The Mandarin Immersion (MI) program at Orion Alternative Elementary is hands-down Redwood City's…read morebest-kept secret for an exceptional public school education. It is an extraordinary environment where students of all backgrounds can thrive. For non- Mandarin speaking families, the dedicated support, including a specialized TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment) ensures kids catch up to grade level. My own daughter attended TK elsewhere and had no trouble catching up in Mandarin when she started Kindergarten here. What Makes Orion Special: Dedicated Staff & Leadership: The teachers are exceptionally kind, attentive, and engaged. Principal Winnie works tirelessly to address parent feedback through frequent, accessible touchpoints like Zoom check-ins and Principal Coffees. Vibrant After-School Support: A huge shoutout to PlayThrive, the on-site Mandarin after-school program, which provides fantastic enrichment and care. They help kids with homework and support the mandarin learning, but also offer extracurricular activities (for an added fee) of Math camp, Photography, Sports, etc. An Unmatched Parent Community: Parent involvement here is incredible and it really feels like a collaborative team effort to help our kids succeed. Beyond cultural celebrations like the Mid-Autumn Festival, Lunar New Year, and Dragonboat races, there are constant opportunities for parents to connect. Our family has gotten involved in "BroRion" (the dads' group), moms' pickleball and even parent dragon boat racing! Things to Keep in Mind: Like any growing public school, Orion faces a few operational hurdles: Facilities & Funding: Facility maintenance and air conditioning can be ongoing challenges, but the active parent community consistently steps up to help bridge the gaps. For instance, during the hottest day of the year, the air conditioning was not working well in some of the TK portables but parents dropped off air conditioning units. The school also relies on annual fundraising drives to fund classroom assistants and extra enrichment classes. Admissions: While TK often has a waitlist through the lottery, the program's expansion means there are usually plenty of openings for Kindergarten. Academic Outcomes: Don't be deterred if some students transition to North Star Academy after 3rd grade. CAASPP assessment data consistently shows that the MI students who remain in grades 3-5 score exceptionally high in Math and ELA, with the vast majority testing at the "Advanced" level. This is especially impressive since they learn Math in Mandarin, but test Math in English. Orion is a warm, high-achieving, and deeply supportive community. We are very fortunate to be part of this school!

A Thriving, Inclusive, and Supportive Community…read more We are incredibly grateful for the Mandarin Immersion program at Orion. As non-Mandarin speakers, my wife and I wanted our children to learn a new language, and this program has exceeded our expectations. Both of our kids absolutely love the school--so much so that they would live there if they could! Our youngest even gets upset if we have to pick him up early, which speaks volumes about how much they enjoy being there. The teachers are excellent--caring and compassionate while pushing the kids to reach higher standards. The level of parental involvement is something special too; it's supportive in all the right ways. As a multicultural family, with my wife being African American and me Hispanic, diversity and inclusion are very important to us. Orion fosters a sense of belonging not just for our kids but for us as parents as well. Our children also speak Spanish, and learning Mandarin has been a rewarding challenge for them. In fact, they jokingly call it their "secret language" because neither my wife nor I speak it, which adds an extra layer of fun and pride in their learning. The community here is fantastic--inclusive and most importantly, supportive of one another. Even without Mandarin support at home, our children are thriving beyond our wildest expectations. Their proficiency in Mandarin, as well as in Math and English, is impressive. The high standards set by the school are matched by the dedication of the teachers, ensuring that our kids are growing and learning more than we could have imagined. We couldn't be happier with our choice to enroll our children in Orion Alternative Elementary School. It's more than just a school; it's a community that we're proud to be a part of.

