Have a second child coming to this school and it doesn't disappoint. My first was here when it was…read moreAlma Heights. The staff genuinely care about the kids and push for academic excellence. The class size is small, allowing for a lot of one on one time. They have a great sports program along with other extra curricular activities. Founded in Christian beliefs, spirituality is fostered and tied into the curriculum. Proud to send my children here

PacBay has provided an environment of learning and growth academically, athletically and socially…read morefor our son. He has flourished under the encouragement and mentorship of exceptional teachers and supportive coaches. As a family from San Francisco, we sought a school that was nurturing and stimulating which definitely helped build our son's confidence. There are some amazing stand out teachers from Philosophy to History and Engineering - warm and caring, they are really interested in student success and challenging them to do more. My son is not easily impressed by people, and we are grateful that he was inspired by some brilliant college level instructors. Of course there were some teachers that were not a good fit, however we believe this to be true of any school, large or small, public or private. It is true that with a small school there are resource challenges. The positives outweighed the negatives for our family. Even though there were not as many options for sports teams, PacBay did an excellent job of providing a positive team environment in which everyone was accepted to play if they had an interest, and surprisingly they performed very well in the PSAL league for soccer, basketball, volleyball, track and cross country. Our son made tremendous improvement in his preferred sports of track and cross country; and he had the opportunity to play soccer, a team sport he otherwise would have never experienced. This definitely helped him create closer connections with his fellow students of all grade levels and not just his own class. The large and beautiful campus further facilitated a healthy learning environment, providing many opportunities for students to feel safe and free to be outside, visit the goats and chickens and play with beloved pets (dogs) that some teachers were able to bring on campus. The nearby corner store and beach was also a popular spot for students to unwind after a long day. A special shoutout to PacBay's college counselor, Ms. Ho. For a small school with limited resources, this was a top-notch service that we believe is very important for a high school to provide. PacBay students' rate of college acceptance to top tier schools is very competitive and impressive. All in all, our son had an amazing experience at PacBay and we can say he truly flourished and thrived. He has excellent study skills and habits and learned accountability through leadership opportunities. We feel very satisfied in his preparedness for college as he has become a well disciplined and independent individual, learning to advocate for himself and take charge of his academic and athletic growth. PacBay was an excellent place for him as a nonconventional person, thinking outside the box and leveraging his unique ideas and desire to build and tinker. We feel blessed that teachers and peers recognized and celebrated his enthusiasm for learning and he has made many good friends.

I can't say much about the school yet since we are waiting to see if my son will be accepted. This…read morereview is based on the school tour and interaction with everyone on site. My experience was great. The tour lasted about an hour and Principal Torres gave a group of 6 parents the tour. We were able to shadow each classroom and speak to the teachers. He answered all our questions with confidence and ensured us he is focused on making positive changes. Every staff member greeted us with a a smile and positive energy. What I love so far is how the staff openly told us their child(ren) were students here and even though they graduated, they are still working here. Everyone told us how much they love this school. Academically, you can see how much the kids learn. They cover every subject required for high school and colleges. Ms. Soulette's syllabus is thorough and includes expectations from students and parents. I'm so impressed with how behaved the kindergarteners were. The first graders are extremely advanced. When asked what they're doing or learning, multiple students raised their hand. When the second and third grade teacher quizzed the students, again, multiple hands were raised. They also have a buddy system for younger students! The playground structure is small but new. They have a basketball court and gym on site. Pick up and drop off was my number one concern but Principal Torres reassured us there isn't much morning traffic with their process.

