My daughter attended Cambrian Academy for the past five years, starting when we moved from Dubai to California during a time when many public and private schools were closed due to COVID. Our experience offers a comprehensive look at the school.   Academic Excellence and Curriculum: Cambrian Academy is strongly geared towards college preparation. The counselors are diligent in ensuring students complete all necessary coursework on time and provide clear academic paths. The school is known for its college readiness support, including guidance on personal essays, application timelines, and staff assistance with recommendation letters. AP classes are available, though some are offered online, which might not suit every student's learning style. While not all specialized programs or electives are available directly, the school effectively assists students in navigating and enrolling in external college courses to supplement their curriculum.   School Culture and Environment: One of the standout aspects of Cambrian Academy is its safe and supportive environment. With a small student body of around 80 students, there is virtually no bullying, and staff members like Mrs. Delgado are highly aware of the goings-on around the school, contributing to a nurturing atmosphere. The school creates a positive culture that promotes inclusivity, respect, and a strong sense of community. The focus on student well-being, including social-emotional learning, is evident and appreciated.   Teachers and Staff: The teacher-student ratio is generally favorable, allowing for more personalized attention. However, our experience with the teaching staff has been mixed. While many teachers are dedicated and skilled, there have been instances, such as a chemistry teacher leaving, where courses were subsequently taught by individuals who were not subject matter experts in that specific field.   Extracurricular Activities and Opportunities: The school offers various opportunities for clubs and activities both within the school and externally. Students can explore diverse interests and develop leadership skills through these avenues. It's important to note, however, that Cambrian Academy does not have its own sports teams.   Practical Considerations: In terms of cost, Cambrian Academy's tuition is comparable to other private schools in the area. Its small size is a defining characteristic, providing a very personal and focused educational environment, which can be a significant advantage for families seeking that type of setting.   Parent-School Communication and Involvement: Communication with the school primarily consists of daily automated emails detailing student attendance and grades. While this provides basic updates, proactive parent-teacher meetings are limited and typically occur when parents initiate contact. Building a collaborative and communicative environment between teachers and parents largely depends on individual parental outreach.   I would recommend this school to folks who need individual attention. My daughter got into many universities in the STEM area, including an offer for Pharmaceutical Science at Purdue, few bio-engineering majors at few University of California Universities, and some direct medical school options internationally. read more

Hi there! I'm Larry the Cucumber! And, uh... I just wanted to express my thoughts about this place I thought it'd be full of sunshine, learning, and maybe a snack or two... but instead, it was like a math-flavored nightmare. First off -- the teachers were so mean! I tried to stay positive, but they seemed allergic to happiness. Every time I smiled, they frowned so hard I thought the lights got dimmer. And boy, were they bad at teaching. I'm still not sure what I learned, but it definitely wasn't algebra. Maybe "how not to teach"? Yeah, I got an A+ in that. Also... I don't want to be rude, but their breath could knock over a watermelon. I had to hold my breath just to stay conscious during "lesson time." They were super unorganized, too! Nobody knew what we were doing -- not even them! And worst of all -- no snacks. NONE. I'm a cucumber! I need my energy! You can't do math on an empty stomach! So, yeah... if you like kindness, organization, fresh breath, snacks, and most importantly.. learning, maybe don't go here. I'm giving this place one star -- and that's only because leaving was free. -- Larry the Cucumber read more

I graduated from Cambrian Academy and now I'm in college, so I want to share my experience. I started at Cambrian in 10th grade as an international student, and honestly, it was a great decision. The school is small, which I loved because the teachers really knew me and cared about my success. They helped me a lot with my English. The best part is the college prep program. They guided me through applications and essays, which made getting into college so much easier. I also made close friends from all over the world, and we still keep in touch. Cambrian felt like a second home, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a supportive, tight-knit school. read more

Both of my kids were admitted to Berkeley from Cambrian. The small class sizes and personalized curriculum provided the right balance between academics and extracurriculars, helping them build strong, well-rounded resumes. read more

