We feel incredibly lucky to have found Kirk School…read more The teachers are truly outstanding. We had the wonderful opportunity to have the same teacher for two years in a row, which provided such valuable consistency and security during these important early years. Their warmth, patience, encouragement, and genuine love for the children are evident every day, and they have had such a positive impact on her growth and confidence. Our daughter absolutely loves going to school every day. She looks forward to seeing her friends and being part of such a warm, welcoming community. Her days are filled with outdoor play, creative art projects, and hands-on learning. We've watched our daughter grow tremendously--not only academically, but socially and emotionally as well. The Kirk School has nurtured her confidence, curiosity, kindness, and love of learning, and we truly trust them with our daughter. Knowing she is in such caring and capable hands gives us tremendous peace of mind. Amanda Vanek, the Head of School, is exceptional. She is professional, thoughtful, incredibly responsive, and deeply committed to the children, families, and the entire school community. Her leadership creates an environment where both students and parents feel supported, heard, and valued, and it is clear she cares deeply about every aspect of the school. We are so grateful to be part of the Kirk School community and we look forward to many more wonderful years ahead!

We could not be more grateful that a friend told us about Kirk when we were scrambling to find a…read moreschool after the Palisades Fire made it impossible to finish out the year at the school our children loved. From the first phone call, we could see that Kirk was a special place, filled with warmth, kindness, professionalism, and so much heart. From the receptionists and custodians to the Head of School and the remarkable teaching staff, we were blown away from the start. They spent hours with us on our first visit discussing how and where our kids would fit into their community, and welcomed them for a trial day the very next day. After the most thoughtful, thorough, and gentle social/emotional and academic evaluations they placed our kids in the best environment (to their financial detriment--we would have happily put our 5th grader in 4th grade, handing over another year of tuition, or put our other children in classrooms where there was more space). The staff stayed late to welcome our kids and rearrange their already-full classrooms to welcome two more, given the circumstances. From that first trial day and every day since, the community has welcomed us all with open arms. My kids were blown away by the warmth of the welcome their classmates and the parent organization gave them (t-shirts and otter stuffies to welcome them on day one!) The outpouring of support and interest my husband and I received still moves us so, so deeply. So now we're here and could not be happier. My kids are loved, supported, challenged, and pushed every day. They're happy and seen and surrounded by the most loving and capable staff. The level of communication is beyond compare and the heart this little community shows in so many ways never ceases to amaze us. It's the quintessential Elementary School experience--book fairs, field trips, Halloween carnivals, talent shows, spirit days, and fun runs galore. It's also the most economically, socially, and racially diverse school we've attended and celebrates the differences among their students in so many beautiful, thoughtful ways. Do I wish it were in a more walkable location? Absolutely. But is it worth the commute? Also yes. Inclined as I am to keep this special place a hidden gem, I feel like I owe it to them and the families in positions like ours to sing their praises.

My twins started here at 3 years and just graduated from Ms. Deb's TK class. What a wonderful…read morepreschool this has been. The teachers and staff are like family, there is no better feeling than knowing your children are loved and taken care when you are not with them. my children have thrived! Its been just a blessing for our family

My daughter is in her 3rd and final year at Shepherd of the Valley preschool. She will be starting…read moreTK at her big sister's elementary school next year. We are so sad to leave because it is such a wonderful school. My daughter spent four months at another unnamed preschool and was so unhappy, and I felt like she was neglected. The school has been incredible and she has truly thrived. At her last preschool, she didn't really talk much. Even at home she was pretty quiet. But she's been at the school for three years now and she is such a social butterfly. Her vocabulary is astounding to me. She's able to write her name, write most of her numbers, one through 10, and is able to identify both capital and lowercase letters. It's a wonderful community as well. I'm they have so many wonderful school events, the staff is so attentive and kind, it really feels like a small family. They are a Lutheran school, but that literally does not affect my child whatsoever. We are Roman Catholic and they don't push religion on them. They do sing a few like cute religious songs and they do attend chapel once a week on Wednesdays, but I know other families of other faiths that are there and still absolutely love it. I'll stop there because I'm not gonna keep going on and on about how wonderful the school is. Just believe me when I say it's truly a wonderful school. They accept students as young as 18 months old. They always have events open to the public and the community so check it out. Or schedule a tour. This is literally just coming from my own heart. I was not asked to write this. They don't even know I'm writing this, but I just really truly love the school.

