I am an alum of NLS from a single parent home in East Oakland. From there I went to Marin Academy…read morefor high school, received a bachelor's degree in economics from UC Berkeley, last year I received my MBA from Stanford University, and I currently work at Google. I would not have achieved any of those things without NLS. I split my elementary school years between public school and private school, so I'll speak to what makes NLS special. From my perspective, many schools (public and private) can provide a strong academic foundation. NLS was just as good as my strong public school in that regard. What I gained from NLS is belief in myself that anything is possible. It came from the dreams fulfilled that line the walls, the stories told at morning circle, and from teachers and administrators truly caring about what I wanted to be when I grew up. And in a practical sense, the school provided access, access to the most elite prep high schools in the U.S. Before NLS, I had not even heard of the majority of them. NLS represents a turning point in my life in terms of building confidence, ambition, and knowledge of opportunities that were previously unknown to me.

It's so sad that I have to give this school such a low rating, but it is very well deserved when it…read morecomes to how they nurture 5 year old children. I am writing this review not to bash this school, but to make prospective parents and current parents aware of the principle and the kindergarten teacher Ms. Jennifer and Mr. Peter; the director of student affairs. These three people at this school support yelling and snatching from children. Now this school promotes anti -bullying and respect, however do not display this toward the children. I will give a brief on my particular experience. Ms. Jennifer is one of the kindergarten teachers at this school. She is an emotional wreck and has expressed that she gets very frustrated with the children when they aren't orderly and she admitted to snatching from my child and others. Her reasoning for this was because and I quote "It's the end of the day and I'm dealing with 15 5 year old's and your child has told me multiple times that snatching isn't nice". On this particular day, my child walked out of the classroom at the end of the day crying hysterically. Ms. Jennifer didn't tell me the whole story when I asked why my child was crying, she just told me that she told my child "no" and that made her cry. But the real story of why my child was crying at the end of the day, was because this lady yelled at her and snatched something out of her hand in front of the entire class. When I asked Ms. Jennifer about the incident again she said, " No I didn't yell at her, I just spoke to her in a really mean way and in a really loud voice, honestly I just got really frustrated and yes I did snatch from her". Now when is it ever appropriate as a kindergarten teacher to behave this way? That was rhetorical..... Not ever. I appreciate the honesty, but it's never OK to yell and scream at a 5 year old or snatch. I tried to have an additional meeting with this lady, to try and see if we could move past the situation. She walked out of the meeting like a 5 year old and her supervisor Peter is an enabler because he coddled her like a 5 year old. I guess she can dish it to a 5 year old, but can't take it from an adult. I reached out to the principle about the incident, she sent me some 5 paragraph reply which 3 of the paragraphs was a copy and paste. Non the less, she said she didn't think that the teacher acted inappropriate. She's a joke! Collecting money from the state, acting like she cares about our black babies, but really what their doing behind closed doors, is not what they're advertising. Just be aware!!! Their fraudulent and after 25 years, you would think this Michelle lady would be way more professional and know the difference between appropriate behavior and egregious behavior from her faculty. I definitely reached out to the organization that they are members of and filed a complaint and took my child out of this school. You get what you pay for. I'll take my $1,000.00 somewhere else. My child is so amazing and a blessing to me and so may other people that meet her. I will not let anybody dim her light or steal her sunshine.

We came here to pick up our niece. This was my first time picking her up. The pick up line of cars…read moreis an experience. There is even a line just getting off the freeway. Luckily we saw her as soon as we pulled up. I was worried we wouldn't be able to find her in the crowd. Picking up isn't for the lighthearted.

I had two children attend here. If your child is interested in a career in the sciences this school…read moredoes not prepare them for the way classes are taught at a top tier university. The way in which they test (multiple corrections opportunities) and teach (use of calculators) is the opposite of what they do in university. O'Dowd is focused on the appearance of grades but the grades aren't real. They worry about what they can say about college acceptance rates and types of institutions students are accepted to but they don't actually prepare them for how to study for or take exams properly. It's not worth the cost for the outcome. Maybe if your child is interested in the liberal arts or some general finance degree it's fine. If their focus is to just play sports this might also be your spot. If your child is not a minority likely also fine. If you want them to go to one of the top schools in the nation and survive - this is not for your child. Counseling staff have outdated ideas and a relic leading them all. The school does not offer anything that supports essay writing at school or as part of an assignment as many other high schools of a similar position do. They do nothing that provides value. They provide a place for students to submit their college options (for their tracking nothing more) and provide zero coaching on applying. They do not offer support to those that are paying their wages and keeping the lights on. Look elsewhere. This is not worth the financial investment given the lack of genuine college preparation experienced here. Huge disappointment.

