My daughter was at OGS for 2.5 years and really thrived there. We are so, so thankful to have this amazing place in our neighborhood. Christina, the director is wonderful and so are the teachers. Everyone is dedicated and the kids are happy as clams. The whole facility is great with the amazing backyard with sunny and shady areas, sand pits, mud kitchen, a yurt, a boat and even goats! Every time I picked up my dirty, crusty, smiling kid was a great day! She learned so much every day and came home tired and happy. My kid has now graduated and moved on to TK and it's still bittersweet because of the great people we met there and the wonderful community. We are still in contact with many other families and will hopefully continue to see them read more

We visited several preschools for our daughter, but nothing came close to the magical wonderland that is Oakland Garden School! Nevertheless, I was admittedly still nervous after reading some pretty damning reviews. But I soon discovered that pretty much ALL preschools have some real scary reviews, or no reviews at all. What made me feel most optimistic about OGS, was the emphasis on creating a true sense of community and accountability with families. In addition to regular community events and volunteer opportunities, OGS also has a parent advisory committee (PAC). As a former PTA president, I think such a group really can have an impact on as school, and along with Christina's leadership, the school seems to be a thriving community with some VERY skilled and caring teachers. I want to give a special shootout to Teachers Sam, Melissa, Candace, and Emily who all went above and beyond to support, encourage, and care for our neurodivergent daughter. The classrooms at OGS are large, air conditioned, and full of quality and creative toys and activities with special areas for kids who need a quiet and calm space. And absolutely NOTHING compares to the outdoor space. If OGS's outdoor space was a public park, it would be our favorite park! It's true that in this industry there is a fair amount of teacher turnaround. But our sense from teachers (and I really prodded them to give me the dirt!) really like working at OGS. While there was some staff turnover during our time, it certainly didn't strike us as abnormal or excessive and because each class has multiple teachers, there was always some consistency. Director Christina was often helping in classrooms, especially during times of transitions and she also, was great with the kids. My one critique for OGS is something I really doubt other schools are doing better with, that is communicating and enacting protocols for illness. There were many times when I noticed HEPA filters not turned on and I would occasionally not see soap or towels by a sink. We were always given alerts when there was an exposure to anything other than a cold, but it was not always clear when it was or was not OK to bring our child in. Again, I think OGS is probably far above average when it comes to dealing with this stuff, but I would be remiss if I didn't prod them (and other families) to do more. The extra outdoor time at OGS also probably gives the school a leg up on others. My wife and I were so impressed at how OGS went above and beyond our high expectations of the school. We are going to miss it as it sets a pretty high bar for whatever is next for our children! read more

We have been so happy with our son's experience at the Oakland Garden School! The grounds are an amazing place for kids to spend time exploring and experience outdoor learning. Although his first year we experienced a lot of teacher turnover, our son still had an amazing experience. This past year he adored his teachers who were consistent throughout the whole year. The director is fabulous and the kids all adore her. I would definitely recommend taking a tour here if you are looking for a preschool for a 1.5-5 yr old who enjoys nature, animals, crafts, community and loving teachers. read more

TL/DR: Our kids were at OGS for 2+ years and we generally recommend OGS and really enjoyed our experience of the school. First, it should be said that we started at a different school pre-covid and looked exhaustively in the area for a good school during covid for our 2 rambunctious boys. We did not simply take the school that was most convenient for us, and truthfully we drove some distance each day to the school. We picked OGS for its huge yard and highly creative and play-based environment and were not disappointed. The kids came home exhausted and happy every day and picking them up from school felt like arriving at the best toddler hangout sesh in Oakland each day (which never failed to put a smile on my face). Other schools we had experienced were more uptight on the one hand or entirely unstructured on the other, and OGS rides the fine line of having constant activities while also letting kids enjoy being kids. It has to be said that the Reggio Emilia style arts and crafts and hands-on activities are top notch, and the owner does a great job at supplying materials and rotating activities so kids are always stimulated. Teacher turnover was the biggest problem and most frequent complaint I heard, but spoiler, it's still a problem at the more expensive preschool we're at with our youngest now. We lived through some of the issues described in the other reviews - that the teachers were allegedly not paid well or not treated entirely appropriately. I support our kids' teachers as much as any other parent, but all I can say is that our personal experience was good - the old director was excellent, the new director is excellent, and all of the teachers over the time we were there ranged from good to great. My sense is that the new director has addressed many of the issues that were raised, including stricter safety measures and ongoing professional development for teachers to help with retention. What I can say for sure is that our personal experience at the school was generally positive. For a reasonably priced and accommodating preschool, I think OGS is a very good option. read more

