As a therapist, I work with many families who feel overwhelmed navigating the school system. It…read moreoften shows up as anxiety, frustration, and even self-doubt, parents wondering if they're missing something or not advocating "correctly." Most just aren't given clear guidance on what to ask for or what their child is actually entitled to. What stands out to me about Rise is how parents are supported in really understanding what's happening and how to advocate in a way that feels realistic and manageable. Having a clear plan and next steps takes a process that can feel chaotic and makes it more actionable. Another strength working with Rise is that April has firsthand experience working within the school system, meaning she understands how things actually function behind the scenes and can guide families in a way that's well-informed and practical. If you're feeling stuck or unsure where to begin with the IEP and 504 process, Rise provides the kind of support that can help you feel more confident and less alone in navigating it.

April is exceptionally kind and highly knowledgeable. The consultation was well worth it. It is…read morerare to find someone who truly understands a child's condition without making you feel as though you are exaggerating the symptoms or the situation. I felt complexity heard, and she followed with clear, practical recommendations for the next steps. I recommend her consultation services without hesitation.

The autism program they offer here is far from reality. The school looks good on outside but inside…read morehorrible. This school is nothing to write home. My child attended here just 6 months . We have to change his school and the special education teacher and the principal don't seem to know what they are doing. The cleaning standard for the school is zero or nothing to write home about.

As a parent of a former Switzer student I would recommend this school to any parent with a child…read more that struggles with learn issues, socialization problems, or are neurodivergent. This school turned my child's life around and got them through some very tough life lessons. Because of the support they received at Switzer my child is now a college graduate and a well balanced functioning adult. I couldn't be prouder of my child and its all thanks to the staff and teachers at Switzer.

This review is long overdue but I have nothing but great things to say about this place. They…read morereally do go above and beyond for their clients. I was in need of support for my daughter and had not yet heard of educational therapy. From the first phone call to each session, we are greeted with a smile and warm support. My daughter is always excited as she arrives and even when she leaves; which says a lot about them. Kevin and Nicole have been my contacts and they are both amazing and supportive. If you are in need of any educational support/assistance, this is the place to go.

After going back and forth for the better part of a year now, South Bay educational therapy has for…read morethe lack of better words stolen IEP funding money intended to help my special needs son. First and foremost Kevin Bansley was the point of contact through all of my emails/dealings with South Bay educational therapy. Kevin offered us 1 date and time only to begin my son's therapy and unfortunately we were not able to accept due to our schedules. No big deal right? Scheduling didn't work out so we could just go our different ways and my family could attempt to find help elsewhere. Kevin Bansley had different intentions though. He stated that they were keeping the money(almost $5000) and no refund would be issued. After several back and forth emails, Kevin agreed to refund some of the money, but wanted to be compensated for the time/services that they did actually render, which we agreed upon. He stated "In regard to your request for a refund, I understand that your family's needs and expectations were not fully met, and I do not wish to create further challenges for your son. Therefore, I will be processing a refund for the services that were not rendered, excluding the two intake sessions, and an additional four hours allocated for diagnostics and extensive communication with Harbor Regional Center and your family. These hours reflect the considerable professional time and expertise dedicated to your son's case." Sounded great. That email was received August 21st 2024. Here it is November 12th 2024. Kevin has still not refunded the money and I honestly do not think he has any intention to do so. Do not be fooled. Kevin Bansley tries to put forth a mission of helping children and families but that is clearly not the case. He has cost my son the help he has needed all year by refusing to follow through with his own words. I implore any and all families thinking about using South Bay educational therapy to help their family to simply ask yourself. "Can my child afford to get the help they so desperately need taken from them? Is it worth the risk to trust this company?"

Natalia is FANTASTIC! She tailors each session to your child's specific needs. She keeps my son…read moreengaged and motivated during each session. She's also extremely knowledgeable :)

Can I give 6 stars?? We have been using Z.E.T.A for about a year and a half and we have seen…read moreamazing changes in fluency and most of all confidence. Natalia is professional and masterful when it comes to reading support. We are so lucky to have found her. I am a School Occupational Therapist and a mom and I cannot day enough wonderful things about Z.E.T.A, except I highly recommend it for kids who need a little extra support with reading or math.

The institution refused to enroll my son citing his placement within the autism spectrum as the…read morereason, despite their attempt to justify the decision with additional explanations that ultimately proved insufficient.

This school is a gem. Several of the faculty have been teaching here for twenty-five years. They're…read moreunquestionably qualified and experienced. Academically, parents don't have a worry. However, where SBCS leaves other schools in the dust is what they manage to achieve OUTSIDE the classroom. Class size allows the faculty to focus on EVERY student and their needs. No one gets lost in the crowd. That means if your child is dealing with any issues, they'll be noticed and get the attention they should get. This school is all about teaching to the whole individual. Learning to handle responsibilities, conflict, impulse control--the faculty have it under control. If you don't just want your child to grow up a competent math student, then this is where they should go to school. They'll learn how to be moral, caring, thoughtful, and self-aware people (who are also good at math or English or ...!). They've also had a new principal for two years now, Kirstin Born, who taught for twenty-five years before assuming the top position. You couldn't ask for a more savvy, sensitive, experienced person to guide the school. She bends over backwards to meet the needs and requests of her students' families. You won't complain about crickets if you approach Mrs. Born with any concerns. SBCS is great for any student, but it is a gift to students who need extra attention and personalized care in the hands of loving, experienced teachers and administrators.

