I am shocked this school hasn't been reviewed yet. It's been around for over 20 years and they…read morereally are such a gem. Located off Oregon exp- it's in the same building as the preschool heads up but completely separate. It is true Montessori with differentiated learning, one 6th grader taking trig, and incredibly kind teachers. Yes it is small- has three sections. 1/2 grade, 3/4/5 grade and middle school which is new. That being said the teacher ratio is more like 1:5. Their science was impressive too. They were working on strawberry dna- for 1st graders. Classes are about 7-10 kids and it's year round or 10month option. So much more reasonable than other schools. About $2000-2100 a month including after care. Plus they teach Spanish, Mandarin and art and music. No choices- all subjects! Their website does not do the school justice. The teachers- especially raji- really love the kids and know what they are doing. Great place where kids don't bully and all the kids work with each other.

My child and her friend attended the WriteNow! summer writing camp focused on "creative" writing…read more The teacher Chuck Bernstein, who is also president of the Early Learning Institute at the school, was harsh and punitive to both kids as well as to other students in the class if they didn't do exactly what they were told, down to including very specific story elements in their stories. Even if they did do the assigned writing, but finished early and then worked on something else, they got in trouble - Chuck crumpled one of their poems and nearly threw it away because he thought they were off-task, rather than asking. Every day he had students present at the end of class, always running overtime into pickup time, and then angrily shushed both students and parents who made ANY noise (even just entering at the door, whispers, or rustling papers). An easy fix would be to do these presentations earlier so they didn't run over-time, especially for parents picking up multiple kids at different camps or otherwise on a tight schedule - but he did not react well to this feedback. On the first day of the program, the person at the front also was angry that we were dropping off at the time we did, even though we had paid for the before-care. On the second day they had a sheet of who had before-care and after-care, but did not on the first day. But to get angry at us for dropping off, rather than asking about before-care, is also baffling. The program's flyer boasted that kids would love writing after this. My child went in loving writing and came out disliking it much more than previously, and her friend started out hating writing and ended the same. Since Chuck also teaches at the school, I can only imagine that this harsh approach is one he takes with full-time students during the year, too. We will certainly never return.

A huge shoutout to Miss Ella and Miss Jahaira! You are the main reasons our daughter wants to keep…read moregoing to school (and returning for a new school year). Looking through our daughter's portfolio made our day, it shows how much you (and other teachers such as Miss Karen) have done for her. Thank you for introducing them to artists like Mondrian (so inspiring!), for your endless patience when she didn't want to nap, and for always being so open and honest with us about her development. It means the world to know she is in such caring, dedicated hands.

Both of my daughters have had great experience at Stratford Palo Alto campus. My older one attended…read morein her pre-K year, and now my younger one is in the Mandarin bilingual preschool program. I'm impressed by the well-designed curriculum which balances music, art, phonics, maths, science, outdoor play time, and of course language skills. She has made great progress in both English and Mandarin Chinese (and also picked some Spanish from the Spanish class). Beyond that, they celebrate all the major cultural festivals with fun activities, including the most recent dancing lion performance in the classroom to celebrate Lunar New Year. Her teachers are amazing! Ms Ella and Ms Jahaira are kind, patient and encouraging. I really appreciate the care they give the children. They often share the fun things that my kid does at school - the small progress she made, her interaction with other kids, etc. They are super attentive and caring. Since I'm writing this, I also want to take this opportunity to thank Ms Martha in the early preschool class who helped my daughter transition well last year, Ms Stephanie, and Ms Sonia and Ms Karen who have been with the school for many years and also taught my older daughter. Ms Kate, Mr Alexis, Ms. Yi, Ms Lois, Ms Nova, along with several other floater teachers, make the school feel very welcoming and friendly.

This is just for their pick up process. They are extremely strict in their rules. I don't mind…read morebeing strict, but the lady enforcing the rules was very very rude. I would say snappy and aggressive. We all want to get in and out, but there is no need to bite someone's head off for asking a question.

Walter Hays is one of 12 great elementary schools in the Palo Alto Unified School District…read more Wonderful staff & dedicated, talented teachers. Great programs in music, art, technology & science. This school is located on the corner of very busy Middlefield & Embarcadero streets. Its nice that there is always a crossing guard during peak school times when children are going to and from school in the mornings & afternoons.

DO NOT send your child to Ohlone…read more It is a well kept secret that there aren't many applicants to the lottery. So if you apply, you will get in. That's because, the academics are sub par and most importantly... Principal Elsa Chen and the teachers fail to create safe environment for younger kids. There is little playground supervision and kids continue to be bullied and physically assaulted despite complaints. They will gaslight you and your child and not respond to emails for the fear of creating a paper trail. And you will be guilt ridden for sending your child to this horrible horrible place. STAY AWAY!