One star. We're leaving after four years of unresolved safety, supervision, academic, and privacy…read moreissues. I kept hoping things would improve. It didn't. It got worse. What broke us this year was the school's awful handling of a four-month illness. Between October and the end of January, my daughter was mostly out. In that entire span, not a single teacher, the principal, or the vice principal reached out. Not once. The only outreach came from one front office staff member. For a school that markets itself on "values," that was clarifying. Academic support was worse than the silence. On paper, support was offered. In reality: no teacher conferences, no meaningful communication. The first response to my requests was a round of finger-pointing between teacher and administration about who was supposed to send what. After I escalated, the school produced a poorly-prompted ChatGPT "support plan," delivered paper-only and take-it-or-leave-it, with no timeline, no coverage detail, no accountability. Months in, the principal finally said they "can't help" because what I asked for sounds like "independent study." We lost months of instructional time. This time had to be paid for via experienced private tutors just to catch up, not to mention stress for the child. The school also has a broader communications problem. Ask for paper, they point you to SchoolSpeak. Ask for digital, they insist on sending paper. One thing always works seamlessly: the electronic deductions from your bank account and the steady stream of solicitations for money and teacher gifts. This year also brought unresolved bullying ("pretend tasers" used on classmates), dangerous objects in the classroom, regular yelling at students, and a testing incident where another child could see and comment on my daughter's score. In small classrooms, supervision should be easy. Instead, the pattern is the same every time: staff deny anything happened, then dustup. Earlier years brought their own version, including a first-grade teacher who refused my daughter a bathroom break during a test, with predictable outcomes for a young child, and then claimed she didn't know what happened. The school apologized and made excuses, this teacher to this day pretends she doesn't see me. Yet the principal likes to quote "code of conduct" that seems to be applied too selectively. Administration has its own privacy problem: personal matters get aired publicly, right there in the front office, rather loudly, no matter kids or other parents, with tactless questioning on top, like, "I thought your father died on Monday, not Tuesday...", or my favorite, "let me call your daughter X, because I like it". My daughter has a name, that's what her family prefers! Accountability is the worst part. Push back, and you find out the "investigations" wouldn't pass scrutiny anywhere. Example: interviewing two children simultaneously, with the conclusion baked into the question. Raise a concern and the response is lip service at best, tone-policing and retaliation at worst. Most parents don't push back, and I understand why. Escalating doesn't help. Leadership is unresponsive and unhelpful at every level, all the way up to the Archdiocese. There are good teachers here. The second-grade teacher, theater, PE, and some extended care staff are genuine bright spots. The problem is structural and sits with leadership. None of this is what we wanted. Leaving means real disruption for our family and the loss of friendships our daughter built over four years. We hoped it wouldn't come to this. We're quitting, like other fed-up families before us.

Thank you, Oceana High School, for hosting the Division 3 swim meet today…read more The event was well-organized and extremely well-refereed. (Look at all the coaches craning in unison to see the swimmers jump backwards into the lanes!) Space upstairs in the observation deck was crowded and could use better ventilation however all the teams felt welcomed and the event was well-run.

The last graduating "normal" instruction class here, Class of 1991, before changing formats. I…read moreloved my high school, situated in sort-of nearby Pacifica. I was supposed to attend Jefferson High School in Daly City. I had a rough-ish time in middle school, so I wanted a fresh start. I found it at Oceana High School. Though, there were a few of us, less than ten students (Thomas R. Pollicita grads, formerly Colma Middle School) who ended up graduating together (that means, twice). I made friends of all colors, races, creeds, and religious faiths. Of course, I didn't get along with everyone, but for the most part, I had mostly friends, not enemies. There were different personalities here and I was able to navigate and learn from it. I enjoyed every year, but freshman year, was the most awkward. I had a lot of great teachers, others, not so great, but for the most part, I did learn a lot. The greats were: Mrs. Williams, Mr. Tanisawa (math), Mrs. Heeb (art), Mr. Argeris, Mr. Christensen, just to name a few. I had the most enriching experience at this school (I probably had the most growth as a person, an individual, rather, at this time). I attended all the assemblies, some football games, some dances, and some field trips over the years. I made "Honor Roll" most semesters. I joined the Track team, the Cross-Country team, and the Swim Team (and I didn't even know how to swim). I was also a part of a couple of clubs. I also even co-founded a group in Senior Year, SHOP (students helping our planet). And detention, yes, I had a few of those. I turned 18 in December of my Senior Year and was able to sign myself out. So, sometimes, I did (but this was when I had all my work done). And there was also Prank War, but it was just flyers, really. It was foggy often, the property was spread out, and it was small, compared to other schools in the district. There were two parking lots, one on each side. The courtyard was small. The cafeteria was bustling. And for a few years our school was number one in Wrestling. I think that Coach Gray was responsible for that.

We feel incredibly lucky to have Ms. Chakraverty as our son's (4th grade teacher). She creates such…read morea warm and welcoming classroom where every child feels seen, understood, and encouraged. What stands out most is how attentive she is to the little details , she truly takes the time to understand each student and bring out their strengths. Since being in her class, my son has improved tremendously, not only academically but also socially and emotionally. His confidence, participation, and love for learning have all grown so much. Ms. Chakraverty has a special ability to motivate her students and get the very best out of them while making learning enjoyable and meaningful. Thank you for your dedication, patience, and care Ms Chakraverty!

