I can't say enough amazing things about Prospect Sierra. Our family feels incredibly grateful to…read morehave found this school and be a part of this wonderful community. Prospect Sierra is a truly exceptional elementary school (K-4 at lower and 5-8 at upper) that fosters a welcoming and vibrant community where diversity is celebrated both among students and faculty. There is a strong emphasis on emotional intelligence woven throughout their curriculum which feels balanced with their focus on academics. The school provides a warm and nurturing environment for holistic development and has the support of learning specialists, a wonderful school psychologist, etc. The faculty is beyond exceptional and in my opinion what sets Prospect Sierra apart. The teachers and administration are all dedicated educators that embody PS's commitment to leading with respect and joy and creating an environment that fosters a love for learning. My daughter is genuinely excited and happy to go to school every day! Prospect Sierra has a very well-rounded enrichment curriculum that creates a rich and engaging learning experience. Specialty classes include drama, music, art, Co-Lab, and Spanish to name a few. With two teachers in each classroom we certainly feel the personalized attention and extra support. The afterschool program is also wonderful and my daughter has enjoyed participating in the afterschool program classes such as cooking, legos, chess, judo, etc.! The campus and the physical spaces including the classrooms and enrichment rooms are beautiful. The school does an exceptional job with communicating with the parents (via emails, a fabulous newsletter, etc) and there are plenty of opportunities for families to get involved (as much or as little as they want to!) including volunteering in the specialty classes, driving for field trips or leading a school committee. The school is also extremely committed to diversity which is woven throughout the curriculum. As part of the professional development, they recently sent a large number of the faculty to a POCC conference, there are family cohorts and racial cohorts for students including a Black, AAPI, LatinX, Pride and Swana cohort and lots of cultural celebrations throughout the year. Beyond 5 stars! We have had the best experience and pinch ourselves everyday that PS is a part of our family and our child's development.

My children love this school, and at the end of each day, they do not want to leave!…read more This is a well-resourced, beautiful school perched at the top of the El Cerrito Hills. The school culture, which has become our home culture, is one of overt and active kindness. My children learn in an environment of safety and celebration of difference, and from my perspective, the school's administrators actively seek to build community wherever possible, and the faculty actively work to remove all barriers to learning.

St. Paul's Episcopal School in Oakland is AMAZING! A strong academic program paired with real…read moreworld skills and an inclusive environment make for an amazing learning experience. The community and education at St. Paul's are top notch!

St. Paul's Episcopal School (SPES) in Oakland has been an incredible experience for our family as…read moreLGBTQ+ parents with two kids attending. From the moment we joined the school community, we've felt welcomed, valued, and supported in a way that's truly meaningful to us. SPES is not just a school--it's a place where diversity and inclusion are celebrated, and every family is embraced. The teachers at SPES are extraordinary. They are kind, engaging, and genuinely invested in each student's success, creating a supportive and inclusive environment where our kids feel seen, respected, and encouraged to thrive. The school also provides ample resources, from state-of-the-art technology to classroom supplies, making learning accessible, engaging, and exciting for every child. What stands out most about SPES is its unwavering commitment to diversity. The student body reflects a wide range of backgrounds, and this rich diversity is woven into the fabric of the school's culture. Weekly Friday chapel gatherings are a highlight, bringing the community together to reflect on shared values and showcase the unique voices and perspectives of different grades. These gatherings create a strong sense of belonging and unity, making every family feel like an integral part of the school. At SPES, diversity and inclusion are not "marketing taglines" or a box to check--they are fundamental to who we are. The school was founded 50 years ago in response to the civil rights movement, and these values and principles are deeply embedded in our DNA. They guide everything we do, from the way we teach to how we build community. SPES also excels in social-emotional learning through its "People Power Skills" framework. This program equips students with the tools to navigate relationships, practice kindness, and build empathy. It's inspiring to see our kids not only learning these skills but also applying them in their daily interactions. The framework helps create a respectful, supportive environment that prioritizes emotional growth alongside academic success. As LGBTQ+ parents, we deeply appreciate how SPES fosters an inclusive atmosphere where all families are welcomed and celebrated. Our kids are growing up in an environment that values compassion, diversity, and acceptance--qualities we hold dear. It's a school where they feel safe and proud of their family, and that means the world to us. St. Paul's is a place where academics, culture, and emotional well-being come together seamlessly. For LGBTQ+ families--or any family looking for a school that truly embodies inclusion and excellence--SPES is an outstanding choice. It's been a wonderful home for our kids and our family, and we couldn't recommend it more highly.