Sport L.'s experience doesn't reflect the Redwood Day School that I send my kids to. Redwood Day is…read moregreat in so many ways, from the teachers, administration, the beautiful campus, and a true sense of community. I have two kids at the school, and I am grateful that I made the decision to send them here for these very important years of their education. For math, the school uses a hybrid form of Singapore Math, which for most parents seems very different from what we learned, but it works (and has success metrics - students in Singapore have one of the highest math mastery in the world). They use a different model in the Middle School for the 6-8th span that equally prepares students for higher level math in High School. Redwood Day has ways for kids who need or seek more in math - my kids are always challenged. They also have a Math Olympiad program and programs/staff to help students who may need additional support. I have never found Redwood Day to be lacking in helping my kids learn, grow, and master math. Culture and celebrations are also very integrated at the school - which celebrates everything from Latin, African American, Asian American, and Jewish Heritage months to Women's History. The school is having something for Ramadan, and I know they have also hosted a Shabbat dinner in addition to other cultural celebrations. All to say, Redwood Day is super inclusive, and my kids come home learning a lot about their friends' cultural traditions - just a couple weeks ago, they did a Holi event. No school is perfect, but I believe that Redwood Day is always evolving, changing, and listening to the parent community. For discipline, I'm thankful for the social and emotional learning that starts in K and goes through 8th. Even as 5 year olds, kids learn about choices, options for dealing with conflict, and what and how to make different (and better) choices when there is conflict. I don't know what the prior post means about authoritative discipline, but long gone are the days of that type of discipline model. My kids (and these next generations) need to learn self-awareness, self-regulation, critical thinking, and agency in working out their own differences - with the guidance and oversight of teachers, coaches, mentors, and role models. Personally, I much prefer that my children talk through issues with their friends, take accountability, practice humility, and have the support of trusted adults to help them navigate challenges. Not everyone is the right fit for any school - and as a parent, it is absolutely on us to ensure that we find mutual synergy with the school, teachers, faculty, and community. For me, Redwood Day was the absolute right choice for my kids - and I know they are more because of it.

I don't usually participate in online discussions, but I'm speaking up here again. Redwood Day has…read morea history of downplaying negative experiences that don't fit their narrative, and their response here is no exception. 1. Singapore Math is an excellent way to teach math. However, its execution at Redwood Day falls short tremendously; pacing is inconsistent, and children move between levels without achieving mastery first. 2. I'm glad the parent in the previous review had a positive experience with inclusivity. Listing cultural months and one-off events, however, is not the same as demonstrating that all children feel equally seen and heard. Inclusivity is not a calendar; it has to be embedded in the ethos of the school and in day-to-day practice. When the classroom consistently centers the voices and experiences of some communities over others, children from less represented backgrounds are left on the margins. It's worth asking whose experience is reflected in a positive inclusivity review and whose isn't. 3. Authoritative discipline is well-defined in child development research, and it's worth understanding before dismissing it. All the qualities that the parent wants their kids and the next generation to learn are in fact core to the authoritative discipline model, which calls for: administering fair and consistent discipline when rules are broken; allowing children to express opinions; encouraging children to discuss options; expressing warmth and nurturing; fostering independence and reasoning; listening to their children; and placing limits, consequences, and expectations on behavior. Redwood Day's approach to discipline lacks clear boundaries and consistent follow-through. If teachers struggle with conflict resolution, how are they going to model it for children? It's worth understanding a concept fully before using it to invalidate someone else's experience. Redwood Day is teaching children that it's acceptable to be whoever they are without consideration for the world around them. Teaching history, social justice, and displaying cultural symbols is not enough; all of this is superficial when there is no expectation from children to be upstanding citizens of the world. It makes for a good brochure, but does little for the social-emotional development of children. Every family deserves a school that genuinely aligns with their values. For those considering Redwood Day, I'd encourage you to look beyond the marketing and beyond the parent advocates who echo it. Ask hard questions about whether what's promised is what's actually delivered.

Our son has been attending Kindergarten since fall 2021. From the interview last Spring we as a…read morefamily have adored the Vice Principal and Kindergarten teacher, Ms. Scherer. She has been amazing! My husband and I are very pleased with our son's growth socially, emotionally, and academically. The Principal, Mrs. Rocheford shows outstanding leadership through being available weekly for virtual coffee and chatting. She is also very responsive to community concerns, and makes herself available as needed. Everyone is very approachable and welcoming. The sense of community we feel at Assumption is unmatched and as a family we are thrilled to be a part of the parish and school.

