My daughter joined the Firetruck Room at OFS with Katie (her primary caregiver) and Maylis, and it…read morehas truly been a transformative experience for her -- and for us as a family. We came from a more traditional daycare setting where she stayed fairly quiet and reserved for nearly a year. Within just a few months at OFS, she was thriving. Now, after two wonderful years, she's graduating as a confident, empathetic, and wildly creative kid whose true personality was clearly nurtured and celebrated by every caregiver she encountered. One of the most impactful aspects of OFS is their primary caregiver model, which gave our daughter a deep sense of safety, stability, and trust. Their project-based curriculum, where kids vote on topics they want to learn about, empowered her to take ownership of her learning and develop a curiosity that astonishes us daily. She now teaches us about the world -- even how to take care of it! Sofia, her current primary caregiver, went above and beyond to support us with things like Kindergarten readiness. Through joyful play, she introduced foundational math and reading concepts that she now uses in everyday life. Her thoughtful assessment gave me clarity and made completing public school enrollment paperwork a breeze. Beyond the classroom, OFS fosters a strong sense of community. They host events that bring families and teachers together, and over our two years here, we've built lasting friendships and support systems that I know will extend beyond preschool. We are endlessly grateful to Katie, Sofia, Maylis, Judy and the entire OFS team. This school has been a foundational chapter in our daughter's life -- one filled with joy, growth, and love.

This is an overdue and very long but very well deserved review of the special place this is OFS…read moreWalnut Creek! We absolutely cannot say enough wonderful things about Old Firehouse School in Walnut Creek. We were on the waitlist for a little over a year and we are so glad we held out for our spot! It was beyond worth the wait! From the moment we first toured, we knew it was something special and that feeling has only deepened as our son continues to thrive at OFS. He is graduating from OFS this summer and will enter Kindergarten this Fall. One of the things that immediately stood out to us was the school's primary caregiver model. This was very important to us and to my knowledge OFS is the only preschool in the area with this special model. Each child is paired with a dedicated caregiver who truly gets to know them and builds a deep, nurturing bond over the years, not just with the child, but with the whole family. This consistency and emotional safety has made such a difference in our son's confidence, sense of security, and joy at school. It's clear the staff understands how essential these early relationships are for lifelong trust and emotional development. Our teacher, Maylis is a true gift! She is such a special person and is the epitome of a dedicated educator. In Maylis' care our son and his class have been encouraged to explore their own ideas and curiosities in collaborative, creative ways. The projects she has them participate in are so impressive. I don't know how she gets a classroom full of preschoolers to engage so deeply in each lesson with such passion, it is truly magical to see! Maylis has helped our son learn to stretch his thinking in beautiful, and creative, age-appropriate ways. Our son comes home full of questions, ideas, and stories from his day, proof of just how engaged he is. The rest of the staff at OFS Walnut Creek is equally as exceptional. The entire school environment is warm, joyful, and promotes independence while also encouraging classroom belonging and connection. We honestly wish every child had the chance to attend Old Firehouse Walnut Creek. We often say we'd send our son here through elementary and middle school if we could, that would be a dream! This school has given him the most magical, foundational start, and we're forever grateful and will be so sad to end our time at OFS this year. Thank you, OFS Walnut Creek!

On Wednesday February the 19th we picked up our boys from Ygnacio Valley Christian School. We…read moreheard a very disturbing story. We always ask our boys what they learned and how their day went at school. On the way to Parish Hall our son was saying, repeating a couple times out loud "I really love school" Teacher, Mrs. Lauren Hopkins (Mrs Lauren Coley) responded to our son's enthusiasm by saying "your dad says you hate school." We were absolutely devastated to hear that Mrs Hopkins would make such a false statement. A teacher's responsibility is to build up a child and to grow him. We believe her words made in front staff and children are demeaning and an attempting to embarrass our family. The principles and mission of YVCS is to nurture a child's mind, spirit, and character, providing a purposeful education. When we drop our boys off at school, we are trusting that the school upholds these standards. We've witnessed some staff at YVCS being awfully rigid to rules and principles. In the beginning of the year, we were often bombarded with negative things said about Luke. We questioned if they were over-emphasizing on disciplinary actions. Our question today is what happens when staff breaks their own rules and responsibilities? Do they hold themselves to the same high standards they hold our children to? As his teacher, we questioned why doesn't Mrs Hopkins concentrate on our son's strengths? He's an incredible leader, he's curios, active and loves to help his classmates. He actually loves to learn. Our sons have over 100 well-made videos on YouTube with their dad exploring subjects like science experiments and building rockets, learning about animals and exploring insects, building a treehouse, creating crafts and adventuring the great outdoors. There's been a number of times where I've picked up our son from school and we've noticed that the "wind has been out of his sails." It is usually in relation to how he feels like he has failed again. Mrs Hopkins words were verified by other staff and kids who overheard her destructive and careless words. We understand God to be one of graciousness. We expect that our child be treated purposefully, with understanding, and with favor. It is also our desire that staff at YVCS be treated with the same care and purposefulness. It is for this reason that we want to school to review Mrs. Hopkins words and follow them with purposeful action. UPDATE: He was removed from his classroom by the school principal We were NOT notified of this change nor did we receive a phone call or email, nor did we receive an apology from the teacher or Principal Mrs. Ilyn Kagawan.