If you are still at BHS or just graduated you will be shocked to learn that my class is having…read moretheir 65th reunion next week. Yes, we graduated in 1960. It was one of the top schools in the US in those days. we won the Bellamy award in 1959. It saddens me to read these reviews with one star. Most of the content of the poor reviews seems to center around lack of organization and social problems. I hope the academic aspect of the school is still high.

This school has gone completely down hill. There is absolutely no safety or control in that school…read more The staff are only there for the paycheck! The dean of students is completely useless, they swear they are here for the students but they don't care at all. SAVE YOUR KIDS!!! DON'T SEND THEM TO THIS HORRIBLE SCHOOL

I'm not going to get into my general experience, which was overall quite good but challenging-…read moreInstead I want to say something very specific. I received the letter I wrote to myself in my eight grade advisory (10 years ago) and I was moved to tears instantly. Thank you for blessing me with that gift

This is the middle/upper school campus, with a slightly smaller playground, but more centrally…read morelocated than the kiddie campus. Tennis courts are right across the street, and the community center (hooray for the pool and martial arts classes!) are about 2 blocks away.

I graduated from Berkwood Hedge this year and I did not have a good experience. I went to Berkwood…read moreHedge from 6th to 8th grade. When I joined this community I did not feel accepted. A couple of months ago at the end of the year, there was a shadow student that tried to sit down and eat lunch with Berkwood hedge students, and the kid was told don't sit with us!! We don't want you here!! And the teachers didn't do anything about it. I think that is a pretty common experience for new students at Berkwood Hedge. I definitely had similar experiences happen to me. The academics are pretty good, but the math levels are not based on grade so it can make people in lower levels feel bad because some people from the higher levels brag about it. The sports are good because everyone gets to play and there is no tryouts but for most sports Berkwood Hedge doesn't win games because they are playing more inexperienced players. Some traditions that Berkwood Hedge has are strange to me like the blessing song and the sound baths. My family chose not to send my brother here because I didn't have a good experience, so I don't recommend this school.

The process of looking for a new school is overwhelming due to the sheer number of options. You…read morecome up with a comprehensive list of 10-15 schools you are considering and try to knock any of them out for even random reasons so that you can focus on touring and applying to a more manageable list of schools. Berkwood Hedge was on my long list - and when I read some of the negative reviews, I almost just crossed it off of our list. I am so thankful that I kept my mind open and saw Berkwood Hedge for myself. My son joined the 4th grade class this past Fall and it has been truly transformational for him and our family. After years of unhealthy social situations in his past schools and lack of attention to his learning needs, due to the care from Berkwood Hedge, he is now starting to come out from a haze of low confidence. His teachers, Olivia and Elisa, have been invaluable in helping him grow in confidence. Before you make any decisions about schooling for your child, I implore you to just attend one community meeting that happens in person every Wednesday morning at 8:45 on campus. It really does take a village and Berkwood Hedge has set up just that - a loving village around our children. When you hear the head of school, Love Weinstock, speak, you know that this care for the whole child is everywhere in the school's culture. You will definitely see the intentional approach in your child's classroom but you will also see it with restorative justice with Silver, music with Ajayi, learning with Edie, art with Laura, school operations with Kris, and the list goes on. We will be moving to Berkwod Hedge's upper campus next year and we are really looking forward to it. They have really been able to increase the diversity in the upper grades. Furthermore, Love leads with so much clarity that I look forward to seeing that come alive in middle school.

My nephew was extremely depressed. He started therapy and was recommended by he's therapist to…read moreswitch schools / he started public school and the automatic switch was just wow . Since he started public school he tells everybody how traumatizing St. Paul was.

Former student (class of 2019), It was fun going here for school and I still come for Church…read more Seeing that the murals are gone of previous classes graduating from here is pretty disappointing and seems as disrespect. It was a tradition for so long and for all classes to be painted over is not it.

Wonderful school! Beautiful area. I appreciate all the work that the after school and the parents…read moreand community Due to make this place a really wonderful spot to have students grow up. It is community center and that's what is our favorite.

I would be lucky to have my children attend this school. I appreciate the teachers, the kids, and…read morethe staff. They have done a great job to make everyone feel welcomed. I have only been here for a year and a half and feel like I am already part of the family. Check with the main office if you would like a tour.

