My experience at Los Cerros Middle School changed me as a person…read more I entered from Vista Grande as a goody-two-shoes, concerned about my "permanent record," trying my best, playing in band, and writing poetry. One day, as I'm sitting down eating lunch, an administrator hands someone at the table a clipboard. "Everyone at this table has to sign up for lunch detention." My beautiful, immaculate permanent record would be ruined! (Note from an adult: Permanent records either don't exist or no one will ever care to read them, so don't worry about what's on them.) Somehow, every one of us had messed up already. "What did we do?" we asked. "Someone threw a recyclable aluminum can in the trash can at the end of this table yesterday, and because I don't know who it was, you all have to be punished." But anyone can throw anything in a trash can at any time, not just the people who sit at the nearest table, we noted. She didn't care. It's just a can? Didn't care. I don't drink out of cans? None of us were even SITTING at this table yesterday? No, our stupid children logic didn't matter, we don't deserve agency or space to reason. This admin just wanted to show how little justice actually mattered, you're just supposed to cower under her authority. This wasn't an isolated incident; I also got real, after-school detention because I forgot to ask my parents to sign my math test. How is it supposed to benefit a student to stare at a wall for an hour after school? So, what did I learn from this experience? That getting in trouble has nothing to do with whether you did anything wrong. It's all about getting caught. Ever since then, I forged signatures on my tests and never got caught. My new favorite hobbies are trespassing and graffiti. Maybe you've seen some of my work around Danville. Los Cerros has a nice Literary Magazine, though.

We have our 2nd child in Los Cerrito's Middle School and have been happy with the most of the…read moreteachers, the staff and the top management. On the occasions where the teacher was out of line we went to the vice principal and got it taken care of, eventually both bad teacher left the school. When there were trouble between the kids management took care of it quickly and efficiently. The education is top-notch, we have no complains, the kids get a good education.

It has taken me over a year to gather the courage to write this review, and my motivation is not…read moreborn out of anger alone, but from a place of profound disappointment and a broken heart. My journey with this school, which spanned nearly five years, was full of moments that initially filled us with hope but ultimately left us deeply disillusioned. When my daughter and I were first accepted, we were elated. I remember the tears of joy as we shared the news with family, and we even brought a cake to the staff to express our appreciation. We believed we had found a safe, nurturing Christian environment where my daughter could thrive academically and spiritually, and where she would form lasting, meaningful relationships under the guidance of a Christian curriculum and staff. Unfortunately, as the years went by, our experience was consistently marred by disappointments, particularly with the behavior of some of the teachers. What was even more troubling, however, was the principal's response--or lack thereof. Time after time, when issues were brought to her attention, Miss Westgate, the principal, would dismiss concerns or, worse, turn the situation around, making the staff out to be the victims despite undeniable evidence to the contrary. This lack of accountability was heartbreaking, but I continued to hope that my daughter was still receiving a good education. One of the more distressing events during our time at the school involved a teacher who submitted a letter to CPS, claiming that I was unsafe with my daughter because she sat in the front seat of the car. The car in question was a two-seater, and the airbag had been turned off--perfectly legal. CPS, when contacted, dismissed the claim as frivolous, noting they often receive baseless reports from this school. This was just one example of many, where the school staff overstepped, and yet no action was taken to address the behavior. Another shocking incident involved the leaking of private information from a live scan to parents who were not authorized to see it. Despite my attempts to bring this to Miss Westgate's attention, there was no explanation, just a shrug and an admission of ignorance. I had nothing to hide, but the idea that such sensitive information was handled so carelessly was inexcusable. As time passed, my daughter's emotional well-being became a growing concern. She was bullied by a former close friend, and after repeatedly addressing the situation with the staff, I was forced to take matters into my own hands. I spoke politely with the child involved, reminding her of their past friendship and encouraging her to reconcile. I even communicated this to the child's father and Miss Westgate, who assured me she would look into it. The following day, however, Miss Westgate informed me that I was no longer allowed on school property, that my behavior was deemed inappropriate. I was barred from participating in school activities I had been a part of for years, including chapel and father-daughter events. Despite my efforts to resolve the matter amicably, the school took an aggressive stance, forcing me to withdraw my daughter. When I made the decision to pull my daughter from the school, it wasn't out of spite but out of necessity. I needed to protect her, and unfortunately, staying at this school was no longer in her best interest. The final blow came when we enrolled her in a local public school, only to discover that she was a year behind academically, despite having been told that private education would provide a better foundation. This gap in her education, combined with the emotional toll of her experience at this school, has been incredibly difficult to navigate. We've had to hire a tutor to catch her up, a process that has added more stress to an already challenging situation. As I reflect on this experience, it is clear to me that the principal, Miss Westgate, failed to hold her staff accountable for their actions. Despite providing her with ample evidence of their misconduct, she chose to defend them and, in the end, made it impossible for us to continue our relationship with the school. It's with a heavy heart that I share this review, but I feel compelled to speak out. My daughter's experience, our family's experience, was far from the Christian, nurturing environment we had hoped for. I would caution any parent considering this school to carefully weigh these factors and consider whether this is the right place for their child.

