The Berkeley School

1310 University Avenue

Berkeley, CA 94702

16 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on September 22, 2023

I cannot speak highly enough about The Berkeley School. We are so happy with our decision to send our son to this magical place-- for children and families alike. The moment we stepped on campus, we knew we were surrounded by warmth, care, and learning opportunities.The teachers at The Berkeley School are nothing short of phenomenal. Their love for what they do is palpable, and it's evident in every interaction with the students. They provide a nurturing environment where every child is seen, supported, and known--and the school's mission is woven into every learning opportunity, every day. It's heartwarming to witness the genuine connections they form with each student. The first year our son attended, he woke up every morning yelling, "Is it a school day? Do I get to see my teachers?!"The classroom environments are huge and they are enchanting. They're designed to be both fun and engaging, stimulating a child's curiosity and love for learning. It's clear how much thought and care goes into creating spaces where children can thrive and explore.We use the extended day program and it's a game-changer for our household. They offer a seamless transition for the kiddos and a blend of play, learning, and rest, ensuring that children have a well-rounded experience. We appreciate that the school supports working parents while also providing the kids with additional opportunities for growth and development.The sense of community is so comforting. Families come together to support one another. There's a network that extends beyond the classroom and we do fun things together--with and without the kiddos.There's no hesitation in our minds that our child will continue on with The Berkeley School next year at the K through 8 campus. The hope of seeing my child through 8th grade, surrounded by the same level of dedication and care, the same beautiful, open, and large spaces, the same personal attention, the same commitment to guiding our child towards being as sharp, bright, articulate, self-confident, engaging, and civic minded, fills me with confidence.
Submitted by parent on July 27, 2023

Our son completed 7 years at TBS, graduating from the 8th grade in June 2023. Our experience with TBS was extremely disappointing. The academics were exceedingly mediocre; the teaching (with a very few exceptions) was uninspired and lackadaisical. The faculty and staff did a poor job managing cliques and social conflicts among the students. We kept him at TBS for so long because he had good friends there; in retrospect this was a mistake. In short, we encourage parents to look elsewhere.
Submitted by parent on December 04, 2017

My child is in 1st grade and we're in our second year at TBS. Our family has found it to be nurturing environment for children and a school with strong academics. The school is focused on having its students enjoy learning and becoming responsible and engaged adults. We are a family of color and have found that the school is working hard to have TBS reflect different races, gender identities and socio-economic levels. We've had a great experience at TBS.
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2016

We have one child in the elementary school and one in middle school (who joined in 6th) and we couldn't be happier with our choice. Our 8th grader feels the school has shaped the person she is today in so many ways. She is a confident, caring, critical thinker and all of these attributes have been nurtured by the supportive community at TBS. The tight-knit team of teachers, thoughtful and inquiry-focused curriculum, and warm community are all reasons we would highly recommend this school to other parents. Take a look, visit the classrooms, talk to the teachers and students--you will see what a special place this school is.
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2016

Our daughter has been enrolled at The Berkeley School since 2008, when she entered the school's early childhood program. The magic has never worn off. In the eight years our daughter has been a student at the Berkeley School she has been challenged, inspired, motivated and encouraged - in an academic environment that sets The Berkeley School apart from other independent schools.More than anything, though, it's the way that our daughter feels about the school - her deep love of and respect for her teachers and the faculty at The Berkeley School - that remains our constant reminder that 8 years ago we might the right choice by joining this fabulous community of parents and educators.Now poised to begin her middle school years at The Berkeley School, we are confident our daughter is receiving the best, most comprehensive and personalized education a child can receive - in the East Bay, and indeed in the Bay Area.
Submitted by other on March 12, 2016

