Our family loves Mariemont. They have been there for us. We are a mixed family, Samoan, Mexican and…read moreItalian. While it is true that many people here are Caucasian, I don't feel like anyone discriminates against us. The teachers have embraced our family and the other parents in my son's classes are friendly with us. It's too bad that some have had a bad experience here. I haven't been involved with the PTA beyond volunteering at the fall carnival, etc. so I can't speak to the nature of the PTA members. Elizabeth Wahl is a good principal and she reached out to me when my son was in 1st grade to help me get him into Discovery Club. My advice: take advantage of what this school has to offer academically. If you're feeling like the PTA is exclusive and homogeneous, bring a friend to the meetings! This school has a lot to offer: STORM (Special Team of Role Models); Ms. Messner is one of the MOST AMAZING educators around town; and the people in the office CARE about the well-being of the students! This school is rated a 9 or 10 by www.greatschools.org, focus on what they have to offer academically.

So they diagnosed my son with a hearing issue stating this is what was wrong or it could even be…read moresomething developmental like ADHD. He was retained in grade K after we believed he sincerely had some type of issue since he only scribbled on papers, couldn't write well, wasn't able to read or put words/sounds together -- albeit he is a genius in math.He counts up to 200 and is 5... I took him to our Native American clinic for a screening and his pediatrician who didn't do his pre-K screening (vision and hearing) noted he hears fine, doesn't appear to have ADHD, and has a hard time seeing. I was shocked, a hard time seeing? They believed he was around 20/30 or 20/40 since he did poorly on the eye chart. Bless his pediatrician's office because he could only ready the 40 and 50's at the eye doctors without help, so they were very correct. So he has poor vision in his left eye where he needs nearly a +3.00 lense and his right eye is overcompensating for the issue and is also weakened where he needs a +1.50 in that eye. With his glasses on he clearly writes his name and can color... because he can SEE! Mariemont only wanted to blame some type of developmental issue or a hearing issue as his problem. I remember at one point being told the other kids had preschool and because he didn't that might be the issue. I stated preschool was out of our budget and I was reminded that the neighborhood is wealthier so the kids go to preschool... So their kids were automatically seen as better because they were rich and white. You'd think someone in the process would have tested his eyesight if he had a problem reading. It seems so, DUH! now but I am a first time parent dealing with an uptight school but they do this everyday so there is no excuse. I continue to state his teacher was awesome and did what he could but their administration and even other parents are the nightmare there. I am on the fence for him returning I can't do to it him even though they are considered a "good school" they are not a good school for someone with a mixed ethnic background whose parents don't net 100k+ a year.

Mrs. Mugnaini and Mrs. Campbell and great teachers please if your child is in 4/5 grade make sure…read morethat they are in those classes

Sierra Oaks is a really great K-8 school. The principal Mrs. Butorac is very active and makes…read moreherself available and doesn't just sit in her office all day like other past principal's my daughter had.Most of my child's teachers keep me informed with what's going on each week and sends home progress reports quite frequently which is a big plus. I will say that one of the office staff who's name starts with a M is not very personable and acts as though your bothering her if you need more information on school events or just have basic questions. My daughter is in the 7th Grade and I will say it will get quite pricey once you child gets into 7th and 8th grade is when they take really nice trips to Florida and Southern Cali etc.. Overall I really like this school for my daughter parents are very involved in school activities and I can't believe how well mannered the students are. I would highly recommend Sierra Oaks if you have high expectations for your child's education. my daughter is really happy she goes to this school.

