We live in Berkeley and both our daughters attend St. T. We are so grateful to St. T for helping our daughters be their best. We are especially impressed with the St. Theresa's teaching staff, their high academic standards, and the St. T community. read more

Our daughter attends TK at St. Theresa, and while we've been part of the school community for less than a full school year, I've been nothing but impressed by the teachers, staff, and fellow parents. I haven't met anyone who isn't nice, kind, considerate, and invested in the school and the children's education. Our TK teacher is wonderful and we can see our daughter developing academically as well as socially. The school is situated in the peaceful Oakland neighborhood of Upper Rockridge and pretty easy to get to (and close to the Terrace Cafe, another perk). I"ll add that while I'm not a Catholic (my wife and children are), that has never been an issue. There are other non-Catholics who send their children there because they know they will be in a safe and nuturing environment. Lastly, I'm impressed with the students themselves. They are polite and considerate when I've interacted with them as a parent volunteer. I remember my Jr. High experience as pretty excruciating. When I look at the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, I see well-adjusted and responsible young people by all outward appearances. I certainly don't see my Lord of the Flies experience. It's an special cadre of people and culture at St. Theresa. read more

We have had a wonderful experience with Pacific Bay Christian School. One of our children has already graduated from PacBay and is now in college, and our second child is currently a senior and will be graduating this summer. Both of them were able to get into the colleges they wanted, thanks in part to the strong foundation they received here. PacBay's small, close-knit community is truly special. The small class sizes mean that teachers know each student by name -- they know them well, not just as a headcount, but as an individual who matters. It's clear that every student is seen, supported, and valued by both the teachers and the broader community. The school also provides many opportunities for students to grow academically, socially, and personally. The leadership team is attentive and genuinely listens to students' needs, making real efforts to act on their feedback. We are so grateful to have been part of the PacBay family and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a caring, supportive high school environment. read more

I have two children who have attended St. Theresa and all I can say is if there were more stars I would give it! St. Theresa helped foster amazing children who are loving, kind and accomplished in academics and sports!!! The teachers are committed about the children's success, the community of students and families have become life long friends! I feel very thankful that St. Theresa has been such an important part of our family's lives. read more

We've had 3 kids K through 8th grade! They have been challenged academically and embraced socially at St T. They have flourished in their individual ways and are prepared for any of the college prep schools! read more

Great TK-8 school. Have kids in first and fourth grade, and they have loved their experience. Great teachers, families, and community.

St Theresa prepared my daughter well for high school. In addition, I have 2 children still enrolled and they are enjoying the academics, community, and extra curriculars. read more

St. Theresa has been a supportive, nurturing environment for our two girls. Teachers and staff go to great lengths to tailor their approach to each of our kids' needs, and are deeply committed to ensuring each child is successful here. We have had great experiences so far with all of our homeroom and enrichment teachers, and love that our children are receiving not only a rigorous academic education, but also great training in music, foreign language, and art. We are also thrilled with the CYO program, which makes participation in team athletics possibles as early as the 1st grade very easy and fun. On top of all this, we love the parent community, and have made dear friends here over the years. We love St. T's! read more

great school and fantastic Academics the music teachers here are exceptional. and not to forget the science teacher and lab is like 10 star . I would say if you want a nice future for your child . please try once here . I have removed my kid from OUSD and choose st Theresa and felt a great choice . read more

My daughter has been at St. Theresa for a few years. We absolutely love it. Could not be happier with the education, teachers and staff. St. Theresa Catholic School has been an incredible experience for our family, and we're so glad we made the decision to enroll here. It's truly a great value for the money--offering a high-quality education, a supportive community, and a safe, nurturing environment for our child to thrive. Compared to OUSD, the difference is night and day. The teachers and staff at St. Theresa go above and beyond to ensure that each student is cared for and challenged academically. The smaller class sizes mean our child gets the attention she needs, and the values-based education helps reinforce the lessons we teach at home. We've been so impressed with the school's commitment to both academic excellence and personal growth. It's been worth every penny, and we highly recommend St. Theresa to anyone looking for a better educational option! read more

Great school! Very welcoming community. Opportunity to try different things (eg sports, music, etc) in a supportive environment. Seems like a rigorous education. Should really help my daughter be ready for high school. Glad we opted for St T's after years in OUSD. read more

Lovely old school Catholic Church and school. I attended grades1-3 there until we moved away. Friendly, devout patronage. Great church.

