My son attended Core academy for four years, and unfortunately, our experience was extremely…read moredisappointing. By 6th grade, he was still reading at a 2nd-grade level, despite the school's promises to help him catch up. It wasn't until we hired an outside tutor that he finally began to make meaningful progress. He was also repeatedly bullied, and the school failed to take effective action. The bullying only stopped after we made the difficult decision to leave. Academically, he never learned basic skills like division, even after four years. There was a constant turnover of teachers new faces every few months and the leadership was ineffective. If my son said a bad word, he was forced to sit in the principal's office all day, doing absolutely nothing educational. There was a serious lack of supervision; he would often come home with bruises and clearly explain who was responsible, yet the school never followed up or addressed the situation. Since switching to Stern School in San Francisco, the difference has been night and day. He's thriving academically and emotionally. Next school year, he'll be attending JCHS with A+ grades across all his classes. This has shown us what a truly supportive and effective educational environment can look like.

Core Academy is an awesome school with a really positive and supportive environment that helps…read morestudents succeed. Lainie is fantastic--she's caring, dedicated, and makes a huge difference for everyone there!

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.

I found Rosaura using Yelp! From the beginning she listened to my concerns for my daughter, she…read moreunderstood my concerns & feelings of helplessness. After speaking on the phone, we set up and meet. She assessed my daughter & came up with a plan. I was excited! I was not let down. Rosaura has been patient with my daughter, understanding & gives just enough push w/o being overwhelming. In my opinion Rosaura is an expert in her field. My daughter has learned how to read because of Rosaura. I have also learned many things from Rosaura. She is a great tutor/teacher and an excellent source of knowledge for parents struggling with dyslexia.

Our student made great progress in fluency while working with Rosaura. Our student completed…read morethrough book 3 in the Barton material Rosaura uses. Rosaura also supplements with fun tactile based learning tools to help form a strong phonetic foundation for her students.

I came here with my son for a special event. The place is spacious and there were a lot very unique…read morelarge scale toys for children to play with along with many helpful staff members. There are many developmental toys and activities which the children had a blast exploring. The space was very clean and well organized! I saw the staff actively tidying the space, assisting with the different payment features, and engaging the children. They offer memberships, as well host private events and various therapies that are held on site. It's a one stop shop. Their memberships can be covered by the Regional Center or funded through Self Determination program, but of course, you can pay of pocket. The owner Lindsay is extremely knowledgeable and helpful! This San Ramon location is their first location, but have since expanded to two more sites in Berkeley and Belmont. They also have tables for parents to have a break or work at which is very thoughtful. When I went also had a smaller tot area as well as an inclusive, larger space for all. Overall, this is a wonderful facility that fosters inclusion and a welcome addition to the area.

Passionate, involved staff who are invested in child development education and practice respectful…read moreparenting practices. The environment is safe, not overstimulating and well planned out and organized based on the type of play. It offers quiet/calm corners and ample seating for adults. Snack areas are well maintained and complementary water and sink access for dishes. The staff do their best to get to know you and your children and their fees are very reasonably priced. They also offer members only events and classes which is great. We appreciate how flexible their membership structure is for daily sign ups on sessions. It's especially inclusive for us neurodivergent folk while providing a fun, safe space for all. We've been coming here since my 4 year old was 7 months old, SPL is our second home!

Great place for children with disabilities of all types. The teachers are ALL professional and…read morehardworking. They are caring and patient, but will also push your child to strive and reach their potential and goals. I LOVE this place! I will continue to support this center! Thank you to all the teachers especially a WONDERFUL teacher named Ms. Patty!

Anybody Remember The Old Larson's Swimming Pool Back In The 1980s. Does Anybody Have Any Pictures…read moreOf The Old Swimming Pool. I Guess It's Not There Anymore. Does Anybody Have Any Info On What Happened To The Old Pool Or If It's Still There Or Did They Tear It Down. Fun school.