My daughter attends Maryhill Midtown, and I honestly can't say enough good things about this…read moreschool. From the moment we first stepped on campus which is now 5 years ago, it just felt different -- warm, welcoming, and full of energy. The teachers are incredible -- caring, attentive, and truly invested in each child's growth. The curriculum strikes such a great balance between strong academics and creative, hands-on learning. My daughter has grown so much in both confidence and curiosity since starting here and even visits her favorite teacher Ms. Castro. The sports programs are another huge highlight! There's such a great community spirit, and it's clear that the staff..shout out to Mr. Kennedy...values teamwork, leadership, and fun just as much as skill. What I love most is how inviting the environment is. You can feel the pride and positivity in everything from the classrooms to the playground. It's a place where kids are genuinely excited to go to school every day. I love every year they have been introducing new electives from sewing to DnD to even a T Swift club that is engaging for everyone. If you're looking for a school that blends strong academics, great extracurriculars, and a warm community -- Maryhill Midtown is a gem. We couldn't be happier.

A World-Class Learning Community -- and an Distinguished School…read more Both of my daughters have been a part of Merryhill since before they turned one, and the experience has been nothing short of exceptional. From the very beginning, the school has provided a warm, family-like environment where students, parents, and teachers genuinely connect and collaborate. Merryhill's academics are comparable to top performing schools -- accelerated, challenging, and thoughtfully designed to help every student reach their fullest potential. As an Apple Distinguished School, technology and innovation are seamlessly integrated into the classroom, empowering students to think critically, create, and lead with confidence. Beyond academics, the variety of extracurriculars is extraordinary -- from Taylor Swift Club, Sewing, and Pokémon Club to sports and creative arts -- there's something for every child to discover and enjoy. Oh yes and Kids Kitchen ‍ The leadership of Mrs. Kennedy and Mr. Wallis has been remarkable. Their vision, compassion, and commitment to academic excellence create an atmosphere where teachers truly partner with families to nurture both the mind and heart of every student. From daycare at Merryhill Karista through elementary and middle school here at Merryhill Midtown has been a place of growth, belonging, and inspiration. We only wish there were a high school level to continue this incredible journey. Thank you Mustangs Parm Dhillon

I went to this school and it was so fun. They teach all aspects of social and academic side of…read moreschool. It also is Pre K - 12th. Which means a student of any age can attend. This I believe is the best school in the area.

As a parent ask for curriculum to see what they are teaching your kids. I design curriculum for a…read moreliving for the past 17 years. When i asked, they said they dont have it all in one place. How did you get accredited? As a parent, know what they are teaching your kids behind your back. This is my honest review of this school.

The best elementary school in the san juan school district. The principal she is great teachers are…read morewonderful.

The community at AM Winn is kind, welcoming, and open-minded. Every teacher is dedicated and…read morefantastic. This is the underdog of the area Waldorf schools - we are scrappy, diverse, and creative. We have been growing every year. I moved my children here from another Waldorf school, first feeling like it was a risk, but my children and I are so happy we made the move. The low reviews seem to be from people who don't understand what waldorf education is, and are upset their children aren't getting drilled and rigorously tested. Your children will get a good education here, not only academically, but socially and emotionally as well. And the work may sometimes be disguised in song or helping the earth. Raising kind humans takes all those things.