My daughter came here for summer school. She really enjoyed school and she adjusted really well to…read moremy surprise. I didn't get photos daily, but I really did like what I was seeing when she did attend Stratford. The teachers communicated with me whenever possible.

Please dear god if your child is queer or individualistic, don't send them to this school. I made…read morethe mistake of being trans and dressing alternatively and I was bullied relentlessly. I was sexually harassed and physically assaulted, I was called slurs, it got so bad that I became suicidal. I asked for help again and again and nobody did anything. My damn hair was turning gray. I can't believe I made it a whole year at that hell on earth. I've transferred to Oceana, and I'm so much happier. If your kid is straight and dresses and acts like everyone else, fine, great, send them here. If not? Keep them well away from this godforsaken toilet bowl they call a school.

For all the generations of "the back of the Valley" Terra Nova HS grads, there are no reviews or…read morecheck ins for Terra Nova High. I know there are many out there because of your reverence for your high school years. It is what you called your best years. Even though Terra Nova's overall test scores are up this year and more college oriented students are coming in from outside areas , I suspect the no reviews is because most current students or past grads are not into high tech. Social networking people, tend to be tech savvy and have advanced degrees. I find most past TN grads to be blue collar, who have lived in the area all their lives with little care for what happens out of Pacifica, and proud of it. With all this said, of course Terra Nova has a great sports program and the booster to back it up. Football is top notch, Women's softball, Women's basketball, volleyball, etc. It also has great teachers who challenge their classes and want them to do more than the Pacfiica Norm. The new administration is finding its way. I hope they will without compromise.

I'm a former Woo Kid who went to Wilkinson School aka "Woo School" from 2005-2008, and Woo School…read moreisn't good, it's great!! I loved all the extra curricular stuff they have from egg drop, to the Intensive Studies Trip, Woo School is truly Amazing, and Mr. Edward "Woo" Wilkinson is amazing too!!

Our children go to Wilkinson and they are thriving. Best…read moreteachers, beautiful view on the ocean, and even though the school is cozy, there are so many outdoor experiences (hikes, beach walks) and they work and perform (all kids do) on 2 fabulous school performances a year: a winter concert and a musical.

I transferred my child from Highland Christian School about two years ago, and after having time to…read morereflect on our experience--especially during and after the COVID period--I would like to share an objective review covering both strengths and areas of concern. First, regarding teacher resources, the school had some good teachers prior to COVID. However, many experienced teachers left after COVID, likely due in part to compensation and possibly other factors. Following this turnover, the school appeared to face significant staffing shortages. In response, the school hired individuals with limited formal teaching training, including classroom aides and, in some cases, individuals with personal connections to existing staff. Some of these individuals did not appear to have formal teaching credentials or licenses. This created inconsistency in instructional quality and classroom management. I am aware of families who withdrew their children after learning that their child's teacher did not have formal teaching qualifications. Second, the school appeared to have limited social-emotional support resources for students. There did not seem to be access to counselors, psychologists, or other professionals trained to support children's emotional and behavioral needs. Social-emotional support is essential for children's development, especially during challenging periods like the post-COVID transition. I also heard reports of students struggling with behavioral or emotional needs without sufficient professional support. This contributed to some families choosing to transfer their children to other schools. Third, the school's physical facilities were limited. The playground and parking lot shared the same space, which raised safety concerns during drop-off and pickup times when children were moving near vehicles. Outdoor recreational space was small, and there was no dedicated soccer field. While there was a basketball hoop, overall physical activity space was limited compared to other schools. One positive aspect is that the school provides Bible-based education, which may be meaningful and valuable for families seeking a Christian-centered environment. Overall, while the school may meet the needs of some families, our experience led us to seek a different educational environment. Since transferring, my children's current school provides licensed teachers, stronger social-emotional support resources, and more adequate facilities for both learning and physical activity. We have been very happy with the transition.

I do not recommend it. My son and I had the worst…read moreexperience ever when he turned two y/o and was transitioning to a different level and wasn't fully potty trained yet. He had a few bathroom accidents, and I always provided lots of new and clean underwear and asked his teacher to discard the soiled ones in the trash. To my surprise, every time he had a bathroom accident (not often), the "number two" was sent home along with the soiled underwear, and many times, it messed up my washing machine. When I questioned the administration, she simply made fun of me and told me that if I wasn't happy about it, I was welcome to pull my son out of the school. She shook her shoulders like she didn't care about it. It wasn't a healthy Christian attitude and environment. The same treatment wasn't applied towards different races there. I always wondered why.

