Sport L.'s experience doesn't reflect the Redwood Day School that I send my kids to. Redwood Day is…read moregreat in so many ways, from the teachers, administration, the beautiful campus, and a true sense of community. I have two kids at the school, and I am grateful that I made the decision to send them here for these very important years of their education. For math, the school uses a hybrid form of Singapore Math, which for most parents seems very different from what we learned, but it works (and has success metrics - students in Singapore have one of the highest math mastery in the world). They use a different model in the Middle School for the 6-8th span that equally prepares students for higher level math in High School. Redwood Day has ways for kids who need or seek more in math - my kids are always challenged. They also have a Math Olympiad program and programs/staff to help students who may need additional support. I have never found Redwood Day to be lacking in helping my kids learn, grow, and master math. Culture and celebrations are also very integrated at the school - which celebrates everything from Latin, African American, Asian American, and Jewish Heritage months to Women's History. The school is having something for Ramadan, and I know they have also hosted a Shabbat dinner in addition to other cultural celebrations. All to say, Redwood Day is super inclusive, and my kids come home learning a lot about their friends' cultural traditions - just a couple weeks ago, they did a Holi event. No school is perfect, but I believe that Redwood Day is always evolving, changing, and listening to the parent community. For discipline, I'm thankful for the social and emotional learning that starts in K and goes through 8th. Even as 5 year olds, kids learn about choices, options for dealing with conflict, and what and how to make different (and better) choices when there is conflict. I don't know what the prior post means about authoritative discipline, but long gone are the days of that type of discipline model. My kids (and these next generations) need to learn self-awareness, self-regulation, critical thinking, and agency in working out their own differences - with the guidance and oversight of teachers, coaches, mentors, and role models. Personally, I much prefer that my children talk through issues with their friends, take accountability, practice humility, and have the support of trusted adults to help them navigate challenges. Not everyone is the right fit for any school - and as a parent, it is absolutely on us to ensure that we find mutual synergy with the school, teachers, faculty, and community. For me, Redwood Day was the absolute right choice for my kids - and I know they are more because of it.

Sometimes I get parents who reach out and ask me more about redwood day school to them I say we…read moreleft here and went to Berkwood Hedge School in Berkeley where my daughter thrived. We made it though covid with an amazing pivot to outdoor classrooms and my child didn't miss a beat. She's now in a public middle school: wise, self assured, kind. confident and getting straight A's. I believe her courage and strong sense of self come from the education she received at Berkwood Hedge School. If you're looking for a truly inspiring progressive independent education check them out. Not as many Bells and whistles but what matters is there the heart and the academics.

Our time at Park Day has been so refreshing, our child LOVES the school, and we are so happy to…read morehave found such a wonderful place for our child to learn & grow. The community has been wonderful & welcoming (so many play dates, camping trips and more!); the school leadership/staff is fantastic & communicative; the teachers are deeply invested in their students. Here are a few key things we've loved about Park Day: * Community that is authentic and actually does what they say in terms of inclusion & equity. It's a school with heart, soul and character. * Learning environments that are whole-child learning, from time outdoors on campus to academic differentiation without burning kids out or forcing them into a mold. Our child adores the diverse curriculum including learning garden, music, art, innovation lab. * Strong & consistent leadership to guide the school and its goals. There is so much top-notch communication, energy, engagement, approachability and the understanding of children is simply astounding.

Our first-grader started at Park Day this year, and we couldn't be happier. They're a kid with…read morestrong feelings and for whom transitions can be hard, but from our very first open house at the school, they felt more comfortable than at any other school we visited. By two months in, their teachers said they seemed just as integrated into the community as the kids who started in kindergarten, and I know that's because of how the school designs the beginning of the year. My kid seems comfortable to be themself at Park Day and has made sweet friends. The academics have been outstanding too. Our kid's teachers are phenomenal, expertly differentiating the class for math and literacy so every kid feels challenged. They do have some apps they use for math and literacy but screen time seems minimal compared to my friends' schools. There is a ton of project-based learning, integrating different disciplines through sustained group and individual projects. And the after-school enrichment activities are amazing: "coding," chess, jewelry design, Mandarin, movement, you name it. I was nervous that sending our kid to a private school would develop a sense of entitlement and disconnection from the rest of Oakland. While it's not like our neighborhood public school, the school does the best it can to openly address its position as a private school and build connections with neighboring schools. Each first-grader has a buddy at Oakland International High School, and they take turns visiting each other's schools and getting to know what the little ones and teens have in common. The school actually has a person whose job it is to cultivate community partnerships and service learning opportunities. We have been most impressed by the transparent and frequent communication, from the head of school to the teachers to the classroom parents. (Get ready to spend lots of time reading all the updates and reminders on Parent Square and WhatsApp.) You can even book mid-semester conferences with the PE, Art, music, and Spanish teachers, not just the homeroom teachers. The parent community is full of cool and welcoming folks, with lots of identity-based affinity groups. Also, Park Day allots the most funding to indexed tuition (financial aid) per kid of any independent school in California. So before you let the sticker price turn you away, check it out. There's so much more I could share, but this is already too long! In short, we *love* this diverse, beautiful, and thoughtful school.