My kid has been here for 6 months and she loves it. The new director has addressed concerns flagged in previous yelp posts and we love the teachers. Highly recommend this place. read more

My son has been at OGS for 14 months, since he turned 3. I have had a few minor complaints with OGS. The communication between the administration and the parents hasn't always been as diplomatic or as timely and open, as I would have liked. It does, however, seem to be improving. But my son's experience of the school is more important than mine. The teachers are loving and creative. They bake almost every day, garden, feed their goats and chickens, create baking soda and vinegar explosions, make bracelets, etc. He comes home teaching me songs, sign language, and is now writing his name and showing interest in spelling and math. The director has created a magical space both inside and outside. The garden has an old boat/pirate ship, a tractor, a yurt, fruit trees, a hammock, and a huge sand pit that often turns into a wet, mud pit. My son is always filthy when he comes home -he's having fun. I also appreciate the way the school handles discipline. If there is an issue between students, the teachers facilitate a conversation. They don't force apologies but ask the kids to show concern for each other and find ways to help their friends feel better. The school is a bit pricey, but I am glad I made this choice. Next year, my son will go to a transitional kindergarten. I started visiting schools. I was startled by the contrast, which made me appreciate OGS even more. read more

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Visited the school for the first time. Principle Luis gave us a 90min tour of the school- shared the philosophy, their curriculum, approach to teaching and caring for the kids. He seemed very passionate and was transparent in his communication. Answered all our questions very patiently. There are about 72 kids in the school and he principle knew every child's name. The teaches in the 3 classes we toured seemed very friendly and greet with the kids. I felt the positive vibes. Everything about the school is so organic and they seem to encourage the "green" living and have many ways of encouraging he kids to connect w the nature. The ambience was very homely and definitely Felt v zen! I definitely see my kiddo developing a lot of great skills- both social and educational. Enjoyed the tour and currently am considering enrolling my little one here! read more

Upon the departure of the director who was in place when I wrote this previous review, Oakland Garden School took a downward turn and we had to remove our child for fear of his safety. There were instances of unnecessary physical interaction between teachers and students, students found outside of the school with no supervision and they were cited for out of proportion ratios. The administration struggles to take accountability for the actions of their teachers and I feel I was at times lied to. If you are considering sending your child here, I highly suggest you find another preschool. read more

We decided to pull our daughter from OGS about six months ago following a meeting with parents and the school management where they continued to stonewall and provide excuses for why so many good teachers kept leaving. Today I heard that yet another lead teacher had left "for personal reasons" and the school was again refusing to talk about why so I thought I'd write a review to warn potential parents over what they are getting into if they decide to send their kids here. We were wary when we first decided to send our daughter here - we had heard and seen reports that several times in the past there had been big blow-ups between the school's management and the teachers and parents. But we were taken with the school - the rooms and the garden in particular are great - and well as the director's vision, and it was close to our house, so we signed up. And it went great for the first six months. Our daughter was full of ideas and energy and fun. But then teachers started leaving, and the ones that remained looked increasingly unhappy. The school was clearly not well managed but our daughter appeared unaffected so we overlooked it. Then it just seemed to go from bad to worse. They opened a new school but failed to find someone to replace her at the current school. More teachers left. The school seem preoccupied with nickel-and-diming everyone, adding fines and raising fees, changing hours. More teachers came and went. The quality of teaching and care plummeted. All the promises made about how the school would work looked increasingly empty. To cut a long story short, it started impacting our daughter and when challenged on what was happening the management response was defensive to the point of rudeness. A group of parents ended up talking to teachers that had left and we uncovered a long series of appalling stories of how things were run and how they were treated. Under pressure, the management finally agreed to set up a parent council to help fix things but it was clear that there was no real desire to improve. By the time we left, we were sick of paying for understaffed rooms, uncaring management and unhappy teachers. It really did start to feel like a glorified day care. So we jumped ship - and are so much happier to be free from the drama, and the problems, and to not be supporting a school that treats its teachers so badly. We do miss the garden and the parent community. But I haven't doubted our decision for a second and our daughter is now in a much better and more enriching environment. It's such a shame because OGS could be a great place. But its problems are endemic. I would advise against sending your kids here. read more