I'd give this school no stars if I could. If you don't live in Danville or Alamo, find another…read moreschool. I reside in Walnut Creek, and everyone looked at me like I was poor or would question why I'd consider going there (even though my house in Walnut Creek is upwards of 3m and theirs in 1.5-2). My daughter went to the preschool for two years. Poor communication with teachers (they only communicate at pick up in front of other parents, while other schools have apps for communication. No focus on whole child, sit, read, write mentality. If you question anything they will slowly push you out. Was told after testing that she wouldn't do well at the school (she was four). They tested her multiple times without communicating that. There was no communication all year that she had been struggling (shows they don't care about how the kids are doing until testing). Ms. Kalina is awful. Very fake (most of the staff and other moms are). Shows favoritism and said "we will see how this baby turns out" while I was pregnant. Wasn't a good fit. Don't waste your time and send your child to Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church or Contra Costa Christian (some of the teachers at SRVCA said they heard great things about it). My kids now go to those two schools, are thriving and so happy. My daughter told me "I like my new school because they don't put me in time out" (a which we knew nothing of-go figure). Older facilities but genuine and loving community-everything you want for your baby and at least they have real grass. Oh yeah, we donated over 1k to have a buck with our name put on it for their upgraded outdoor area.

Very nice school -- my little brother learned a lot from this school. One thing I like about the…read moreschool is the food there; it's unhealthy food, but at least it's not stored in freezers. The park is very good there

My kids have been going here for a couple years- one child now in middle school and one in 4th…read moregrade this year. This is an amazing school. We moved here from Tiburon and I thought we were spoiled over there with top notch schools. And behold... this elementary school is amazing. The teachers are fabulous, and the level of academic excellence here is only matched by its diversity. The 5th graders all get iPads to use during the year, and the teachers are communicative and really invested in helping the children be successful. This is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It is also beautiful, well-designed, and filled with wonderful staff and diverse, intelligent, kind children.

This Yelp review is longgggg overdue--if I could give Brave Christian Preschool 10-stars, I…read moreabsolutely would. We're a military family without relatives nearby, and this school has truly become our extended family. We've been part of this community since my kids were just a few months old, and I can't say enough amazing things about the school. Why we love Brave Christian: ** Warm, family-like community - The staff and teachers genuinely care--it feels like home - My kids are deeply loved and supported every day. ** Engaging, thoughtful programming - Daily fun and enriching activities - Creative crafts (with special keepsakes for parents!); I look forward to all the fun "gifts" the kids make throughout the year. - Personalized yearly binders filled with drawings, photos, and memories that capture the kids growth and development ** One-of-a-kind facilities - Huge indoor gym - Outdoor courtyard with play structures and swings - Outside garden with weekly gardening activities - Auditorium ** Unique extras - Onsite Spanish teacher throughout the week - Pet lizard and bird to greet the kids each morning - Visits to the kindergarten classes up the hill for fun interaction with older kids - Special events like petting zoos and visits with exotic animals ** Family & community events - Harvest Festival - Ice Cream Socials - Science & Art Fair - Other onsite events that bring families together - Fun themes like Dr. Seuss week ** Nutritious (and fun) snacks provided that kids enjoy - A lot of the "snacks" are even heated/warm! ** Great communication & safety - Mobile App with daily updates and photos - Strong onsite security for peace of mind ** Support for military & families - Military discount + acceptance of military subsidies - Sibling discounts available ** Above-and-beyond teachers - Some have even become our trusted babysitters outside of school It's worth noting that Brave Christian is a faith-based school (as the name suggests), but the community is diverse, inclusive, and welcoming to families of all backgrounds and beliefs. They foster an environment where everyone feels respected and valued. At this age, the focus is on helping children grow into kind, respectful, and compassionate humans. This amazing team has helped raise my kids, and I've truly watched them flourish under their care. I'm so grateful we found this place. Thank you, Brave Christian, for pouring so much love into our family