It has been over 1.5 years since my last review, and we love the school as much as we did when our…read morechild started school 2+ years ago! Everyone on staff has been incredibly easy and pleasant to collaborate with, and responsive to my questions. The school expanded over the summer to add 2 more classrooms, so that Burkard now has 6 classrooms: K/1, 2/3, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7/8th. Having experienced a few private schools and a public school between my 2 kids, I am confident this is the best environment for my child, for both academic differentiation and SEL support. It's often lamented that parents have to choose the least bad educational option for their 2e kids, but I truly believe this is a great option. We were fortunate enough to be with his amazing 2/3 teachers for 2 years, and have a new set of teachers we love this year, too. Speaking with parents across grades, they also think highly of their teaching teams. My son continues to thrive academically (measured by his overall engagement, as well as MAP testing), and we are very happy with the math differentiation he receives. Each year, I have been pleased with the attention and care the staff takes to make sure he's challenged at the right level. They take great care to plan engaging lessons across ELA, science, social studies and SEL, and incorporate hands on projects regularly to extend their learning. My son regularly shares interesting facts he learned in class! Math is a subject he continues to be passionate about, so I reach out to the school annually for math acceleration. He is given math assessments at the start of each year to determine the appropriate placement, and is given the option of joining a higher level class, or doing independent study in his classroom. We opted this year to have him join the higher level math class on a modified schedule, and we are grateful for the ability to choose the right option for him. The daily SEL teaching is also very well done. Many schools don't have the ability to go in-depth with SEL, but our BT has devised fun games and exercises for the kids to put their SEL knowledge into practice. It was so sweet to hear that my son's 4th grade class taught new recess games to the K/1 class! The BT's keep a close watch throughout the day, so the students are able to learn and play in a physically and emotionally safe environment. When conflicts arise, the staff is there to help the students resolve the issue in an appropriate way. We get daily reports, and twice monthly newsletters sharing what he's learning, so I know he's receiving a high quality education. If your child is at a school that is not meeting their needs, I encourage you to tour the Burkard School. It is truly a gem of a school!

We found TBS about three years ago and it is quite surprising that there aren't more schools for…read morebright kids who have significant social & emotional challenges, including mood disorders. We unfortunately found very little real understanding and expertise along the way, moving from program to program, from school to school, in every case deeply involved with the IEP process. Then we decided to try TBS. The results have been nothing short of amazing. Our student's self-esteem and emotional intelligence started to grow from the start and has continued to grow ever since. No more calls asking us to come quickly, the benefits to our entire household have been pretty incredible, across parents, siblings, and friends alike. When your student talks to you about how the kids at school are 'just like me', when they express a sense of belonging and common purpose to thrive in the face of big emotions, you can only smile and reflect on the journey. ...and imagine what it's like for other parents to understand you, understand your child, and understand so much of the details of the journey. The TBS community, made up of students, teachers, and parents is one that sees your child as deserving, powerful, and good.

Late post: I recently moved out of the area but when I was looking for a school for my school age…read morekiddos, this place was perfect. I really like how they have the small classroom sizes. The staff are all really nice, caring and supportive of the kids needs and accommodations. I like that they are in a school site and have close proximity classrooms and a playground. The best part was that each kid has specialized curriculum. It is so important for my ASD kiddos to have the variety a typical school setting. If you are looking for a school that goes above and beyond, check this place out. I hope I can find a school like this in my new city.

My daughter attended this school for a year when she was 13. The teachers are amazing. They…read morereally get your kid. The environment is uplifting and bright. Kathy and Heidi brought my daughter out of a deep hole and created an environment where she could shine. Their program is behavioral based. Although they do provide strong academics, their emphasis is on social and emotional therapeutics.

Is awesome I love it..all the staff is amazing so cheerful and so much fun always so much love..read more