My son attended Cambrian Academy from 6th-12th grade and it was the best decision of our lives. He is a bright child and his classes were able to be individualized to meet his needs. You aren't just a student at Cambrian, but rather part of a family. Before he was driving, I would often wait 20-30 minutes for my son after school because he would be visiting with all the teachers. Then when he was driving to school, Angela (best admin ever!!!) would often have to finally kick him out because she was "locking up for the day". Not many schools can say they need to force their high schoolers to leave campus. If you are looking for a school that will cater to your child's academic needs, treat them like family, and do all they can to help you be ready for college, then Cambrian is the spot for you. read more

Terrible communication, terrible head master, terrible teachers. When you try to leave the school they will hold you hostage. Children feel depressed in this school and do not see the way out. So glad to be out. Head master deletes bad reviews on yelp regularly. read more

I'm sure this is a fine school for many kids who attend with small classes, etc. From my opinion and experiences with this school with my son, a contract is a contract and fully enforced with this school. So just be fully aware you'll be 100% responsible for every penny that's listed regardless of any situation that comes up, for that's what happened to us. As a naïve parent thinking some compromise could happen, oh boy were we wrong. Hopefully they offered a scholarship to another student for the 1.5 years we paid for with only 3 months attended. read more

This review is for the summer program offered at Cambrian International Academy. I was searching for a summer math course for my entering high school twins to attend. I had looked at various programs including classes at De Anza but was not convinced that it would be anything more than a babysitting-program for my kids and a feel good-program for me, that my kids are doing something productive in the summer. In the midst of my search on the internet, I stumbled across Cambrian's website, offering a summer math course that not only was comprehensive, small in class size, but allowed for transferable credit. This was absolutely amazing! Cambrian International Academy is WASC accredited and a UC doorway school. I wasn't sure if I would be able to get my twins in as the course started the following day. I called first thing in the morning and was greeted by very polite staff. I was transferred to Mr. Delgado, who answered my questions and allowed me to enroll my girls the day of. I had a nice conversation him, and did not even realize at the time that he was the headmaster of the school. The class was small, hugely due to the school not advertising the program I believe, had it been publicized or advertised, there is no doubt in my mind that more parents would have put their kids in the program. I was happy with the small class size as it allowed my girls to get personable attention. Mr. Okoro was their summer math teacher and they really liked him. They had nothing but good things to say about him. They expressed that he was able to explain and articulate the math concepts in a way that was very easy to understand. For the most part, they learn on their own but said that Mr. Okoro was always readily available and willing to help whenever they needed. My girls finished the course and was able to enter into a higher math course when school started at their high school with the help from Mr. Delgado, Mr. Warner, and the front office staff at Cambrian. The cost for the summer program was more than reasonable! Given that my twins had a great experience in the short time at the school and were able to advance to a higher math, I could not be happier. If you are thinking of a private school with unique academic programs, encouraging teachers, and staff willing to assist with your child's goals (particularly if you have ambiguous children), I would highly recommend you visit the school and see for yourself. We loved it and couldn't recommend it more highly! read more

Caution: beware of Cambrian Academy's contract. This school threatened to sue us if we did not pay for 1.5 years (our son attended for 3 months), lacking any accountability on their part, and we had a family emergency. And, if your child/teen has a gaming problem (as in our case), this may not be the school for you. Tracie S. read more

My child attends Cambrian Academy. This school is small and offers a supportive, close community. The teachers are just fantastic. They are passionate, dedicated and masters of their subject area. Class sizes are small, leading to one on one attention and an individualized curriculum. A variety of AP subjects, dedicated college prep classes, choir, band, drama, tennis, golf are just some of the great features of this school. Yes, there is no library in school, however, the public library is walking distance from the school. Similarly, the kids walk a few blocks down the road for P.E to a large public park. This works well & the tuition goes towards providing academic support rather than building a redundant library/P.E Area. The founders are easy to communicate with and have always addressed my questions and allowed us to make our child thrive in this environment. I would especially recommend this school for gifted kids. They would be really challenged! A school guaranteed to let your child get into the college of his/her choice. One other thing that I love about this school, there is no bullying, mean behavior that seems common in other middle/high schools! read more