Assumption is a wonderful environment for education and community involvement. As a parent of a…read morestudent(s) for the last 6 years and few more to go, I can't recommend this safe, supportive and structured school enough. #assumptionschoolsl #togetherwesoar

Mills College Children's School is an absolute gem and a truly transformative environment for…read morechildren and families alike. The teachers and staff are incredibly supportive, creating an inclusive and diverse community where every child and family feels welcomed and valued. Their ability to meet each child where they are--both in terms of needs and abilities--is unmatched. The educators here are first-rate, highly educated, and deeply dedicated to their craft. They foster an environment where children can blossom socially, emotionally, and academically. Every child is seen, supported, and celebrated, which allows them to build confidence and thrive in all aspects of their development. The care and thoughtfulness that go into every interaction and every element of the program are evident. I feel so privileged to have my child--and myself--be part of this extraordinary community. Mills College Children's School is a place where children and families grow together, and I cannot recommend it highly enough!

My son started in the kindergarten class and is now a 5th grader. My daughter started in the blue…read moreroom (if I remember the color correctly!). And so far our experience has great! We really couldn't think of a better school that would nurture them as individuals and build a strong academic foundation. Mills really focuses on building socio-emotional skills. My kids often came home talking about the brain and how they were in their "reptilian brain" and what they could do to get centered. As a parent who is in the education field, I can't tell you how important this is to building skills that will allow them to self-regulate and to understand what's going on internally with them. I'm a high school administrator in a public school and I can tell you that the biggest challenge I see with students that academically struggle is their inability to self-regulate and access the part of their brain where executive skills are at. I'm so glad that both my kids could come here. I know that they have a strong foundation to succeed in middle and high school and beyond! Did I also mention how beautiful the campus is! Teachers take full advantage of this.

Mission Hills School is definitely a hidden gem for private schools. We have two daughters going…read moreto the school and they definitely seem to be ahead of their peers of similar age. Not only do they emphasize academic progress, they also balance the curriculum out with fun, play, music, foreign language (Spanish) and teach to make sure the students become well rounded citizens of the Earth. The student body is already very well diversified! The school is very well organized under the school principal Ms. Kaya. Staff of whom we have interacted with are extremely nice and responsive to any concerns. Tuition is one of the most reasonable you can find in the whole Bay Area, the value each student get is tremendous! The tuition even includes extended care which in already pays for itself! Especially for busy family with both full time working parents. Public schools usually ends around 2:30, but your tuition includes extended care until 6:00! I think my husband and I are both in awe, every month, on how little we are paying for a "private school" education. In fact the tuition is very similar to our local public schools after school program, and that program was suppose to already run by a registered non profit organization! Our family is extremely grateful that we have found this school. And grateful for all the teachers and staff our children have had so far. Big shout out to Ms. Mary (which my children talk about everyday, even if they have already moved on from her class), Ms Divine, and Ms. Contreras. Special thanks to all the administrative staff: Ms. Maria, Ms. Hernandez, Mr. Hawkins, Ms. Mary-Ann and countless others! I am surprised that not more people know about this hidden gem! Maybe the parents of students going to the school wants it to stay that way! The way we found out about this school was a referral by our friend. I heard that the Union City campus is already at full capacity every grade and is baffled why the CV campus is not yet. But don't take my word for it! Contact the school and take a tour yourself. You don't know what your kids are missing!

MHS in Castro Valley is a small private school that opened in 2015 and is the second campus of MHMS…read morein Union City. This school started with 22 students and has grown to over 100. I am beyond pleased with the teachers and administrators at this campus as they help students build a strong foundation in vital subjects and enforce proper classroom rules to aid behavioral issues. This staff here is first-class and always goes above and beyond. Never had I had a question go unanswered.

St. Leander School has been a second home for my children for many years. I currently have a 14…read moreyear old in 8th grade and a 10 year old in 5th grade. The teachers are great, especially the middle school teachers and 5th grade teacher who is also the VP. The teachers are responsive and address any questions I have. My 8th grader recently took the HSPT and interviewed with the Catholic HS of her choice. During the interview, the principal from the HS said she loves Saint Leander and all the kids that come from Saint Leander. It really is a close knit community full of diversity and respect for everyone. When the pandemic hit in March 2020, my kids finished the school year virtually. All teachers did a great job keeping them engaged. I took them out for the following year and enrolled them in public school. Both kids were much more advanced in reading, writing, math and science than their peers in public school. Once in person school was available both kids begged to return to Saint Leander. They are much happier to be back!

My son has been going to this school since Kindergarten and absolutely LOVES it!! He's now in the…read more6th grade. As a parent and school board member I love it too. The staff is very friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating ensuring that no child is left behind. It's a small but mighty community with wonderful families. I recommend to any family interested in sending their child to a faith-based learning environment.