My son has been attending YVCS since entering the 6th grade and now as an 8th grader almost…read moregraduating I can say we are so sad to have this be our last year with this amazing school. Not only has my son flourished academically, socially but also spiritually! He has been surrounded by loving/caring teachers and faculty who have shown a deep interest in his young life. The school is small which allows teachers more individual attention to each student and they REALLY get to know each child's strengths and talents and work to develop those areas especially (while still working towards increasing weaker areas of strength). This school feels more like a family and that is a HUGE change from the public school environment my son came from. My son has expressed his love for the school. I am so happy we decided to enroll him. One of the best investments ever!!

Choosing a Catholic School in our area was a difficult decision and we cannot be happier with the…read moredecision to enroll him at St. Mary's last year. The St. Mary faculty and parental support is fantastic. Our schools "Faith Family" is a amazing peer mentoring program that helps the younger students get acclimated to their new school and St Mary Catholic Church activiites. Although faith-based around a Catholic education, I feel the school is more about empowering our children to be confident, academic and social individuals & citizens within our community.

St. Mary's is a Catholic school with strong academics and lots of love. All four of my kids went…read morehere. My grandson has the same third grade teacher that his Mom had! Teacher retention is highest in the diocese. Jenny Bellows is the current principal and a top-notch educator; a Carondelet grad. She's a gift to the school. The teachers singing and dancing on stage at the end of last year's concert was priceless! If you are just looking for a private school as an alternative to public education - you are looking in the wrong place. It's a Catholic school - with huge parent involvement/commitment - checking homework, fundraising (if you know you know), participation in Mass, faith families (older kids mentor the younger). The hall is lined with all the graduates. People often write negative reviews, but check things out for yourself. I'm blessed my kids went here.

We spent three wonderful years at Guiding Light, enrolling my son starting at age 3, and it shaped…read morehis early childhood in the best possible way. The teachers are warm, attentive, and truly invested in each child as an individual, and the Montessori approach is carried out thoughtfully in a way that makes kids feel safe and excited to learn. We appreciated how present and communicative the staff were, with regular parent-teacher conferences that made us feel genuinely involved in his growth every step of the way. Our son adored his time there and his confidence blossomed in ways we are still grateful for. Any family looking for a nurturing, quality early education program in the area would be lucky to find Guiding Light.

I hope my words convey the deep respect I hold for Guiding Light Montessori and its exceptional…read morestaff, particularly Justine, the owner and Head Teacher, and her dedicated handyman, Hubby. Their unwavering commitment to creating a nurturing environment for children to flourish, grow, and gain confidence is truly commendable. Which brings you to my story. Earlier this year, I lost my adult son; he left behind my beautiful grandaughter, who now lives with my husband and me. Her world changed from one day to the next, and life as she knew it was different and absent. Being an only child who desperately needed structure and friends, we enrolled her at Guiding Light Montessori. It was a rough 1st week, and when I say rough, that is being softly put! Justine was a Godsend; she gently guided and helped my granddaughter feel safe, welcome, and loved! It didn't take long for that transition to happen because of Justine's genuine heart for the grace of children. These early experiences play a crucial role in shaping our children's self-confidence. My granddaughter has learned to trust that her feelings are respected, welcomed, and loved at Guiding Light Montessori. The education and daily experiences at Guiding Light are beyond measure. I do have to circle back to the tender care the children receive daily. Because of that, the children are open to receiving the teachings. My granddaughter comes home singing and sharing; she wants to do everything all by herself--a true reflection of a Montessori student. I am beyond grateful and feel completely blessed. Thank you, Justine, and every wonderful teacher who helps guide these little people. Your work is truly appreciated! With Sincere Gratatude, Jim and Michelle Service