I think that the new principle has definitely changed things for the better. I'm excited to see…read morewhat else he comes up with that is new and creative. The parents and community have been really reacting well to him....very good thing. I went here, my middle sister went here, my best friends went here, my youngest sister goes here, my younger cousin as well. Its just a really good place to raise your kids. Not just because of the school, but the community around as well. Laurel district ROCKS

We sent our 5 year old to Laurel for kinder mainly just because it was the local school, but it has…read moreturned out to be a great experience. The teachers and staff and principal all seem to genuinely care and be good at their jobs, and it shows in the happiness of the kids. As an example, my kid for some reason we may never know was scared to go into the lunch line at the cafeteria, and therefor wasn't eating lunch. I mentioned this to the principal who happened to be outside before school and he took us right at that moment to go meet the lunch lady and practice going through the line, and then when we got to class I told the teacher why we were a couple minutes late the teacher said he would walk with my son into the lunch line that day. He's been eating school lunch every day since. He plays better with other kids than he ever did in preschool. Oh, he also reads at a 2nd grade level (but I get part of the credit for that!). They have a pretty awesome brand new playground, a garden, fieldtrips, music class, (optional) parent meetings and volunteer opportunities, and a pretty good budget for a public school. We'll be sending our second kid here in a few years once she's old enough

The school has so much going for it, and mainly was a great place when my kid attended more than…read moreten years ago. However, an excellent and beloved aftercare, Adventure Time, was forced out under false pretenses in 2014. Their contract was broken so another aftercare could slide right in. It made me wonder back then. Makes me wonder even more now.

A few years ago, my husband and I first visited Joaquin Miller on a parent volunteer led tour of…read morethe school. We were pretty happy with the private school our then-preschooler was attending and were considering keeping him there through elementary school. Our primary concerns about public school were mostly about class size and colored by negative stories then in the news about the financial woes and generally poor performance of schools in the OUSD -- concerns that were quickly dispelled upon learning more about Joaquin Miller and enrolling our kids there. Right off the bat, we were immediately struck not only by the bright hallways and cheery classrooms decorated with student art projects, but also by the intelligence and passion shared by the teacher and parent guide we met that day. We saw parent volunteers and aides helping out in the classrooms, and kids who looked happy and engaged. Lessons were creatively approached and students' individual talents and needs were respected and addressed. We saw that this was a place where everyone involved was working together to create a vibrant, supportive community where kids learn and thrive -- and that our whole family might benefit from getting to know our neighbors better (not always an easy trick in the hills). Now, we have two kids doing great at Joaquin Miller, and we continue to be impressed by the staff and the dedication of the parents to contribute the success of the school. JM has an impressive library and computer lab, Khadra and African dance, after-school enrichment programs, and phys-ed and music classes, supported by the PTA. The multicultural education though the Living history program is especially terrific. We love this school and would recommend it to anyone in the neighborhood. The JM website has more info on academics, parent involvement, and school performance. Yelp! has the wrong school office phone number listed: it is (510) 531-6688.

We live in Berkeley and both our daughters attend St. T. We are so grateful to St. T for helping…read moreour daughters be their best. We are especially impressed with the St. Theresa's teaching staff, their high academic standards, and the St. T community.

We have had a wonderful experience with Pacific Bay Christian School. One of our children has…read morealready graduated from PacBay and is now in college, and our second child is currently a senior and will be graduating this summer. Both of them were able to get into the colleges they wanted, thanks in part to the strong foundation they received here. PacBay's small, close-knit community is truly special. The small class sizes mean that teachers know each student by name -- they know them well, not just as a headcount, but as an individual who matters. It's clear that every student is seen, supported, and valued by both the teachers and the broader community. The school also provides many opportunities for students to grow academically, socially, and personally. The leadership team is attentive and genuinely listens to students' needs, making real efforts to act on their feedback. We are so grateful to have been part of the PacBay family and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a caring, supportive high school environment.

Our journey at TRIS was an experience that our family will always appreciate and treasure. The…read morestaff and teachers are dedicated to helping the students grow and discover possibilities from within. Their holistic approach for academic and personal development is what stands out most for us. As parents, TRIS was a valued partner in helping us uphold and reinforce our desire to nurture responsibility and accountability in our children. It wasn't enough for our children to be "smart.," although it is evident that our children and other TRIS children are among the smartest in their respective environments. Our goal was to instill behaviors that help them to lead, to participate in and to consider the world around them. Overall, Montessori education has made an incredible impact on how my children tackle challenges and conflict in their lives. As a result, they embrace opportunities to meet new people and try difficult things even when they are nervous or afraid. This is even the case for one of our children who exhibited shyness and introversion from a young age. TRIS and Montessori education helped us to realize that our children have innate capabilities and interests that will enable them to pursue things that have purpose and value to them now and in the future. There aren't enough words to describe the foundation TRIS helped to build in our children. Completely worth the investment and sacrifice.