I wish I was in preschool so I could go to Oakland Garden School. Luckily I have a two year old, so I can live vicariously through her. This place is magical, truly magical. It's outdoor-based, so the kids are in the huge play yard with the chickens, goats, and two school cats. They garden and help to keep the grounds neat and tidy. They do art projects and cooking projects, inside and outside. And they get messy, really messy. Isn't that the sign of a good day, paint on your clothes (and in your hair), dirt on your bottom, and wet clothes? They swing in the hammock, climb the trees (within reason, of course), ride tricycles, play organized and unorganized soccer/t-ball/catch, build sandcastles and make lots of sand pies/cupcakes in the two giant sand boxes, and have some quite extraordinary story times in the yurt. On rainy days, they put on their raincoats/rain boots and jump in puddles. A little rain isn't keeping these kids inside! There is a curriculum, and I like that, but at this early stage it's more about learning how to behave in a classroom, getting into routines, and socializing. Something that surprised me is that they are teaching the kids to be kind and thoughtful. This wasn't something I was looking for in a school, per se, but it's been a nice thing to see happen. My daughter is on the small side and I've witnessed the bigger and faster kids slow down a bit and give her a turn. Everyone contributes to make this place as great as it is -- the teachers, the parents, and the kids. The teachers are great. Each classroom has their set teachers, but all teachers at the school know all the kids and all the parents. Parents are required to volunteer 2 hours per month, which is integral to making the school function, but also instills a greater sense of community. There are all kinds of activities too -- bike-a-thon, quarterly family potluck, spring carnival, etc. And the kids, they are encouraged to help keep the yard clean and help fold the towels and help prepare the snacks and help to feed the animals. This isn't a place that my daughter just goes to every day...this is her place, she is a part of it. She helps to make it the way it is. Lastly, my daughter is really thriving there. She LOVES her teachers and she talks about her friends non-stop. She sings the songs that she's learned there all day, everyday and her "art" skills have gone from uninterested lines on a paper to meaningful scribbles to discernible objects! When I pick her up at the end of the day, she wants to show me all that she's done and all that's she's learning. Sometimes I go a little early, just so I can hang out and watch the magic happen. read more

My son has been attending Oakland Garden School for 6 months and he is loving it. The school is so vibrant and dynamic - I sometimes wish I could be a student there. I saw a really positive change in my son's behavior after he started going to OGS. He had spent the previous year at another preschool, and he was fine there, but he really blossomed at OGS. I saw his interpersonal skills grow by leaps and bounds. I've seen first hand how involved the teachers are, so its no wonder he's made such a transformation. When issues come up, they take the time to work through them - instead of just shutting the conflict down. This gave my son the confidence to use these skills outside of school. When I go to pick him up in the afternoon, the children are playing in the backyard together - laughing and giggling - sunlight is streaming in and washing over the fruit trees... Its the picture of childhood happiness. Not to mention there are goats! A fact my son never fails to mention when he is telling people about his school. I can't begin to say how thrilled I am that they put such an emphasis on creativity at OGS. The space itself feels very organic and wholesome - like some large beautiful craft project. Its always evolving as well - it never feels stagnant - which I know is great for stimulating young minds. Love it. read more

Every time I drop off my daughter at Oakland Garden School, I wish I could have went there when I was little. The outside space is nothing short of magical. Tae, the director has created a fairy tale play space for the children that is full of fruit trees, veggie gardens and they even have goats and chickens. My daughter's teacher Megan is unbelievable. She is kind, thoughtful and probably the most patient human being I have ever met and is one of my favorite things about OGS. From teaching my daughter how to play with others, to the fascinating world of bugs, Megan is an incredible educator who is dedicated to her craft. There is also an emphasis on emotional intelligence at OGS which, in my opinion, is an invaluable ingredient to creating an environment that leads to a confident and happy child. Also, as an artist, the fact that they dedicate a month to different artists and composers was icing on the cake for me. A month dedicated to Andy Goldsworthy, Yes Please! read more