St Felicitas is a great school with features of a close knit community and an academically…read morechallenging environment. The teachers and Principal really care about providing children with a well rounded education. Our daughter just graduated from St. Felicitas School and I now find she is really well prepared for her high school curriculum. Her education at St. Felicitas provided her with the tools necessary for social adjustent in the new High School as well as for dealing with the stresses of the new environment. Teachers at St. Felicitas are well prepared in the subject matter and have imparted to my child a love of learning. The Principal is very involved with all classes and makes every effort to find immediate solutions to probelms that students or families face at every grade level. I would encourage any parent to try this school if they are looking for a solid foundation for their child.

St. Felicitas Catholic School is a wonderful place to work. Rooted in God's love, we are able to…read morepractice our faith in a safe environment. I have truly enjoyed knowing the many wonderful families in the community. We are all like family! The students are treasurers I am so blessed to teach!

This school is an absolutely gem. My child transferred here from a public school at the beginning…read moreof this year. After having two extremely difficult years in a public school system, where my child went from happy and thirsty to learn, to nearly hating school, we knew we needed a change. From the first conversation with Mel, to watching their open house video and hearing their viewpoint on learning, we instantly felt this could be the environment that our child needed. As a Licensed Marriage, Family and Child Therapist, I am consistently reminded the importance of a safe and nurturing learning environment for the overall well-being of a child. The Saklan School understand the importance of children feeling safe and connected in order to learn and grow. Today's parent-teacher conference confirmed everything that we had thought this school would be. My child is absolutely thriving. His teacher doesn't just tolerate his "all in" nature, she encourages and celebrates it, while pushing him to be his best self. The small class sizes allow for each kiddo to feel seen and be known, and project-based learning gets them excited. We absolutely adore this school. Yes, it is a big financial investment, but we are already seeing the return in his growth and joy, and it is also having a huge impact on our entire family's quality of life. We're so thankful for The Saklan School.

We gave the Walnut Creek public school system a try then decided to send our 1st grader to Saklan…read more It's been two months and we've seen a huge change in his attitude towards learning. You cannot beat the small class size and the personalized attention your child will get. We've noticed a renewed love of learning, more confidence and comfort in his skin. My husband and I believe that investing early in his education, creative expression and social emotional development will give him a leg up in life and a strong sense of self. We also love Saklan's project based, hands on approach to learning. Focusing on the whole child is difficult to do when there are 23-30 kids in a classroom. In fact, studies show that learning outcomes diminish when there are more than 18 students in a classroom. When our son comes home excited about something he learned/experienced or tells us how much he loves to read, this warms our hearts because his teachers are getting through to him. We also love that he's learning a foreign language early (Spanish); you many not get that in public school. The public school system is a one size fits all mold. Everything is about meeting benchmarks/assessments and keeping the test scores high without looking at the whole child. At Saklan you have the luxury of knowing that your child's education is flexible enough to both challenge and support them where it's needed. We are thrilled with our decision to invest in our son's education at Saklan.

Our son & daughter both had a wonderful experience at Oak Grove. The teachers care deeply for all…read morethe kids, who also connect so well with one another that we're still arranging playdates with each other on weekends. The different cohorts (Sprouts, Roots, Blossoms) are well structured, but also mix well with one another at certain points of the day and outside. The graduation ceremony was particularly moving, and we feel our little ones have been well prepared for K and beyond.

I had this on our list for so long and we even went to tour and were impressed by how the children…read morewere. It initially felt like a place we could trust. During the tour, however, Laura, the director disclosed that a child had recently managed to leave the premises unsupervised and although nothing actually happened to the child, she still needed to tell me. While I appreciate the transparency, that should have been a warning sign. She also offered me--twice--the option to apply for their internal financial aid program since 4C's had been unresponsive for over a year. I promptly and successfully completed the application and was told that the school would reach out directly to grant the aid. However, we waited patiently for one month and never received a response. I had to reach out twice, once again to BeneFAQ and also to Laura. Since it is now September, I was hoping to finally get my little one in, but she didn't respond until almost a week later and without any explanation she just said "At this time, we are unable to grant an award. Please reach out again if you are able to receive a certificate from 4C's and we can review." There was no explanation provided, and given that 4C's has been non responsive for over a year now; even after *she* encouraged us to apply through their own financial aid program TWICE to then leave us waiting and offer nothing but a flat rejection feels deeply disappointing and unprofessional. No explanation, no accountability, just weeks of wasted time. If there was never an intention to help, it would have been far more respectful to be upfront rather than leave a family waiting in limbo. But moreover, combined with the earlier safety lapse & a child walking out unsupervised in Oakland is a nightmare scenario on its own; it left us questioning the school's overall quality, value, and management. I understand no school is perfect, but when safety and professionalism fall short, it raises real concerns. I had high regard for this establishment at first but I believe now that lack of respect, follow-through, and transparency ultimately turned out to be a blessing in disguise.