My 4-year-old daughter has been attending Wise Roots since spring 2026, and we are so grateful to…read morehave found this one-of-a-kind program! She tends to get along better with older kids, so we really wanted a mixed-age environment, which is surprisingly hard to find for preschool-aged children. We also wanted the flexibility to attend just 1-2 days a week, and I haven't found many other programs for her age that offer that. I toured quite a few preschools in the area and often left feeling uncomfortable with how large and institutional they felt, especially given the high prices. Wise Roots has felt completely different. The teachers build close relationships with each child, the teacher-to-student ratio is often much lower than at other programs, and there is a genuine emphasis on community and children's well-being. From the beginning, it was clear that they truly care about the kids and want each child to feel welcomed, included, and valued. I've also been really impressed by how much art the kids are exposed to and how thoughtfully it's taught. I actually found out later that one of the teachers was a renowned artist whose work had been shown internationally before she became a mom, began homeschooling her own children, and eventually helped create Wise Roots. Once I learned that, the quality and creativity of the art experiences made a lot of sense! It's pretty special to have someone with that kind of background sharing her knowledge with young kids. I've stayed for several sessions to see what they do, and I've been really impressed by the experiences they offer. We've also met so many wonderful homeschool families who share our appreciation for nature, the arts, and community. We feel really lucky to have a program like Wise Roots here in the Bay Area!

Keiki and Macaulay have created such a deeply enriching space for children--a true sanctuary where…read morelearning, nature, and community are beautifully woven together. They offer far more than academics; it nurtures the whole child in a way that feels rare and incredibly needed in today's world. Children are encouraged to connect with the natural world, explore their creativity, and grow at their own pace. There's a grounded, heart-centered rhythm to their days that fosters confidence, curiosity, and resilience. The environment they cultivate empowers kids to trust themselves, express freely, and feel seen and safe--something every child deserves. What makes this group especially unique is their commitment to honoring alternative values, all within a respectful and inclusive community. Families seeking a holistic, values-aligned approach to education will find a true home here. Keiki and Macaulay lead with integrity, deep care, and a genuine love for children. We feel so grateful to be part of this intentional, thriving community.

ACA is dreadful…read more.. Just before my son got into ACA, his camp behavioral therapist said to me she believed he was being coached by the other parent to alienate him from me. And she was willing to work with me to ensure my relationship with my son remained healthy. Later, she started working at ACA and said her director Shana had told her she could no longer communicate with me. Dismayed, I reached out to Shana to resolve the issue, but she wouldn't respond. I then contacted the teacher again who emailed me stating my son hates me and the sooner I'm out of his life the better ... unreal. She did a complete 180 on me. Her response was probably due to her worrying about her job more than anything, which shows the power toxic people have over others. Regardless, teachers should never speak to any parent like that. After that, I show up to pick up my son and see Shana approaching my car with a stern look on her face. She then leans into my car window and demands I pay her. I told her to step away from my car, she then threatened to call the police and record me (she did neither -- essentially manipulating the situation), and all this happened in front of my son and his classmates. To say this behavior was out of line and unprofessional is an understatement. After the altercation Shana emails me (and for some reason, my ex-wife) threatening that I can't go on her property again ... the result? I must pick up my son from the adjacent church. On top of all that, the school accused me of stealing the papers my son brings home, which is asinine -- don't you keep copies?! Even worse, when speaking with the San Rafael school district they communicated to me the information received from ACA is unreliable, in other words my son isn't getting the education he deserves. And here's the real kicker, if you have any issues with this school you'll have to go to court. Why? Because it's a non-accredited school that answers to no one. Children should be in environments where there's structure and kindness, not toxicity. If you're thinking of having your child in this school, I highly recommend you do your homework to help with your decision making. I'm not the only parent who has had trouble with Shana.

Stop right here if you are searching for a school that is accepting, nurturing and goes above and…read morebeyond to work with kids that may struggle socially, behaviorally or academically in a larger school setting. Prior to ACA, my now 7 year old with ADHD, was in TK distress at a Novato public school. We made the move for Kindergarten and now 1st grade. Best decision ever!! The Director, Shana, has a gift of understanding what children with special needs (ADHD, ASD, Social Pragmatics, etc) need and how to help any parent through the challenges it may present. At ACA, my son has been given the chance to thrive academically with all the extra social and emotional supports that are often unavailable in public school. ACA is truly a diamond in the rough and deserves a major shout out!!!

