I cannot express fully how thankful I am to have found Carden. This is my daughter's 3rd year here. She's currently in 1st grade and every day I'm astonished at what she's learned. Academically she's so far advanced in comparison to other family and friends in similar grades. She has been able to read since kindergarten and her reading comprehension is arguably better than most 8/9/10 year olds. Shes already been introduced to nutritional science, animal and plant sciences. They have a garden each grade gets to utilize. She is learning cursive and how to properly prepare reports and write in paragraph form. She's learning g Spanish, and they do several performances a year. The class size is smaller and it's one of my most favorable things about Carden. I love that she's able to get some extra attention if needed. And that all of the teachers know who she is and are readily able to help in any way they can. The school very much feels close knit and family oriented. And I'm so thankful she's not walking around a school going unnoticed. I have and will continue to brag and boast about this school. And if you're even slightly curious I highly recommend coming by to see for yourself! read more

Our daughter has been attending Carden Conservatory for the past three years, and we could not be happier with our experience. The classrooms are intentionally small, which allows students to receive truly individualized attention. The academic standards are excellent, and the curriculum is both rigorous and thoughtfully designed to support each child's growth. The teachers and staff are exceptional--knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely invested in their students' success. There is a strong sense of community, and children are seen, supported, and encouraged every day. We've watched our daughter grow academically and personally in ways we truly value. If you are looking for a private school with superior academics, caring educators, and an intimate learning environment, Carden Conservatory is an outstanding choice. read more

We had to move away, and man, oh man, do I miss Carden. The same is true for my daughter. This school is rock-solid on academics. In my experience, this is surprisingly difficult to come by. They have high standards, but they also maintain small class sizes that allow teachers the bandwidth necessary to ensure that kids aren't falling through the cracks. They also have a wonderful music program. Some of our very favorite memories from those years come from their seasonal plays and performances. People have forgotten the unadulterated joy that comes from seeing your kid in a cute costume belting out a classic tune. And we love that they keep it classic. Our daughter came home with a genuine interest in Mozart and Beethoven. They get plenty of pop culture elsewhere. Keep the curriculum classy. We miss this school! read more

Carden is a great environment! The teachers are very communicative and helpful. The class's are much smaller which makes it a great environment for my daughter to learn in. The school feels like a community rather than just a place my daughter goes to school. The principal Mrs. Ghonouie is amazing and has nothing but, the best intentions for all of the kids. She is very knowledgeable and communicative and knows how to keep things running tight. read more

Our kids started at Carden Conservatory in first grade and are now in 4th and 6th grade, and it's been a great experience for our family. The small class sizes make a huge difference. Teachers are able to give students individual attention when needed, and the kids really benefit from that. Academically, the school is strong. We've noticed our kids are at least two years ahead of many of their public school counterparts. The school also organizes great field trips and learning experiences outside the classroom, which the kids really enjoy. Another big plus for us is that it's a non-religious private school with a welcoming community of families. Considering the quality of education, the tuition is a great value compared to many other private schools in the area. Overall, we've been very happy with our decision to send our kids here. read more

Our two girls started Carden in Pre K during the pandemic. They are now in grade school at Carden. We have been extremely happy with Carden. They focus on academics proving results. Our children read above grade level and excel in math beyond that of their public-school peers. We have strong relationships with their teachers. What makes this school the best is the small, capped classrooms (max 10-12 per class) which allows for a lot of one-on-one dedicated help and instruction. This school is non-religious, requires uniforms and as compared to many other private schools in this area, is more affordable. Our parent and community groups over the years have grown stronger and our children are thriving in this environment. read more

We are new to Carden this year and we love it! It's such a special and welcoming community of parents, students, and educators.

Carden is an amazing school .It helped my kids learn and grow .The teacher's made such an impact on my kids learning and made it fun to go to school . read more

Our family truly loves Carden. Both of our children have attended since they were just two years old, starting during the height of the pandemic. During such an uncertain time, Carden provided a safe, supportive, and consistent environment, and we will always be grateful for that. The preschool teachers are incredibly loving and nurturing, and they gave our children a strong academic and emotional foundation that continues to benefit them today. Now in 1st and 2nd grade, our kids are still thriving and genuinely enjoy going to school. We deeply appreciate the structure of the program, the small class sizes, and how thoughtfully the teachers meet each child where they are. Carden has been an amazing partner in our children's growth, and we couldn't be happier with our experience. We fully plan to remain part of the Carden family through middle school and highly recommend the school to any family looking for a supportive, high-quality education. read more

