I call the education Saint Andrew's provides love-based education. The teachers love what they do…read moreand thrive in Saint Andrew's environment because the school and community truly support them. They're encouraged to attend conferences, take classes, try new approaches, bring in fresh ideas, and leverage their networks to take learning to the next level. It's a simple formula: happy teachers, happy kids. Happy kids, happy parents. Here are just a few examples that stood out over the years: 1. The science teacher allowed students to participate in an NPR project; some of their work was even featured in the showcase library. 2. The English teacher spent incredible time and care editing students' writing. The growth and learning that came from this process were remarkable. 3. The math teachers made lessons fun, engaging, and practical. Many students who never attended outside math programs were still placed in the highest-level math class as high school freshmen. 4. Teachers prepare students for high school through thoughtful program design and daily practice. Students learn to be organized, take responsibility, know when to ask for help, and approach school seriously. 5. The athletic education team provides diverse programs that engage all students and offers life coaching based on each child's developmental needs. 6. Teachers often use their own time to help students who need extra support. At Saint Andrew's, children grow up in a community where they are loved for who they are and are taught to love others for who they are. When children know they are loved, they dare to take risks, stand up for one another, perform under pressure, bounce back from setbacks, and be generous with empathy and help. That's what real mental strength and resilience look like. As parents, it's important for us to be partners in this journey. Be kind and open with the teachers. Talk to them. Collaborate with them. When school and homework go hand-in-hand, the results are powerful. No one school fits everyone. If your child is academically far ahead or must be ranked number one in every category, you may want to explore other options. But if you're looking for a school that nurtures both the mind and heart to make an exceptional young adult, Saint Andrew's is a very special place.

Three years at Saint Andrew's: excellent kindergarten, then labeling and classroom removals without…read morerestorative follow-through Sharing our family's experience so other parents . Our child attended Saint Andrew's for three years. Kindergarten was outstanding. Miss Gaulden brought warmth and deep experience; our child thrived and we were grateful for her classroom. She left mid-year after more than 15 years--a sudden change that removed a stabilizing presence. First grade was a sharp contrast, especially in how concerns were communicated and handled. Our child later told us he was told he was "not a good student." We were not informed at the time, so we can only speak to the impact. We believe that phrasing is inappropriate for any young student. Effective feedback should name a behavior and the next action ("Here are the two steps to start," "Use the 'I need a break' card"), and if harmful language is used, there should be a restorative repair with the student. In addition, our child reports being removed from the first-grade classroom multiple times. The teacher reportedly told him "Out" to make him leave--sometimes after he repeated "silly" comments. For early elementary, removing a child from class for that kind of age-typical verbal behavior, without a consistent coaching plan and brief data, felt disproportionate to us. When we suggested teacher coaching/training to align classroom language and routines, the lower-school administration framed the situation primarily as a child issue and provided an extensive list of requirements for our child, rather than discussing staff coaching and consistency. We were told the expectation was an overnight jump to independence in first grade, rather than a developmentally typical, linear progression. In our current school that emphasizes written/visual directions, defined roles in group work, and strength-based language, our child is observed as empathetic, helpful, and an active group participant. That contrast suggests the issue was not a fixed trait in the child but the classroom approach and how behavior was defined and supported. this is our experiences.

Rolling Hills Middle School needs to do a better job supporting students, especially when it comes…read moreto mental health. Middle school is a time when a lot of students deal with stress, anxiety, and other challenges, but it often feels like the school does not provide enough support or resources. Many students who try to talk to staff about problems feel like they are not really listened to or taken seriously. Schools should be a place where students feel safe asking for help, but that does not always seem to be the case here. The school should work on improving access to counselors, taking student concerns more seriously, and creating a more supportive environment for everyone. Students deserve to feel heard and supported, not ignored. Another serious issue is the number of fights that happen at the school. It seems like fights occur fairly often, and many students feel like the problem is not being handled seriously enough. When incidents happen, it can feel like some students get punished while others avoid consequences entirely, which makes the situation feel unfair and frustrating for many students. Schools should be places where students feel safe, supported, and heard. Right now, many students feel like their concerns about mental health, safety, and fairness are not being taken seriously. I hope the school administration listens to these concerns and works to improve support systems, supervision, and how conflicts between students are handled.