Choosing a school for your little one is such a stressful experience, but Harper makes it very…read moreeasy. We've been with them for two years now and have had nothing but good experiences. The admin staff, especially Ms. Lopez, is amazing and really cares about the students. Ms. Lopez is "on the ground" enough that she knows the kids names and they all say hi to her when they see her. The preschool teachers, Ms. Gwen, Ms. Margaret and Ms. Kim, are phenomenal. They approach any issues with kindness and sensitivity. They are also firm with the kids and set good boundaries and routines. Finding that balance is typically difficult, but they do it with finesse! The curriculum here, even with the preschool class, sets the kids up for success in higher grades. It balances play and fun with learning. From letter recognition to name writing to "STEM" - via tiny science experiments - music and Spanish, outdoor play and story time, they do it all. Since day one, my child has been excited to go each day and has thrived in the Harper environment. The learning progress I've seen, especially at such a young age, is astounding. We love Harper and appreciate all the staff very much! We hope to be a Harper family for a very long time to come!

Highly, highly recommended for elementary school! A lot of…read morethese reviews are for the daycare/pre-k programs, but I'd like to review the Elementary program, which is newer and smaller. Our son joined the Kindergarten program halfway through the year in Jan '25. He had been at a well-regarded RWC public school, but unfortunately he struggled there with behavior, academic, and motivation issues. Basically, he was slipping through the cracks. He was regressing academically, and most worryingly to me, he was starting to hate going to school. He started at Harper at the mid-year break. There was certainly an adjustment period - the Harper kids were *so* far ahead academically. But, the curriculum is individualized and the support was tremendous. It was amazing how quickly he improved on all fronts: behavior, academics, and motivation. He literally sprints from the car to class each morning. He is so excited and talks about what he learns constantly. He has developed a positive attitude, curiosity, and emotional maturity beyond anything we could have hoped for. Ms. Shaynee, his teacher, is an absolute rock star. We feel so lucky to have had her as his teacher. The class size for elementary grades at Harper is absurdly small right now. Like, 5-10 kids. At first, I thought it would be weird. But it's actually a wonderful number for this age, and it makes Harper such an incredible deal. It's obviously a new school and a new program, and I'm hoping it grows with him as he progresses through the grades. Overall, if you are looking for a private elementary, I just can't recommend Harper enough. No private school in this area is cheap, but I feel we get incredible value for our dollar. The fact that the aftercare is so affordable helps. Also, we hear that if you have multiple kids there then the cost goes down a lot.

A great public school that is as good as private if not better…read more Great Staff and teahers, very very safe, academically advanced. Clean and vast. One start was taken out because of number of students in class, I wish that could be reduced. Other than that a great school.

Shout out to Amanda Ferreira what a wonderful teacher and person she really is. She is what every…read moreteacher should strive to be.

Mrs. Rosanne and Cesar are amazing with the kids. Everyday they have new activities and the kids…read morelearn so much. Art, cutting, letters, brain teasers, dancing/ PE. They do it all! Highly recommend!

Mrs.Roseanne and Cesar are amazing both of my kids go to Rainbow before and after school…read more My boys look forward to go there every day! I love this daycare because Mrs.Roseanne and Cesar are such a caring people, always checking on us and they do a great job with all the kids here! Is like a family I love that!!!! I feel good when I drop my kids off as I know they will be safe and In good hands. Rainbow has a great environment and i considere rainbow as a safe place to trust my kids while i have to work! 100% recommended!!! :)

Mount Carmel was a school we choose during COVID. It is one of the few private schools that offer…read moreTK which both of my kids qualified for. It is a warm and welcoming environment, very family feeling. Parents are interactive and involved. Students play with all of each other no matter what grade, which I love. My kinder comes home and says she played with a 5th grader on the yard, that warms my heart. Overall we've had an amazing experience at this school!

This school is terrible for lots of reasons. One reason is that the teachers are sexist. To them…read morethe girls do nothing wrong but then you turn to the boys and they get a detention. They have some nice teachers but almost all of them are sexist. Most of the teachers aren't even good teachers. They don't teach well almost everyone in the class I was in had a bad grade. Those are only a couple reasons this school sucks. Don't get me started on the principal. They are supposed to be a catholic school but it's more like jail. They also threaten you with detention for every single thing you do. Ever since I graduated there has been people telling me how bad the school is.