This organization is amazing. They work with children and adults with developmental disabilities…read more There aren't too many adult day programs out there that do what Mychal's does. There after school program has been around for 17 years and is run by excellent staff. There mission is to build self esteem and encourage independence in their students. Keep up the good work!

They have coffee and baked goods set up at the location every Friday morning. What a great…read moreenvironment and the coffee and sweets are incredible! This non-profit is one of the best. Check them out, you won't regret it.

What an amazing organization!! I went to a workshop with my husband put on by Ourtism and Aspergers…read moreExperts a couple of weeks ago entitled, "What I wish my parents knew growing up with Aspergers." I cannot stop telling people about Chole Estelle and the insight provided by her into female aspergers and aspergers in general. We left feeling understood and part of a community. Wish there was one in Westlake Village.

From the owner: Autism Support Created by Autists…read more All services at OurTism were created by autists. We understand the need to feel heard because, as autists, we have lived this ourselves. We value making sure you feel heard, here are just some of the ways we try and make sure that happens. ​ We're different. At OurTism, our values drive everything we do. We listen and honor all individuals and their needs. We collaborate with our clients. We created the support we needed. We hope the services we created for ourselves work just as well for you. This is a place where everyone’s voice is important.

PHS is amazing. There is nothing of its caliber in the area. The staff is awesome. Our children…read morehave been part of the PHS family for many years. We're excited for middle school. We are truly blessed to have found such a safe, loving environment for our children. The campus is beautiful and the equipment is new. Kids can really be just kids. They run around and play. We love watching our kids actually moving their bodies and working out. They plead to go to afterschool camp every day. The class sizes are amazing. There are assistant teachers in each classroom. If a student needs more assistance they can easily get it, instead of struggling alone. Dr. Chun is an amazing Principal and runs the school like a well oiled machine. The character values they instill Caring Attitude Respect Gratitude Perseverance Self Control are amazing. I wish they had a high school too.

This school is probably best for people who have artistic children (think of theater or drama kids)…read moreor kids who have special needs (developmental impediments which require them to need an aide physically with them or need smaller group sizes). This school does not focus on academic rigor. There is no homework or grades until 4th grade. The amount of regression in education we witnessed was sad, anger inducing, and extremely upsetting. We wasted a year of tuition and our child's time and would NEVER recommend this school for children who are not special needs or have other socialization issues.

I cannot say enough of this amazing school! I have a unique perspective as I am a parent here as…read morewell as a teacher of 18 years (at a public school). When I was given a tour four years ago, I knew what questions to ask regarding the curriculum and was impressed by the rigor, the class sizes, and the feel of community. So I decided to make the investment and move my son from a nearby public school to Rolling Hills Country Day School. One of the reasons was my son was diagnosed with moderate ADD and I knew he needed more personal attention and would thrive in a smaller school setting. It was the best decision! I do admit it took him a few months to get acclimated due to the academic rigor because the standards were different at his previous school. However, I loved it so much that a year later, I transferred my daughter there and now my third child attends RHCDS! I wish my kids could personally write a review. They absolutely love their school. They are eager to get to school early to play on the field before class! This school offers them a place where they feel safe and genuinly cared for. They not only have the academic rigor that in today's society is imperative, but they also prioritize in teaching values. Be a kind human is their motto and they definitely instill this on a daily basis. Learning and living by these values is what a child needs to thrive and be happy so they can focus in school. My son is now in middle school (upper school) and I know he will no doubt be prepared for any top rated high school. They focus on giving back to the community, character/values, teach independence, all the while really preparing these kids for high school. This school truly offers a fine balance. They have specialized teachers for various subjects, including technology. They also focus on presentation skills and even my little 7 year old has presented in front of the lower school! This is such an important communication skill that is disregarded in many elementary schools. I have also made amazing friends at RHCDS and I truly feel I am part of a family, or small community, even though I am a working mom and am not able to be there as much as I would like. I know my kids are cared for, safe, happy, challenged academically, and taught the same values that I teach at home. RHCDS is truly one of a kind and am so grateful to be a part of it.

We have been part of the RHCDS community for 5 years and with multiple children currently attending…read moreor having gone through elementary and middle school, we highly recommend the school to families looking for a quality education and nurturing environment for their children. We have been treated like family over the years - our children feel safe and known by their teachers and any questions or requests to the administration or teachers have been promptly and thoughtfully addressed. Our oldest child and middle school graduate, who now attends public high school, feels like she was well prepared academically and personally by teachers who challenged her to think critically and by expectations to be kind and respectful. There is obviously no perfect school and we are grateful to have found a school that aligns with our values!