I have two children attending St John's- one in 2nd grade and one in 1st grade- we have been here…read moresince they were both in preschool (4 years already!) and our family is really happy with the school! Will note first that the preschool is a real gem- great teachers, high-quality play-based program, with appropriate prep for school years, lovely bright classrooms, flexible hours, and amazing value. The best thing about St John's is that my kids wake up excited to go to school every day. They love their teachers (currently Mrs Leamy and Mrs Okada) and classmates, and are learning so much- (e.g. this weekend (labor day weekend), my 6 year old gave me a lesson on the labor movement including telling me who was president when the holiday was made and why people sometimes go on strike- I was pretty impressed!). The school just completed a grant-funded capital project to get a new playground- which my kids love! They also love art, P.E. and getting to say a reading at mass on their own (starting in Kindergarten!). The entire St John the Baptist community has been really warm and welcoming to our family. I love that there is a big focus on building community, on service and being kind to others. The Principal, Mrs T., teachers and staff are experienced and skilled, and so invested - often volunteering after hours and on the weekend. Many of them attended the school as students! After going through other schools with my older son, it is refreshing to have children attend a school with this much longevity in leadership and staff. I have found everyone very accessible and responsive. We also love that the school is K-8- and seeing the 8th graders celebrate graduation together after being here (some since preschool) is pretty amazing. Worth noting- the after-care program is wonderful for working parents- Mrs Cooke is amazing- very caring to the kids, and the program is flexible with drop-in options, affordable, and available 7am to 6pm! Highly recommend this school to other families!

The school recently paid Yelp to remove my original review. It was lengthy, but I'll keep this one…read morea little shorter and to the point. Ready? Here we go . . . We were a family in this school for eight years. During that time we experienced the following: - bullying (gender based, physical, and verbal) toward our child by students that were served no consequences and whose parents were very obviously favored; the principal refused to meet about this matter - a teacher told our 11 year old daughter she used to be a beautiful girl as she yelled at her in front of the vice principal. The VP witnessed this, told our daughter it was wrong, but still victim blamed our child for the teacher's behavior and the teacher served no consequence - this same teacher had been harassing our child for months; she waited outside her stall inside the STUDENT bathroom while she used it and kept trying to talk to her, she continuously begged our daughter to talk to her and say hello, saying things like "we used to be friends. What happened?" (our child was scared of her because of this odd, immature behavior). We told our child she didn't have to speak to the teacher unless another adult was present and that she could say she didn't feel safe. When she expressed this to the teacher, the teacher yelled at our child saying, "I know that's what your parents said but I can talk to you when I want to." The administration did not assist in holding safe boundaries for our child - the same teacher hung up on us during a zoom meeting with our child and the principal and vice principal. It was super unprofessional and rude. She kept insisting our daughter had to speak to her to show respect, yet she hung up on two parents and her supervisors mid-call -The principal had ZERO caring or helpful response to this behavior by her employee. She didn't apologize for her, require her to give us an apology, or even acknowledge that her teacher was targeting our child in an unprofessional way that crossed lines and safety boundaries. - one of our children was coerced to write lies about his actions and intentions in a statement about an incident. When first asked about what happened, he told his truth, but the principal and vp were not satisfied. They kept him in the office without calling parents until he lied and wrote what they wanted - stating he felt he was a danger to himself. When we told them he felt forced to lie and provided them with his truthful written account, they did not acknowledge our email or address this part - our child's therapist and doctor both offered to speak with the principal and sent correspondence affirming our child's health, wellness and ability to be in school. Administration never responded to anyone - we were told our neuro-divergent child would receive support and care from middle school teachers; instead the same teacher who harassed our daughter publicly humiliated him in front of his class because he finished a test "too fast" and then refused to tell us the grade he received on the test. (She informed him 6 months later that he got an A) - multiple parents told us similar stories about the non-response of the principal; most disturbing was that we were not the only family who experienced the written statement coercion. I was appalled, but not surprised that our child was not the only student who was forced to write untruths to self-incriminate themselves - the principal played favorites with students and families when she ignored bullying; she told Spanish speaking parents they were confused about situations they witnessed involving a teacher because they couldn't speak English; she did not take accountability for the unprofessional and harmful actions of her teachers; she was harmful in her own behavior - our child and their classmates witnessed their third grade teacher drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, and slur words with a half clothed man in her presence while they were on zoom class. The teacher remained on faculty, and the principal took no accountability. She only addressed the matter after parents approached the topic multiple times. The behavior was excused, and we could not talk about it again because she said the teacher was protected by HIPPA; the family that first brought it to the principal's attention was told they were confused because of their language barrier - we also had amazing teachers while at the school. Ms. Fehr (skilled and fantastic, but obvious to us she was not supported by admin), Mrs. Barber (BEST teacher!), Ms. Cordova (so loving!), Mr. Bauer (excellent teacher) - all of which left the school. Also Ms. Cooke, Ms. Bains and Coach Mike are wonderful people and were very kind to our children and family. Ms. Bains is an EXCELLENT teacher and person. -we found the principal to be fake and untrustworthy That wasn't short. Oh well. They might pay to delete it again. Maybe they just should have responded to our emails and concerns to begin with.