We've had a wonderful experience with Carden Conservatory. The small class sizes make a huge difference--each child gets the attention they need to truly thrive. I've been amazed at how much my child has excelled beyond her peers academically and personally. What stands out most is the strong focus on kindness, respect, and personal responsibility. The community atmosphere is also special--kids of all ages interact and play together, which creates a supportive and inclusive environment. We're so grateful to be part of a school that values both character and learning. read more

Carden Conservatory has been one of the best decisions our family has made. Both of my children started here at age two and are now in fifth and seventh grade, and we've seen incredible growth in them both academically and personally. The academics are outstanding, and the small class sizes mean every child is truly known and supported. I love that all the teachers know the students, even outside their own classrooms -- it creates such a strong, caring community. Beyond the classroom, students are enriched through programs like Spanish and music and multiple field trips through out the year helping them grow into well-rounded, confident, and kind individuals. We are so grateful to be part of the Carden family. read more

Carden Conservatory has been such a special community for my daughter and me. The small class sizes give every student the individualized attention they deserve while still holding them accountable and helping them grow. The junior high electives are a huge bonus they give the kids room to explore their interests in a meaningful way. One parent said it perfectly: the students here are so comfortable with one another that they get to be themselves without worrying about what others think. That sense of belonging is rare, and it shows in how confident and happy the kids are. The curriculum is rigorous, but it truly prepares students for high school and beyond. I've seen firsthand how much my daughter has grown academically and personally. I cannot recommend this school enough. It's a place where children are supported, challenged, and genuinely cared for and that makes all the difference. read more

What's an amazing school. Beyond grateful for my kids are able to attend. My daughter loves going to school each day!

Such a great school, with welcoming staff, excellent academics, and focused attention on each and every student, which is so important these days. All around an exceptional choice for education. read more

Small private school with strong leadership in place , high-quality teachers, comprehensive curriculum, and a positive environment, inclusive school culture. My nieces have been here for years and love attending classes everyday. read more

The superior quality of the classroom experience and rapid friendships with their classmates have made all the difference. This is our second year after starting in the third grade and the preschool. We previously attended public elementary school in Long Beach. Carden is exceptional. Teachers here really care and though the academics are somewhat rigorous, each of our classes fostered a camaraderie that inspired our kids. The school is on the grounds of a former public school and the district unfortunately prevents our efforts toward aesthetic improvements. However the monthly tuition is materially lower than the other three local private schools we visited and interviewed. I recommend your child "shadowing" their classmates for a day where they sit in and experience an entire day for the full experience. We did this. Best of luck! read more

Amazing school with small class sizes and rigorous academics to ensure students success in education and life. Strong language arts as well as mathematics skills at all levels of education. The staff is extremely responsive and willing to work individually with students. The director makes certain that student growth and safety are top priorities. read more

One of our kids went through the education system at Carden and is now at a prestigious high school. The exceptional level of education that she received at Carden really showed up when she started high school and was more advanced than the majority of her peers. The smaller classroom size was ideal as she received more attention from all her teachers than she would have at a larger school. Our youngest child is still at the school and is receiving the same high-quality education that our oldest child received. We've met wonderful families along the way. We have been extremely happy with this school since day one. read more

I love this private school, even though my daughter was only able to attend temporarily for a few months due to relocation. When we had to relocate , I was put in contact with Mrs. Ghonouie who was so professional , friendly and helpful. My daughter was put in Mrs Metz class... and let me tell you guys... Mrs Metz is incredibly well-spoken, has excellent leadership skills and is able to command a room of first graders who have different personalities. She is also very attentive to each of her students and know what they need to thrive. She has so many cute activities lined up for them outside the classroom too , they have this mini garden with butterflies that the kids tend to, for example. There are also after school programs!! They have singing lessons, piano lessons, karate, and several other options! So you have a choice in keeping your kids busy with lessons after school if you have to pick them up later. I absolutely loved that , and I will miss those options. Pricing is more than reasonable. The kids , of course will be well-behaved... it is a private school after all. The parents you meet are super engaging, and polite. They are all on the same page and will make you feel welcome. We miss you guys, Carden! Thank you for such a memorable experience!!! read more

Carden Conservatory Private School - Elementary Schools Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