I'd like to chime in on the other very positive reviews of Oakland Garden School (aka OGS). After 4 years of full-time in-home care, we started both our children full-time at OGS this fall. We were nervous about the change, but it's proved to be very positive for all. The kids love their days at pre-school, and we feel great about having them in such a joyful and nurturing environment, and knowing that they're safe for the day. We looked at many, many other pre-schools before seeing OGS and no other schools felt right. The teachers at OGS are so warm, patient, and loving - and we're excited that our children are learning to be environmentally conscious and kind towards all forms of life, in addition to the basic pre-K curriculum, of course - which is well covered. Any family who joins the strong OGS community will be very happy they did so! OGS Believer read more

OGS is a school with amazing potential that is rotten at the core. The facility is really great. The garden and yard are fantastic. Being outside many hours a day is awesome. The classrooms are beautiful and full of great stuff. There are *some* great teachers, but... at the core of any school is the owner, and the owner of OGS is just a terrible preschool owner. She cannot retain good teachers. She treats her employees horribly. Teacher turnover at OGS is shocking. If you poke around on the internet you'll discover that OGS is actually legendary for teacher turnover. In the year we were there, one of the classrooms had 100% turnover, twice! Just before we left, another classroom had 100% turnover in the space of a month. There were numerous other cases of teachers leaving midyear, sometimes shortly after being hired. Why does this happen? I got to know some of the teachers, as well as the director, really well while our daughter was there. The number one problem is that teachers are paid inequitably, so inexperienced, less trained teachers are often paid more than those with more experience and training, and they all know it, and they HATE it. I spoke directly with multiple teachers who left OGS, and they all complained about the arbitrary and inequitable pay scale. She also chisels them on sick days and sends them home early, without pay, when attendance is low. The other major problem is that the owner micromanages and denigrates her employees. She rearranges their classrooms after hours without consulting them, which preschool teachers hate. She criticizes them bitterly, *in the classroom*, *in front of the kids.* Teachers HATE it. At pick up teachers frequently told me that they were hanging on by a thread, just trying to get through the school year so they didn't hurt the kids by leaving mid-year. And then, boom, they'd be gone. So, what do you get? Your kids loses the connection and continuity they need, and, not surprisingly, a lot of teachers stay away from OGS, so you wind up with a mix of some very good-hearted, and in some cases quite good teachers, and others who really make you wish you had taken your kid somewhere else. Some families have a great experience, but we knew many families who just wished they could get a spot somewhere else. We were lucky and got a spot somewhere else. If you take the tour, just remember, what you see is not what you get. If you ask about any of this stuff, the current director, who is very protective of the owner, will tell you that parents like me are just angry and trying to undermine the school. Do yourself a really big favor: trust me that this is not the case. I wanted so hard for OGS to be what it could have been. I loved some of the teachers, and all of other parents. But the owner just can't get out of her own way, and basically keeps the school from being what it could be. read more

Our daughter loves the school! Things have changed this past year and the new director Luis is great and giving weekly updates along with the teachers from each class. The teachers are awesome and our daughter is thriving and coming back home everyday full of stories and dirt (which we love as outdoor time is the best!) Awesome community feeling as well. Warmly recommend it! read more

