I graduated from Berkwood Hedge this year and I did not have a good experience. I went to Berkwood…read moreHedge from 6th to 8th grade. When I joined this community I did not feel accepted. A couple of months ago at the end of the year, there was a shadow student that tried to sit down and eat lunch with Berkwood hedge students, and the kid was told don't sit with us!! We don't want you here!! And the teachers didn't do anything about it. I think that is a pretty common experience for new students at Berkwood Hedge. I definitely had similar experiences happen to me. The academics are pretty good, but the math levels are not based on grade so it can make people in lower levels feel bad because some people from the higher levels brag about it. The sports are good because everyone gets to play and there is no tryouts but for most sports Berkwood Hedge doesn't win games because they are playing more inexperienced players. Some traditions that Berkwood Hedge has are strange to me like the blessing song and the sound baths. My family chose not to send my brother here because I didn't have a good experience, so I don't recommend this school.

The process of looking for a new school is overwhelming due to the sheer number of options. You…read morecome up with a comprehensive list of 10-15 schools you are considering and try to knock any of them out for even random reasons so that you can focus on touring and applying to a more manageable list of schools. Berkwood Hedge was on my long list - and when I read some of the negative reviews, I almost just crossed it off of our list. I am so thankful that I kept my mind open and saw Berkwood Hedge for myself. My son joined the 4th grade class this past Fall and it has been truly transformational for him and our family. After years of unhealthy social situations in his past schools and lack of attention to his learning needs, due to the care from Berkwood Hedge, he is now starting to come out from a haze of low confidence. His teachers, Olivia and Elisa, have been invaluable in helping him grow in confidence. Before you make any decisions about schooling for your child, I implore you to just attend one community meeting that happens in person every Wednesday morning at 8:45 on campus. It really does take a village and Berkwood Hedge has set up just that - a loving village around our children. When you hear the head of school, Love Weinstock, speak, you know that this care for the whole child is everywhere in the school's culture. You will definitely see the intentional approach in your child's classroom but you will also see it with restorative justice with Silver, music with Ajayi, learning with Edie, art with Laura, school operations with Kris, and the list goes on. We will be moving to Berkwod Hedge's upper campus next year and we are really looking forward to it. They have really been able to increase the diversity in the upper grades. Furthermore, Love leads with so much clarity that I look forward to seeing that come alive in middle school.

My third grade granddaughter has been there since preschool. The outdoor/gardening/cooking…read morecomponent is a great balance to the strong academics. Peaceful atmosphere, lots of beauty.

As someone who moved to the Bay Area about a decade ago, I've often missed the sense of Persian…read morecommunity I grew up with, attending "mehmoonis" (parties), hearing Iranian music fill our home, and being surrounded by our rich, beautiful culture. When it came time to find a preschool for my son, I dreamed of a place that could offer him that same warmth and connection, and Golestan has given us exactly that and more. The first time I stepped into Golestan's "hayaat" (yard), I was instantly transported to my grandpa's garden in Iran. The laughter, the trees, the care woven into every detail. It's such a lively, loving, and vibrant space where my son learns, plays, makes friends, and creates lasting memories. The teachers are absolute angels, deeply nurturing, creative, and so attuned to each child. From the thoughtfully designed classrooms to the fresh, nourishing food (with ingredients straight from their learning garden!), every aspect of Golestan reflects an intentional, heartful approach to education and community. I feel truly honored for my son to spend his days in such a magical and enriching environment, surrounded by love, culture, and curiosity, and I'm already dreaming of the day my daughter can join. Regardless of your background or heritage, Golestan is a place worth experiencing. I'm sure they'll woo you at "Salaam" :)

St. Paul's Episcopal School in Oakland is AMAZING! A strong academic program paired with real…read moreworld skills and an inclusive environment make for an amazing learning experience. The community and education at St. Paul's are top notch!

St. Paul's Episcopal School (SPES) in Oakland has been an incredible experience for our family as…read moreLGBTQ+ parents with two kids attending. From the moment we joined the school community, we've felt welcomed, valued, and supported in a way that's truly meaningful to us. SPES is not just a school--it's a place where diversity and inclusion are celebrated, and every family is embraced. The teachers at SPES are extraordinary. They are kind, engaging, and genuinely invested in each student's success, creating a supportive and inclusive environment where our kids feel seen, respected, and encouraged to thrive. The school also provides ample resources, from state-of-the-art technology to classroom supplies, making learning accessible, engaging, and exciting for every child. What stands out most about SPES is its unwavering commitment to diversity. The student body reflects a wide range of backgrounds, and this rich diversity is woven into the fabric of the school's culture. Weekly Friday chapel gatherings are a highlight, bringing the community together to reflect on shared values and showcase the unique voices and perspectives of different grades. These gatherings create a strong sense of belonging and unity, making every family feel like an integral part of the school. At SPES, diversity and inclusion are not "marketing taglines" or a box to check--they are fundamental to who we are. The school was founded 50 years ago in response to the civil rights movement, and these values and principles are deeply embedded in our DNA. They guide everything we do, from the way we teach to how we build community. SPES also excels in social-emotional learning through its "People Power Skills" framework. This program equips students with the tools to navigate relationships, practice kindness, and build empathy. It's inspiring to see our kids not only learning these skills but also applying them in their daily interactions. The framework helps create a respectful, supportive environment that prioritizes emotional growth alongside academic success. As LGBTQ+ parents, we deeply appreciate how SPES fosters an inclusive atmosphere where all families are welcomed and celebrated. Our kids are growing up in an environment that values compassion, diversity, and acceptance--qualities we hold dear. It's a school where they feel safe and proud of their family, and that means the world to us. St. Paul's is a place where academics, culture, and emotional well-being come together seamlessly. For LGBTQ+ families--or any family looking for a school that truly embodies inclusion and excellence--SPES is an outstanding choice. It's been a wonderful home for our kids and our family, and we couldn't recommend it more highly.