This is our first year at ST.Theresa's and despite all the challenges last year we were able to apply and meet with the admissions team virtually without missing a beat. The environment is very welcoming and parent involvement is encouraged which has been a great way to meet other parents. Our teachers are involved and eager to teach and we are informed weekly on how the class is progressing. Most importantly our son is happy to be there and that alone is a win for me and my husband. read more

Our son's public elementary school had everything a parent could want, an engaged staff, strong curriculum, high parent involvement, and inclusive social standards. We had hoped to find a middle school which offered the same benefits plus a challenging curriculum which enforced being proactive, organized, and confident. After an extensive search, we chose to enroll with St. Theresa and have been very happy with our decision. The size of the school and individual class size allows the teachers and administrative staff to get to know each student and work as a team to ensure that students are well prepared to graduate to the next grade level. There is a family quota in terms of parental involvement, but it is very reasonable and there are many types of opportunities for parents to volunteer throughout the school year. Onsite care for before school and after school is also available, affordable, and it's a great environment for the students to participate in games, crafts, sports, and homework. What really sold us on St. Theresa was the teachers. Many are seasoned teachers who are still very excited about teaching the curriculum, they are open to feedback, they encourage students' interest with challenging homework & projects, and are more than willing to provide additional attention to students who require it. Not only does St. Theresa provide wonderful moral instruction, but they really practice it and model these behaviors at every level. St. Theresa's is an awesome school, and we are delighted to be a part of its family. read more

I am a current parent with a TK and 1st grader at St. Theresa School. We couldn't be any happier with our decision to send our kids here. Quality education, great community and so much fun for our children. I highly recommend St. Theresa School! read more

We toured lots of schools in Oakland when deciding where to send our twin boys for kindergarten, and St. Theresa's was clearly the best fit for our needs. While there are lots of highly-rated K-5 elementary schools, the quality and choice for middle schools can vary. For this reason we were attracted by St. Theresa's K-8 program; and when we finally toured the school in person, we knew we found the right place. As well as the helpful and professional admissions coordinator, we got the chance to stop and chat with many of the teachers in the hallways during the tour, each of whom seemed to genuinely love their work, and the kids. We were hooked. You can read lots of online reviews of St. Theresa's that emphasize the strong academic, community and spiritual environment; and the beautiful campus. I agree with those reviews, but in this review, I want to speak more about the highly unusual situation due to ongoing COVID-19-related school closures in Alameda County. At the time of writing this review, we're about 12-weeks into the school year, which was delivered 100% online until 2 weeks ago . Like a lot of parents, I was very worried that distance learning would not work at all for 5-year olds. How wrong I was! The Kindergarten teacher (Ms Graves) is exceptional. I know from talking to parents of older children that she was extremely well-regarded before the pandemic; and she has quickly and expertly adapted to the new reality. I've been able to listen into some of the online classes, and am amazed at how Ms Graves is able to hold the attention of her class while teaching them Math, reading, writing, social studies etc. She uses the technology just the right amount to enable learning by the kids, and to empower parents who are doing their best supporting the kids from home; and she provides plenty of paper and craft-based fine motor work for the kids to do when they are not attending a class. Already, only a few weeks in, I'm seeing giant improvements in their reading comprehension. The other enrichment teachers (e.g. art & music) have also been excellent at delivering online learning. It's of course true that parents, kids and teachers would all prefer in-person class; but until the public health situation changes, we have to adapt. The faculty and administration of St. Theresa's have done an incredible job: by developing an online learning experience that went far beyond my initial expectations, and by their "can-do" approach to bring the kids safely back to the classroom as quickly as possible. As of November 2020, the kinder class is attending in-person 2 days per week; with future plans dependent on the evolving public health situation. Most likely it seems like it will take a year or more until life returns fully to "normal". In the meantime, the school administration has also found the time to communicate plans, and foster community among the parents with regular town-halls with the principal and teachers. Every day I am glad we are attending St. Theresa's during this challenging time. read more