I can't rave enough about this school. We found it through my sister-in-law, who already had her…read moredaughter here, and enrolling our son in their preschool has truly been one of the best decisions we've made. We came from a school across the valley, and the change has been completely life-changing for our family. 3 years later He is now in kindergarten with and just thriving! Mrs. Lopez and Mrs.Sanchez are truly a dream team..they have this beautiful balance of warmth, patience, structure, and genuine love for the kids that is hard to put into words. The academic curriculum is incredible, our son is learning so much in kindergarten. He literally can't wait to get to class every morning And he's not usually that kid, which speaks volumes to me about how amazing this school is and how safe and happy he feels here. They offers so many clubs/enrichment opportunities, and fun events that there's always something exciting happening. This community is truly something special, the teachers are genuinely nurturing, and the staff goes above and beyond in every way. & Now that my daughter is in the preschool we're having the same experience. At just two years old it's never easy to leave your child anywhere but Mrs. Martha and her team create such a warm, comforting environment that she settled in beautifully. We are so grateful to be part of this school. Truly a 10/10 experience

As a parent, choosing the right school for your children is one of the biggest decisions you make,…read moreand West Valley Christian School has truly been a great choice for our family. Both of my children attend the school, and I have seen firsthand how much they are growing academically, socially, and personally. There is a real focus on academics here, and both of my children are rapidly excelling, which gives me a lot of confidence in the education they are receiving. What also stands out is the sense of community. The school consistently puts on great events and activities that make the children excited to be involved and help families feel connected. It does not feel like just a school, it feels like a place where staff genuinely want the children to succeed. The staff have always been friendly, approachable, and willing to listen, which matters a lot as a parent. You can tell they care not only about education but also about the well-being of each child. A special shoutout to Ms. Tania and Ms. Lopez, who I truly feel care deeply about my daughters' development and happiness. Their attention, kindness, and genuine care have made a real difference in our experience. For parents looking for a school with strong academics, caring staff, and a supportive environment, our experience has been very positive.

Our daughter has been at Montessori of Calabasas for two years now, and in all that time, we've…read morenever once heard her say she doesn't want to go--which feels like a rarity compared to what other parents experience! The variety of activities they offer truly makes a difference in her development. The staff is absolutely amazing. Mrs. Nee is there every single morning with a warm smile to greet us and provide important updates. We truly feel like part of a family here and only wish we could stay forever!

I know this is a cliche commonly heard on Yelp...but...if I could give six stars I would!…read moreTo start, the staff is simply the best! Ms. Dinooshi was the one who showed me around, and she was very nice and understanding. Ms. Nee is always present and available to handle any issues that arise (none major, mostly coordination issues). What is noteworthy is that the kids always seem happy to go there and frankly, I know they will be taken care of very well. The teachers and staff are very vigilant about safety and always let me know when something happens (usually minor, thank goodness, like cuts or scrapes). Another cool thing is that they have music, art, Mandarin and a soccer class (I'm sure amongst others I do not know about), which is good for overall development. Overall, I cannot say enough good things about Montessori of Calabasas and would recommend them to anyone without hesitation!

There aren't enough positive things I could say about being part of the community at Highland Hall!…read moreHaving been at the school for three years, and having been a very active member of the schools parent community, I can say with full confidence that it is the complete staff and parent collaboration that makes the school so amazing. Both of my children are thriving in this environment, where the focus is not on technology, but in developing their creative skills in writing, mathematics, music, sports, and above all how to be wonderful humans with their fellow classmates and teachers. We see a dramatic difference from the students around the school in comparison to children who are at the same age group going to public school and for us there's no comparison. This environment allows the students to thrive in ways we only hoped our children would experience. We truly have only wonderful things to say about our experience thus far in these last three years and will absolutely look forward to staying at Highland Hall for the remainder of their education.

The antidote to hustle culture--for kids AND parents…read more Highland Hall has been transformative for our family. In a world of stress, hurry, and noise, this school pushes back hard. My ECC student is thriving in their play-based program, and I'm equally impressed by what I see in the grades. What stands out: Teachers are genuinely cared for (you can feel it in how they show up) Outdoor learning is central, not an afterthought Learning is experienced through hands, heart, and mind (and truly offline and not through a screen) Warm, open community that walks the talk Upper school students are bright, engaged, and have real relationships with each other Academic excellence through curiosity, not pressure The slower pace in early years is intentional--less rote memorization, more wonder and deep learning. It teaches families that thriving happens through joy and community, not grinding. Don't let tuition stop you from exploring. The financial assistance program is robust and real. Schedule a tour and see if Highland Hall is right for your family. For us, it's been worth every penny.

My daughter is in her first year of kindergarten, and Mrs. Best is truly the best! We love this…read moreschool -- all the staff are so kind and welcoming. Next year, my son will be joining the school in TK, and we're really looking forward to it!

This is such a great school! The teachers and administration genuinely care about the students. It…read morefeels like a big family! The environment feels safe and it is such a beautiful campus. Everyone is kind and the kids are really happy attending. It really is the best school!