The Mandarin Immersion (MI) program at Orion Alternative Elementary is hands-down Redwood City's…read morebest-kept secret for an exceptional public school education. It is an extraordinary environment where students of all backgrounds can thrive. For non- Mandarin speaking families, the dedicated support, including a specialized TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment) ensures kids catch up to grade level. My own daughter attended TK elsewhere and had no trouble catching up in Mandarin when she started Kindergarten here. What Makes Orion Special: Dedicated Staff & Leadership: The teachers are exceptionally kind, attentive, and engaged. Principal Winnie works tirelessly to address parent feedback through frequent, accessible touchpoints like Zoom check-ins and Principal Coffees. Vibrant After-School Support: A huge shoutout to PlayThrive, the on-site Mandarin after-school program, which provides fantastic enrichment and care. They help kids with homework and support the mandarin learning, but also offer extracurricular activities (for an added fee) of Math camp, Photography, Sports, etc. An Unmatched Parent Community: Parent involvement here is incredible and it really feels like a collaborative team effort to help our kids succeed. Beyond cultural celebrations like the Mid-Autumn Festival, Lunar New Year, and Dragonboat races, there are constant opportunities for parents to connect. Our family has gotten involved in "BroRion" (the dads' group), moms' pickleball and even parent dragon boat racing! Things to Keep in Mind: Like any growing public school, Orion faces a few operational hurdles: Facilities & Funding: Facility maintenance and air conditioning can be ongoing challenges, but the active parent community consistently steps up to help bridge the gaps. For instance, during the hottest day of the year, the air conditioning was not working well in some of the TK portables but parents dropped off air conditioning units. The school also relies on annual fundraising drives to fund classroom assistants and extra enrichment classes. Admissions: While TK often has a waitlist through the lottery, the program's expansion means there are usually plenty of openings for Kindergarten. Academic Outcomes: Don't be deterred if some students transition to North Star Academy after 3rd grade. CAASPP assessment data consistently shows that the MI students who remain in grades 3-5 score exceptionally high in Math and ELA, with the vast majority testing at the "Advanced" level. This is especially impressive since they learn Math in Mandarin, but test Math in English. Orion is a warm, high-achieving, and deeply supportive community. We are very fortunate to be part of this school!

We bought a house in Redwood City specifically so our child could attend this school. Since we…read moredon't speak Chinese at home and our daughter was diagnosed with a speech delay at age two, I wasn't sure how much Mandarin she would actually pick up from the Mandarin Immersion program at Orion, especially without extra support from us. But after completing kindergarten and halfway through first grade, she surprised us by initiating conversations in Chinese on her own. I'm pretty sure I cried the first time it happened. The teachers are incredibly thoughtful and professional, especially in guiding young kids through learning two languages. In the first few years, about 90% of the school day is conducted in Chinese, which provides an immersive experience during those crucial early years. I remember my daughter sometimes mixed up calling her teacher "mama" and calling me "Wu Laoshi" -- small but meaningful signs of the trust she was building in this environment. The quality of education is outstanding. It's project-based, with a rich blend of art, gardening, STEAM, and physical education throughout the week. During lunch, the kids have options for how they spend their free time. My daughter loves cooling off in the air-conditioned library on hot days, gardening with friends, or practicing her monkey bar skills on more moderate days (after all, Redwood City is known for its slogan, "Climate Best by Government Test"). What matters most to me is that my daughter wakes up excited for school. She genuinely looks forward to her day, eager to see her teacher, curious about the new things she'll learn, spend time with her friends, and engage in the many activities this wonderful space offers. It's a place where she's building her own community, being challenged academically, and hopefully forming friendships that will last at least until high school. At this age, while academics are important, a positive and supportive community matters even more to us. Finding both at the Mandarin Immersion program at Orion has been an absolute gift, and we feel incredibly fortunate to have this school in the Bay Area.

The teachers seem nice. They seem to care about the students and even reward them. The place is…read morereally clean and well kept up.