If I could give NO stars to this school I would...My daughter was brutally assaulted for another…read moregirl while someone make a video of the assaulted and 3 kids around laughing..Lot of kids post the video in Snapchat stories in order to cyberbullying ...Nobody's at the school let me know about this situation after some days I found the video in Snapchat and as a mother I still nervous,devasted and in shock...I have to change my daughter to another school for safety and consideration ..The school never care about my daughter physically and mentally ..My daughter also let me know that spoke with the principal assistant , school counselor, office assistant and the Cordinator of after care program but they never call me to say that my daughter was brutally assaulted and there's a video ..TERRIBLE SCHOOL

Just saying none of the other reviews seem to be students. Anyways I'm a student at Westmont High…read moreSchool (for all of one week) so this may update but the teachers seem to care. It also appears to have good accessibility for the disabled. And the English department seems better than most schools which are killing theirs off for math and science.

I have one boy that graduated from here and went to Cal Poly and another that is doing great at…read moreWestmont. IMHO it is one of the better smaller schools in the area. Sure the whole district has issues. They tend to spend money on dumb stuff like fences (which really won't stop a shooter) or large solar panels in the parking lots that are covered in a thick layer of dust. The district management is just that way. (i.e. an overbearing bureaucracy that is out of touch) Despite upper management there are some good teachers at Westmont who get the job done. The 3 Rs are solid. Civics seems good. (My kids complained about the amount of home work so a good prep for college) I have heard that theater is very good but none of my boys was interested. My kids did marching band and they both love(d) it. So if you got a good kid wants to go to college this is a great place. Much cheaper than paying for private school. Not as crazy as the Cupertino schools.

I have a child in Jr-Kindergarten and 2nd grade. I transferred my second grade child to Sacred…read moreHeart from our local public school when and I am thankful I did. Sacred Heart school implemented live distant learning within two weeks of shelter in place. My second grade child received instructions in language arts, math, social studies and religion within the first two weeks. Soon after science, music and PE classes were live as well. Art and Spanish assignments were given. There is after school enrichment activities that were provided that my kids loved. It was a pretty seamless academic transition from school to home. Only one platform (google classroom) was used so it was organized and easy to find class links and assignments. My Jr-K child did not have assignments to turn in but was provided enrichment work and a live class every morning that included a circle time, calendar, math, Spanish, music and PE. Every Monday morning there was an all school assembly online led by the student council that helped my kids feel connected to their school community. Mass was live streamed every Thursday for the students and Parish led by Father Gary and every Friday Mr. Pulchny posted lighthearted messaged for the kids that sometimes featured his dog! The teachers and staff at Sacred Heart are caring and warm. Mr. Pulchny is an approachable and kind principal. Father Gary and Father Robert are involved in school activities. When school is in session, the Junior-K program has a low teacher to student ratio with 3 teachers in the classroom at a time. The students have a designated Spanish, PE and Science teachers. My child feels connected to his school especially being able to go to school with his older sister in the same building. My second grade student goes and comes to school happy. I feel the academics are appropriate for her grade. The science, art, music, PE and Spanish teachers are wonderful. She has made friends in second grade but also has formed friendships in other grades that was nurtured with the One Heart Program and having a "buddy" when she was in 1st grade. The school supports activities such as Girl Scouts and a Book Club that is led by parents. There is Parish activities such as Music Spirit Team where the kids can sing in the choir which is led by a music director. Every year there is a parish and school carnival that brings the community together. I am grateful we have found the Sacred Heart School, Parish and Community a nurturing environment for my kids to grow up in.

Sacred Heart School of Saratoga is a fun school. Their robotics team placed really well this year…read more This school was founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (same ones that run Notre Dame college up on the peninsula). The school currently has 350 students. The parish and school is located across the street from St. Andrew's Episcopal School and just down the street from Saratoga's library.

Although we ultimately chose a different school for our child, I want to share how impressed I was…read morewith Hillbrook's admissions process. From start to finish, the experience stood out in all the best ways. During our initial visit, I noticed something remarkable--several students came up and hugged the admissions officer. It was clear that the kids not only felt comfortable but also genuinely connected to the adults on campus. That kind of warmth and trust speaks volumes about the school culture. Throughout the process, the staff had multiple thoughtful conversations with me and invited our son to visit the campus more than once. It wasn't just about evaluating our fit for them--it really felt like they wanted to ensure the school would be the right fit for our son too. Everyone we interacted with was incredibly kind, transparent, and generous with their time and insights. What really set Hillbrook apart was how open and communicative the administration was. In a time when many schools can feel closed off or overly cautious, Hillbrook was refreshingly honest and forthcoming. That kind of openness is rare and deeply appreciated. Even though we didn't enroll, I left the process with a very positive impression of the school and the people behind it.