This school was not on our radar when we were looking for an alternate placement for our moderately…read moreaffected son. He started here in third grade, and some of the behaviors we were having issues with were spitting, hitting, elopement, throwing tables, chairs, stripping off his clothing, breaking windows, etc. (sound familiar?) His elementary placement had been a nightmare. We were picking him up from class every day, and he was expelled from school because they don't have the resources to care for a child like our son. The spectrum school was the one everyone talked about, and we were very unimpressed when we visited that school as we searched for alternate placement. Tucked away in an office park, admittedly it was a slight turn-off, we met the staff and his new instructor (to be). It was well lit, student art lined the halls, the staff and teacher were welcoming, and every person there was as sharp as a pin. We were so impressed, it was like night and day different from any placement he had before that time. We couldn't wait for him to begin, and for the first time for as long as we could remember, we felt optimistic. With a full-time behaviorist, language pathologist and occupational therapist; not to mention real 1:1 (or 2:1 or 3:1 when needed) staffing coverage, they assured us we would never receive a call to pick up our son because he was acting out. They didn't. They do not react to behaviors, they extinguish them. We are moving out of state, and the first thought is how terrified we are of the possible placement he may have as he finishes eleventh grade and completes his senior year; especially when we think back to how bad it can be. BUT, we are so optimistic about our son's future because ABC has given him the tools he needs to cope with whatever challenges face him in the future. We know we will be able to help him with whatever placement because he is a very different person now than he was when he entered this school. At one time we thought we would need to place him in a group home before he became an adult simply because his behaviors were out of control. Now, we KNOW that he will be able to transition into adulthood in a very organic way, and when the time comes for him to move out with some "room-mates", it will be because of a mutual understanding, not because we are unable to control him. His time at ABC is what has helped to make this possible. The workability program has given him a great sense of pride and accomplishment, and when he moves into the transition program as a young adult, he will be ready. We will miss them terribly, and we hope that this helps someone who is looking for a good placement for a child on the spectrum. They know how to help your child.

Dr. Bylund assessed my teenage daughter who was struggling with test taking and other school work…read more She had to work 10 times harder than her peers to get decent grades and we were concerned about how she would manage in college in a couple years. Her issues weren't severe enough for any teachers or school officials to notice and she was at risk of slipping through the cracks. Dr. Bylund conducted a thorough assessment and provided us with not only answers as to what she was dealing with, but a comprehensive plan of practical suggestions to help her succeed. Understanding her learning issues and how to help her made such a difference. In fact, she used the strategies in college and graduated with honors. She now works a special education teacher as a way to help other students reach their full potential. I highly recommend Dr. Bylund!

Dr. Bylund is a powerful advocate for children and people with learning disabilities. His knowledge…read moreas a former school site and district professional, allows him to provide the best advocacy and evaluation for your child. This is a huge difference. There are so many Neuropsychologists who can evaluate for Dyslexia or learning disabilities, however, many of them have mostly clinical experience and have never been at the school or district level. Dr. Bylund understands learning differences, he can help explain how these differences are impacting your child at school. He can help advocate for your child. We were specifically seeking a licensed, Neuropsychologist who was expert in Dyslexia and who would be willing evaluate our child, attend IEP meetings, and also be willing to ultimately go with us to court if our fight to help our son get placement in private school was not successful. After looking for a Dyslexia Expert for about 8 mos, we had called many well-known Neuropsychologists up and down the SF Bay Area Peninsula, San Francisco, and greater Bay Area, and though many are licensed, they were not willing to testify in court as an expert in Dyslexia. Many were willing to charge me 2-4x's what Dr. Bylund charges, but they would not stand up for my child at IEP meetings or testify as an expert. They merely wanted money to evaluate my child but not speak up for him. Dr. Bylund's evaluation was thorough and he was more reasonably priced than so many. He is professional, kind, and most importantly, an expert at evaluating your child. He impressed everyone with his knowledge about learning differences and Dyslexia at my son's IEP meetings. My educational attorney and educational advocate refer all of their clients to Dr. Bylund. Even if you live out of the area, call or contact Dr. Bylund.

I personally had a good experience back in 2023 and 2024 and met some amazing people. Nurse Amanda…read morewas amazing and she was always there for me. I loved how we got to watch movies and have "icees" every night. Group therapy was fun and I loved our social worker. Evie Rose is your seeing this it's vanessa and I miss you sooo much

This place has given me far more extra trauma than how I went into it…read more I was taken here a few years back and only now realized that I could write a review on Yelp. This place has permanently scarred me due to a staff member calling me the r slur and telling me that "You should have died and saved us some time" along with "The world would be better off with you gone". I was forced to sleep on the floor due to them not having enough rooms where I was covered by a thin blanket and had no pillow. I was treated this way while having Double Depressive Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Insomnia, Borderline Personality Disorder, Dysphoria, Disordered Eating, and Autism. I believe I was only 12 or 13 when this occurred. Don't go here. I don't say that out of spite, I say that because I don't want more lives ruined. Please, don't go here