Our family has been at Carden Conejo for the last 5 years with our two kids having attended grades…read morepreschool through 4th grade so far. It is academically rigorous in all subjects, being one of the best in our area. Our specialists are also excellent: our kids have been able to do PE almost daily, the specialist classes (art, science, music, French, computers) all at least once or twice a week. Starting in kindergarten, the kids move with their classmates from their homeroom to the different dedicated specialist classes multiple times a day, which I think is a very mature thing to be able to do in kindergarten. They do public speaking at their weekly school assemblies multiple times a month, which I think is very special about this school. Best of all, they emphasize manners and morals which encourage human virtues, but also things like looking an adult in the eyes when saying good morning or when being spoken to, and holding the door open for an adult so that he/she can pass through first. Things that I feel our kids in the recent digital world do not really learn anymore, but will help them be successful in their workplaces (and families) in the future. Compared to other private schools in the area, tuition is more affordable, and yet the teachers offer academic support after school for kids to need it for free (although I think they should be paid extra for it). Although academically rigorous, our kids also have so much fun at school. Holidays are so fun. They have a huge fall festival at Halloween with carnival games, food trucks, trunk or treat. They also have a big festive winter holiday show, egg hunts for Easter, class parties, and a big family picnic on campus at the end of the year. They have tons of after school enrichment classes and Funtastic Friday nights where the kids can come and play in the evenings while parents get a night out. Summer camps are also very thoughtful and engaging. A favorite week is themed after the book Roxaboxen where they create their own shops and barter goods with "gems" as currency. We have loved every teacher we have had through the years. Everyone knows your child's name and each teacher invests in their students. One of my children had a little embarrassing accident at school and her 1st grade teacher handled it with such respect and tact - she treated her like she would want her own daughter treated. I think it would be hard to find a school with teachers and staff who are this invested in their students.

I attended Carden Conejo about 30 years ago and always assumed it would one day be the right place…read morefor my daughters. We recently moved back to the area after losing our home in the Palisades fire, and as we begin rebuilding our lives, finding the right schools for our children has been a top priority. Unfortunately, our recent visit to Carden was deeply disappointing -- and, frankly, a bit heartbreaking. We toured the TK classroom and were shocked to see 4- and 5-year-olds sitting in individual desks, facing forward like high schoolers. We were told they sit through 45-minute to one-hour lectures before getting a short play break, and then return for more lecture. The head of school cheerfully described the philosophy as "work hard, play hard" -- but to us, it felt like a fundamental misunderstanding of early childhood development. These are babies. They should be learning through play, exploration, movement, and connection -- not being treated like mini-adults. Even more unsettling was the demeanor of the TK teacher we observed. We walked in during a lesson and were struck by how cold and disengaged she seemed. There was no warmth, no joy -- just a rigid, joyless atmosphere that felt completely out of sync with what 4- and 5-year-olds need. The first-grade classroom didn't offer much reassurance. It felt similarly cold and overly academic, with little room for the individual child behind the academic expectations. We believe deeply in strong academics -- but not at the expense of age-appropriate, heart-centered, joyful learning. Our children deserve both. We've toured some of the best schools in LA, and we know what exceptional education looks and feels like. Ascension Lutheran, where our younger children now attend, and Oaks Christian, where our older daughter is enrolled, are both phenomenal. They blend academic excellence with warmth, empathy, and a deep understanding of child development. I know some families love Carden Conejo, and perhaps their experience has been different. But ours was disturbing enough that we couldn't get out of there fast enough. I share this not out of bitterness, but out of deep concern and care for other families searching for the right fit. If you're looking for a nurturing, academically strong environment that respects the emotional and developmental needs of your child, I'd encourage you to visit Ascension or Oaks -- they've been a true blessing in our journey.

The school excels in everything they do. Revo delivers excellence across the board. The leadership…read moreteam and staff are dedicated, skilled, and deeply committed to supporting students' success. Highly recommended

This school cares about their students and strives to keep parents informed and involved. I…read morehighly recommend Revo to any parent looking for a nurturing educational environment for their child.