I agree with this blog: https://cambriantruth.wordpress.com Some instructors there are awesome but the main operator? Unprofessional. read more

You will never get a one-on-one experience of education like you will at Cambrian. The average class size is about 8 students. This allows teachers to really work on the issues that each individual student has. Mr. Delgado, the school's principal, allowed me to take an AP class in middle school. Because of this, I was able to literally have a little less than half a dozen AP's finished by the end of 9th grade, all 4's and 5's as well. Cambrian provided me with a challenging educational experience that prepared me for higher level coursework. I began to run out of high school courses, so I had to leave Cambrian, but Cambrian really prepared me for college classes that I took during my sophomore and junior year of high school. If you are expecting a beautiful campus and an aesthetically nice high school experience, I can honestly tell you that you have the wrong priorities. Cambrian will not provide you with either of those, but what Cambrian will provide you with is priceless knowledge and wisdom (no, they are not the same thing). The coursework is challenging but not discouraging, and teachers connect this knowledge to the real world without using up class time with unrelated talking. I used to attend Cambrian Academy from 6th to 9th grade. The early years of this school were very rough, but I can say easily that 8th to 9th grade were the best years of education I have ever had in a school. With all honesty, during the school's earlier years, there were a lot of errors in judgement and some teachers were hired that should not have been hired in the first place. But everyone makes mistakes, and the school as a whole learned quickly from these mistakes and adapted. The director of the school at that time, Kay Kim, had been embezzling money from the school, but she was removed from the school via lawsuit. During 8th grade and 9th grade, I had excellent teachers and an amazing high school experience. The community at Cambrian is really tight-knit, the students really care for each other, and the teachers are very friendly and are more than happy to help you after school. There are some very old reviews here (c. 2011-2012), and they are not representative of the current state of the school. The school has moved on and improved greatly. If you are looking for a great middle school and high school experience for your son or daughter, I would highly recommend Cambrian. read more

My child has been attending Cambrian Academy for the last 18 months. Here are just a few of the many reasons we believe it is the best school in the area. 1) The teachers are incredibly dedicated. Many of them voluntarily and cheerfully give my child extra help during their lunch breaks and after school. They love to teach and it shows in their preparation, presentation of subject matter, and enthusiasm. 2) The class sizes are small. My daughter is taking Spanish with one other student. A 2:1 ratio! The average is approximately 10 per class. Students do not sit at individual desks and listen to a lecture given at the front of the class. They sit around a conference table so everyone is fully engaged in the discussions. 3) The administration cares about meeting the needs of every student. Because of the school size, it is able to help nurture each person's strengths while addressing their weaknesses. 4) Students are placed according to ability, not age. This has resulted in some being accelerated by 4 or 5 grades. I no longer worry whether my daughter is being sufficiently challenged in the classroom. 5) Communication from administration and teachers is superb. I cannot recall when my questions or the issues raised went more than a day without a response or resolution. My child's grades, attendance, and homework are all accessible online. Just a few clicks of the mouse and I can view her progress or contact any teacher. If your child's school does not have the attributes described above (my guess is that it does not) and you believe the skills necessary for success are obtained through stellar education given by knowledgeable, caring teachers, not by the luxuriousness of the school campus, I urge you to take a tour. read more

My son has been attending this school for about a year and it is the only school that I know of ( and I have toured schools all the way from Hillsborough to Santa Cruz) that satisfies all the criteria of being an exceptional school. To name a few: 1. Wonderful passionate teachers 2. small class size 3. ability grouping 4. real differentiation and to top all this - school officials who willingly works with parents!!! They are caring and willing to do whatever is needed for the child to succeed. This school not only allowed my son to work at his level but also encouraged him to explore new things - like drama and art! Yes, the buildings are not impressive, there is no massive playgrounds or swimming pool and impressive offices - but this school is forging new pathways in education. I highly recommend this school. read more

