Redwood Day School

3245 Sheffield Avenue

Oakland, CA 94602

32 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 15, 2025

Our son has been at Redwood Day for four years, and we’ve had a wonderful experience thus far. We came from OUSD in search of a place where he could thrive academically and socially - and we have definitely found that here. Now a middle schooler, he is finding great success as a student and has created deep friendships across different groups of his peers. As a mixed-race family, we also appreciate the school’s diversity and inclusive environment—it’s been important for us to see him surrounded by others who reflect different backgrounds. The teachers are caring and dedicated, and the curriculum balances challenge with support. Redwood Day has been a fantastic place for our son to grow, and we’re grateful to be part of this school and community.
Submitted by parent on December 27, 2024

We have been part of the Redwood Day community for over 10 years. Our older son is now an alum and had an amazing experience from kindergarten through 8th grade at Redwood Day. From academics, to social-emotional learning, to sports, he was guided by tenured, caring, and engaged teachers who also acted as mentors for him, especially during middle school. He made lifelong friendships with a diverse set of friends. And as a family, we’re part of a community of families that have become very dear friends. Our son is now a thriving sophomore in high school and was incredibly prepared to take on the high school experience because of Redwood Day. Our younger son is now in 6th grade at Redwood Day, and having a very similar experience at the school. The Redwood Day administration and faculty, from John Loeser and his leadership team, to the talented teachers, are deeply committed to creating a supportive, diverse and innovative learning environment that leads the way for independent schools in the East Bay. They are also committed to creating a school that reflects and gives back to the greater community of Oakland. We could not have chosen a better place for our young boys to learn, grow, achieve...and be ready for anything!
Submitted by parent on April 26, 2024

I have two children at Redwood Day School in the lower school, and our children (and family) have thrived in this community. Academically, we have been impressed with not only the rigor, but the attention have received to meet them personally where they are at. We have had direct access not only to the teachers, but to the wider staff, who has been accessible to meet our family needs -- and both our children are thriving. Beyond that, we are grateful for the wider parent network and social values that connect us to the wider community.
Submitted by parent on March 20, 2024

My first and third graders attend Redwood Day School, and my partner and I couldn’t be happier with their education. They've had five different homeroom teachers so far, all of whom have been excellent. Without much help from us, both kids have learned to read and are enamored with math. All five teachers (and their wonderful teaching assistants,) have done a wonderful job finding the right balance between ensuring that the kids are challenged and working hard, but never overwhelmed or discouraged.Both kids eagerly look forward to school every morning and are developing real confidence in their ability to learn new things. At a time when there’s so much uncertainty around what skills will be needed in the future, they're not just acquiring knowledge, they're learning the vital skill of learning how to learn. They are developing the skills to manage their energy, ask insightful questions, collaborate, resolve conflicts, pursue their interests, follow their curiosity, work independently and seek help when they need it, understand their decisions' social and environmental impacts, and be kind and inclusive.After our parent-teacher conferences, I often feel a mix of emotions: thankful that my children can experience this learning environment, a bit of envy wishing I had attended this school myself, and frustration that this kind of education isn't more widely available and accessible to all kids.
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2023

Sending our children to Redwood Day is the best decision we have made for them, and for our entire family. I cannot imagine a school more supportive and engaging than Redwood Day. Here are some things my family loves about it:Academics:- Excellent curriculum- Amazing enrichment classes, including art, music, gardening, DIY, drama- Two foreign language options available (Spanish & Mandarin)- Excellent support for neurodivergent students- Grants offered to teachers for training/development- Low emphasis on standardized testingStaff:- Supportive staff (from the head of school to the custodians, these people are AMAZING)- Engaging and excited teachers- Students do not "slip through the cracks." The teachers and staff REALLY know these kids.Community:- Committed to social justice (seriously, like 11 out of 10 stars for this one)- Committed to diversity - Committed to equity- Strong parent community (opportunities for input in school's direction, weekly drop-in coffee socials)Other:- Excellent facilities- Amazing maker's lab and DIY program- Amazing field trips/outdoor education program- Good athletic program- Good support for families during high school application process- After school program is brilliantHere's what is not entirely perfect:- Limited resources for special learning needs. To be EXTREMELY clear, Redwood Day bends over backwards to provide accommodations for neurodivergent students - far beyond what I would have expected. But as an independent school with no public funding, they don't have resources for kids with extreme learning differences. - There is one drinking fountain that doesn't work so well. - Seriously, I can't think of negative things to say. The worst thing about the school is that we can't keep our kids here forever, they have to graduate at some point.Again, sending our kids to Redwood Day is the best decision we could have made for them, and for our entire family. 100 gold stars, 100% recommend.
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2023

We have been a part of this community for 4 years now and it’s been everything and more than we could have hoped. We transferred from an OUSD school and our child has blossomed at Redwood Day. The school has supported their growth with caring teachers, small classrooms, and personalized care. The parent community is just as involved and the closeness has grown far beyond the walls of the school.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2022