This review is long over due, we our going on our third year of enrollment at HillPoint Montessori…read moreand we are extremely happy about our decision. Prior to having our child here, school was a real daily struggle. We did not enjoy having to spend long hours each night completing work sheets and hw; our child was not happy. Being professional working parents having to come home and complete a stack of "work sheets" was utter misery for all of us. Each Sunday night we began to hear "my tummy hurts", since school was on Monday. The final straw came the day when our little one yelled at us in tears "I HATE SCHOOL!!!", we finally accepted that we needed a change. I searched and spent countless hours reading, talking to other parents, and doing campus tours of different private schools in the SFV area. Most were either not affordable for us or followed very traditional teaching methods. We knew our child needed something different, "aHillpoint Montessori was the answer. I remember the first day we toured the campus with our child; we meet the school director and lower elementary teachers. We were in awe as we saw that Ms. Alyssa (the lower elementary teacher) had in her "parent library" the same books that we were reading about child development and child neuro-development. The more we got to know Ms. Alyssa and ask her questions, the clearer it became to us that the Montessori teaching approach was in perfect sync to what our child and family needed. We were in disbelief that such a school and classroom could even exist and that the tuition was within our budget. By the time we were done with our tour we knew we had to enroll our child at Hillpoint Montessori. We asked lots and lots of questions to the school director Ms. Dayani; our questions were very direct and upfront--we needed to know and feel secure that this school would be the right place for our child and family. We didn't want to find our child and family in another school environment that didn't support our child's needs. Making a change was a bit intimidating, having to change your child's school is and can be nerve wrecking. However, the school and Ms. Alyssa made the transition a smooth and beautiful one. The approach that Montessori takes is one of respect, inclusiveness, and acknowledgment. In other schools I noticed that children are "talked at" and not "talked with"; now our child has a voice and is heard by the teachers and classmates. In the Montessori method, children are taught empathy, independence, good citizenship, curiosity, and creativeness which foster an environment of learning. Our child loves to learn and explore the world, the questions we now get asked and engagement is astonishing. At our previous school, which followed the traditional teaching method, our child did not want to go to school and upon being picked up there was nothing to share or mention about the day. All the answers were "I don't know..." followed by endless silence-regardless of what we asked, how we asked, or how creative we were in engaging a conversation about the school day. Prior to Hillpoint, the passion/curiosity to learn within our child was disinterested; we were able to see a drastic difference within the first week of starting class at Hillpoint Montessori. It's as if our child was back!!! Now, pick up time is the best part of the day, and very often our child says to us "why did you pick me up so early! Can't you pick me up later please?". The car ride back home is endless chatter as we hear about everything that happened at school that day, what lessons were taught, and what subjects were learned. We have also been able to form beautiful friendships with other school families and our children very often get together for play dates and to do fun activities together. We didn't have this at our previous school, it's a special community we have built at Hillpoint. There is no other learning method that comes close to the Montessori method, with the exception of the Waldorf Method, however, this is not financially permissible to our family or most families. If you don't know what the Montessori method consists of, I encourage you to look it up-- if you are reading my review, and taking the time to get this far, it's probably because your child and family are searching for a better fit and learning environment. We understand as we were there three years ago. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out; happy to pay it forward and share more of our experience with you. * We are a real family and we were not paid nor given any type of incentive from the school or anyone at the school to write and share our experience.

My son started at Hill Point Montessori when he was just 2 years old, and the growth we've seen in…read morehim over the past two years has been incredible. His vocabulary and communication skills have evolved remarkably, reflecting the Montessori approach that truly fosters independence, confidence, and a love for learning. He has had amazing hands-on experiences making fresh orange juice, churning butter, observing the life cycle of chicks, and gardening that taught him practical life skills, responsibility, and curiosity about the world. The community at Hill Point is wonderfully diverse. Along with our son forming beautiful friendships, we as parents have also built lasting connections. Mrs. Dayani and Ms. Anishka are incredibly passionate and dedicated, and their love for Montessori education shines in everything they do. Their wonderful teachers Ms Dinorah, Ms Ishani, Ms Maryam, Ms Rakhi and staff ensure every child feels seen, supported, and celebrated. Hill Point Montessori is a nurturing, vibrant, and truly authentic Montessori environment. We are so grateful for the foundation they've given our son--it will stay with him for life.

I cannot say enough good things about The Beginning Montessori. My son started here when he was…read moreonly 5 months old, and he is now 2 years and 3 months. As a parent, leaving your infant in someone else's care is a big step, but I trust the teachers here completely. They are all so loving and caring, and the director, Sunaitra, runs the school wonderfully. I am constantly impressed by the Montessori approach and how much my son is learning. Almost every day when I pick him up, he surprises me with a new word or a new expression he picked up in class. It's been incredible to watch his development. I also love the cultural events they organize; my son has even performed in them, and I was so impressed by how well-organized everything was. We feel so lucky to have this school so close to our house. We love it so much that I am already looking forward to sending my daughter there in a couple of months!

My daughter started at this Montessori school when she was 2, and we have had such a wonderful…read moreexperience. A few months ago, we tried transitioning her to a different school, but she didn't adjust well and kept asking to come back here. That really showed me how comfortable, supported, and genuinely happy she feels at this school. The teachers are patient, caring, and truly understand how to meet each child where they are. My daughter has grown so much in her independence, communication, and confidence. The environment is calm, clean, and structured in a way that encourages curiosity and learning. We are so grateful to have found this Montessori and we're happy to be back. Highly recommend to any parent looking for a nurturing and positive place for their child to learn and grow.