We love it at JMSG! Our sixth grader is thriving. She receives so much personal attention and help…read moreto become a confident student. She struggles in math and is becoming a confident math learner. She absolutely loves the emphasis on women's empowerment. This is helping her grow into the kind of woman we want her to be. She participates in musical theater after school and is looking forward to playing basketball next season. What a gorgeous campus, dedicated teachers, and unparalleled curriculum! I'm so glad we found JMSG for our girl!

My 6th grader loves JMSG because "all the classes are really fun and engaging. It is a forest…read morelearning environment with positive teachers and nice friends." The Head of School and the school counselor / wellness teacher welcomes every student at the curb as they arrive every morning! They ask them how they're doing and they answer parent questions. All the teachers are incredibly kind, generous with their time, enthusiastic about their subjects and about teaching middle school girls, engaging, and well qualified. They arrive an hour before school starts in the morning for "cornerstone" when the students can come in and get extra help From them, ask questions, and look over homework. Every week they have special guests and special events, like a whole day dedicated to "words" last Friday, where 3 different authors came in and spoke to the students, and then students got to pick from a variety of literacy-themed electives to attend for the rest of the day. Pi Day was also very fun, with many activities centered around understanding pi and eating homemade pies. At the end of the year, the whole 6th grade class produces a musical. And this year the musical is an original score written by the school's very talented music teacher and a Berkeley Playhouse Children's theater educator and director! We feel very lucky that our daughter was accepted into JMSG and gets to have such a magical middle school experience. She is enjoying learning and is enthusiastic about all subjects. She is excited to go to school every day and takes pride in being completely independent and confident about all her homework assignments.

I just have to do this school justice because the previous reviews really slander the image of the…read moreschool. Harding since four years ago has been a diverse, supportive, caring environment! With many dedicated teachers and staff. They will say hi to your kids even at the grocery store! I have nothing but positive feedbacks for this school and it takes the community/village to raise young people. This is a dedicated community of parents who are constantly volunteering and giving back to the school. This community keeps the students safe by prioritizing safety, and investing in teachers ongoing development!

First of all, my child said that a special Ed student tried to light a kids computer on fire. They…read moreshould have better watch on the special ed students and actually try to teach them. Second off they have also let me in on that their friend has been mentally abused and scarred by their third grade teacher. For privacy reasons, is called Ms B. In other events, I was also alerted that a suicide note was inside of the boy's lavatory and was most likely from this school and school caused it. The new change in authority was nice though because the old principal was pretty rude. As previously told, there is a janitor currently in charge in the cafeteria. What baffles me is that this janitor isn't even letting the new lunch monitor do her job because the janitor thinks she has more power than she already has. Don't really recommend, 1.5 stars.

Update: More staff have left/been fired, particularly the good ones that were left.... incompetence…read moreis the word here. Administration is near impossible to communicate with to find concrete answers with. Not at all happy with how the head of school has made her choices, they seem uninformed.

Theyre looking for another head of school/CEO AGAIN. Rotating cycle of failure as an educational…read moreinstitution. Glad I pulled my child out at the start of this year for Yu Ming. Not work $35k/year only to have the school change what it is every year. My child had a teacher new to school every year before we left. Staff rotate and don't seem to care, Admin seems like it doesn't know what it's doing at all. Head of school refuses to communicate clearly with families and does not make herself as available as others in the past.

Best teachers and staff from Administrators to Counselors to coaches and best of all really…read morecommitted and dedicated teachers. Great experience for my kid so far.

girl this school is messy and the drama is crazyyyyy... the teachers are okay but the food is nasty…read moreasf

I had went to John Muir elementary for 6 years and I will say it was a amazing experience nice staf…read morenice teachers and everything I love the campus and like I always said slay baddie queen

Caring staff and awesome grounds. Great place to work at if the current principal personally likes…read moreyou and your opinion matches hers. I was there this past year and quickly noticed how true this was. I had a very challenging class and was only given negative feedback, and then just ignored. So I thought, "Okay, maybe I'm not all that great of a teacher." Then after getting to know the staff better, I learned that many staff members were unhappy with her. There was one teacher there who taught 1st grade for many, many years To try to get her to quit, she moved her to 5th grade. That position could of been filled by anyone who actually wanted it. She also suggested to a staff member that she should retire. When she said she wasn't ready, the principal immediately got her transferred to another school. After being on medical leave for most of the school year, the secretary returned. Before she returned, the principal announced that she was coming back. By her announcement, it was clear that she didn't want her back. After getting to know the secretary, I learned that she wasn't liked by the principal. The principal interactions with her are all negative and now the union is involved. One day a student in my class was pissed off and yelled, "Fuck you! " the student didn't know the principal was standing right behind him. The principal took him out of class and he returned in less than 5 min. Apparently the principal told him that she understood that he must be having a difficult day, but we must choose different words when expressing anger. I was dumbfounded and thought the student would be suspended and not given a 5 min therapy session. What a horrible school year it turned out to be. It's sad because this principal isn't at all the leader who I thought she was going to be. There's more but I've said enough. Getting rid of her would definitely move my star rating to a 5.