I want to post this review to summarize our experiences at this school…read more This isn't a criticism of the school administration (we like principal Elsa) but rather the school's philosophy and its application, which sound great on paper but are in fact huge problems. The school coddles its students. Their every whim is catered to. If they want to fold origami or sit on their desk while the teacher is speaking, that's ok. Indeed, even returning to class after recess is semi optional. No wonder students have difficulty adjusting to regular school life after they graduate. We saw our child (who was in a different elementary school prior to Ohlone) fall further and further behind academically. There's a reason these faddish, project-based learning schools are not the norm and traditional curriculums predominate worldwide. It's because traditional learning generally works. Parents who went through strict traditional schools are in some cases rebelling against how they were raised and think that enrolling their kids at Ohlone helps them. It doesn't - they're ensuring that their kids fail to develop fundamental skills (math, science, etc.) and equally important non-academic skills such as discipline, perseverance, and resilience. Then there is the parent community. There is a lot of groupthink and the community is rather cult-like in how parents reinforce each others biases. Using one-word terms to describe the parent community is easiest: a. Hypocritical b. Pretentious c. Sanctimonious d. Shallow e. Snobbish f. Vapid (mindlessly spouting diversity and equity slogans while doing the exact opposite) The book, "Coddling of the American Mind" by Jonathan Haidt could have been a field study of this school, so accurate are the issues highlighted there. I think the best way to judge the school is, if the methods work, then graduates should be better adjusted than graduates of other PAUSD elementary schools when they enter middle school. Are they? No, many experience significant adjustment difficulties, feeling disoriented and lost, etc. That's a sign that the school is failing at its most basic goal: to prepare students for what comes next. Was this school not a good fit for us and our kid? Yes. Are our negative experiences unique? Emphatically, no. I've spoken to other parents who are very dissatisfied - some of whom have pulled their kids out and enrolled them in private school - but feel too cowed to say anything. Could the school be a good fit for your kid? It's hard to see how if you agree with even 20% of what I wrote above.

Palo Verde Elementary is an outstanding school that truly stands out for its commitment to creating…read morea nurturing and effective learning environment. From the moment you step onto the recently improved campus, it's clear that this is a place where education is taken seriously and where every child is given the opportunity to thrive. The staff at Palo Verde are genuinely caring, going above and beyond to ensure that every student feels supported and valued. Their dedication is palpable, and it's evident in the positive atmosphere and the smiles on the students' faces. Leading the charge is the hardworking principal, whose leadership and vision have not only enhanced the campus but have also fostered a sense of community and excellence throughout the school. The principal's efforts to engage with students, staff, and parents alike have truly made a difference, creating an environment where everyone is motivated to give their best. Adding to the school's appeal is its vibrant international community, which enriches the educational experience by bringing diverse perspectives and cultures into the classroom. This diversity is celebrated and leveraged as a strength, preparing students to become global citizens with an understanding and appreciation of different cultures. Palo Verde Elementary is not just a school; it's a community where children are nurtured, challenged, and prepared for the future. With its caring staff, hardworking principal, and a recently improved campus that supports learning, Palo Verde stands as a beacon of educational excellence. I cannot recommend it highly enough to any parent looking for a place where their child can grow, learn, and succeed.

Its pretty much your typical Palo Alto Elementary school. Its one of the smaller in the district…read moreand it does have those trailers that have sprung up at every school like mushrooms. It does not offer any of the "Emersion" classes so its mostly local kids so it has a much more intimate feel to it and the kids generally keep the same friends as they go through. The teaching staff is top notch and the school has high scores.

Best Safety Care team in PAUSD. The BIC in room 18 is very handsome. Make sure to check out the…read morearea outside the staff lounge. Plenty of garbage cans

Duveneck is one of 12 great elementary schools in the Palo Alto Unified School District…read more Wonderful staff & dedicated, talented teachers. Great programs in music, art, technology & science.

El Carmelo is one of 12 great elementary schools in the Palo Alto Unified School District…read more Wonderful staff & dedicated, talented teachers. Great programs in music, art, technology & science. The iron fencing along the El Carmelo street side is a great dedication to children. I really like it. I think its cool! Check it out and you'll see what I'm talking about.

WOO there is a hoop that is labeled for 2nd graders or something. WOW its hella short. I LOVE IT…read moreyou can dunk and stuff LOL. The rim is hella stiff but its fun. Like they even have a freethrow line for this miniature hoop. Well there are normal hoops to but i can't dunk... YET! Lol sorta fun to ball up here.

Our daughter is in Kindergarten with Ms. Perez and Ms. Umanani, and we absolutely love Challenger…read moreSchool. The teachers do a fantastic job of tailoring their approach to kids with different personalities, making learning both highly effective and incredibly fun. Our daughter loves everyone there, from her classroom teachers and Extended Care staff to the administrators. It is a wonderful, supportive community where kids truly thrive!

I am delighted to recommend Challenger School - Middlefield to any parent seeking an academic and…read morecaring environment for their child. My child attended Preschool since he was 3 years old and our experience has been nothing short of outstanding. The teachers ( Miss Jia and Miss Aboli) are compassionate, patient, and highly skilled in early childhood education. The curriculum is a perfect blend of academic learning, social development, and creative play, all within a safe and nurturing environment. Since attending Challenger, my son has grown in confidence, developed important social skills, and discovered a love for learning. I am grateful for the wonderful foundation the Preschool has provided, and I highly recommend them to any family.