Carden is an exceptional school. My wife and I transferred our older daughter last year from a local public school. We were looking for more individual attention and we were not disappointed as their class sizes are half (12 kids) of her public school. The administration is also very flexible and really has the best interest of the kids as their priority. Their program director is amazing, she is so down to earth and highly organized! The curriculum is challenging but more focused on foundation mastery of phonics, spelling, writing (including cursive) and math mastery of addition/subtraction, multiplication and division with less a gradual transition into word problems which makes more sense to master the basics before introducing word problems. Our daughter loves the organization and the homework is much more focused on content instead of endless busy work and "fluff" we were getting at the public school. The campus is charming but admittedly could use some sprucing up. Honestly it reminds me of the classrooms I sat in as a kid so it doesn't bother me. The content and character of the school is more important than the appearance so don't let the facade fool you- it is worth every penny. We also enrolled our youngest in their kindergarten and she has grown tremendously there with an equally positive experience. I feel the small class size is so important when compared to other local kinders we have tried in the area. We truly love this place and cannot recommend it enough if you truly care about your child's educational experience and academic/personal growth. read more

Amazing non religious private school, preschool through 8th. Academic focused, no frills, test scores show. Old school curriculum that works. Small classes 10-13 per class. Very traditional and community based. Uniforms required all ages. Staff are long tenured for most grades, great with communication and really love our girls and what they do. Price point is great. Lots of add on choices. We are very pleased we locked into this school. No thank you oversized public. read more

This is a great little school with lots of great teachers, a friendly staff and wonderful kids. My daughter's 3 kids have been going to this school since preschool. They have been doing great academically and have found great friends during this time. read more

I transferred my three children to Carden this year for 3rd, 6th & 7th grades. In the 5 months that my kids have been at Carden, they have improved greatly in all subjects. With the small class sizes, the teachers are able to make sure they fully grasp the concept before moving on. They really push personal responsibility. My kids are now taking personal ownership over their education and homework. We (including my children) couldn't be happier with our decision to enroll them in Carden Conservatory. Our only regret is that we didn't find the school sooner. read more

Public school is not what it once was. This is what I realized as my daughter was in the second grade with 30 kids in a class with only 1 teacher. My daughter has special needs as she was diagnosed with ADD in the 1st grade. Now, her class only has 9 students! She gets SO much one on one attention! She is learning spanish, going on field trips, and just overall learning more. I also LOVE the involvement of the staff. Her teacher is wonderful, caring and attentive. The principal is very understanding and very willing to come up with plans to educate your child the best possible! I also love the other staff as well. Everyone is wonderful. The other thing I love which is an added bonus, is the school feels almost like a family. Everyone is very welcoming and I feel part of a community which I didn't feel at the other school ( which I attended as a child) . I was a little sad to break family tradition, but I am very happy I did because of the results. She is unequivocally a stronger reader to where she started just 1 1/2 short months ago! A++++ read more

I have 2 kids that attend Carden. One in 4th grade and one in 1st. They both have been here since preschool. I can't say enough about what an incredible life choice this has been for my kids and I. They are thriving and growing daily. The school has a smaller student body, average about 9-10 per class. So my kids receive the extra attention that they would not get in a public school. The curriculum does move at a faster pace at Carden as compared to other schools. The kids are learning to work more efficiently and smarter. One of the little things that I really like at Carden, is that they still teach cursive handwriting. The kids learn proper printing first and then move onto cursive. Seeing some of my friend's children writings (chicken scratch), I appreciate that penmanship is still taught here. I have no hesitation recommending Carden, if you're looking a smaller more personal environment for your kid! read more

Review is for music instruction. My toddler loves Mrs. Murga, she smiles and laughs with the kids. In fact, my son had a traumatic amputation of his thumb and Mrs. Murga works with him to help keep his articulation and movement fluid. The music instruction price in comparison with other schools is much less. read more

Fantastic school! Education is fantastic and very ahead! The environment is so encouraging! I have been going here for about 8 years and i have loved every minute of it! The teachers are very inspiring and they work hard to make the school a family like environment (they definitely succeed)! The students are so motivating and such hard workers! We are always there for each other and we all have such a great bond! Overall, it is an amazing school! I would totally recommend it to any child who is willing to work hard and have fun! read more

My daughter started here in first grade and she is now in 5th grade. She was a little behind at first due to her delayed speech but all the teachers did everything to modify things to help her achieve her goals and now she is confident, academic strong , and just loving her school. We are very happy to be here because Carden covers every part of education for a child. Computers, Music, art, drama, cooking, electives such as golf, bowling, kayak, and teacher aide. Academics are also very strong compared to other schools. They still teach cursive and very traditional how schools are suppose to be. During lunch, the school does heat ups and hot lunches are bought outside restaurants every month. There are skate nights, restaurant nights which teachers dont assign homeworks so everyone can enjoy and participate. During the holidays, every grade has performances , halloween its monster mash where the school is transformed into one big playgraound with games for each grade.,This just to name a few things why Carden is a great school. Highly reccomended to anyone who wants a smaller ratio class from Preschool to 8th grade. read more