Our child began attending Concordia in kindergarten and four years later, they are thriving!…read moreConcordia is everything we could hope for in a school and a community. The teachers are caring and invested. The Montessori curriculum gives the child ownership and responsibility for their own learning with guidance from the teachers, while allowing room for playful curiosity. The school also places a focus on social responsibility, so my child isn't just getting an academic education but a social education as well: learning personal responsibility, learning to interact with mixed age groups, to problem-solve through conflict resolution, and to contribute through acts of kindness at school and at home. The school is delightfully "dumb" in that devices and online learning are not a part of the lower grade levels. The kids are taught cursive and write out most of their works. Homework is not introduced until the third grade level. And I love that kids have the option to work in the way that suits them best, whether that's on the floor, sitting at a desk, or standing at a table. They can work with a friend, or work alone in the quiet room to aid focus. The school understands that every kid's learning process is a little different and helps set the kids up for success. We feel so fortunate to have found this school that is so caring and inclusive of families of all races, ethnicities, gender identity, family structure, and/or socioeconomic status. In addition to feeling like the right learning environment for our child, we are so grateful to have found this community and be welcomed into it. We will be so sorry to leave after 6th grade!

My kids have been attending this school since 2017 and I can honestly say that Concordia is a…read morespecial place. We looked at many preschools before deciding to enroll at Concordia and we haven't looked back. From preschool all the way to sixth grade, this is a special place where the teachers and staff care about each and every child's academic and social development. It really feels like being part of a big family. The school just celebrated their 50th anniversary - they have been around so long that my husband went to the school when he was a kid! Its great to be a part of a long-standing community. Who knows, maybe my grandkids will go here some day!

Our family found Noble Learning Academy after years of struggling to get our child's needs met…read morethrough the public school system. I heard of NLA through a desperate search one night from a friend. I heard about small class sizes and hands on learning with true differentiated instruction. After reaching out and talking to Mrs. Hull I was full of emotion. This was the place for my son. I just felt it. Visiting multiple times solidified this. The school was willing to work with my son's adhd, dyslexia, and apraxia. It wasn't about specializing in a disability but specializing in children and molding the curriculum and environment to support them. During a trial day my son fell playing outside and I could see it hurt. I stood back and watched as the kids stopped the game and made sure he was ok and waited to resume until he could. There was no teasing but rather camaraderie and support. This is NLA. They sit and have hard conversations with the kids and teach them to be good humans. They teach executive functioning skills helping my son to learn to work independently and be responsible. They adjust as needed with academics to help kids soar and gain confidence. We no longer needed an IEP longer than anyone wanted to read, because they learned about my son. My son has never been rushed to speak. From field trips to daily class they intently listen to him and his stories with true interest. After years of many people pretending, he finally feels heard. They got to know him and what he needed. They saw him for who he was. He no longer had to fit in a box that didn't work. He presented an at home science electrical project in class instead of at the talent show because it's what worked. Again, he found success. We made the logistics that seemed difficult to be able to attend NLA work, and we are so glad we did. He has grown academically, socially, and emotionally. I highly recommend NLA for a new box for your child that fits just right.

As a parent of a child with learning disabilities and anxiety, finding the right middle school was…read moreone of the most important decisions our family made. Looking back on the past three years, I can honestly say that this school exceeded our expectations in every way. From day one, the teachers and staff created an environment where my child felt accepted, understood, and valued. Their patience, compassion, and willingness to meet students where they are made an incredible difference. Rather than focusing on challenges, they recognized my child's strengths and worked tirelessly to build confidence while providing the support needed to succeed. What stood out most was the school's commitment to inclusivity. My child never felt singled out for needing accommodations or extra support. The teachers fostered a culture of kindness, respect, and understanding that allowed all students to feel like they belonged. Whenever anxiety became overwhelming, there was always someone willing to listen, encourage, and help navigate difficult moments. The growth we witnessed over these three years has been remarkable. Academically, my child developed stronger skills, greater independence, and a genuine belief in their ability to succeed. Socially, they formed meaningful friendships and became much more comfortable participating in class and school activities. Emotionally, they gained resilience, self-confidence, and coping skills that will benefit them far beyond middle school. We are deeply grateful to the teachers, counselors, and staff who invested so much time, care, and dedication into helping our child thrive. Their support helped transform middle school from something we feared into an experience that prepared our child for the future. I cannot recommend this school highly enough to families seeking a nurturing, inclusive, and supportive environment for their children.

