I am reviewing AHS's disc golf course…read more It is really a fun course and you get a good workout from walking all over the campus and up the hills. I really enjoy it!

**Review is strictly for the baseball field**…read more Parking is horrible. Since the diamond is on the hill, if the (small) parking lot is full, it is quite the trek up. Field is well maintained.

Dorrie S. is a great teacher at Oasis. She is knowledgeable…read moreand respectful. It was a good experience working with her.

Great program for independently driven students!read more

I attended this school from 7th through 12th grade. It was a…read morerare thing, it's a difficult to describe culture among the faculty, but I'll do my best- an anecdote: two students steal from the school, they take thousands of dollars worth of video equipment. They get caught- now, in a normal school where students are payroll numbers, the school could have easily justified dismissing both students and even gained face for it. I'm certain they considered it to, but it's not a huge school, even the secretaries knew my name and asked me about my family when I needed to pick up some class registration form or whatnot. These two students had been going there since sixth grade, they weren't bad kids- they just got caught up in the moment and they let the thrill of what they were doing cloud their judgment. They just needed someone to put them back on the straight and narrow- so instead of dropping down like a ton of bricks they gave them the opportunity to come clean to their fellow students! What a concept- because that necessitates that the student body have a conscience and love the school, otherwise they would pat them on the back, and it also necessitates that the student body be forgiving else these two would be ostracized. They did come clean to the student body, returned everything, the school pressed no charges, and the incident was never put on their record. Now they both attend respectable 4-year universities. The capacity for mercy from a large entity is almost nonexistent it seems, a mom and pop steak house can let a guy who left his wallet in a cab come back the next day and pay, a huge lumbering chain never would. This is a school that upholds its values. Also the student-Teacher ratio is awesome and the English teachers have a bit of a Dead Poets society thing going on where they discuss literature freely with students/other teachers during lunch or after school. The math teachers are downright sassy and hilarious individuals. Overall it was an excellent experience and I feel that I was bettered greatly by it.

MVC is very biased with the dress code, for example, girls are always targeted for their bodies…read more Yet guys also sag their pants and show their behinds. The new dean of students has gossiped to other female studnets about another female studnets skirt about it being too short, which is unexceptable. And time after time they use the same excuse, that they "cant catch everyone" but will target females with different bodies types. Also dont even get me started on the political stuff at MVCS, Mrs Campos for example will dress code girls but not students wearing freedom shirts at school. Its very dissapointing because last year they made it a huge deal and it seems like they only care to dress code girls not guys. Also Mrs campos tends to get very close with male students, she's always up on them at the male students lunch tables, and it makes students uncomfortable. I hope MVCS can live up to what they say, very disapointing.

Truly exceptional place! Our son thrived in this environment. There have been some recent problems…read morein selection of school administrators, but they have been corrected. Would STRONGLY recommend this school. Do NOT believe the baloney rumors you may read. What difference does it make if the school administration is of a particular religious bent if the do NOT (and I can absolutely confirm this!) proselytize?

My grandson started the Preschool at Aptos Academy this year and he loves it so much (age 4) that…read morehe's constantly asking, "Go to school tomorrow?" - he wants to go back even on his way home let alone that evening or the next day! Not only is the school in a beautiful setting but all the faculty and other students are friendly, caring and welcoming! Small class sizes, a faculty that is caring, nurturing and fills the needs/requirements of each student individually for educational/physical/mental growth and well being in the beautiful Aptos community...what more could one want for their child? We feel so blessed to have discovered the Aptos Academy!

Tyler G. you wrote exactly what I wanted to write. :)…read more Five stars for "eve" runs in nothing but your doc martins and body paint. Rolling out of bed at 7am for choir practice in your pjs, cinnamon and sugar toast, It's It's sandwiches, holding hands on the lawn (or doing other things on the lawn that you're not suppose to), Mr. & Mrs. Berg, breaking the window seals and sneaking in the boys dorm to play uno, breaking into the auditorium, sneaking off campus via the beach, Taco Bell runs, naked seniors running through the halls to scare the freshmen and new kids, flower vespers, the bluff, being put on "social" for getting caught kissing someone, mark (the lone bull), food fight in the cafeteria, the rock, secret brothers, secret sisters, senior camp-out, the four-year club. And yes... ocean smells mixed with cow pie steam... I miss MBA days. It was the best 4 years of high school and I wouldn't change a thing.

Unfortunately, the model at the school did not work for our son, his academic performance did not…read moreimprove. They have no tutoring options and long talks about why things matter for his future were just not enough. There are really no repercussions for not showing up and not completing work. I'm sure the school is great for self-motivated kids but they absolutely failed us on every single level. Our son was asked to leave over some pot that was brought by another student (grown by that student's mom). The student who brought the contraband is still there. What a waste of money and time. Be cautious.