Now this is a GREAT school! The faculty and staff are incredibly smart, skillful and wise. The grounds are large and lovely and our kid sits under huge Redwood trees for lunch. We receive 1-3 communications from the school each week so we feel like we are closely involved in our sons education and we can support learning from home. We can easily contact the very special teachers and the awesome head of the lower school anytime. Every day is varied for my kid: they spend some time in his home-room and then participate in 1-3 specialist classes which include science, Spanish, art, library, Design/Innovate/Build, music, cooking/gardening and PE. Soon they will start Mandarin classes. Afterschool care is guaranteed and is superb (our kid does not EVER want to leave!). The enrichment classes available include piano, guitar, hip hop, martial arts, soccer, sewing and much more. We commute and it is worth every minute in the car, even for 2 parents who work (much) more than 40 hours/week. The school established a contact list of all the incoming Kindergarten families in May. We had many fun gatherings as a community over the summer and we have became friends with this awesome group of parents. I am just sharing incase helpful to other parents who are searching for a great school!
Submitted by parent on February 15, 2022

My husband and I decided to enroll our daughter in middle school at RWD, and her experience has been nothing short of amazing. She feels academically challenged, and is able to do a lot of work at school so she doesn't have a lot of homework at home. I see her growing into a young lady with increasing maturity and confidence. She has developed strong friendships at school wherein through the mistakes they have made with each other, they have learned and continue to move forward in their relationships with respect, kindness, and humor. The school has made a tremendous effort in mask wearing and testing in this difficult COVID time in order to allow in person learning to continue. There has been very few turnovers in faculty to allow continuity of education. We are very thankful we made the decision to enroll our daughter.
Submitted by parent on December 07, 2021

We are always surprised when people describe Redwood Day as a kind and nurturing place. Perhaps it was many years ago, but we now find it to be a cold atmosphere filled with negativity. With very few exceptions, the teachers, staff and administration have a way of sucking the joy out of nearly every experience and foster a calculated, competitive and mean-spirited environment. We’ve witnessed instances of student to student bullying that the school ignores and we’ve witnessed teachers berating and making fun of students with learning disabilities. The school ignores the fact that students of color are not embraced or supported (especially Black children), and that large numbers of these families have left the school in recent years. The curriculum seems out of date and values speed & production over mastery. Homework consists of lots of busywork. If your child is competitive, highly independent (or bossy) white, and neurotypical, they will probably do fine here. Otherwise, I’d be weary.
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2021

Redwood Day has been the biggest and best blessing to our family over the past two years. We decided to shift our daughter from Alameda public schools in 6th grade to begin her middle school experience at RDS. The decision wasn't easy as we had to commit to RDS the same week shutdown for COVID began (in 2020). Needless to say that after our child had to accept that her 5th-grade year would be finished from home AND that she would be starting a new school, she was none too pleased with us. She barely talked to us for the entire Summer. On the first day of 6th grade, she cried. It was not easy.2 weeks into her experience at RDS, she came home and reluctantly said, "I can see why you sent me here. It's a really good school," and then just walked into her room frustrated that she had to admit we were right.Now in her second year at RDS, she's on the student council, has found her group of friends, and absolutely HATES missing school. She genuinely loves it there.The staff at RDS is unbelievable. Not only is she challenged academically, but she is cared for emotionally and inspired by the impressive and accomplished staff at RDS. Just the other day, she told me that she wanted to get her Ph.D., like Dr. Momary. I cannot say enough about the administration and the example they set for our daughter. My only wish is that they went up to 12th grade!
Submitted by parent on October 04, 2021

We have two kids at Redwood Day and our experience has been incredible. The teachers are loving, insightful, smart, and hard-working and create a learning environment that is welcoming, fun, and challenging for our kids. Through COVID, the administration and leadership have been transparent and over-communicative (in a great way) about every decision and change in protocol. The school quickly adapted and created effective zoom and asynchronous learning programs and then shifted again to welcome kids back to school safely. Our kids are getting such a great education - from Spanish and Mandarin to music, science, math, reading, art - the school seems to do everything well. The campus is lovely but not overly fancy - it feels like a real school - with a great playground, redwood trees, and space for kids to run.The word that comes to mind about RDS is balance - its such a well-rounded community and learning environment for our kids. They wake up in the morning excited to go to school and get frustrated when we pick them up at the end of the day because they have to come home.
Submitted by other on January 04, 2021