This review has been a long time coming...we've been so grateful for The Nurtury and I've been…read moremeaning to put into words just how much this school has meant to our family. It is truly a top-caliber preschool in every way. Every single teacher is exceptionally caring, attentive, and deeply present with the children. You can tell they genuinely love what they do, and it shows in how happy and supported the kids are every day. The teacher-to-child ratio is excellent, which means every child gets the individual attention they need to thrive. Since starting at The Nurtury, our two-year-old has blossomed--he's become so much more social and confident in group settings, his language has taken off, and he even started saying "please" and "thank you" (a very happy surprise for us!). It's a truly special place that nurtures not only the child's development, but also their sense of safety, joy, and belonging. We feel incredibly lucky to be part of this community.

Our son has a fantastic time at Nurtury. The leadership and loving teachers really care for the…read morestudents and it is a solid, well-run Christian pre-school program. We entered when our son was 2 and the teachers were very patient in helping with the pre-school transition and provided a wonderful and safe environment. They have many activities and the children spend their days doing art, music, building social and emotional skills, and gather together for full-group activities such as a visit by the fire department (big hit!). We are thrilled to observe our son grow to be confident and enjoy school, and without qualms we hope to send our second kid there.

As a graduate from Eagle Peak myself, this school has been one of the best things to ever happen to…read moreme. I've been at Eagle Peak for eight years, and it's been one of the best experiences of my life. Not only did I learn much more than I could have from a public school, it was also incredibly fun. Some of the friends I have made at Eagle Peak, who I have known for years, will probably end up being my friends for a long time from now. The Adolescent Program (AP) took all 34 of the 8th graders, and all 26 of the 7th graders, and made us into a community through a variety of fun activities. We all know each other as though we were best friends, and there's hardly any fights between us, and when there is the teachers are great at working them out. During AP I not only learned a lot about math, science, social studies, and language arts, but also about myself. Through AP, I have become braver, stronger, more outgoing, and better at solving my own problems. On a field trip, we hiked 16 miles from the heart of San Francisco to the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. It was hard and long, but everyone made it, and I learned how much stronger I was than I thought. I would highly recommend staying in Eagle Peak until you graduate. Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary (1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade, and 4th, 5th, and 6th grade, respectively) were also great for me. During those years the teachers taught us not just what we needed to know, like addition and subtraction, science, basic geometry, cursive, and a lot more, but also how to make friends, how to keep them, how to settle arguments, to express gratitude, and so much more. However, Eagle Peak may not be the right school for your child if they have difficulty applying themselves to their work. The whole system only works if the students are trying to learn, much like a regular school. However, in Eagle Peak there is a much less stressful atmosphere, so some kids might just not do any work, which is hard for the teachers, because they can't exactly follow children home and force them to do homework. The only reason Eagle Peak worked for me was because I learned to apply myself and to care about my work from my parents, and then, later, my Lower Elementary teachers. Overall, though, Eagle Peak was a great school, and personally, I don't think there could have been a better school for me. Sincerely, Roland

EPMS is a wonderful school. My son has been attending, and he truly loves it. Prospective families…read moreshould keep in mind that this is a Montessori school, where some of the most important elements are mixed-age classrooms and student autonomy. Coming from a traditional school myself, I disliked sitting at a desk for hours listening to a teacher, with only short breaks between classes. At EPMS, children have much more freedom in the classroom, and I believe this helps them enjoy school rather than see it as an obligation. Student autonomy also builds a strong sense of responsibility--they're not just running around all day There is a clear structure and flow in the classroom, and everyone knows what to do and when to do it. What I love most about EPMS is the customized learning plan for each child, based on their individual level. Every child moves at their own pace, and their work during class is adjusted accordingly. The mixed-age classrooms really support this approach. If your child is more advanced in certain subjects, they can both receive help from peers and help others. The school offers a thoughtful balance of academic and emotional learning. If you are looking for a highly competitive, homework-heavy environment with constant academic pressure, EPMS may not be the right fit--and that is exactly why it works so well for our family. I have not heard of a single bullying incident in our class, and the school is very strict about this. The children are respectful toward one another and toward their teachers, and conflicts are handled in a healthy and constructive way. Dianne Adair is also fantastic and does an amazing job with the after-school activities. Compared to public schools, where 30 students are often crowded into one classroom with a single teacher, EPMS feels like a much better option. While private schools are another alternative, I appreciate that EPMS admits students through a lottery system, allowing children from diverse backgrounds to learn together.