We came here to pick up our niece. This was my first time picking her up. The pick up line of cars…read moreis an experience. There is even a line just getting off the freeway. Luckily we saw her as soon as we pulled up. I was worried we wouldn't be able to find her in the crowd. Picking up isn't for the lighthearted.

I had two children attend here. If your child is interested in a career in the sciences this school…read moredoes not prepare them for the way classes are taught at a top tier university. The way in which they test (multiple corrections opportunities) and teach (use of calculators) is the opposite of what they do in university. O'Dowd is focused on the appearance of grades but the grades aren't real. They worry about what they can say about college acceptance rates and types of institutions students are accepted to but they don't actually prepare them for how to study for or take exams properly. It's not worth the cost for the outcome. Maybe if your child is interested in the liberal arts or some general finance degree it's fine. If their focus is to just play sports this might also be your spot. If your child is not a minority likely also fine. If you want them to go to one of the top schools in the nation and survive - this is not for your child. Counseling staff have outdated ideas and a relic leading them all. The school does not offer anything that supports essay writing at school or as part of an assignment as many other high schools of a similar position do. They do nothing that provides value. They provide a place for students to submit their college options (for their tracking nothing more) and provide zero coaching on applying. They do not offer support to those that are paying their wages and keeping the lights on. Look elsewhere. This is not worth the financial investment given the lack of genuine college preparation experienced here. Huge disappointment.

We love it at JMSG! Our sixth grader is thriving. She receives so much personal attention and help…read moreto become a confident student. She struggles in math and is becoming a confident math learner. She absolutely loves the emphasis on women's empowerment. This is helping her grow into the kind of woman we want her to be. She participates in musical theater after school and is looking forward to playing basketball next season. What a gorgeous campus, dedicated teachers, and unparalleled curriculum! I'm so glad we found JMSG for our girl!

My 6th grader loves JMSG because "all the classes are really fun and engaging. It is a forest…read morelearning environment with positive teachers and nice friends." The Head of School and the school counselor / wellness teacher welcomes every student at the curb as they arrive every morning! They ask them how they're doing and they answer parent questions. All the teachers are incredibly kind, generous with their time, enthusiastic about their subjects and about teaching middle school girls, engaging, and well qualified. They arrive an hour before school starts in the morning for "cornerstone" when the students can come in and get extra help From them, ask questions, and look over homework. Every week they have special guests and special events, like a whole day dedicated to "words" last Friday, where 3 different authors came in and spoke to the students, and then students got to pick from a variety of literacy-themed electives to attend for the rest of the day. Pi Day was also very fun, with many activities centered around understanding pi and eating homemade pies. At the end of the year, the whole 6th grade class produces a musical. And this year the musical is an original score written by the school's very talented music teacher and a Berkeley Playhouse Children's theater educator and director! We feel very lucky that our daughter was accepted into JMSG and gets to have such a magical middle school experience. She is enjoying learning and is enthusiastic about all subjects. She is excited to go to school every day and takes pride in being completely independent and confident about all her homework assignments.

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.

I don't usually participate in online discussions, but I'm speaking up here again. Redwood Day has…read morea history of downplaying negative experiences that don't fit their narrative, and their response here is no exception. 1. Singapore Math is an excellent way to teach math. However, its execution at Redwood Day falls short tremendously; pacing is inconsistent, and children move between levels without achieving mastery first. 2. I'm glad the parent in the previous review had a positive experience with inclusivity. Listing cultural months and one-off events, however, is not the same as demonstrating that all children feel equally seen and heard. Inclusivity is not a calendar; it has to be embedded in the ethos of the school and in day-to-day practice. When the classroom consistently centers the voices and experiences of some communities over others, children from less represented backgrounds are left on the margins. It's worth asking whose experience is reflected in a positive inclusivity review and whose isn't. 3. Authoritative discipline is well-defined in child development research, and it's worth understanding before dismissing it. All the qualities that the parent wants their kids and the next generation to learn are in fact core to the authoritative discipline model, which calls for: administering fair and consistent discipline when rules are broken; allowing children to express opinions; encouraging children to discuss options; expressing warmth and nurturing; fostering independence and reasoning; listening to their children; and placing limits, consequences, and expectations on behavior. Redwood Day's approach to discipline lacks clear boundaries and consistent follow-through. If teachers struggle with conflict resolution, how are they going to model it for children? It's worth understanding a concept fully before using it to invalidate someone else's experience. Redwood Day is teaching children that it's acceptable to be whoever they are without consideration for the world around them. Teaching history, social justice, and displaying cultural symbols is not enough; all of this is superficial when there is no expectation from children to be upstanding citizens of the world. It makes for a good brochure, but does little for the social-emotional development of children. Every family deserves a school that genuinely aligns with their values. For those considering Redwood Day, I'd encourage you to look beyond the marketing and beyond the parent advocates who echo it. Ask hard questions about whether what's promised is what's actually delivered.