We have been extremely happy since enrolling our son at Oakland Garden School. We were looking for an environment that was play-based, focused on social skills, art, music and had a beautiful outdoor space. So many of the pre-schools I toured had minimal outdoor spaces that were mostly paved blacktop areas to ride bikes. I know how important exposure to nature is for developing minds and Oakland Garden School has everything that we were looking for. We are extremely happy with the warmth and kindness of all the staff at Garden School. They make it very clear how much they value our son and he has bonded with his main classroom teachers as well as several teachers in other classrooms that interact with him in the outdoor space. We appreciate the thoughtfulness and dedication of the Director, Luis. He is very accessible if we have questions and is involved in all the classrooms as a support to the teachers. Our son loves going to school, in fact he has never once cried at drop-off (which I find amazing) and we've seen his language and social skills increase dramatically since beginning Garden School. The curriculum which is child-centered but also includes a focus on a different artist and musician each month is very engaging for him. He comes home talking about all the exciting things he is learning each day. The parent community is very welcoming and we have met several awesome families through Garden School. Also, there is a very dedicated group of parents on the Parent Advisory Council who are working on fundraising to add even more extra-curricular activities; such as music class and Spanish. In sum, I would highly recommend Garden School to anyone! read more

After my son attended Oakland Garden School for 2 years, I have my daughter now entering the school, I am so thrilled how the daughter is going engaged with the exciting things happening in the classroom. There are many exciting things to explore in the youngest classroom and the children are so engaged with arts and discovery. I love their Reggio approach where creativity and Nature are valued. I love their documentation that shows the teachers are reflecting their work and observation read more

After almost a year at OGS, it turns out that it is horrendously managed. The owner, Tae, has a great vision and wonderful idea, but is incapable of running a business, let alone a school. Teachers are depressed and discouraged, 12 have left within a year, out of a total a 14 - it's not a good sign, but it actually paints the picture. Existing parents are often locked in as it can be really difficult to find an alternative school mid-year, and the school administration takes advantage of this. That's why I think it's important to share a realistic picture to prospective parents so they make their decision knowing all the facts: The yard is amazing, there are many great teachers, but you don't know how long they will stay (generally not long), and many parents have a very difficult relationship with the direction once the contract is signed. Some kids are badly affected by these constant changes, even more when their friends also end up leaving because their parents are so unhappy with the situation. They are often understaffed for the type of education they mean to provide, which would require a much lower ratio than the strict legal minimum, which ends up being the norm. 1 teacher for 12 kids cannot provide much more than basic care at this age, and even that is sometimes neglected (I've often found my daughter without shoes and/or jacket outside in the winter). And that frustrates the teachers as well. I would not recommend to join OGS at this point. Hopefully a new director will change things around though, because with a good manager and Tae staying away from the daily business, this could be a great place to send your kids too. read more

Great location, and amazing play ground. My child is usually happy there. There is a lot of turnover with the teachers and at times there have been issues with the parents and management. Be aware that you will have to explain to your kids about the constant teacher and student turnover, sometimes wholesale changes. There are some systemic issues that don't go away here. It's also a lot of money at $17,400 per year. On the whole, we are glad we sent our kids here. read more

This school has the Potential to be great. It has the atmosphere and staff to take it in the direction needed. What it lacks is a strong leader, which I don't see coming from the current director. He tells you what you want to hear versus what the actual situation intels. read more

I'm pretty happy with this school. Everything aforementioned concerning the outdoor space is as amazing as described. As a child, I remember endless hours playing outside in my yard and neighbors in small-town Americana in rural upstate New York. For an urban experience, this is as close as it gets for your child to relive that same natural environment where exploration, adventure and a natural/garden experience all come together to create a magical experience for your child. The child-directed curriculum is great and our daughter has really thrived in this environment. She comes home happy to have gone to school and her imagination thrives! Shout out to Nova, Jing, Heather and Aaron - the current Pinecone crew and teacher Mia (Acorns) who is also awesome! Yes, there were some seemingly frequent departures ~ year ago, but there has been stability for some time now under a new director and all continues to be well. As far as I'm concerned, OGS has worked out the kinks and is on a great course. Thank you OGS! read more

My son was having a difficult time at his previous school because developmentally he was unable to sit and he had to move his body around a lot, like most 3 year old boys. He became quite self conscious with teachers becoming frustrated with his behavior and it broke my heart to hear him tell me that he didn't want to go to school because his teachers didn't like him. I finally found Oakland Garden School, and I couldn't be more grateful. The teachers are incredible nurturing and patient, and the outdoor space allows him the activity and environment for him to thrive. He comes home happy and confident. He is excited about the activities they do in the classroom, and looks forward to going to school the next day. read more