I can't say how grateful and happy we are to be part of this school. This place is truly a great…read moreschool. The Principal Mrs Morrow is outstanding, she really has a love for the Lord and a love for every kid there. The teachers from Preschool to 2nd (so far) have been absolutely lovely. They truly take interest in teaching the kids academically, but also responsibility, respect and faith which are all as important if not more so I believe. If you are curious, I would honestly suggest scheduling a visit. We toured several schools before deciding to go here, and I have to say that there was definitely something special about this place. My kids and myself have made some very sweet friendships and can honestly say are very blessed to be here.

Bethany Christian School is a unique and wonderful community. My daughter attends preschool there,…read moreand is thrilled to be there every day, and comes home talking excitedly about all she learned. The staff and teachers approach their job with a level of professionalism and organization that I didn't see at the other preschools I toured. It's very "buttoned-up", well-kept, and bright, and that all sets a tone that education is important. It's also a FUN place to learn. You couldn't ask for a better playground, and tables outside are set up with Brio blocks and various hands-on toys. The best part about Bethany is how the students are taught about God. The teachers there all care very much about communicating to students, in age-appropriate stories and concepts, about how much God loves them. My daughter's class, for instance, focuses on a different fruit of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.) each month. I like that this genuine desire for kids to know Jesus, seems to infuse every aspect of the day, rather than it feeling cheesy or obligatory. We live nearby, but I noticed in the student directory, there are families as far away as Oxnard and Malibu who drive out to Thousand Oaks to send their children to Bethany, and I can see why. What a warm, inviting, special place to get to be a student!

Great school. Makes the kids well rounded and kind people. Great investment in your kid's…read moreformative years! We are planning on staying through th grade.

Ascension has been an answer to our prayers. We lost our home in the Palisades fire. This community…read morewelcomed our daughters with open arms and hearts. To a degree that is unheard of. They made a spot for our TK daughter that didn't exist as they felt so strongly about welcoming our daughters into the community during this tough time. Our girls loved their school, home and community that all burned in the fire... They were really not wanting a new school, so they were VERY tough sells. I was very nervous about how this would all go. They were very resistant to starting a new school. They were the hardest won over demographic. But, within a couple of days they were completely won over. I am serious when I say it was only a few days. They were so skeptical and heartbroken. They didn't want to like the school. They didn't want to like their new teachers or friends. They wanted to go home. It was unreal how this school changed them. My TK daughter comes home every day and says "it was the best day EVER mom!" I completely get why she says it. Every day is something magical . I can't quite put into words how many amazing opportunities these kids have, their budgeting is insane. I can't believe how many things they do. I would go into all of it but it would take all night. Their teachers are truly the most incredible and gifted teachers. They meet the kids where they are at with all the patience and love in the world. My husband and I are constantly in amazement--- our kids have been through the worst of it and yet every day at this school brings a smile to their faces. I have NEVER heard a negative thing about the school. Every single family feels the same way we do... this school is incredible. The warmth, the love...is unbelievable. Besides the current families-- every time I tell someone where my daughters go to school it is unanimous across the board... It is something to the effect of "Oh my friend's kids go there and they love it!" or "My neighbors go there and I have heard incredible things!" People always go out of their way to express their extreme love of the school personally or things they have heard about it. I get the hype. Truly. Amazing. We went and toured so many schools.but this school is just on another level. Rich Gregory leads this school with incredible love and care and it shows at every level. In addition to Rich's amazing leadership-- our daughters hit the lottery with Ms. Arias and Ms. Harrington. I can't wait to see what is ahead for my girls here...We are so lucky.

We have had such a great experience at MATES! The teachers work with the students both individually…read moreand as a group incredibly well. The faculty and staff are fantastic and the parents are very involved and excited about their children's education. The music program is extraordinary! If you are looking for a high quality, unique school for your kids, check it out!

