Corpus Christi Elementary School

1 ESTATES DR

Piedmont, CA 94611

21 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 15, 2025

Our experience at Corpus Christi for the past 9 years of our son's attendance has been incredible! He is graduating this year and we are confident that he will be entering high school very prepared and set up for success because of the education, love and support he has received at Corpus Christi. We have been blessed to experience the amazing staff, principals, and community at CCS and will miss everyone dearly but know that we will always be a part of the family.
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2024

Our kids have been attending Corpus Christi for the last three years, and we have been tremendously impressed. Corpus Christi is a vibrant, welcoming place, and the school goes out of its way to keep parents involved without being overwhelming. The school has wonderful teachers; the curriculum is robust; and our kids have been fully engaged ever since their first day. We are very grateful to be a part of the Corpus Christi community.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2024

Our second and fifth grade daughters are loving Corpus Christi School. We could not be more grateful to the dedicated faculty and community. What originally sold me on the school was how impressed I was by the eighth grade panel at their open house. Corpus's focus on the whole child was evident through such kind and thoughtful graduates. The kindergarten teacher, an alum, is fabulous, and the standard for excellent teaching continues through eighth grade. At Corpus, every child is held and supported to reach learning goals. The school is bursting with resources including highly qualified classroom aides, a robust resource department, and music, PE, technology, Spanish and science teachers. While the school does not advertise academic achievement, it is no surprise to me that combining these resources with engaged families, excellent teachers, and an emphasis on meeting the social emotional needs of each student results in high academic outcomes. Corpus students tend to go on to thrive in high school both academically and as leaders on their campuses. As a bonus, the families are welcoming and our calendar is more than full with fun events. We hit the jackpot in choosing Corpus and are so lucky that our daughters get to grow up in such a loving, inclusive and supportive environment.
Submitted by parent on January 10, 2024

We have three children at Corpus Christi since my oldest was in kindergarten. The place really is like a family. We have only had two teachers who were less than stellar. So many of the teachers are downright amazing. Parents are expecting to volunteer and participate. There is a religious component to the education. That being said, it is a very welcoming environment with non-Catholic/non-Christian families feeling welcome. There are same-sex families that fully participate. This school has very high academic standards and definitely prepares our children to succeed.
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2021

We have been at Corpus Christi for 5 years. The sense of community, the communication, parent involvement and nurturing of the whole child are what I was drawn to and love most about the school. We have seen a long tenured and beloved principal retire and a very thoughtful selection process for a new principal happen. What I learned from that transition is that the parents and the Corpus Christi parish and school community as a whole are what makes Corpus Christi School wonderful and unique. And the icing on the cake is the new principal is fantastic. This year, with COVID, has offered some very unique challenges and under the new leadership, Corpus Christi is thriving. My daughter is learning remotely. She is engaged in school and doing well. Choosing the right school for your child is not a decision entered lightly. I am so happy we chose Corpus Christi School.
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2020

Strong, organized, transparent leadership. Teachers who care about the whole student. Deep sense of community through special traditions and volunteer opportunities. My kids are very happy there and love going to school.
Submitted by parent on February 28, 2019

I disagree w/ the sense of community. I have not experienced this all the years I have been here. There is a big bullying problem and I know many kids in lower grades that have been having problems as of late. Also, there is no principal for next year.
Submitted by parent on November 13, 2015