We have two children at Redwood Day - one in lower school and one in middle school - and have been tremendously happy with our experience there. Both kids have received great support from their teachers over the years, and have fostered happy, healthy relationships with their fellow students and the faculty/staff. The academics are strong without being overwhelming for the students, and include a good mix of targeted instruction and self-directed learning through choice-time activities and independent projects. The homework load is reasonable at each grade level, and teachers work with the students to help them manage their workloads effectively. The school has a strong focus on social-emotional education, and integrates it into almost all elements of the school day. Students are taught to advocate for themselves in a respectful manner, while also considering the perspectives and needs of others. We feel the school will prepare our kids well for high school and beyond, both academically and in terms of "life skills" like time management, sense of responsibility, and social relationships.
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2020

Ii would say this school is above average in teaching and academics, but given the costs of attending and the issues with bullying and disruptive students, I would have to rate it well below average overall.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2018

My student began Redwood Day in middle school after attending a public elementary school and her experience has exceeded my expectations. She is well prepared, both academically and socially for High School. She came in without any world language experience but has learned so much that on a recent high school shadow visit she was able to breeze through their Spanish quiz. Math, her most challenging subject is also her favorite subject because her instructors emphasize a growth mindset and have made problem solving enjoyable, even when it is not easy. Speaking of math, I appreciated that her sixth grade math and science teachers were women! All of her instructors have been really supportive and encouraging. Its apparent that they are working together towards the common goal of setting students up for success at Redwood Day and beyond. The student body is relatively diverse, it was definitely one of the most diverse independent schools when she entered in sixth grade. This diversity is also reflected in the administrators and teachers which is equally important. There is such a wide range of students, family structures, interests, skills and hobbies represented at Redwood Day. I don't think that there is one particular type of family or student that you will find here. It is a warm, welcoming and inclusive environment. The school allows and encourages students to engage in self reflection and courageous conversations. They don't shy away from age-appropriately addressing topics that might be uncomfortable for some. Students can be their authentic selves at Redwood Day. My daughter has become more confident, is able to think critically about the world around her and is aware of current events in large part because of the instruction she receives at Redwood Day.
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2017

We are new to Redwood Day this year and are so happy to be here! We transferred from another local independent school. The Redwood Day community is amazing. The parents are all very welcoming and down to earth, and the teachers genuinely love being there. The school is very warm, inclusive, and put great effort into every student's social emotional well being. The school values fall very much in line with out family values. There is no lack of transparency, and the school communicates everything very well. My family definitely made the best decision going here! I can't wait to see how my kids grow at Redwood Day.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2016

My daughter attended RDS for 9 years (K - 8) and my son is now in 7th grade and has also been there since kindergarten. I can't say enough about what a wonderful school RDS has been for both of my children, one of whom is high achieving and one of whom is a more typical student (average grades). First and foremost RDS has fabulous teachers who love their jobs and the children with whom they work. Almost all of the teachers are engaging, talented, supportive, and organized. All are very kind. The curriculum is challenging and my daughter, who is now in 9th grade at a public school, seems to be much better prepared for high school than her peers. My children's teachers have gone above and beyond to accommodate my overachiever with extension and extra credit projects, and to support my other child who needs a little extra help at times. The teachers and administration do a wonderful job attending to the social and emotional needs of children as well, and they are cognizant of what is going on among peers and friends and do a great job intervening when need be. The facilities are phenomenal, as are the opportunities for extra-curriculars (especially in the performing arts). Both my kids are growing into happy, enthusiastic, conscientious, and talented young people and I believe we owe a lot of credit for these outcomes to RDS.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2016

Redwood Day is an amazing school and I could not imagine a different or better educational environment to help raise courageous young leaders. I have two children at Redwood Day one in Kindergarten and the other in 6th grade (started at Kindergarten) and each day they come home happy after a day of being appropriately challenged academically with a diverse and supportive manner. In addition, the rich experiences socially compliment the classroom. The staff and teachers at Redwood Day truly get to know each child and build deep relationships across the grades and across the parent community. My experience has also been feeling welcome, heard and supported, and I am certain that is the same for my kids. The academic rigor and continuous curriculum enhancement is impressive. Teachers are recruited globally to meet the high academic standards and diversity is not just a statement in marketing material. I highly recommend visiting and taking a tour.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2015

Both of our children attended RDS for nine years, with our youngest just about to graduate. Overall, RDS has been a wonderful environment for them to learn and grow into the world. Highly recommended.
Submitted by parent on May 13, 2015

My son has been at RDS for five years now, and he has had a great experience. He loves school, loves his teachers. They appreciate what makes him unique while helping him grow. One great perk is that through third grade there is a full time teacher and a full time intern in the classroom. Every intern we had was great, and having two adults in the classroom made all the difference. If one child is having a bad time, he or she can have the full attention of a teacher while the rest of the class smoothly continues - everyone is being taken care of. There are also great "specialist" classes. My son gets to go to art class, music class, Spanish class, science class, PE - all taught by experts in their fields, while his main teachers get a break and can get ready for the next lesson.
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2015

Both my kids say they can't imagine going to any other school. They just love RDS!