The best school but it does cost a lot. Though if you do have the money it is…read morereally nice.

Is it weird that I'm Yelping about a school? Well...when in Rome…read more Let me give you some perspective: I'm from a tiny redneck town in Arizona...we're talking about 3,000 people in the whole town and a graduating class of 100. We had the basic sports (football, baseball, track, wrestling, basketball, and soccer for ONE year), but nothing cool like swimming, golf, tennis, or any of the other sports that Bay Area schools boast. I didn't know what an API score was when I moved here, and I didn't know that I needed to fill out reams of paperwork to enroll my kid in school...including more proof of residence that I was really comfortable in divulging? I have had my daughter in the GAMUT of schools the Bay Area has to offer..."Program Improvement" status schools, parent coop schools, "pretty nice" schools, and now, a Distinguished School. I'm sure that last one speaks for itself, but I am blown away by something new that this school offers...constantly. From the iPads for every student in class, to the counselors that are always on hand, the extra help that is always offered, and the easy online access to EVERYTHING that has to do with what is going on with my daughter in school. Last year, we were having some "issues", so I informed the vice principal and a couple others and before I knew it, there was a meeting with every single one of my daughter's teachers, the vice principal, counselors, me, AND my daughter. Man, that cleared things up SO FAST. It blows my mind that I have access to my daughter's teachers like that. They are ALL so caring, compassionate, and invested in the success of the students there. They offer themselves up in any way they can in order to help these kids...now..."these kids" aren't all awesome. A lot of "these kids" have nannies, more access to electronics than is appropriate (my daughter has been the ONLY one in her class without a cell phone since 5th grade), and could really use a healthy dose of reality, in my opinion. It doesn't seem to phase anyone at this school. There is a special place in heaven for people willing to teach over-privileged middle schoolers. Seriously. I don't know how I got lucky enough to find an affordable place to live in this school district, but I did, and I've been around the Bay Area enough to know how lucky I really am...and why I have to go to such lengths to prove that I live here.

i'm a student a fisher, and its pretty cool. i'm doing hybrid classes, and everything all right…read more but there's one thing that bugs me. students, older ones that is, smoke E-ciggys and that's not good for a number of reason you can figure. but all in all its fun, and the teachers are nice.

My son recently graduated after attending Old Orchard from K-8th grade. He and his classmates…read morebenefitted from teachers who challenged them, a culture of excellence, and a diverse, tight-knit community where students felt comfortable bringing their whole self to school. Very different than what I remember from my large, public middle school experience! He and his classmates were all accepted to their top choice high schools with placement in honors and advanced classes, and I have no doubt that they're all very well prepared to succeed in high school and beyond. We loved everything about the Old Orchard experience from the school's seamless response to Covid, the inclusive sports program, investment in arts and language, and diligent preparation for high school admissions process.

My two daughters have attended OOS, and we love it! I want to say a big thanks to the…read moreadministration, they are just great! Any concerns or questions which we ever addressed to them were always resolved. No matter what question we had, we always saw friendly staff which is open, ready to help, and resolve any situation in the best way. Academics are great, which is big deal for us. After OOS, kids attend highly selective high schools, and doing great at rigorous classes; which is again a great compliment to OOS teachers for good preparation. OOS does a great job at helping their 8th grade students with the high school admission process. The school community is wonderful, great families, many of which became our close friends. The classes are small, allowing each student to grow. There are always lots of opportunities for parents to be actively involved in school life, but it is not mandatory if your busy life does not allow you to do it. Highly recommended this school!

Upscale area of California! Great school with balanced…read morecompetition and hi scholastic standards! Super cool campus Old and kept up! Lots of upgraded facilities over the last 40 Years. Here's some photos of today's Los Gatos Resolution run 5 mile Race in which my son came in 2nd overall !