We have two kids at the Berkeley School, one in fifth grade and one in eighth, and we feel like we hit the jackpot in terms of schools. Prior to attending the Berkeley School, we had one kid in another independent Berkeley school for two years, and then both our kids went to the Lafayette public schools for a few years. We've also visited many of the other independent schools over the past several years and feel that The Berkeley School is an often overlooked gem. Both of our kids are academically advanced in certain areas, and it's a challenge to find a school that is appropriately engaging in their areas of strength. Many schools talk about differentiation, but in our experience few actually deliver. TBS has a wide range of learners, including many students who are gifted in some areas but may need support in others, and TBS provides support at both ends of the spectrum. They have a curriculum and differentiation specialists who helps teacher provide more advanced reading and spelling/vocabulary lists, as well as learning specialists who help students with learning challenges. The teachers are incredible and are well-supported by the administration. They have two teachers per class for elementary school, and they have a seminar style format for the middle school that keeps class size around 12-13. Their social/emotional curriculum is thoughtful and purposeful, and they follow through on helping students navigate their emotions and how to work through conflicts. They have a solid reputation among the independent high schools for producing students who know how to write well and who can work well both independently and in groups. Our older daughter just went through the very stressful independent high school application process and was accepted at College Prep and Bentley, her two top choices. The graduates are pretty evenly split between students who go on to independent high schools or public high schools, but the students are well-prepared to navigate either by the time they finish eight grade, and are well-supported in the process. Finally, we love the social community at the Berkeley School. Both our daughters and our family were welcomed as transfers and it's a bright, joyful, creative community.
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2016

My daughter has been at The Berkeley School for five years and she's thriving in this vibrant, progressive school. She's happy, engaged and challenged here, and loves going to school. As parents, we're thrilled to have discovered this gem of a school, right in the heart of Berkeley, where she's getting a superb academic and social experience.The class sizes are small and every classroom has two teachers, which really sets it apart from other private schools. The kids can't just sit back and fly under the radar. They're seen and supported, and challenged.Thanks to the passionate teachers and staff, we've seen our bright and curious kid overcome her struggles as a very reluctant reader to a voracious reader. She's learning how to learn, in a creative, engaging environment with lots of real-life immersive experiences. Her class just got back from an overnight at Fort Ross where they stepped back-in-time to be real-life characters from the 1800's.One of the first things we noticed at TBS, and continue to appreciate, is the joy of learning in the classroom whether it's math, science, history, writing, music, art or Spanish. We've found the family community to be warm, inviting and friendly, (and they love to throw parties.)The Berkeley School has been around for more than 50 years and in our experience, every year it just gets better and better. It's one of Berkeley's best private schools!
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2016

We have been at TBS for 4 years now. Both our boys started in the pre-school and are now in the Elementary school. We have found the community to be supportive and inclusive. I love how the school is super responsive to the needs of the kids - so for example in two different years they have had particularly full classes for one of my sons, and each time the school hired a third teacher to ensure continuity of attention to the children. There is a committed and engaged learning support team, which we have had occasion to make use of. I find the administration extremely transparent and thoughtful in their approach to pedagogy, and every single teacher we have had has been committed, loving, and creative. My musical son has had the good fortune of having musical teachers every year till now and grades 1 and 2 they sang their way through the curriculum. It's true that the administration is very good at presentation and at selling the school, but my experience has been that everyone who works there, and I mean everyone, from front of house staff to the businesspeople to afterschool to the principal and everyone in between, really believes in what TBS stands for. I feel like every child there is held in esteem and care. TBS is a wonderful school.
Submitted by other on November 30, 2015

My son recently graduated from The Berkeley School and had a great experience. Even though he had not attended the elementary school, he was warmly welcomed and fit in right away in the middle school. We found TBS to be a very caring, engaging and hands-on school. The curriculum is innovative and stretches the kids academically. The faculty has extensive training in best practices for teaching...and utilizes their training.TBS excels at making families and their children feel welcomed and engaged. It makes a huge difference to be in a school where everybody belongs, especially during the socially challenging middle school years. The school has a deep understanding of the developmental needs of children and a wonderful learning philosophy. My son was helped in the areas he was challenged in and able to excel in the areas he was talented in. He made good friends, felt at home and supported, and grew academically, socially, and artistically.
Submitted by other on October 06, 2015