We currently have our 2yo (a sprout) and 4yo (a pinecone) at OGS and we are very happy. The school provides a nurturing and holistic environment w/ focus on nature (elements, natural systems ie composting, understanding parts of fruit), w/out being overly dogmatic. There is structure, but not too much structure. They have chickens and goats - it's a beautiful place. Tae (director) and teachers are smart and knowledgeable, and everything is organized (I am a 11 yr elementary teacher and I'm impressed). You are expected to do some volunteering as a parent, which brings the necessary resources. read more

First off, let me be clear that I'm not writing a review on Yelp in order to accrue some Parent Participation hours. My family has no need for the hours as we choose to volunteer and give of our time at OGS in more direct capacities. I am writing this review because I really like the school. My daughter has been going there since May, 2012 in which she started out as a Sprout. She is now in her final year there as a Pinecone. I will never forget when my partner and I went and toured the school, we were amazed at the Yard and the Classrooms. We did tour other schools as well and I highly recommend that you do too. What sold us however was the program, they have a keen mindset in a nature-based curriculum with a Reggio Emilio flare which we wanted. For me it was the best of two worlds for my child: an Art foundation with creative play in a nurturing natural environment. Chickens, goats, gardens of fresh fruit and vegetables and a strong advocate for sustainability and the environment are precursors to raising and having a compassionate child, one who appreciates the natural world and the bounty that Mother Earth can bring to us. My daughter is learning these things and we haven't had one teacher that we have not liked. They are all warm and respectful individuals who follow the lead of the administration and directors. I also like the many varied ways of communication between the staff, parents, child, and administration: daily announcements, weekly letters from teachers, weekly emails from the administration, children's inboxes, parent opportunities to reach out as well, there's a Parent Counsel Group That works on the behalf of the Parent body in assisting staff and administration in various ways. There are quarterly potlucks, holiday celebrations, field trips for the children, parent volunteer opportunities, as varied and diverse as the demographics of the school. I could go on but Yelp is telling me that my review is longer than most. One comment I would like to add is in all pre-schools there typically is a higher rate of turnover and although I don't like that, it is the reality of this field. Staff is not paid the highest and new opportunities arise. To the staff that quit and depart suddenly without saying good-bye to the child and to the family, well this is just wrong. As a teacher and an example to my child, you owe it to that child and their family a good-bye and some notice so as to alleviate the hardship of transition for these little beings. Children however are resilient. I'm giving OGS 4 stars only because I believe there is room for improvement for all schools. read more

**NIGHTMARISH SCHOOL WITH HIGH TEACHER TURNOVER** My partner and I are educators, so we know how stressful it can be on children to switch schools. However, our experience with the Oakland Garden School was so disturbing that we chose to pull our son out of the place in the middle of the school year. If you are considering sending your child there, please do all your research. The sleazy owner of the Oakland Garden School offered parents credits, rewards, and other incentives to write positive Yelp reviews, but please do more research on Berkeley Parents Network and Google. There are dark things happening at this school and it starts from the top down. The owner (her name is Tae Ha) stages tours for parents only on specific days after requiring teachers to do certain things during the tours that are not done regularly. We witnessed this as parents multiple times after enrolling our son. Despite the high cost of tuition, our son's teacher told us that the teachers were paid poverty-line wages, not given health benefits, and the owner demanded that they work long hours. Being educators, we could very clearly tell everyday when we dropped our son off that the teachers were miserable and overworked. It was not a positive place to bring a small child. We witnessed Tae yell at a teacher in front of children and it was very disturbing. We spoke with our son's teachers and even the woman who Tae had hired to manage the school while she was off trying to open a second location. They were very kind, compassionate educators, but their consensus was that Tae was exploiting the entire staff and treating them very poorly. While the school is called "The Oakland Garden School" we saw little-to-no gardening. The outdoor play space is nothing more than half an acre of caked dirt with a few cheaply-built play structures. There was no garden. There were a few fruit trees, but that's it. After six months there, our son did not garden one single time. He did not plant anything. Not once. He did not care for the chickens or goats that are kept in tiny pens. There's no gardening whatsoever. When I pressed Tae on this fact after a few months of enrollment, she claimed to be too busy to answer my questions and went into her office and closed the door. Once this picture became clear to us, we pulled our son from the school. Several other parents we befriended did the same a few months later when the teaching staff staged a mass exodus and many teachers quit in the middle of the school year. We have since met a woman who used to teach there several years earlier and she told us that this is a cycle at the The Oakland Garden School that has been going on for a very long time. Tae hires teachers, she exploits them horrifically, then they quit and there's massive turnover and parents/families flee too. But since it's the Bay Area, there's always more unknowing parents looking for schools and always more unknowing teachers looking for jobs. We can only hope that this review warns any prospective parents. That former teacher summed it up perfectly. She said "OGS is like the Whole Foods of preschools. They have a good façade pretending to be socially-conscious and earth-friendly, but really it's just run by the same exploitive capitalist sleazy people who ruin everything and make everyone miserable." If anyone would like to verify this information, message me and I can provide contact info for former teachers and parents there. read more