Just sharing some more information for those looking at my review:…read more1. In terms of race and gender, they are quite diverse. But they are very faith-focused at many points. Please note that on their website they do endorse items like marriage being only between one woman and one man and even their class examining different religions has a Christian bias. That does not mean that non-Christians or people who may go against these values will 100% be treated bad(although I can't speak for any new changes or LGB people), but it is something to note if you are looking at this school. 2. Adding onto the diversity part, I had teachers that were more conservative, others that were a bit more nuanced, some I have no idea about, teachers who care about social justice. But all the teachers I had were very much nice to me in some way, even as a non-Christian. In other words, the teachers very much care about their job and ensuring your child will be well-rounded enough and good at thinking. I found that I was much better at thinking about the world as a whole, though that may be more about me than the school. But just note that there might be a diversity of views, some you might find uncomfortable, but none that I would call concerning or enough to tell you to not enroll. 3. They seem to really be investing more in sports again, and it's clearly working. Can't speak more about that, but if sports is a priority for you, that might be something to look at. 4. Please note that this review speaks about experiences for this school under its original title as Valley Christian. I can't speak for any new changes under Brave Christian, and they may result in a very different experience than my review has given. Personally, I didn't like what I heard about where the school was heading near the end of my experience there, but that is my opinion and I can be a bit pessimistic. Please do your research before making the decision about whether you would like your child to attend this school! In summary: Unless you just really do not like Christianity, it's worth having a look at this school. But be sure to have a deep look at the school before you make your choice.

My son goes there, and my other son went there. Great school for all types of kids (very smart,…read morestruggling, average, etc.) I feel teachers are attentive, but try to push kids to be independent. Maybe too independent. 6th grade staff strong. Principal seems active. New facilites are nice.

One star for selling me candy & soda - minus a star for making my teeth rot…read more One star for Mr. B & Mr. Powers (both no longer there *tear*), minus a star for the science teacher who said I wasn't smart enough for Advanced Biology in H.S. ( I was the top of my Adv. Bio. class, thankyouverymuch) One star for an awesome music teacher (Ms. Musiel - I love you!), minus a star for those hideous gym clothes and stinky locker rooms. One star for building that insanely huge (much needed) gym after I graduated, minus a star for covering up the area I used to hang out with my friends with said gym. One star for a neat little outdoor track to walk around, minus a star for lining us up by assigned number for gym class like some sort of pseudo-Nazi regime. One star for decent music at school dances, minus a star for the awkwardness that ensued. Stone Valley isn't a perfect school, but I do have a certain fondness for that painful time that is pubescence (terrible word, isn't it?) and an even greater fondness for the fact I will never have to live through it again.