If you read any of the reviews or talk to any parents at the school, chances are that they'll say the #1 thing they love about Corpus Christi is the sense of community. At the heart of this are basically two things: (1) the relatively small size of the school, and (2) strong leadership and vision of our principal, Katie Murphy. With only ~30 kids per class in K-8, that boils down to about 130 families. This means that within the first year, you know every kid in your child's class. They count on parents to volunteer for field trips, helping out with the Walk-a-Thon, or with cooking projects, and these types of events give you a chance to meet other parents. Then you meet the siblings of your kid's classmates, and before long, you feel like you know half the school. The principal, Katie Murphy, really sets the example by constantly communicating with parents via email, weekly newsletters, and ensuring that parents always know what's happening at the school in her mission of "building community." The academic education is very good, certainly on par or better than public school but probably not as high caliber over-the-top academics that you might get at higher-priced private schools. What I find more relevant for my kids is Corpus's strategy of educating the "whole child" - spiritually, academically and socially. Corpus kids learn how to empathize with others and recognize different viewpoints, they practice public speaking starting in Kindergarten, they study art history in every grade, and they do service projects throughout their time at Corpus Christi. I can say it's a great school for working parents. The volunteer opportunities are numerous, and we have had no trouble finding times that work for us to volunteer, despite our demanding careers. We love the Extended Care program, which is offered from dismissal to 6pm. And because of the great community, we've met many families where we can help each other out with carpooling, etc.Overall, it's a great well-rounded school.
Submitted by parent on October 17, 2015

Our daughter is currently in first grade at Corpus, and we've been incredibly happy with the school. The teachers are warm and loving and our daughter has thrived under their care. Although there is only one class per grade, the teachers do a great job of dividing up the classes into smaller groups so they can teach subjects like reading and math at different levels to match individual kids' abilities. There are also a fair amount of enrichment programs given the small size of the school (both within the school day and after school), including Spanish, music, computers, cooking, PE, capon, Sarah Science, chess, and Lego engineering. We had a great public option in our neighborhood, but we chose Corpus because not only is it strong academically, but there is a real focus on whole child development, which you don't find in the same way at a public school. Because the school is relatively small (about 275 kids total), there is also a strong sense of community. We came from a preschool that was incredibly close-knit - we do a lot of social events together outside of the school - and we wanted an experience like that for our entire family at the elementary school level. We've not been disappointed - families are very close at Corpus and spend a lot of time together outside of school (and there are a lot of social events designed to foster this sense of community as well!). In terms of how "religious" the school is, while there is definitely a focus on religious education during class (and this is also where the whole child education comes into play, as there is a focus on treating others kindly and being inclusive), it seems like a large portion of families we have met have one spouse that's religious while the other isn't. The school and parish are very inclusive and progressive - all are welcome (and the school student body reflects that diversity, with kids of all ethnicities, religious backgrounds, and same-sex parent families).I would strongly recommend Corpus to any families considering private options (plus, because it's parochial, you get the benefits of a private school at a fraction of the cost of other private schools). There is an information session the first weekend of November and open houses the morning of the first Tuesday of every month, so please come see how great our school is for yourself!
Submitted by parent on July 23, 2013

GOOD ALL-AROUND SCHOOL. As we post this, our son has completed kindergarten and is headed to 1st grade at CC. It's a very good all-around school with a community of families who love to get involved. It's friendly and open-minded (same-sex families and non-Catholics are welcome, for example) but also structured, with kids wearing uniforms at scheduled events. The religious component might be described as "gently Catholic." We like how adults are addressed as Mr., Mrs., or Ms. rather than first names. Our few quibbles include (1) the yard is small, (2) we could do without the cooking component, (3) we thought the kids could use more science and more history, and (4) basic Spanish exposure is good, but real Spanish instruction might be better. You may also need to supplement your child's art or music, but the programs at the school are fine. From a student's perspective, perhaps CC's greatest strength is the interaction between grades, with the youngest grades regularly participating in activities mentored by upper classes. This benefits the older kids as much as the younger kids, helping them understand what it means to teach as well as to learn.
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2012

A strong sense of community. Good supoort for the kids and parents. The focus on giving back to the community surrounding the school is excellent. High morals and academic standards.
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2012

An amazing community with dedicated educators and staff. We have been blessed to have two daughters go through Corpus Christi, and they have enjoyed the academic rigor and familial quality of the school - my oldest refers to her experience even in college. The principal Katie is an angel and leader - no better in the educational world - reaching beyond school bounds as a consistent pillar of strength and inspiration. We are a better family and better individuals because of Corpus Christi
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2012