This is our fifth year at St. Theresa's and we are so happy with all aspects of the school- academics, community, enrichment programs, and especially the teachers and staff. It is a caring community and gives the students a foundation for being good citizens. Our 4th grader is enjoying learning in the science lab, learning trumpet in band class and participating in CYO activities such as cross-country and basketball. The school campus is also outstanding- big open space, large playground, and event center/gym. read more

As an educator at a public school, St. Theresa School is where my husband and I selected to have our two daughters (Kindergarten & 1st grade) attend. We like how the parish and school are connected and that the common core curriculum is taught rigorously. It is a K-8 academic setting where diverse students are mindful and encouraging of one another. Students are taught from the beginning to be others-centered and community servants. We are truly blessed to have our children enrolled at St. Theresa School. read more

St Theresa's elementary school has provided such a wonderful foundation for my kindergartener even in the midst of a chaotic time. My high expectations have been completely surpassed by the thoughtful and robust distance learning program that Miss Graves has put together. My kinder wakes up excited everyday to attend school because Miss Graves and Miss Ochoa are making every class, every assignment and every interaction meaningful and fun. My child's increasing appitude for language art, math, religion, music, art, spanish and more is all because St. Ts is providing an outstanding curriculum regardless of the limitations. And the cherry on top...consistent and excellent communication from the entire staff. We feel so blessed to have found this exceptional school. read more

This school is wonderful. Just switched to this school from another school our daughter was at. I love this school so much more. Her 5th grade teacher is AMAZING! You can tell he loves what he does and he's so available. Also, the aftercare program is wonderful. It's extremely well monitored there are lots of activities and the snacks are A+. St. Theresa school nurtures a wonderful community. read more

St. Theresa is a great school. My son is happy and looks forward to going to school everyday. The community is supportive, positive and welcoming. The academics are top notch and you know the administrators, teachers and parents care. The school also teaches respect and compassion, attributes that my son's former school did not practice on a daily basis. We are very happy with St. Theresa's. read more

We cannot say enough positive things about the Saint Theresa school and community. Our daughter transferred to Saint Theresa in 3rd grade from a local public school. The staff, teachers, children, parents and community were all very welcoming and inclusive from day one. Our daughter has thrived at Saint Theresa both academically and socially. The academic program is "old-school" in that there is a fair amount of homework and the children are expected to move along rather rapidly and while this can be challenging, with the support our daughter and has grown by leaps and bounds as has her confidence. The school has a great sports program. Last year my daughter participated in cross country and basketball. She is looking forward to participating in volleyball next year. If you are looking for a community based school with caring teachers & staff, a strong academic program and offers a broad range of extracurricular and community based programs then this is the school for you! read more

My wife is a graduate of St. Theresa and we have three children enrolled. The teachers are excellent. I have been very pleased in every formal and informal meeting. The teachers share a commitment to solid education and a religious education - a commitment to educating well-rounded citizens. The standardized test scores of all the students are always impressive -- very satisfying to the parents -- so I think this is objective proof that the teachers are succeeding. The teachers exceed my expectations, and the parents are committed to the school and a superior education. I am very pleased that my children enjoy school. They are proud to be a part of St. Theresa's, and they have a great circle of friends and teammates. I am also glad that the school gives them excellent opportunities at a young age in music, sports, science -- things that I did not expect and things that I did not get in my own grade school. I grew up elsewhere and moved to Oakland. I was happy to get our children into the school their mother attended, but I when we started I did not realize how important St. Theresa would be to all our lives while we live in Oakland. I enjoy my kids' friends and their parents on the athletic sidelines, at social events for the school and parish as well as away from the school. I am always reminded that we made the right decision, and I can't imagine living in Oakland without St. T. read more

Great school. Community is very welcoming and we have made some of the best of friends being at the school. Our daughter is in the 2nd grade and has 3 amazing years at the school so far. I highly recommend St. Theresa School! All of the teachers have been so kind to our daughter and have all uniquely known how to work with her academically. She has very much enjoyed the extra enrichment programs too. The school has dedicated staff who teach Spanish, Arts and Music. The school does give homework, but they allow the students to work at their own pace. It has been beneficial as parents because it allows us to see the work she is working on. The school sends out a weekly newsletter to also inform parents about upcoming activities, service projects, best practices with technology, testing, sports activities, etc. The tuition is also fairly reasonable for the Bay area and the school is willing to work with families for tuition assistance. Last, there is a very diverse student population. As a hispanic family, it has been nice to see not only other hispanic families, but families from very diverse backgrounds attend the school. I am confident we made the BEST choice for our child and her education. read more