The teachers and staff are really nice Food is alright for…read moreschool standards Playground is awesome

I miss the school so much and I hope I want to see my teacher someday Miss Clark she's my teacher…read moreand I Miss her very much she's very sweet nice caring helpful fun I hope you're doing well so far and have a wonderful year

After years at The Athenian School, the pattern is hard to miss and it's not a positive one…read more Academically, there are visible coverage gaps. Teachers are reassigned across subjects in ways that feel reactive, not intentional, and it shows in uneven rigor and depth. Oversight appears inconsistent, with little indication of sustained evaluation or development to ensure instructional quality. Staffing stability is also a concern, midstream departures and changes have impacted continuity in the classroom or elective, which matters from a student and parent perspective. The rubric/grading shift, framed as "equity," ends up compressing outcomes. In practice, it reduces differentiation between students and lowers the ceiling rather than raising the floor. Strong students aren't pushed; weaker outcomes are normalized. It can also reward students who closely match what a given teacher is looking for, rather than those demonstrating deeper or more independent mastery, narrowing, rather than expanding, meaningful academic rigor. Communication is another friction point. Parents receive a high volume of emails from multiple sources, with information spread across messages and platforms. Important details can be difficult to track, especially for those already managing full schedules and inboxes. School climate is also worth examining. In our experience, our teen encountered peer interactions that raised concerns around inclusivity and respect for differences. We did not see clear communication or follow-through addressing those situations or, at best, limited transparency or parent dialogue when problems arise. More broadly, the student body and staff do not reflect a high level of diversity, which may matter to families. Programs like AWE are positioned as unique and distinguishing. There are committed people involved, but the program carries additional cost and execution issues (recurring when talking with previous parents). At the institutional level, the school feels adrift. We've learned of the loss of the boarding program this year, ongoing turnover, and shifting priorities all which suggest a lack of clear direction and raise a straightforward question: what, exactly, are you paying for? College counseling reinforced that concern. Guidance leaned heavily toward "safe" schools, with little appetite for thoughtful risk. We chose to override it and our teen was admitted to a school labeled "unlikely." Bottom line: our teen succeeded, but not because of the school's systems. It was largely in spite of, with limited added value from the institution. For families considering this school, go in with eyes open. Ask direct questions about staffing stability, grading philosophy, program execution, and how information is communicated to families. The answers matter, look for clear, concrete answers, not just polished or well-rehearsed responses.

The Athenian school is a special place. My son plays sports and I have travelled to many Bay Area…read moreprivate schools for matches. No schools have campuses as beautiful as Athenian, not College Prep, Bentley, or even Nueva. Athenian's 75-acre campus is at the foothill of Mt. Diablo, it is a bit remote but the beautiful campus rivals some small colleges. Campus aside, I feel the teachers really try to make learning fun, and the kids are all happy going to school there. The academics are pretty rigorous, but the kids don't feel stress out. In a small class of 12-15 students, my son can't hide or cruise. I see improvement in his communication skill and work ethnics in just a few months. Sports are a big deal in Athenian and get a lot of supports from parents. My son made a lot of friends from joining different teams. I have run into many talented Athenian kids in arts, musics and sports. Some get recruited into top universities in their junior years. The school puts out a lot of events for parents to participate, mingle with the kids, and get to know each other. There are parents bookclub, coffee / hikes, Student plays, Jazz night, culture nights, and homecoming night. Some of the performances are opened to the public, I encourage you to come and see for yourself. One review talked about director of admission. Chris has left Athenian a couple years ago. All the staffs I interacted with are nice and receptive to new ideas. Another reviewer highlighted guest speakers and domestic/international trips. I couldn't agree more. There are so many learning opportunities that made me jealous (I went to UC). Every semester, alumni would come back to share their college experience. One common theme is how well Athenian has prepared them and they are thriving in top 20 universities. If Athenian kids can survive 3 weeks camping in the Death Valley and the Sierra, other adversities will seem easy to them. If you want your kid to be well-rounded, resilient and have a diverse group of lifelong friends, Athenian is the perfect school. https://www.athenian.org/athenian-blog-and-news

I don't know where to start. I love this school so much. The teachers and staff are warm and…read morewelcoming, the classrooms are so interesting for the kids and the curriculum allows for students of all abilities to be part of the class. You can tell the people that work there because it's their passion, not means to an end.

My som has been in this school for 3 years, amazing Staff and Principle…read moreGreat to be in here