From the owner: MATES is a FREE public charter school that welcomes innovation, honors the past, transforms the…read morefuture, commands achievement, and empowers all children through the Arts and Technology. Because a charter is independent of a larger district, it is able to make more targeted decisions about teaching strategies and curriculum in a swift and efficient manner. A committee comprised of staff, parents, and working professionals wrote the curriculum framework. Teachers rely heavily on resource-based materials (core literature selections, periodicals, electronic research, library selections/primary resources, teacher-created lessons, field trips/field study, resident artists/professionals, community resources, and electronic field trips) to deliver a high quality program to MATES students. The focus is on academic rigor in an arts and technology-infused environment.

NOT EVEN CLOSE to the Catholic Mass as our Lord Jesus Christ and his Apostles set forth in…read morehistory.... So extremely diluted and 100% Protestant!! All the songs and traditions of my beautiful Catholic Faith are Void here. Couldn't even believe what I was hearing and seeing.

Was going to church and saw teachers screaming at kids and even grabbing them, it's so…read moredisappointing being in a catholic environment and seeing such things. Many of my friends kids have gone here and no one came back with a smile on their faces. Teachers/front desk are rude and never greet you when walking into the school. Saw a child alter server crying in the corner of the church after I'm guessing being yelled at. I Also saw the priest smoking outside the church? Very disturbing and gross .

As a parent, I enrolled my child in this Christian school with the hope of finding a true…read morepartnership--one that would nurture both spiritual and academic development. Sadly, that hope has turned into deep disappointment and frustration. From the beginning, the administration frequently spoke about "partnering with families" and "supporting every child," but our experience revealed these to be nothing more than well-rehearsed talking points. When real concerns arise--particularly when it comes to your child's individual needs--you quickly find that your voice as a parent is dismissed. The Head of School and Principal may smile and nod, but in practice, they act as though they know your child better than you do and are unwilling to make any meaningful changes that could actually help. There is also a serious lack of consistency at this school. Teacher turnover is high, and it's hard for students to build any real stability with constantly changing staff. In fact, most families tend to leave after preschool or first grade, and that speaks volumes about the experience many have here. Rather than address these retention issues, the school seems more focused on maintaining strong ties with families who are heavy donors--families who often seem to get preferential treatment and can pay their way into getting what they want. To make matters worse, the school appears more concerned with building a new gym than fixing the areas that truly need attention. Classrooms, curriculum, and student resources are outdated or lacking, yet fundraising efforts are aggressively geared toward facilities and image. It's hard to watch tuition dollars and donations go toward expansion projects while core needs are neglected. What made this situation even more infuriating was the transition to a new school. Once we left, we realized just how far behind our child was academically. After being assured for years that this school offered a higher standard of education, we were devastated to find out that was far from the truth. It felt like everything we had invested--financially and emotionally--was for nothing. Many and I mean many families when leaving Hillcrest will home school or go to another school and the first thing they say is I should've done it sooner!! This school promotes a beautiful mission on paper, but in practice, it falls far short. Unless you're part of the "inner circle" or a major donor, true partnership and support are unlikely.

Our daughter began attending Hillcrest in 9th grade. She has flourished with the love of Jesus…read moreChrist evident in the teachers, staff, and fellow students. The small class size and exceptional teachers help each child to thrive. Our family is grateful to be a part of Hillcrest Christian School.

Such a wonderful school! I have loved every teacher my son has had over the past 3 years and the…read morestaff is so kind as well. It's been an incredible experience for my child. I Would highly recommend this school!!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE HONEYTREE! Every teacher has been amazing, our favourites are definitely Mrs…read moreRandolf, Mrs Padberg, Mrs Cass and Mrs Himnam but really they're all so amazing. All the staff in the office are also sooooo helpful and friendly. We've had our little one at Honey Tree for 4 years now and this is his last year before moving into first grade. We're actually really sad to be leaving as we've had such an amazing experience. Thank you so much everyone at honey tree! John is going to remember you forever!!! WAHHH!!!!

Best school ever I love the community it is a safe high school your kid will get in toread more

I like this high school I've been taking one of my kids here dropping him off and picking him up…read more He does football even though these are highschoolers and sometimes you hear things don't believe what you hear. This is a pretty good school with a great football team program I like it. I like it a lot I'm not scared about my younger ones going here.