We were initially drawn to TRIS for its Montessori-inspired, self-directed learning style and what…read moreseemed like a knowledgeable and nurturing teaching staff. Our children attended from 2021 to 2023, starting in Pre-Primary and Primary. While our neurotypical daughter did okay, our son--who has learning differences--was not supported in the way we expected from a school that emphasizes individualized education. After his teacher and the head of the elementary program raised concerns, we pursued a comprehensive private assessment based on their recommendation. When we shared the results--which showed he was severely academically behind (below the 5th percentile in reading skills)--we received no response for two weeks. When they did reach out, the response was dismissive and lacked urgency. Even though they had asked for the assessment, they questioned the accuracy of the results and brushed off the findings by saying, "everyone learns at their own pace." His significant learning gaps were not treated as an educational concern. The burden of support was placed entirely on us as parents--recommendations focused on hiring outside specialists, while the school offered no internal interventions or accommodations. At the parent-teacher conference, we were blindsided when the Head of School abruptly informed us, with no opportunity for discussion, that our son would not be offered a spot in the Elementary program because there were "too many special needs kids" already enrolled. While our daughter didn't face academic challenges, even she--and her brother--commented on how much more engaging and enjoyable public school was after leaving TRIS. Leadership has since changed, but the current team still includes the former Head of School's daughters and son-in-law. TRIS may look progressive on the surface, but families of children with learning differences should ask careful questions before enrolling. In our experience, it was not an inclusive or responsive environment. One final note: our daughter once suffered a deep gash on her finger--apparently from one of the school's cots--and needed stitches. When her teacher called to notify us, it was made to sound minor, and we were told there was no need to pick her up. When I arrived, I saw how serious the cut was and took her to the doctor immediately. That experience reinforced our concerns about how the school handled safety and communication.

this school is the worst my friend got hurt by a ball and the principal (Mukta Sambrani)she told my…read morefriend to take off her jacket and she told me and my other friend to leave but the original idea was to get a ice back but I guess we weren't getting a ICE PACK BECAUSE THE PRINCIPAL STOPPED US AND TOLD ME AND MY OTHER FRIEND TO GO BACK a day later she had a bruise. There would be no problems if she just got a ice pack. Wow Ms.sambrani great job

The teachers at Lincoln really show how much they care about their students and they teach in ways…read morethat no one can't understand but the principal ( Sambrani) is very disrespectful. She once pressured my child into a false confession by holding them in her office while it was a potluck in my child's class. She always goes back and forth and whenever we disagree on a topic she turns it into an argument. Another thing you all should consider before you send your child to this school is that she is incredibly sexist. One time my child got into a fight with a girl, he got in trouble while she faced no consequences despite being the one who started it. That's all I have to say, so if you are willing to send your child to a school with an unjust, petty, arguemental principal this is the place to go!

While bullying from other students is always a concern, Bentley School has the unique problem of…read morehaving one of its teachers bully her students. Over the course of the year (school events, play dates, birthday parties), without prompting, classmate after classmate informed us that our child's teacher constantly put down our child and those other students who were not favored by her. Weekly, often daily, she would demean and certain students in front of the class. And yet while fellow students saw the problem, and the matter was brought to the school's attention, the school administration did nothing. Enabling bad people is what bad schools do. This is a bad school.

Fabulous, well rounded school. High academic standards, great social emotional support, incredible…read moreteachers and administration. Lots of extracurriculars to get involved with. We are very happy and grateful to have 2 kids here (who joined from OUSD)

Mills College Children's School is an absolute gem and a truly transformative environment for…read morechildren and families alike. The teachers and staff are incredibly supportive, creating an inclusive and diverse community where every child and family feels welcomed and valued. Their ability to meet each child where they are--both in terms of needs and abilities--is unmatched. The educators here are first-rate, highly educated, and deeply dedicated to their craft. They foster an environment where children can blossom socially, emotionally, and academically. Every child is seen, supported, and celebrated, which allows them to build confidence and thrive in all aspects of their development. The care and thoughtfulness that go into every interaction and every element of the program are evident. I feel so privileged to have my child--and myself--be part of this extraordinary community. Mills College Children's School is a place where children and families grow together, and I cannot recommend it highly enough!

My child is in their first year here and we are blown away by the thoughtfulness the teachers put…read moreinto every detail of the students' surroundings and the variety of creative activities my kid gets to choose from in following their interests to see where it leads. This school really does feel like a community that's aligned with our values as a family. I also appreciate that parents at MCCS are encouraged to participate in making learning fun and helping in different ways. I've guest read books to the children and am planning to lead a craft activity in a few weeks. My kiddo looks forward to those moments together. I also really appreciate how I can tap my kid's teacher for advice on how to handle different challenging behaviors when they arise (as a fairly newbie parent). I'd recommend the school again and again.