This is a great school and a real community. It gets back to the heart of teaching and not just…read moretesting, and truly allows kids to be kids while reaching them where they are. Before switching my daughter from a college prep to AM WINN I scheduled a visit, did my research on the curriculum, and checked with some coworkers who grew up in a Waldorf education and found that there were so many beneficial aspects. The curriculum is based on what's appropriate for the age and fully submerges them in a subject. The kids learn actual life skills (think in the sense that most middle/high schools lost home economics, cooking, gardening, sewing, cursive, etc - these kids are learning it from K-8). All of the kids play an instrument each year. They transition through various handwork - finger knitting, knitting, crocheting, sewing, etc. And after meeting several kids in the neighborhood I noticed they have such amazing temperaments and spirits and are so welcoming and joyful. I am truly glad that we found AM Winn as my daughter is blossoming in the Waldorf community and education approach. At first glance I believed Waldorf was something only "white, hippie people put their kids in" as I read some reviews on Waldorf education, but I was so wrong for going along with that belief, even if only for a moment. Consider that as adults we all learn differently and receive information differently - so why do we expect our kids to learn one way in school? AM Winn and the Waldorf approach reaches kids by incorporating every learning style. It's a holistic approach with a concern for the mind body and spirit of the child. They will not only learn about a culture/era, but they will build shelters, take a field trip to an exhibit, sing about it, write about it, draw it out, etc. Math is taught in a way for the kids to think through it in various methods, not just regurgitate information. It's age appropriate not where the district says they should be for their funding purposes. And I love that the school is VERY culturally diverse. Had I gone based on some of the school rating websites or testing sites I might have steered from the school, But I toured the school and fell in love. Some of the reports show that it's not diverse, the kids are far behind in subject matter, and it received some negative reviews - that I will say from my experience here that info is false. My daughter is multiracial, and she has a diverse group of friends that don't see color, she is just as knowledgeable in subjects as my step kids who attend another public school, thinks on a deeper level than they do, has developed a strong sense of empathy and justice for others, and we love it here. I've watched my daughter recover from some of the damage that her previous school did to her She previously attended a college prep school that I won't name but literally broke her spirit, and I've known many people who reported the same thing. The kids were expected to "slant" and sit perfectly still while others finished their work, she would get in trouble for READING in class or drawing because she wasn't slanting, and wasn't actually taught to work through a math problem only to memorize answers for timed lessons. There wasn't much play involved with only a tiny jungle gym in the parking lot - she didn't even have the coordination to do the monkey bars. Math was drilled in and time tested, without the proper attention for those that didn't understand. I had to make a change because my daughter who once loved school cried every evening and had anxiety with math. The college prep/common core was not actually taught in a way to solve the problem but merely to memorize and test well for funding. After making the change to AM Winn it was a drastic change in her. It took a moment for her to adjust but she loved it. She gets to be creative. She gets to be free. And most importantly she gets to be a kid- something that many children are missing out on in today's society as we push them to grow up quickly and test well. My daughter has become quite the artist, loves playing the guitar and singing, she's a great story teller and writer, an avid reader and reads 3 grades above her level. I say all of that to say this - just as everyone has their own taste in food, so too our children will have their own taste in learning. As a parent you have to allow them to satisfy that taste and not just force the norm on them. AM Winn might not be the best school for everyone, but for many of these kids a traditional public school that drills in information but doesn't address the heart of the child isn't the best for them. AM Winn reaches for their heart when material is presented and these kids WANT to learn because of it. So if you've made it through reading all of this it's because you're interested in the school and wanted a real opinion on it. I would say your next step is to visit and see if it's right for you and your child.

My daughter was in TK this year with Mrs. Riegos and we loved her first year at St. Philomene. She…read morehas learned so much academically and is thriving thanks to the care of Mrs. Riegos and the other staff. The principal Mrs. Bray is approachable and I love that everyone at the school knows my daughter and takes their part in her education. I love the TK-8 environment and that the older students help take care of the littles. The older students are very respectful and the academics are exceptional. We are looking forward to our daughter thriving, learning Spanish and having a faith filled education during her K-8 years.

I used to have my child attend this school for 8th grade and it pains me to say that his experience…read morehere was just horrible. There's a lot of things that this school can improve on, specifically for the older kids. The teaching left my son way behind academically during freshman year. The education here is not well and the school is poor, with fundraisers popping up often. The faculty is negligent as well. I've heard that the junior high teachers make students stand outside and wait outside for long periods of time as well. The school mostly does fun things for the younger students, completely ruining the fun for the older kids. This school claims it's inclusive, but my son's comments say otherwise. I would not send my kids here at all, poor teaching and clearly does not care for the older children.

This is one of the best schools in California (it is a California distinguished school). Abundantly…read moreshown through the many awards under this school's belt, ( first place on the nature bowl team, debate team, etc.) a person (teacher, student, or staff) grows significantly after the school years. The teachers are extremely respectful, though not spoiling the kids. At this school, bulling is firmly prohibited. This is an overall great school, and is strongly advised.