Our child loved ELA and Math tutoring. The teacher's attention and character, along with the…read moreevidence-based curriculum, have shown good academic results. Highly recommend!

I had been thinking about putting my kid there for a while. then a sudden passing of my autistic…read morechild's father suddenly, made me postpone our first session until recently. Guess what, the Director of Lanies Learning and the school associated didn't really care about my kid learning Math. Even though it was a bit sketchy how they charged me more because I won a district settlement and charged me the "district rate" vs. the cheaper family rate, although both come with the same work involved. I questioned that at our final meeting. So here I come on the first day all the way from Piedmont to Concord, and I barely get a "hello" and no official introduction to anyone or condolences. I had to ask for a little sit down before my kid went the tutor. Then when I picked him up, I peaked at where she was having the tutoring of multi-sensory tutoring, and he was on the floor w/ many desks all around him, squished. When I brought this up to the Director in an email. She was so offended, she tore up my check she said and would give me that lesson for free. She apparently didn't like me questioning what I saw or what I expected from a "round up" after a first session. I was so excited too, but it seemed it was about conforming and not asking too many questions, than really helping my child. We since got a very amazing tutor who is amazing and trained in the exactly what he needed. I was saddened that the Director of this center and the Core Academy that it is associated with would treat a widow this way. So disappointed that they acted in such a way, after they accepted my kid, then said "he wasn't a good fit," after I had a few questions about the first session. Then to make matters worse, they let him go and tore up my check as they let me know in an email. How cruel. I really hope they don't respond, but it did happen and nothing they say, will make it ok. accept an apology.

SFFS is such a wonderful school. I'm so grateful my kids get to attend - they're receiving a…read morestellar academic education, rooted in Quaker values. I've heard our faculty refer to the fact that "reflection is our super power", and I can see how valuable that is for my children as they develop and grow. And I love the parent community, it's a joy to be part of this inclusive and welcoming environment.

The SFFS faculty is amazing! The academic program they have created offers students an opportunity…read moreto grow as creative, collaborative, and competent problem solvers. One of my favorite things about SFFS is its emphasis on experiential learning and the focus on student-interest-driven projects, field studies, and community collaboration. All SFFS students are encouraged to explore multiple perspectives, ask meaningful questions, and contribute their unique voices. It has been such a joy to watch my children learn and grow in such a wonderful community.

My 14 year old son's rudimentary skills were completely insufficient 6 months ago…read more David Plafker has turned his world around. He now gets As in math, can read a word problem and decode it into the math equations he needs to solve it, and is making it through 8th grade Algebra just fine. David is calm, caring and funny when needed, and my son has bonded with him such that he will work for far longer for David than he ever would for anyone else. All that said, David will require a time commitment to make these kind of fundamental breakthroughs. He wants to see pupils twice weekly for 1.5-2 hours each session. He needs that length of time to get a student into each new competency, and it WORKS. David uses math manipulatives and pictures when it's appropriate to help tactile and visual learners. Since he also has years of experience teaching at a Lindamood-Bell center, it's no surprise that he knows lots of great ways to use visualizing techniques in learning. I can't recommend him highly enough. I would tell anyone who wanted to help his or her child, spouse, or anyone else to talk with David to see if he can help. No matter how inconvenient the time commitment or location may be for you, I would strongly recommend him!!!