My son has since gone on to high school, the skills and education he received at Carden truly set him up for success. I am so glad we found this school when we did. I can look back and see how they gave not only my son but also me, a single first-time mom, much needed support and guidance. You can't find a better group of people, from the kids to the administration; they are all golden. Life long connections are made and solidified in this little community. Thanks for everything Carden Conservatory. read more

My kids love love love it here. They've blossomed and are loved by he teachers. Class size is very small and that's exactly what we needed going from Fountain Valley public schools to private. The Director and teachers truly care about our kids and always have educational or fun activities for them. There's volunteer needed for various events, but you're not pressured the way some schools are. There are fundraisers, and again no pressure. And for that I appreciate it because I have a demanding job with 4 kids and there are other parents that step in so I get to pick and choose when I can help. This is a no frills school, which is why we chose Carden. It's not fancy and overpriced. It's just right! It's really clean, has everything we need, and does the job! It's super close to home in HB in a nice neighborhood and is very safe. Lastly, my kids have made friends that'll last a lifetime and I've become friends with the parents too. This is what makes Carden so special! read more

Excellent small private school in Huntington Beach. Our daughter has been there K-8. Excellent academic focus and curriculum. Long-tenured excellent teachers and administration. Class size is small and allows for personalized attention and close supervision. read more

My opinion from a more observational distance. I have a niece and nephew at this school. The love these kids have for their school is amazing. The class sizes are small so they receive the individual attention they need and deserve along with a close family atmosphere between students and staff. They start in kindergarten with computers, arts, Spanish, drama and music and its carried up through the grades wonderfully. They spend so much more time on these subjects than public schools without interfering with traditional academics. My niece is reading well above her age/grade. She and I have fantastic conversations about the book(s) she is currently reading. She has also fallen in love with the piano through their music program and she is advancing nicely with that. Field trips are all but gone in public schools, Carden Conservatory takes these kids out in the world and they learn, really learn. Its one thing to teach kids about Renoir, its another to take the students to see his work. Again, my niece and I enjoy amazing conversations about the different things she learns on her field trip. Their education is not restrained within the walls of the school. My nephew is younger and in the preschool program. They start introducing them to the same subjects at a more age appropriate level while preparing them to advance into kindergarten. He is always so excited to show me his classroom and the projects he has done. The only draw back to this school is its a little to far south for ME to make the daily drive for my kids to have attended. The Huntington Beach area is fortunate to have this fantastic school. read more

This school is amazing. They go above and beyond for their students. My daughter has been learning so much in the short time we've been here. She's been exposed to sports, letters, numbers, colors, music, art, and so much more. They are taught appropriate social behavior too. For example, how to play with others, how to be kind, please and thank you's, how to help others, how to apologize. My daughter looks forward to school every day. She loves her teachers and all that they do for/with them. I feel 100% confident that she is safe and cared for while I'm away at work. Their potty training system is fantastic! My daughter (who is 2) can confidently use the bathroom with no accidents. We have been accident-free for 3 months! I have also noticed that her vocabulary has exploded since starting there. It's amazing to hear all she has to say. I really can't say enough good things. I definitely recommend this place. I love this pre-school! read more

My wife and I have had all four of our kids go to Carden Pre-School and elementary school. The Pre-School staff is full of loving and caring people. The teachers are top notch and our kids have learned so much from them. We think of Carden has our "Second Family" and that is because Mrs. Ghonouie has done such a fantastic job as Principal. My wife and I always say to ourselves that we are so lucky to have found this school. The teachers are nurturing and really care about the kids like as if they were their own. We have told many parents about the school and everybody who checks it out winds up attending because of the amazing academics and opportunities they have at this school. Thank you Carden for watching after our children and keeping them safe. We are honored to have our family attend your school. read more

Both of you children go there and the school, hands down is A++! The class sizes are small so the teachers are able to work individually more with the students. The teachers are amazing! Our youngest is in the pre-school and will be attending kindergarten there when old enough. The Pre School teachers are so great and our child has grown so much and absolutely LOVES them! We recommend Carden Conservatory to everyone. read more