In my opinion there is no other choice for a K through 8 school in the Oakland and Piedmont area. The greatest part about Corpus is the community. The school fosters learning with both guiding discipline and care. Corpus is one large family and each child is a member of a school family. All of the kids know who every parent is and vice-a-versa. It is wonderful.
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2012

We stumbled onto Corpus Christi School by accident 10 years ago and have not have one single regret! Our children, ages 10 and 12, have blossomed at Corpus Christi. The staff is caring, thoughtful and concerned about each child. The principal is FABULOUS, I still don't know how she manages to learn every child's' name before the end of the first month of school? The community of parents are friendly and welcoming and work very hard to keep the tuition low by volunteering at fundraising events. Corpus Christi is truly a wonderful place and we are sad that our time at the school is coming to an end.
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2012

Corpus is a great nurturing school that helps your little ones grown body, mind and spirit. It take a very holistic approach to learning. Not just academics. Although, their academics are very strong as well. I would recommend this school to anyone who wants to give their kids to a great Catholic based education
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2012

My wife and I were faced with the problem many parents have in Oakland: Finding a good school. The Oakland school district wasn't able to accommodate our requests via lottery, and our local school wasn't up to our standards. We looked at all options, and after touring many schools we fell in love with Corpus Christi. We're an agnostic family but were still welcomed with open arms. Never have we felt out of place for not being part of the congregation. The cost is reasonable, the parent involvement in fantastic, the teachers are first-rate, and the administration is not only skilled but loved dearly by everyone. It's a wonderful school and would recommend it to all prospective parents: Believers and non-believers alike.
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2012

Corpus Christi has been a great school for my two children. We have enjoyed the welcoming community and their desire to make the school a better place. Parent participation in all aspects of the school are second to none. My children enjoy coming to school every day and continue to grow and learn. The teachers challenge my children to grow in many ways from fostering their ability to speak in public to encouraging their academic abilities. My children have participated in the excellent sports program, from volleyball to basketball and cross country. Participating in these programs has fostered a sense of teamwork inside and outside the classroom. Overall we have enjoyed our experience and are glad we made the Corpus Christi choice.
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2012

Great School, Great Community - After a year in public school, we started looking for a school that promoted the same core basic values that we really wanted our child to learn - like respect, and social responsibility. These values and more are a part of the culture at Corpus Christi. The academics standards are high and while the class size seem large, there are so many teaching resources that when core subjects are taught, the class sizes are quite small. I especially like the personal attention that our principal gives to me and my child. She is always willing to listen and create academic plans when appropriate. I also appreciate the focus on technology. Besides all of this, the Extended Care is affordable and fun - my child never wants to be picked up. They focus on doing homework, then fun with Lego, sports, and even Stop Motion movie projects, and Improv. The parent community is involved and fun. They support one another in so many ways. I am extremely glad we found Corpus Christi !
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2012

This is a great gem in Oakland, and a great value private school. The principal has been leading for over 23 years and has a great record of supporting and retaining staff. The teachers are very effective, each class has a teacher's aid, so students can get the attention they need. The citizenship and spiritual leadership is a big part. Older grades are really involved in helping younger grades. The facilities are dated, and some extra curricular activities are lacking (no art), but what they have has been a great fit for my son
Submitted by parent on October 19, 2012

I love this school. The principal knows every child and checks in with them all. I have one child who is in a highly-competitive high school now and was very well-prepared at Corpus. The classes are large, but there are full-time aides in all of the elementary classes. There is a lot of support for students who learn differently, 2 resource specialists for one school. Technology is constantly being upgraded and used as a tool within the curriculum, not as a separate add on. The best part of the school is the community. People come together when your family or your child needs it, with rides, food, or just a shoulder to cry on.