Hilldale is an absolute gem. We've been part of the community for nearly nine years and currently…read morehave children in 8th, 6th, and 4th grade. We're deeply grateful for how the school has supported, nurtured, and challenged each of them. The head of school is outstanding, and the teachers and staff are exceptional. We came for the academics and stayed for the school's commitment to developing thoughtful, self-aware, and engaged citizens. Hilldale's core habits of leadership, respect, and independent lifelong learning are woven into every aspect of the experience. The curriculum is well balanced, with strong emphasis not only on STEM, but also on humanities, arts, music, ethics, and global citizenship. Some of our favorite traditions include the Young Authors Project, the Harvest Feast, the Winter Music Concert, and the International Fair, which celebrates cultures from around the world. We've also appreciated how thoughtfully the school meets each child's individual needs. One of our children received early support and accommodations for a learning difference, even before a formal diagnosis, and is now thriving alongside his peers. Another was moved ahead in a subject to ensure he was adequately challenged. Throughout, communication with us as parents has been clear and collaborative. Our oldest is sad to say goodbye after starting in kindergarten, but she leaves well prepared for the transition to high school. We can't thank the Hilldale team enough for their dedication to our children's growth over the years.

Very unwelcoming school, one of the staff said that my child has dyslexia even though he doesn't,…read moredoes not feel like a school AT ALL.

We had to move our child to a new school during her 7th grade year and "Dr" Patrick Sullivan…read morerefused to even discuss with us the idea of her transferring to St. Roberts, stating incoming students are never prepared for the st. Roberts curriculum. What kind of principal/educator is that? I was shocked by the schools response to our inquiry.

Teachers often assign way too much work. Kids need time to grow in other aspects of life besides…read moreeducation such as in sleep, sports, and social life. The rules are extremely strict regarding dress code. Such as nail polish, leggings, hair accessories, etc.

Our son joined Nueva's Upper School this year as a 9th grader (class of 2021). We like Nueva's…read morerigorous high school curriculum; a number of advanced courses can be deemed college-level. Its math sequence is very well thought out (e.g., one track for pure math and one for applied math) and allows plenty of room for advanced students to progress beyond calculus. We are pleased to see that our son has been spending a good amount of time at the I-Lab before/after school (helped greatly by his new found independence via the bike+Caltrain combination) and loves every minute of it! Nueva's Upper School teachers are helpful and highly qualified; many are practitioners/experts in their field. Our son's Japanese language teacher has a wonderful sense of Japanese humor that makes language learning so much more enjoyable. The Upper School has an advisory system that allows small groups of students to interact with their advisors, who in turn provide feedback to parents (especially new families!) on how their kids are doing at school from time to time. It's a great way to integrate incoming 9th graders (i.e., many new friends were made over a 3-day camping trip before start of school) and build strong ties between school and families from the get-go. Our son has a great start of the year with Nueva. Its Upper School is one we would highly recommend for families looking for a well-rounded STEM education and great teachers in a supportive environment for their kids.

I initially became interested in The Nueva School after subscribing to receive job postings. What…read moreimmediately stood out to me was how frequently new openings were being posted -- sometimes seemingly every week. As an educator, that naturally made me wonder about staff turnover. Eventually, I applied for a position and interviewed with someone who honestly seemed very kind and thoughtful. I left the interview feeling optimistic, especially because I was told I would hear back by the end of the week. In education hiring, timelines usually move quickly because schools want to secure teachers for the upcoming school year before candidates accept other opportunities. Weeks went by with complete silence. No follow-up, no rejection email, nothing. Wanting to close the loop professionally, I eventually emailed to thank the interviewer for her time and wish her and her team the best for the upcoming year. Oddly, the message bounced back, even though I had been communicating through that exact same email thread previously. At that point, I honestly began wondering whether the communication had somehow been compromised or whether I had fallen into some strange scam situation. I even called the school directly to verify that the interviewer actually worked there, and thankfully she did. The school then provided me with another email address associated with their official domain. I forwarded my message there as well, but once again received no response at all. Whether the message reached her or not, the overall experience felt surprisingly unprofessional and dismissive, especially after what had initially seemed like such a warm interaction. After later reading additional reviews and experiences from others, I ultimately realized this probably was not the right fit for me anyway. Still, basic communication and professional courtesy go a long way, particularly in education, where relationships and respect matter.