You know I was not sure about this pre-school after I read the review from Nicole M. of Irvine, CA, June of 2016. I initially toured Carden October 2016 but after reading the review I decided to explore other pre-schools and ended up just keeping my child home with me until we were ready summer 2017 to give it a go. I was never sure Carden was a good fit for us because after researching it I didn't get a good or bad feeling about it just empty. I couldn't tell from the photos on the website whether or not the kids were happy or not they never displayed much emotion and their philosophy was so broad and vague I never really understood what their actual philosophy is other than the "Whole Child" methodology but beyond that it's like Carden doesn't have a soul. So I decided to give Carden a try summer 2017 and I was pleasantly surprised that my child just fell right in with Carden, no crying and she seemed to be a part of the group and I generally liked the teachers but they weren't exceptional by any means. But I also thought they had the TV on too often. Teacher made some ignorant comments in regards to children who are multi-racial with their hair, etc. I brushed that off to ignorance. Then my child had an aba therapist shadow her at school and they again made ignorant comments like oh she doesn't seem to have problems or seems normal. That's because she is and she was strictly in an the 0-3 program for a slight expressive language delay which has mostly resolved. A few weeks into her being there what I feared would happen happened. I picked her up and her eye is red, scratched up and so I ask the teacher if she fell and she casually says, "Oh well a child, a girl, attacked her". I was furious because she was so blase about it like hey no big deal. So in an effort to get as much info about the safety of the pre-school environment I repeatedly ask her how often this other child does this and she tells me that lately she's had to talk to the Parents every week about this problem child who hits other children. While we were talking two boys were fighting while her son looked on. I ask her how safe it is and is this something I have to worry about and she states she doesn't have to tell me and I say yes you do because as a Parent I have a right to know and she finally admits that yes this is a problem but they are watching it. So in my mind I make a decision that if they allow this kind of behavior perhaps this is not the kind of environment I want my child in. I mean to be honest I kind of felt like this wasn't the school for my child. The children who attend this school are strange, the teachers aren't friendly, and they seem like they are in their own world. I mean I don't think these children are exposed to other cultures often or even other ethnic groups. I mean I felt like they were scared of me because I have brown skin and the Parents never spoke to me not once. When I did have interactions with other teachers they would just stare at me. It was a very odd school with very odd children. I mean if you are going to teach then anything teach them to be open-minded and tolerant of the world because all I saw was a group of kids who know nothing about the world they live in and who judge people. So after a few weeks I was exploring possibly going back to Carden after cooling off I thought maybe I over-reacted but Shagha declined and agreed that it wasn't the right fit for my child and she's right! After talking to Ms. Flores she basically said they felt it wasn't a big deal and my argument is listen this kid basically clawed at her eye and if she successfully scratched her eye ball my child would be dealing with lifelong eye issues and they just didn't care. They basically said hey we are keeping the trouble child because her money is better than yours and that's that. I didn't like how they tried to minimize the attack by saying it was only her cheek. Umm NO it was scratches above and below her eyelid and I have photos to prove it! The thing that sickens me is that they would keep a child like that and say oh it's just kids. I could understand maybe once or twice but not everyday sorry that is an undiagnosed behavioral issue. NONE of my children were violent and none hit or bit other children and I never had a problem with other kids attacking my other children. California is more violent and the children take after their violent Parents and Carden is no exception. But I think they need to enforce their own policy if they even really have one. They also need to get helmets for when the kids ride those bikes on that cement extremely dangerous! The bottom line is NO I didn't over-react and I'm happy Shagha said no we don't want your child back because I would be stupid to take her back. I know they have problems at their school that they don't want to address. But Ms. Flores went above and beyond to make sure the kids were safe and called me when my child started to get sick. But it just didn't work out. read more

My three kids go to Carden, and they started from preschool there. The teachers are wonderful. Very caring and great with the kids. A wonderful school all around from preschool to junior high. read more

Carden Conservatory Preschool is great! I went there when I was younger and it helped prepare me to do well for the rest of my life. I just graduated college and still have so many fond memories from the playground. read more

Fantastic school, fantastic teachers! My two children have attended Carden for seven years. We started in the preschool and continued forward. I am so appreciative for the teachers and staff at Carden. They take great care and dedication to bring the very best education to my children. It's amazing how supportive and caring the teachers and staff are at Carden Conservatory - truly a family atmosphere. The balance between academics and electives is more than they would obtain from other schools. My children have had Spanish, art and music since preschool. From kindergarten on every grade has computer education. The peer to peer support is excellent. I prefer to have my children attend a school with a class size of 10-15 than 30-40. Carden Conservatory is a top-notch education and I cannot say enough good things about it. read more

We have been a Carden Conservatory family for 6 years now. Both of our children attend Carden Conservatory and have been attending since my oldest was 3 yrs old. We could not ask for a better learning environment. Our children enjoy school, and we are amazed year by year how much more they are advanced from their friends who attend public school. If you are looking for a strong program, amazing teachers and great families, Carden is the school for you!! read more