answer questions. My son can't even wait to wake up for in-person classes or log onto Zoom (on Zoom days). Now I understand why his homeroom teacher has to have a big tall Americano everyday :D 3. Sense of community -- all of these build that feeling in the students that school is a safe and happy place. We felt it in the first few minutes that we looked at the playground before my son's "interview". The students recognized that my son was not a student in the school, but they welcomed him and showed him the ropes around the playground. Nobody told them to play with my son, they did that all on their own. There were some spats with a kid on the playground during the 1st grade, but the situations were always handled with care by the staff, in a very fair manner. After a week or so it stopped, and the kid picking on my son actually became his friend. 4. Academics and extra-curricular -- I must admit that the extra-curricular program (esp the arts) was the first draw for us. Robust programs that build on all the way to high school. And the after-school programs are also well-chosen and well-run. The only nit I have, and it's very minor-- is the tuition fee. It's not cheap. But I recognize that in order to recruit and keep their valuable staff and provide their topnotch programs, they will need those resources. All in all, we are just so happy with the school, and we have been telling our friends about it. If you are thinking about placing your children here -- (1) Do it as early as Kindergarten, or (2) Do it early (for the upper grades); check their admissions calendar on the website. Re-enrollment levels for the current students is high so available slots for transferees are so few, think 2-3 slots.

Our child has gone here since preschool and we've had a really good experience. Every teacher he's…read morehad has inspired him to be the best he can be, the other families are very nice, and the small community is welcoming and engaging. His current teacher Mrs. Hogue is an incredible woman and I feel lucky that she spends time with my kid every day. We're very happy at Action Day.

Action Day Elementary truly feels like home for our family. All three of our kids go here, and we…read morecouldn't be happier with the care, attention, and quality of education they receive. The teachers are nurturing, and the community is so welcoming. Ms. Milion from 2nd grade and Ms. Giusti, in 4th grade, have been amazing when it comes to academics. They really bring out the best in their students. Our children are thriving both academically and socially, and we're so grateful to be part of such a wonderful school.

I call the education Saint Andrew's provides love-based education. The teachers love what they do…read moreand thrive in Saint Andrew's environment because the school and community truly support them. They're encouraged to attend conferences, take classes, try new approaches, bring in fresh ideas, and leverage their networks to take learning to the next level. It's a simple formula: happy teachers, happy kids. Happy kids, happy parents. Here are just a few examples that stood out over the years: 1. The science teacher allowed students to participate in an NPR project; some of their work was even featured in the showcase library. 2. The English teacher spent incredible time and care editing students' writing. The growth and learning that came from this process were remarkable. 3. The math teachers made lessons fun, engaging, and practical. Many students who never attended outside math programs were still placed in the highest-level math class as high school freshmen. 4. Teachers prepare students for high school through thoughtful program design and daily practice. Students learn to be organized, take responsibility, know when to ask for help, and approach school seriously. 5. The athletic education team provides diverse programs that engage all students and offers life coaching based on each child's developmental needs. 6. Teachers often use their own time to help students who need extra support. At Saint Andrew's, children grow up in a community where they are loved for who they are and are taught to love others for who they are. When children know they are loved, they dare to take risks, stand up for one another, perform under pressure, bounce back from setbacks, and be generous with empathy and help. That's what real mental strength and resilience look like. As parents, it's important for us to be partners in this journey. Be kind and open with the teachers. Talk to them. Collaborate with them. When school and homework go hand-in-hand, the results are powerful. No one school fits everyone. If your child is academically far ahead or must be ranked number one in every category, you may want to explore other options. But if you're looking for a school that nurtures both the mind and heart to make an exceptional young adult, Saint Andrew's is a very special place.