This is a great school if you are academic, or good at sports which both get 5 stars. if you aren't…read moreyou can get lost in the shuffle. What is a concern about this school is the insane amounts of money a lot of the students have, parents who work too much to care, and therefore access to drugs. When I went there, there was a undercover cop who busted a bunch of student. I now have a brother who goes there and nothing has changed. It's a great beautiful school, with some really great teachers. But you need to keep a close eye on your kids if they go there. As kids from Santa Cruz once told me. "Oh you go to Los Gatos. Thats where all the good drugs are."

First, there were 75 reactions to my original post plus I received many messages from families who…read morefelt mistreated. I just want to express my deep sorrow for every family who has been mislead and mistreated by this school. It has been devastating to get a glimpse of the dark reality. Final update: this school is even worse and more corrupt than before, in my carefully considered and humble opinion. We had a deeply concerning and disturbing set of interactions with the new director, Luthern. I remain proud of the way that we handled our interactions, and very bothered by the way he treated us. Furthermore, we undetstand that they are removing and/or drastically reducing the nature campus component of their program which was a huge part of the draw in the first place. We are thrilled that this chapter is permanently closed for us. We finally found the most outstanding school for our children, and we will never look back. Good riddance to a poorly run institution with what we believe is an unethical and corrupt administration. And by the way, the "Gifted Qualitative Assessment" is manipulable. It's largely based on parent surveys, and which parent searching for a school for gifted children won't see their kids as gifted? We all do. Your best bet if you're not a founding family is to make sure you have a ton of money and that you are willing to part with in their capital campaign, and always tread cautiously when it comes to expressing yourself authentically.

Having a preschool aged child, I speak to many families about their interest in Tessellations, so I…read morethought it'd be helpful to share my experiences with children in both the K-8 and preschool programs. When my son was struggling in a more traditional education setting (with boredom causing other issues), and as we thought about the skills and traits to nurture in an evolving world, we found what we wanted with Tessellations. "Challenging experiential education" is a core part of Tessellations' mission, and I see it everyday in the projects, conversations, and enthusiasm for school. I've seen the growth in my children's capability and confidence in tackling new problems, and their continued curiosity. It's amazing to me that in 4th grade, my son and his friends can talk excitedly about the latest non-fiction book they are reading, which could span many subjects. One of their favorite games just involves taking turns talking through imagined adventure scenarios. (And that's when they're not being active - I hear that most of their recess and lunch is spent playing dodgeball across many grades.) Video game addiction is pervasive in these times, but I feel we have a haven from it here. The kids have so many interests that gaming is just one of many. Social emotional learning ("SEL") is a priority at Tessellations, and though many schools now say they focus on this, it can be an elusive goal. One evidence I see is how kids (K-8) play together across many grades: this requires empathy and adjustment. I believe that this is promoted by the general culture, the kinds of kids here, and mixed grade classrooms. The preschool program, called Tessellations Children's Center (TCC), started just last year, has been equally wonderful for our younger child. The teachers, who are engaging and observant, supervise almost a full day of free choice time, play-based learning, and novel activity options. Recently they planted vegetables, learned about space, drew self-portraits, and experimented with pendulums. Note that TCC is separate from the K-8 school, and kids must go through a separate admissions process for Kindergarten. Although my kids have loved the school, I'm giving 4 stars since it's been a bumpy ride, and I feel for those who've been affected. We've had growing pains and changes in leadership as we've grown to Pre-K through 9th in just four years. Many admin (and parents) have felt stretched thin as they balance competing needs. As we evolve from a startup to a larger, more established school, there will continue to be bumps. During this time, I'm so grateful to the amazing teachers, and staff, including our new & experienced Acting Head of School, pouring their hearts into the school and mission. Even though Tessellations has grown incredibly quickly, it is just one school, and not enough to handle the tremendous demand for progressive and gifted education, especially in the Bay Area. I hope we will see more schools that cultivate the love for learning and holistic development like this one.

My son joined Sage Academy towards the end of last year after being bullied at St Mary's…read more immaculate school , Los Gatos . He found his village here at Sage . He is thriving here . He finds home boring . He looks forward going to school every morning ! Mr Jerry is the best teacher . He understand each students and the kids trust him so much . Everything and everyone at Sage is great !

SAGE Academy is an incredible school! My son attended SAGE from 5th grade through 12th grade and we…read moreare so glad he did! Jessica Hurst, the principal and Executive Director of the school is amazing. She makes sure your child has what he/she needs to succeed and do well in school. They understand that children are individuals, and they treat them as individuals. I highly recommend SAGE Academy.