Hola mi nombre es Ana y soy mamá de 3 estudiantes de 5g 6g y 12g aquí en Lighthouse…read more Estoy muy orgullosa de pertenecer a esta comunidad, aquí mis hijos están seguros y an aprendido mucho, La ayuda de oficina es 10 de 10 y los Maestros excelentes!!

This is my kids first year at Lighthouse TK, 4th & 7th grade & I must say...Lighthouse has the most…read morewelcoming community on campus...with lots of great, supportive staffs & teachers...I have seen the growth in my kid's academic since they started Lighthouse...my kids love their new school & feels safe...what I love about Lighthouse is that they are BIG on partnership, collaboration with families coming together to support each other in our kids learning...we all want the best for our kids in helping them grow that will shape their future for success...Lighthouse is the perfect school for my kids!

Yeah, I read the other, very negative reviews, and I disagree!…read more First, I've been a teacher there for 31 years but I also graduated from OHS in 1981. My parents graduated from Fremont High School (but, hey, we can't all be perfect! Lol!) When I was a student at Oakland High, it was in the old building & I kinda miss it but I also thought it could've been better. The counselors were unavailable, there was a focus on the students who would go to University and not so much on "the rest"... and the food was gross. Luckily, I had friends and a little support group of other students who I ran around with. High school life is sometimes rough, especially if you don't have any groups to hang with. Not everyone gets into social clubs and school activities but as an adult, I see how many other opportunities there are at many high schools, but especially at Oakland High. There is a lot of student support and daily student access to teachers outside of class time. There is also a student health center with many other ways that students can engage. Oakland High School cannot be blamed by the other reviewers for the problems with society but in a way that's what they are doing. There is a LOT of violence, bullying, racism, inequity, sexism, homophobia throughout our city, our state and our country but it is NOT the fault of schools. Many teachers and schools, including Oakland High, are trying to do our part to help students think and cope with these issues. If there are not enough counselors then the solution would be to get more counselors but we are told there is not enough money. Therefore it behooves tax payers and all thinking adults to speak up and get involved about how the money a school district IS spent. Join PTA, visit the school to observe teaching and learning, run for school board. Sure, it is easier to just "move away" or to "go to a different school" or to just leave the area but you will never be able to escape the issues that drive the overarching societal problems which school district are always trying to address: racism, classism, homophobia and sexism. Sometimes the public schools are the ONLY places where these issues are openly discussed and solutions are lifted up by our students. Students minds are not vessels to be filled but individuals who can be educated to take responsibility for their actions and meet their futures head on. THAT is what Oakland High School is good at and I sincerely am glad to be part of that community. I hope folks reading this will feel that way too and join Oakland High School. Go Wildcats!!!

This school is the reason why I quit my job in Oakland and moved to another city so my kids can go…read moreto a better school. From the information above, that from that what ever you want and how ever you read it. Just saying.

I would give this school a zero star rating but I have to do at least one star but the dean of the…read moreschool aka director of education took my water for no reason and earlier today she took my Ipad when it was free time and they said I can use my Ipad and she took another kids Ipad at the same time for no reason and she took my water bottle when I was drinking water.

THE WORST MIDDLE SCHOOL im a student of aurum prep if any parents are reading this do not enroll…read moreyour child the teachers dont know how to do their job and the principle and vice principle dont care about the students and dont take any action when theres fights and even the teachers just give up and quit SO DONT ENROLL YOUR KID TO AURUM -Ricardo

I don't really see a friendly atmosphere as the previous comment implies. The principal is quite…read moreintense. Not in a, I think he is here to get things done kind of way. It's more of a elitist attitude that I couldn't possibly see benefiting a school. My child was considering going here until he felt extremely uncomfortable by the atmosphere here. Didn't seem welcoming at all.

Baytech school is a stem focus, technology school. One of the safest schools in Oakland…read more Neighboorhood is great as well. Being a small school also has advantages. Teachers have time available for one on one education. There is a friendly atmosphere here as well.

This review is for the auditorium...it is a great venue! The production you can do there is 2nd to…read morenone. The parking was easily accessible. Restrooms were clean. I did not know what to expect. I will admit it is one of the better Oakland schools auditoriums.

A fantastic learning, place that saved my child's life, amazing teachers grade school…read moreinstallations, and just a good vibe overall they're learning program is fantastic

This school is different. The students do group projects and the whole program is very project…read moreoriented in general. The kids have to make numerous presentations and graduate able to address a critical audience who give feedback. Some programs like Project Invent are evaluated by heavy hitters in industry and yes that means Silicon Valley. The student body is every diverse and the faculty and administration are passionate about what they are doing and we like it so much there wasn't a question where our second child would go to high school.