I went to this school through the whole K-8 several years ago. I made a couple friends during my time there, but I found the environment to be very unwelcoming among other students; there was a lot of arrogance and pretentiousness. While this is pretty par for the course - especially during those middle school years - the teachers did nothing. The laissez-faire mindset permeated through the administration as well: My parents and I voiced our concerns to the head of school when I was being relentlessly bullied, and we were told that this matter "was a complete waste of [their] time", and I should "figure it out myself".All of this could've been excused if the quality of education was solid...but it wasn't. The teachers would place their favorite 4-5 students into accelerated classes, and clump the rest of us together. I developed ADD which went completed unrecognized or identified by the faculty. And I never learned proper study skills; going to high school was a complete shock (and later college and grad school). It was like I was starting my entire education over at age 14.The one thing giving my rating 2 stars instead of 1 is I'm giving the school the benefit of the doubt that it must have improved since I was there. But considering that one of my worst teachers was the Associate Head of School until June 2014, my optimism is diminished.TL;DR: Send your kid to a public school. They'll get a better education and a more supportive faculty. And when the social scene demoralizes them, at least you can take comfort in knowing you didn't spend private school tuition money for this treatment.
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2015

Our introverted, sensitive child (one of the only children of color) was bullied relentlessly at TBS. The first year things were handled very well by two amazing and seasoned teachers. The second year, the teachers did next to nothing. We were told to work with admin because the problem escalated and our child started manifesting physical symptoms. We did. We were told to email the teachers every day when something happened. We did. A plan was initiated by admin, but never followed through on by the teachers. Months later, instead of solving the problem, we were told WE were the problem and we "did not fit into the culture". I guess we became the bad apples, potentially ruining the parent barrel. What TBS lacks in integrity and soul, they make up with the gift of creating the illusion of the perfect progressive school through the latest buzz words and telling you what you want to hear. Despite originally being a huge fan (I wrote a 5-star review earlier here), we deeply regret believing what they sold us. That mistake cost us more than money. It cost us a lot of heartache.
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2014

My daughter is in 3rd grade at TBS. This is her first year there. The teachers are loving, patient yet firm. My child comes home daily teaching me what she's learned in school. I've learned about the practices, customs of the Ohlone people, how to better garden, and so much more. She has become a voracious reader at this school. She carries a minimum of 3 books at all times. She loves reading and TBS allows the kids to read as often as possible. She's improved her math skills. When she was having problems her teacher shared a personal story about her own challenges with math and worked hard towards building my child's confidence. Now she likes math. The school culture exudes authenticity. The parents are intelligent, warm and down to earth. The head of school, Mitch, is funny, smart and approachable and so is the assistant , Zac. We love it here and feel it's the right place for our daughter.
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2012

This school had always been on my radar, and I wish I had enrolled sooner. I transferred my younger daughter (3rd grader) here in November and she couldn't be happier with the change. She feels safe, loved, understood, trusted and inspired. When there is a question or glitch, as there always will be, the staff is highly responsive, takes ownership of problem and most of all has the motivation and skill to come up with effective strategies to get things on track. Her vocabulary and mental math have flourished and most of all, she is excited by the things she is doing at school. I love The Berkeley School and encourage you to check it out.
Submitted by other on March 20, 2011

I went to this school when it was called BMS for Kindergarden, 1st grade, and 2nd grade. The old princapal did not really take an interest in what was going on in the school, or show leadership for the school. Each year I was there you get the same teacher, and students in your class. The teachers did not teach what you needed to know in a regular public school. I left this school at the end of 2nd grade and went to a public school in 3rd grade, the public school was much better! I am still at the public school. Now BMS is TBS and has a new princapal.
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2010

Let's face it, our pre-schoolers would be safe, fine, and maybe even learn something in pretty much any Pre-K program. What you DON'T find everywhere is the perfect storm of highly competent administration, outstanding and loving teachers, and great parents. The Berkeley School has it all. And I believe its focus on expanding the Montessori basis with the judicious application of the most recent cognitive science in children's learning along with a deeply humanist approach to the childrens' personal development is EXACTLY what Maria Montessori would be doing if she were alive today.
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2010

We have been part of The Berkeley School (formerly Berkeley Montessori) community for 10 years and have been very satisfied with the quality of the academic program. While we were originally drawn to the Montessori program, the school has evolved its pedagogy to include the best of other teaching philosophies. The goal of helping to create students who are actively participants in their education, however, remains as strong as ever. TBS has a deep commitment to teacher development which is reflected in their commitment and passion. I highly recommend TBS.