I have 2 children in St Theresa and they love it. The school embraces technology in its teaching and has modern facilities. The community is also excellent - a great mix of people from diverse backgrounds. St Theresa's fosters an environment where our kids can learn and also be good stewards for the community. read more

St Theresa has been great for all of our children. I have one child who was in the school from Kindergarten through 8th grade and 2 children still in the school. My children are receiving not only a high quality education, but are also being taught to mentor younger children, volunteer in their communities, and be respectful, contributing citizens. The school has such a great community that my children are always wanting to go to events outside of school hours. The after school program is so fantastic, that my children are sad to be picked up. Overall, excellent school with highest quality staff, technology and facilities. read more

My children attended ST, it is a beautiful school with a moderate academic program. I would save your money for private HS, it has good structure with the most amazing after school program. read more

Excellent school. The teachers and administration are focused on producing well rounded students and through their dedication does just that. Our child loves the school and has made incredible friends. Great environment for the children to learn. The parent community is extremely involved in volunteerism from classroom activities, library to CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) events. The curriculum is challenging with the children being exposed to a foreign language beginning in Kindergarten, as well as art and music. Service learning for the upper grades helps to produce well rounded young adults that typically move on to the high school of their choice. read more

St. Theresa provides students with a nurturing environment, solid academic program, and dedication to service in the community. The teachers and staff care about the growth of the students academically, socially, and spiritually. The school has an excellent music program including a chorale and a band. The curriculum also includes art, P.E., and Spanish. It has an excellent math and science program which prepare the students well for high school. The language arts program includes a lot of reading and writing which are key for high school success. The social studies program is engaging. It incorporates projects and current events in the middle school grades. The religion program includes a community service component which is important for the students' awareness of others' needs and development of compassion. The school day starts with an assembly in the courtyard for prayers and announcements led by the Student Leadership team. There is a school counselor to help the students with social challenges, and an academic counselor for students needing extra attention. I have one child in middle school and one in high school who graduated from St. Theresa. The middle-schooler is thriving and the high-schooler was very well-prepared. read more

I have an 9th grader who was educated at St. Theresa's K-8. Like most parents, I worried about how his 9-year St. T education might stack up against other schools - public or private. My son now attends Bishop O'Dowd High School, and not only did he test into all honors-level classes, he also received one of the 30 Presidential Scholarships. I wasn't sure how unusual this was until I talked to some parents from other private schools who were shocked at their children's lack of readiness based on the same placement testing - and, some of these kids are at very expensive private schools. Additionally, at a the "getting ready" orientation, O'Dowd's President cited St. T as one of the schools that "does a really great job" at getting kids ready for high school. And finally, the outgoing student body President at O'Dowd is a St. T graduate who is now choosing between acceptances from Stanford and Harvard. While I certainly wouldn't expect the average St. T graduate achieve at this level, these results are noteworthy - and impressive. We couldn't be more pleased with how prepared our son was for high school armed with a St. Theresa's education! read more

Great School, Close Community, Thriving Students, what more could you ask for in an elementary school? St. Theresa has been a wonderful experience for both of our kids (grades 4 and 7) which offers not only solid foundation in academics but also a music program that provides flexibility for individual student interest, Spanish classes starting in the 1st grade, and lots of exposure to the technology lab. The St. Theresa campus has undergone a number of facility improvement in recent years including a new gymnasium (which is the envy of other local schools), renovations to many classrooms and the addition of several multipurpose rooms. These improvements have benefited the students, faculty, school families and parishioners in countless ways and adds to the overall enjoyment of the St Theresa community. But even more than these material things, our family most appreciates the closeness and camaraderie developed between the students of all grades and the connection to the church. Even the youngest students quickly learn that they are part of a larger school and the Catholic church community. read more