Three years at Saint Andrew's: excellent kindergarten, then labeling and classroom removals without…read morerestorative follow-through Sharing our family's experience so other parents . Our child attended Saint Andrew's for three years. Kindergarten was outstanding. Miss Gaulden brought warmth and deep experience; our child thrived and we were grateful for her classroom. She left mid-year after more than 15 years--a sudden change that removed a stabilizing presence. First grade was a sharp contrast, especially in how concerns were communicated and handled. Our child later told us he was told he was "not a good student." We were not informed at the time, so we can only speak to the impact. We believe that phrasing is inappropriate for any young student. Effective feedback should name a behavior and the next action ("Here are the two steps to start," "Use the 'I need a break' card"), and if harmful language is used, there should be a restorative repair with the student. In addition, our child reports being removed from the first-grade classroom multiple times. The teacher reportedly told him "Out" to make him leave--sometimes after he repeated "silly" comments. For early elementary, removing a child from class for that kind of age-typical verbal behavior, without a consistent coaching plan and brief data, felt disproportionate to us. When we suggested teacher coaching/training to align classroom language and routines, the lower-school administration framed the situation primarily as a child issue and provided an extensive list of requirements for our child, rather than discussing staff coaching and consistency. We were told the expectation was an overnight jump to independence in first grade, rather than a developmentally typical, linear progression. In our current school that emphasizes written/visual directions, defined roles in group work, and strength-based language, our child is observed as empathetic, helpful, and an active group participant. That contrast suggests the issue was not a fixed trait in the child but the classroom approach and how behavior was defined and supported. this is our experiences.

I am sorry to leave a negative review, but I wish I had read the reviews before enrolling my kids…read moreat this school. They attended for one year, and unfortunately, I do not have anything positive to say about our experience. The school feels more like a business than a place focused on education. The teachers, as well as the principal, seem very unprofessional. There is also a lot of bullying, and the school does not seem able to handle it properly, possibly because there are around 38 students in each class, which makes supervision and dealing with conflict (which is all the time) very difficult. In addition, the school does not offer any after-school activities or programs. Kids play and eat at the parking lot. Overall, our experience was not what we expected, and I would recommend that other parents carefully research before enrolling their children

Since we don't have the choice of zero stars, I dedicate this one star to the very few teachers…read morewith talent and integrity whose efforts are lost in a school setup bound to fail. - Bullying is extreme and encouraged (yes, you read that right). That is the worst part and with long lasting consequences. - This school is a business, their prime objective is to make money, not to teach and form human beings. - Classes are overcrowded (40 children in one class). This, unavoidably, impacts both academic and social/emotional learning. - Very few electives, with 'art' being the only legitimate one. The 'art' teachers are great (if those that we know are still with the school). - Volatile faculty/staff, very few accredited teachers stay with the school for more than 2-3 years. - I wish I could turn back time and never enroll my child in this school. I will never forgive myself.

We are so happy to have spent our pre K ， K and first-grade in this campus. It has been years full…read moreof love, fun, and exciting activities. We will cherish all the wonderful memories and keep all the good memories. As we move on to second grade, we will carry these happy experiences with us. We like this campus and are grateful for such a wonderful year.

We are very happy with our experience at Stratford! Our son has been attending Stratford at the…read moreAlmaden campus since kindergarten. All his teachers, Ms Sangeetha & Ms Allie (K), Ms Shilpa (1st grade), have been excellent at encouraging our son to do well and have also provided critical feedback when needed. Our son adores his teachers and has made friends that hopefully stay for lifelong. We also like the balance Stratford offers in terms of academics and extra-curriculars. One minor feedback for the school would be to improve the summer program as our experience has been alright thus far. More creative program options would be nice. Overall, very happy with Stratford Almaden.

We absolutely love Venture Christian Academy. Our kids are happy here every day, and the teachers…read moreare truly loving and attentive. Our daughter is typically anxious with transitions, but she settled in remarkably well thanks to the warm, patient staff and supportive environment. Our two younger children also absolutely love school--they look forward to being there each day--and both took less than a day to transition with no tears when they started. Class sizes are small--fewer than 15 students in our kids' classrooms--which means real, individualized attention. We also value the well-rounded curriculum that goes beyond academics to focus on character development and a strong Christian faith foundation. It's exactly the balance we hoped to find. The campus is beautiful and well cared for, and they're actively investing in the future with a new middle school building and gym facilities underway. As parents of three students here, we couldn't be happier with our decision. Venture Christian Academy has been a blessing to our family, and we recommend it wholeheartedly.

My children are now in their third year at VCA, and I can't say it enough -- I never truly…read moreunderstood what it meant for kids to thrive in a school until they came here. At VCA, my children are genuinely known and loved, and as a parent, there is nothing more reassuring than seeing other adults deeply care for your kids! The academics and arts programs are excellent, the campus is stunning with exciting improvements ahead, and the parent community is truly special -- I love connecting with other families, often over coffee at Venture Coffee. I've been overwhelmed, in the best way, by our experience at VCA. What I love most is that the school leadership is never content to settle -- they're always striving to grow, improve, and create an even better experience for the school body and community!