About 10 years ago, while I was extremely unsatisfied by WCCUSD's special needs program, my…read moreadvocate Linda Gellar recommended I get in touch with David Plafker. So, I did... We have a son with severe learning disability along with a host of other issues such as anxiety, ADHD, sensory issues... I was not sure if David would even consider taking in our son, but he did, and I am forever grateful to him. I had given up on the school system to be able to provide anything but babysitting services. I always knew our son could learn and so did David. For the past 10 years, David has been patiently coming up with innovative and creative ways to teach him how to read and do the math. David immersed himself in learning my child's abilities and applied methodologies that were appropriate for my son's learning style. David never gave up even after reading books by experts claiming that my son would only be able to read sight words. David is sensitive to our son's issues and he has provided him with a holistic teaching approach that encompasses sensory, auditory, speech and language, and occupational therapy. Somehow, David has been more effective even in those specific areas than any speech or OT therapists. The reason is that he is an outside the box thinker. David dedication and integrity in his teaching is above and beyond what I have ever experienced. David meets with us to inform us about our son's progress. He reads all the IEPs and reports that the school district provides. He informs us what he believes to be accurate or nonsense. He is honest and genuinely cares. Our family is grateful to have been working with David. We cannot be any happier when our son is eager to go to David. He feels confident and respected. He is 17 years old now and we hope to be working with David for more years to come. I strongly recommend David. He is truly a gift.

Went to their "open house" this past weekend to see if this would be the right place for my…read moregrandson. Oh no it was not. No one got up and greeted us. They sat in their chairs shuffling us out to look around. No information packets, no actual tour. The last person we met on our self-guided tour was so helpful and provided so much information. We were grateful for that. You also need to be aware, they have an open campus. Kids 13 and above can not only leave campus to go to the store or the library, but they can also "chaperone" younger kids to go along with them. I do not know of any 13 year olds that could fend off an abductor or stop a car, or protect a child from injury. Even if the school had been perfect in every way, that would have been the nail in the coffin. I'm sorry but for $21,500 annual tuition, I would expect the place to be clean and organized. They currently have 13 kids enrolled. I would also expect books and information to be current. There is no working AC. Makes one wonder where the $21k per student goes? Most of the building, supplies, furniture, games, etc. were run down, raggedy even. Very disappointing. We compared this to The Open School (virtual) and were so disappointed. Also, if you are looking for cultural diversity (my grandson is Filipino/American) this is not the place for your child. We were very clear with my grandson that he could make the decision on this school. His decision was he never wanted to go back there. The Sudbury model is such a great educational theory. But this school is a very poor representation of that model. There is a Waldorf school in Walnut Creek, you may want to look at that.

DVS is a democratic school that centers student autonomy and agency at every possible turn…read more Students learn to run an organization, advocate and vote for causes that are important to them, and serve in leadership roles. If you're looking for a typical or traditional school experience, this isn't it. But if you want your student to be self-determined, a pro-social community member, and lifelong learner, DVS is a perfect community for you.

Great organization. I highly recommend getting involved with your child…read more Worth the time and effort.

It is difficult to fathom how they decide to accept or reject an applicant. There's no feedback!…read moreTheir decision is final. They rejected a student with is a 4.0 GPA (6 consecutive semesters), Boys and Girls Club "Youth of the Year" winner, extracurricular activities, etc. It's beyond comprehension!

Our son is currently in kindergarten at Marin Waldorf School, where there are two teachers for…read moresixteen students. He can be shy, but he quickly formed strong bonds with his teachers and made friends faster than we expected. Within the first week, we noticed a real shift. He became more confident, independent, and better regulated at home. It truly felt like he had been longing for something he finally found. The school's emphasis on rhythm, storytelling, singing, nature, practical work, and the seasons suits him beautifully. He especially loves starting each morning with a short run near the ancient oak tree before circle time. The time spent outdoors has been incredibly grounding for him. The campus spans ten acres, with plenty of space for the younger children to explore and a separate area for the grade school students. The parent community has also been a wonderful surprise. Families are welcomed with coffee and tea at drop-off, which creates space to connect with other parents and the staff. There are also parent groups, music evenings, lectures, and seasonal festivals throughout the year. Most importantly, our child is genuinely excited to go to school each morning. As busy working parents, we feel very grateful to have found this school. We would wholeheartedly recommend Marin Waldorf School to families looking for a warm, nurturing, and thoughtfully run early childhood program.

This is an amazing school! Very respectful of childhood, development, and allowing students to be…read morethemselves. Emphasis on creativity and healthy relationships amongst the students, teachers and families. A great community that is supportive and striving.