Great food deserves a Michelin star 1,000,000,000,000,000,00 out of 5 abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzread more

Obviously the best high school in Santa Cruz....but that's not saying a lot…read more Though some of the teachers suck a whole lotta donkey (but find me a school that doesn't), you can't beat everything else. The new campus is nice (besides the stairs...), the art classes are fun (holla at Graphic Arts), the MPR is...........useful (but not really...) and we put on great musicals, plays, choir recitals, band performances and dance company performances. In the sports department we're............well...we're in the paper a lot. So...take that. Many would say that we suck when it comes to offering AP classes and advanced electives. And they'd be exactly right. For shame Harbor.

We moved from one of the top high schools in the country specifically for this school, and I'm so…read moreglad we did. I did my research beforehand, attended the open house, and had our son shadow for a day. We researched 5 different schools from Menlo Park to Aptos. The new leadership here is incredibly accessible, and the counselors have an open-door policy with parents, which is something I've never experienced before. The teachers are proactive, responsive, and genuinely care about the students--especially the math, biotech, and chemistry teachers, who have been the best we've encountered. The IEP team is organized. I've never had to chase down a teacher or administrator. Communication is excellent; we get updates from teachers, and the coaches truly care about the whole student, even looking out for things like sleep and nutrition. We really wish we had transferred here sooner! If you have a soccer or football player, check out Soquel's record. The football team has even brought home a state championship, beating much larger and wealthier private schools! If you haven't heard of this school yet, you will. The parents here are invested in each other's children, and there's a real sense of community. We carpool, share responsibilities, and support each other--it's truly a "it takes a village" mentality. My son says the kids here are friendlier than most. While the facilities could use some major upgrades to attract families from further out, this school has the passion and talent to turn it into something truly special. If the right investment and support are provided, Soquel could easily reverse the trend of declining enrollment due to population changes. My son is happier and healthier here, thanks to Soquel High. I've been recommending it to families from outside the area, and I'm confident they'll have the same great experience we've had.

Not a good school if you want your child to actually learn and be challenged. Overcrowded classes,…read morenot enough teachers, not enough staff, (councilors and principal) don't care about each student and their learning needs or a plan. PE equipment (tennis) broken. A lot of teachers are frustrated and some long over due for retirement. They are a few years behind a good school. If you can afford a private school, send your kids there, so they will be prepared for college. Or, look into alternative programs. Why wait til they go to college?

Pioneer is a hidden gem! If you or anyone you know is looking for an amazing small school for a…read more6th-8th grader, please give them a call. Pioneer Academy has been a life saver for our son and has allowed him to enjoy his early tween/teen years without bullying or social peer pressure. He's happy, excelling, and loving his time there. I cannot say enough good things about this amazing school and the directors...from the morning hikes, daily meditation, life skills (learning how to communicate and effectively express what you feel, nutritional food cooking and shopping, friend/family problem solving), science, math, college-note taking, english, writing, physical education (anywhere from yoga, martial arts, cross-fit), field trips and multi cultural education, I could go on but it's best to go see for yourself.

Our son just completed his first year at Pioneer. After six years of public school, we experienced…read morea complete transformation from real resistance to going to school to it being a source of joy for him every day. Pioneer provides a safe learning environment with a focus on wellness and acceptance. We are very impressed with their approach both with academics and social-emotional support. All of the teachers are incredibly patient with and fair to the students. Because of this safe learning environment, our son excelled in academic subjects he had little interest in before.

A wonderful school. My daughter had several delightful years there. Responsible and caring staff.read more

Can't thank this school enough. As a now grown student, I still look back on this schools'…read moreteachings and absolute life lessons that it has taught me. With patience, nurturing, and all around acceptance, Orchard raised me when one person couldn't do it alone. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and I had never felt truer words that befit this schools benefits. It truly helped keep my childhood lively and adventurous, and to this day my thoughts linger on just how grateful I am. If I ever have a kid, I'll do my best to ensure they get to go to a school as fine as Orchard. Only shame is, they used to go from K-8, if I recall. But to know they're focusing their teachings on earlier ages is just as righteous to me.

I am so glad I decided to venture out and visit a church while out of town! Twin Lakes is amazing…read more I loved that not only did they have a lot of parking but there were clearly marked signs of where to go. I was welcomed when I walked in and people looked excited to be there. It's a large church so there were a lot of seating options but it did fill up right as the service I went to started at 9. Worship was so good! Everyone was passionate. It was just the right amount to prepare your heart and then they dove into the Word. They are a Bible teaching church which I love. They stuck to the Word then taught how it applied in today's world. It was convicting with love. After service I looked around and they offer tons of resources and groups for people. I loved their bookstore area. The gal that checked me out even gave me a first time gift. Way to make me feel special and included. I visit this area somewhat regularly and look forward to returning!

Absolutely a wonderful place of worship and sense of community. The pastors are exceptional…read more Facilities are exceptional. Coffee shop is a bonus. I highly recommend this church.