My nephew started not long ago at Cambrian Academy. So far, I am fully satisfied with this school. Simply put: 1. Great small size class 2. Personalized academic plan 3. Dedicated teachers willing to spend time with students, lots of time 4. Dedicated teachers willing to spend time with parents and provide great feedback 5. An administrative staff that constantly look for ways to improve and grow the school 6. A mixture of US and international students, benefiting kids from both backgrounds and preparing them for future careers that are inevitably diverse and global 7. Focused on college preparedness 8. Closely connected with local community 9. Very nice student body, no bullying, totally friendly 10. AP offering are growing every school year If you are reading this review and intend to find out more, I suggest you to call and discuss with the school staff. I did it, and made a decision to attend this school vs. some other options in the South Bay. I am glad it is a good decision. read more

I have a son that graduated from CIA and we were both very happy with the staff and the loving environment he experienced. The school had great students that are eager to learn and the teachers would even stay after class to help my son whenever needed. Ms Kim was the greatest blessing to us. She was helpful from day 1. Always willing to go the extra mile to make sure my son had everything he needed to get into the college he desired. The paper work needed for his college was always dealt with that same day and we were so grateful for her grace and understanding. Mr. Delgado has worked so hard to make this school the best it can be. Having a school that has a smaller class of students was great for my son to get the education he needed. My son loved the movie nights, bowling days and fun field trips. His graduation ceremony was amazing and everyone was so loving and kind and worked very hard to make it a special day for all the graduates. We are forever grateful for Cambrian International Academy and the teachers that did such an awesome job at preparing my son for college. I feel like "you get what you pay for" and CIA is worth every penny! Thank you, CIA for a great experience and I wish you the best for the many successful years to come!! With loving gratitude, Kristy Johnston read more

I am studying in this school now. The campus is very clean. Teachers are always nice to students and helped us a lot. Don't trust the people who lied. The things they said never happened on me. I love the school!!!!!!!! read more

I do not recommend this school. Make sure you call a government agent to find out their school status before registration.

First, I want to say that this school is the worst school that I have ever studied in. It's not a school. It's more like a company. All the people there just want money, especially the 2 people that established the school. Like the other reviewer said, they sell expensive snacks as a form of fundraising but actually wanting to make money off of the students. Moreover, the finger food for prom was not included in the price ticket we paid. Again, they surprised us with the charges making money off of us left and right.They also sell us food that was already expired Second, the school/student council doesn't really have plans. Prom should be told to the students at least months before . They just told us a week in advance. We didn't have enough time to prepare. Plus they didn't have a set location. Besides that they said there would be a DJ and a photographer to take pictures for us. When we arrived at the last minute location at the Campbell Community Center, there was at no DJ and no photographer. We took pictures with our own cameras and danced to a CD played with the CD player the CCC had...Do u think that was really a prom? Third, the school always blames us when they are the one doing wrong .Before my guardian- had a meeting with the principal/owner and he promised that all seniors would have field trips to visit colleges and UCs. In the end, we haven't gone on any. My guardian sent him email to ask him about that. He blamed on me for not joining in Disneyland trip ( Disneyland trip includes visiting 2 UC). Why do I have to go to Disneyland when i want to visit colleges? It doesn't make sense. Moreover, when i talked to him about giving me my transcipts, he said he will disregard me and just focused talking about my guardian's review, especially about visiting colleges and UC.. Once again, he blamed on me. He said that I just filled in the request forms to 2 colleges which i want to study. Why do i need to visit other schools without purpose? Also, about my transcripts, he didn't want to give it to me.. Some students had it before few weeks ago. I named some students and he pretended not to know them.. He asked.:'' What are you talking about? I don't know these students''.. Then in the same day, after school, he admitted that they had it because the college sent request letter to him or some students just only have grade of semester 1 in transcript.. Unfortunately, its not true. I've seen some other students have both semesters ( 1st and temporary 2nd).... U can realize that all he said is just a lie..So stupid and it doesn't make sense. Finally, I just want to say ' '' when u say something, u have to think it carefully, especially when you are lying. We are not stupid. We know what u are doing. read more