I'm so happy that we found the Oakland Garden School. My boys are so happy and excited to go everyday. The connection between the teachers and the kids is amazing. You can tell that they have passion and love for what they're doing. Oakland Garden School has a beautiful play yard with chickens and goats that the kids can feed and fruit trees that the kids pick for baking projects. What a great way to spend a day. read more

We currently also have our 2 year old and 4 year old children attending OGS. We love the teacher interaction with both children. They are learning a lot at the school while also having fun. I feel 100% safe leaving my kids at the school and am even making my own friends with other parents. read more

I went to the school for a visit and I liked how the classrooms are organized and clean, Teachers seem to be very attentive to their students' needs. The school's curriculum is rich and fit for the children's age group that the school serves. The outdoor area is simply every child's dream play area. read more

Our daughters (ages 4 and 2 1/2) absolutely love OGS. Our eldest daughter has been attending OGS for almost a year, and our younger daughter has been attending the school since her 2nd birthday in October. The growth they have experienced at the school, and the concepts they are bringing home show us that we made the right choice in selecting a preschool for our girls. There are so many positives about the school, but in the interest of brevity, I will just address a few: First, in terms of the teachers - they are amazing! When I come to either pick up or drop off our girls, any of the teachers can tell me how the girls were doing, what they were playing with/focusing on, how their development is coming along. It is also abundantly clear how much affection the teachers give the students, as my girls want to hug/kiss/say good-bye to every teacher they see before we can leave home for the day (they are not rushing to get home by any means!). Second, the school grounds - there are goats and chickens. Need I say more? The outdoor play area takes up approximately two lots of space, and has been designed by Tae with such a thoughtful understanding of what things will interest the kids. There is a play structure, saddles on top of hay bales, two different (and large) sand areas, a yurt, a boat with a slide, and that does not even begin to describe the magic of this outdoor space. In addition to everything above, there are also fruit trees, flower and vegetable gardens, and open space to run around. Finally, the effort that the teachers and the directors (Tae and Barbara) put into designing lessons that are engaging and allow students to be creative is outstanding. My girls talk about all sorts of new things they have learned, from hermit crabs, to the life cycle of butterflies, to silk worms, to various artists, and they can often be heard singing songs in Mandarin. Needless to say, our girls are blossoming, and we are extremely happy with our experiences at OGS. read more

Yelp, I don't know why you don't consider my previous review useful? I wish you would reconsider posting my review as parents need to truly understand what is happening at Oakland Garden School for their children's sake. Parents who are considering this school - please read all the recent reviews. read more

My daughter has now been at OGS for a year, and I wanted to let everyone know that we are still thrilled with it! So happy that we chose such an amazing school that has allowed our daughter to blossom. Thank you OGS! read more

I have my 3yr old in the youngest class (sprout) here at OGS. He has been attending since July of 2010. OGS is a nature-based experience with lots of outdoor time in a wonderful setting which is great for a boy being raised in the city! The director Tae has built a wonderful faculty and staff that I am continually impressed with. She and the teachers are great at communicating and are always available. There is a good structured play with focus on development yet they still allow children to be themselves and follow there curiosity and creativity. My son loves watering the plants in the yard, helping feed and water the animals (pygmy goats and chickens). A newer school but blossoming into a wonderful place. It's a "must see" place, with very clean and new classrooms, bathrooms, and an amazing backyard/farm with yurt, a big boat to pay in, fruit trees, vegetable garden, I could go on and on. Very flexible drop off/pick up times and reasonable price too. read more