Very disappointed with this school it has changed a lot since I completed 2 years of middle school…read morehere. I have a seven year old who has been in this school since preschool she is the sweetest kid in school. But because she is so sweet and kind she has always gotten bullied, when she was in preschool and kindergarten I was able to talk to the other kids parents but now that she's in 2nd grade she doesn't want me to talk to the kids parents because she's embarrassed I tried talking to the teachers in principle but apparently there's not much they can do when my daughter is some lunch or recess. Now that the teachers and the principal can't do anything I tried telling my daughter that if they push her she can push back but apparently my daughter is too kind for that. Another problem did this school has, they don't have control over kids who have lice my daughter have gotten lice twice this school year, I have spent so much money and time getting those bugs out of her hair and I know it's part of my job but I think that kids have lice should not be allowed in school unless their hair is clean like that the problem won't be getting any worse. I'm definitely changing my daughter to another school for her 3rd grade year!

Our family has been part of the St. Pius school community since preschool, and now, as our son is…read morein 5th grade, we can confidently say that choosing this school was one of the best decisions we've ever made. The preschool program is truly amazing--it provides a warm, nurturing foundation that prepares students both academically and socially for the years ahead. Our only regret is we wish we had started at the preschool one year earlier! It is such a special program. One of the school's greatest strengths are the teachers and administration. The teachers are exceptional--dedicated, caring, and deeply invested in each student's academic growth and personal development. The low student-to-teacher ratio allows teachers to truly know each child as an individual. This personalized attention makes a meaningful difference and helps students feel supported, challenged, and confident. Our son has thrived at St. Pius and we can't be more pleased with the support and individual attention he receives. His favorite subject is math! Enrichment opportunities are abundant, including a one of a kind Theatre program, strong music and art offerings, and Cub and Girl Scouts, all of which allow students to explore their interests, build confidence, and develop creativity and leadership skills. The school's commitment to social-emotional learning is outstanding. Students are taught empathy, resilience, and strong communication skills, helping them grow into compassionate, well-rounded individuals. Another amazing offering is the athletics program. Athletics provide opportunities for teamwork, physical growth, and school pride. Our son loves playing baseball and basketball with his friends at school and is looking forward to track in the spring. He looks forward to the school spirit days, pep rally's, and Friday night lights celebrating Shamrock spirit. Additionally, the daycare program offers a safe, nurturing, and reliable environment that supports working families and reflects the same values found throughout the school. We are so grateful for the day care program. What truly sets this school apart is its incredible sense of community. Families, students, and staff genuinely care for one another, and parent engagement is encouraged and valued, making everyone feel like a true partner in the educational journey. We've watched our son grow not only in knowledge, but also in confidence, kindness, and character. We are deeply grateful for the years we've spent here and wholeheartedly recommend this school to any family seeking an exceptional and well-rounded educational experience.

If you really want to know how my family feels about St. Pius, just ask my kids because they LOVE…read moreit!!! From the beginning we were welcomed with open arms from so many amazing teachers, wonderful administrators and other families that now feel like family to us. Because it's a small school, the community feels like an extension of our own family. I love that my kids not only love their classmates, but I love their classmates' parents too! It is a wonderful community The teachers have been absolutely fantastic! They not only want my children to succeed academically, but they want to help my kids to be the best they can be. They really care about teaching them to be kind, caring, respectful and responsible individuals. Plus, both my kids (my oldest is in 4th grade and my youngest is in 1st grade) are testing above their grade level! The campus itself is incredible! We looked at a few other Catholic schools in the area before selecting St Pius and we noticed that other schools didn't have some of the amenities that St Pius has, like their beautiful gym that my kids love playing basketball in and gathering for rallies in, and the huge grassy field that they play on at recess every day! Lastly, St Pius has a locked fence around the campus to ensure the safety of everyone on campus throughout the day. I can't say enough great things about the school & community, and we are so pleased with how much our kids are growing & thriving!

Cute little elementary school located in Redwood City, California…read more I just happened to be flying over and the grounds look very well maintained who doesn't like a large solar installation. From the air it looks like its super easy to drop kids off and even pick them up. Its part of the Redwood City School District (RCSD)

Please ignore the negative revie, that person was a really bad student the principal cares for all…read morethe students so does the vice principal and the rest of the staff they are kind and help in many different way.