This is an excellent school! My son has excelled in school, confidence and compassion since…read moreattending IGDVBS. He came from Ukiah public school district where they wanted to sign him up for Special Ed classes. We brought him here and he is a A student, class president and roll model. I believe in this school and trust the teachers and staff.

The concept of an independent study charter school is wonderful. La Vida (Life) offers a variety…read moreof curriculum choices, and their willingness to offer the Oak Meadow (Waldorf) curriculum is one of their strengths. Their teaching staff include both on-site teachers for the students who choose on-site classes 2 days/week and teachers who work with the homeschool-only students. The buildings are old and not well-maintained. Hallways and rooms seem cluttered, confined, and a bit claustrophobic. Some of the textbooks sent home with students are tattered and falling apart. Staff seem unconcerned by this. Staff are difficult to contact by phone, seem unconcerned about returning phone calls, and office staff seem put out by questions from visitors. Our children felt the school was "too weird" for them.

Loving, Montesori school with auburn teachers and staff who genuinely care about the success of all…read morestudents. Inspires an intrinsic motivation to learn and be curious about the world.

Not your typical survival course!…read more I can't say enough about the instructors! They're funny, curious, humble, sensitive, and incredibly knowledgable. There's no judgment, no machismo, no big egos. This is a truly inclusive learning environment that makes me feel safe and respected. By now, I've taken several classes at B.O.W.S. and, with each one, I've been able to walk away with new tools- both, physical tools (bowdrill kit, handmade knife, stone tools), and mental. I have a deeper awareness of my surroundings, I have a much stronger connection to the earth and its resources, I have more confidence being alone in the wilderness. And, I always learn way more than what's provided in the course descriptions. I recommend this school to everyone, especially if you are yearning for a new way of looking at the world and your place in it.

Very disappointed with the customer service. We registered for a summer camp that Black Oak then…read morecancelled. Only $500 of the $525 we paid was refunded. When I asked that they refund the "processing fee" as well, I got this response from the owner: "The processing fee comes from "Active Camps and Classes", the third party registration platform we use. It's essentially a credit card processing fee. Unfortunately, we have no control over refunding processing fees. I'd like to be able to take care of that for you, but we are unable to make that request on your behalf. It requires sensitive banking or credit card information that we do not have and wouldn't legally be able to provide. I believe you can request a refund by contacting "Active Network". I'm sorry I can't be of more help."

The issue I had with Catherine Hatch's Dayschool is the unfairness my son had been put through…read more Many times, it seems HE would be the only on disciplined for something he didn't do. On her page, it says she open until "late PM" which is a lie. When I was working at crush, I had to get my son by 5:30pm or I'd be charged extra. She's also trying to double dip with wanting "cash up front" and then also get paid through NCO or CalWorks. She's a great teacher and I kind of respect her but she's screwed me over for my summer classes and my son out of his friends and his favorite daycare.

Hatch family day care and school is AMAZING! Not only does the provider make sure the kids have…read moreeverything they need there but she also provides school time to the little ones! I found it hard finding a place to put my daughter in I wanted routine, consistency, and someone who actually cares about the education of her little ones. Catherine has a huge heart and will answer any questions you have leaving you feeling safe, comfortable, and secure about your decision! My daughter comes home everyday bringing something home with her we have lots of arts and crafts hanging up all thank you to Catherine. My daughter has progressed tremendously with her counting and communication. Everyday I ask her how was school and we talk about what she does and she loves talking about her school time and her teachers. The communication is super important and any time My daughter is disciplined one of the teachers always tells me so I can also handle that at home. I feel involved and I never feel like I'm bothering Catherine when I want to know something! She is very professional she has her rules which are not that hard to follow Catherine has her own personal life but she will always work with you if you give her a heads up she will more than accommodate.