My daughter has been at OGS for almost two years and my son will start in the fall. We loved the space immediately (as well as the flexibility, and the loving nature of the Sprout program teachers, Marilyn & Dottie). We didn't even look at any other schools (which I can't believe, but this place just felt right). My daughter has absolutely thrived here, coming home happy, dirty and exhausted after digging in the dirt, watering the garden, playing soccer and creating masterpieces in the outdoor kitchen. When she first started attending at a little over 2 years of age, I was the typical nervous parent, and the Sprout teachers were amazing about letting me linger and watch as long as I wanted to, pick up my daughter early, and just generally transition her into her new daily schedule at a pace that made sense for us. The teachers also texted me regularly those first few weeks to reassure me. It all went very smooth, and honestly OGS is my daughter's second home. It feels like a home too - not an "institution" at all - very warm, welcoming and organic. Now a Acorn, my daughter is continuing to learn and grow under the guidance of her wonderful teachers Megan and Dottie (we were thrilled to learn Dottie was moving to the Acorns class). The price is affordable and the hours are super friendly for working families. We highly recommend OGS to anyone looking for a play-based full-time preshcool in Oakland. read more

Oakland Garden School has been an ideal preschool for our daughter. We were immediately drawn to the huge, innovative outdoor space with lots of animals and unique play structures. That said, the school has served as a model while we have looked for kindergartens, as our girl approaches the end of her preschool time in August. Unfortunately, it's difficult to mirror what OGS does in the public school system. What do we like about OGS? Our daughter's experience trumps everything else. She gets plenty of time outdoors, and comes home with the dirt to prove it. She gets to explore nature in a safe environment. As a "Pinecone", the oldest class of children, our daughter gets to do science experiments, and comes home asking questions like, "What happens if...". She gets to participate in her education, bringing in share items based on the theme of the week. She has been on amazing field trips, including traveling to the SF Symphony, Crab Cove in Alameda, and the Marine Mammal Center. Each field trip is a culmination of a particular learning unit. Her teachers are kind, loving, and fun. She loves them! One teacher is a professional storyteller and has a treasure chest of puppets she pulls out when the time is right. Our daughter has seen two sets of baby chicks hatch over her past two years, and through this, she has learned about the life cycle, and to respect small living things. She came home once and instructed me that "Namaste means the light in me meets the light in you." She also came home with the following song lyrics: "Joy to the World...all the boys and girls...joy to the fishies in the deep blue sea, and joy to you and me." xo If we had to do it all over again, we would choose OGS again, and again. read more

My son has been going to the Oakland Garden School for the last 2 years, and he has made great friends and good progress in his development. The yard is fantastic as it allows him plenty of room to explore and grow with the garden, chickens, goats, tractor, boat, fruit trees and more. The space is truly magical. My son has learned songs in Mandarin, Spanish through their programs. He has also participated in soccer shots, a soccer program that comes to the school for a small extra fee. We enjoy the nice community gatherings and the amazing teachers. His teacher Alex is always warm and welcoming and gives him amazing support. We have been really happy with this school and the program. It has been a great experience. read more

My former foster child (4 yrs old) was here for 4 months and we loved it! The teachers and admin are all so lovely and loving towards us and our situation. A lot of folks visited my little one while there and there was never an issue. He thrived at that school. The back yard was sooo great, as my little one is very active, athletic and interested in learning all kinds of things. Upon leaving to reunify, many of the teachers gave him hugs and well wishes. His main teacher, Nova, was awesome. They did enough organized art, cooking, crafts, tending to their farm animals, learning about different topics for an extended amount of time, in different ways. They went to the Oakland Zoo to learn more about bats. My little one still loves to say "echo-location" like he is waiting to hear something back in a vast cave :) I wasn't aware of many teacher changes, as previous comments have noted. I would have loved for him to continue there. read more