Crestmont School

6226 Arlington Boulevard

Richmond, CA 94805

23 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-6
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 12, 2024

Our kiddo is flourishing at Crestmont. She knows everybody by name, and is involved and included in every part of the community. The small child-adult ratio allows her to receive the one-on-one attention she needs, and the curriculum is both standards-based and child-led, which makes for a very rich and creative learning environment. From quarterly flea markets (where students sell their wares!), to monthly field trips, to concerts and art shows, to hands-on experimenting and documenting, to a robust curriculum, the students learn to employ their observation, questioning, exploration, and experimentation skills in everything they do. I also very much appreciate the language and tools used to faciliate conflict and expression across the board, which adds to the sense of community. The fact that it is K-8 adds a special sweetness to the environment, as all the kids know each other, see the work the others are doing, and are forging connections with all of the teachers on campus. The parent participation is a part of it but it is not overwhelming-- my youngest kiddo is at a preschool co-op , and our family is managing the two just fine. Getting to know the parents has been the icing on the cake!I highly recommend Crestmont to anyone looking for a hands-on and individualized experience for their kid. Our experience there has been nothing but great.
Submitted by parent on November 27, 2023

My son started at Crestmont in 2nd grade, and we feel so lucky to have found this hidden gem: engaged parent community, communicative and competent administration, caring and talented teachers, small class sizes, strong academic fundamentals and quality electives, and a student body that represents the diversity of the East Bay. The co-op structure means that tuition is very affordable compared to other private schools in the area, and that you get to know and work together with the parents and guardians of the students your kid is spending their days with. The kids get such a sense of pride from seeing their adults taking an active role in their learning experience.We ere hesitant at first about the small size of the school, but we have been so impressed with the creativity and confidence of the middle-schoolers who have been attending Crestmont since the beginning. The small size really necessitates effective conflict resolution among the students. Crestmont kids know that they can bring their true selves to school and be seen and celebrated for it. We know that the strong sense of self our son is building will last him into his high school years and beyond.All the sweet traditions, school-wide events, and daily rituals build such a sense of meaning and community. You won't find buildings named after wealthy donors or tech labs with rows of 3D printers here. The focus at Crestmont is on good old fashioned academics (backed by sound pedagogical research!) and social-emotional learning, and the support the teachers get and the small classroom sizes mean they can meet every one of their students where they are. And the time we get to spend together as a family after school instead of doing hours of homework is priceless.We highly recommend Crestmont School!
Submitted by parent on November 09, 2023

My Daughter had moved away from the loose educational style of waldorf and into the more ridged but comfortable higher expectations of public school. However she was floundering. Socially and emotionally the culture of public school was disconnected, cold, not inclusive, not respectful of the children it’s supposed to serve. She was becoming sad and defensive, uncommunicative and her grades were falling. As soon as she came to Crestmont, after only the required tour date, she began to emerge. She’s been at Crestmont for a month now. She’s re-emerged, she’s blooming, she’s joyful, she’s cooperative and communicative about academic participation. She, and I, appreciate the open and genuine communication of the educators and other staff at Crestmont. You feel seen and cared for and as if you are part of community that wants kids to succeed, understand and be active agents of positive change in the world they live in. I’m completely in love with what Crestmont offers to kids and their families. Coming to the school is absolutely life changing for my daughter, and for our family.
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2023

Our child is getting a stellar start to elementary school in Kindergarten and 1st grade at Crestmont! The class is combined K/1st in a small setting with two dedicated teachers plus additional teachers for auxiliary classes like Spanish, Art, Music and P.E. The curriculum is fantastic, combining strong fundamentals in reading, writing and arithmetic with support for developing awareness of emotions, social justice issues, and each child's role in community. Parents also get the opportunity to model these "soft" but crucial skills by participating in the co-op with duties ranging from maintenance to marketing, monthly meetings, parent education workshops, and plenty of well-organized potlucks. It's a great place to start kids off on the right foot and take them all the way through 8th grade with a small, close-knit community. We're so happy to be here!
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2023

We are a very happy Middle School Family at Crestmont School. Our child started in 5th grade and is now in 8th. The teachers at Crestmont are some of the best teachers I've ever experienced. They meet your kiddo where they are at and work with them to be successful at Crestmont. The teachers know the kids so well, that know how to help kids grow in a way that isn't about following a canned curriculum, but about figuring out what motivates and excites your kid and what they are capable of, then challenging them to reach the highest bar possible. The middle school is very small, but the smallness allows kids to really develop a sense of self, to build confidence in who they are and who they want to be, and to become leaders in the school and the community at large. I have seen my child grow leaps and bounds because of the way their voice has been nurtured at Crestmont. They gone from hating academics, to developing a true love for learning. Crestmont is a hidden gem of a school and such a sweet place for a child to grow up!
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2023

My daughter is in her second year at Crestmont. She is excited to go to school every day! The teachers have the incredible ability to make learning fun for all age groups. The community is kind, compassionate and welcoming.
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2023

Crestmont Co-op K-8 school has enriched our daughters learning experience. She has grown in confidence, is curious & excited to learn & read.The teachers & staff are welcoming, engaged & thoughtful about their students & families. We highly recommend this warm & inclusive school. You won’t be disappointed. Jacquie M.
Submitted by student on September 07, 2023

Crestmont is a truly remarkable school! We tried our local public school and it didn't feel like the right fit for our children. We wanted to find a community that would support our children not just academically but create a nurturing environment that meets their emotional needs. Crestmont is this and so much more! They have so many fun events, and field trips, and community gatherings that it truly feels like the school is a part of our family.
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2023

My daughter is entering her fifth year at Crestmont School and we both love it with all of our hearts. Every single teacher here is engaged and kind and skilled and present. The students thrive and grow and then thrive and grow some more. The academic education is top notch and the social/emotional awareness is on par with the academics. Small class size, specialty classes, warm and engaging staff who genuinely care about the students, lots of field trips and hands on learning. It's a great school and I hope that my daughter will be able to continue here through 8th grade. So much to love here!
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2023

Crestmont School provides a wonderful, close-knit community. My kids have really thrived here and receive the support that they need to address learning differences. I appreciate how well the teachers know my kids and the mixed-grade classes that allow for the students to interact and learn from each other more. As a full-time working parent, I find the modern co-op responsibilities manageable and honestly a bonus because it really builds community and allows for more insights into my children's school world. Crestmont doesn't just focus on academics, they also deal with the whole child, their social-emotional development and teaching them how to move through the world in a positive and caring way.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2023

My daughter started at Crestmont this past fall. She's in the 6th grade and it has been such a great experience. The personal attention not only from her teachers, but from all of the staff has been so amazing. She was definitely behind coming from a difficult situation with her past school so I was very worried. However, they seem to work with children at many levels and made us feel very comfortable. I would recommend Crestmont to anyone looking for a nurturing, caring environment.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2022

Our son has been at Crestmont for at least 6years now and loves it there . Crestmont is a secular school with progressive values and truly welcomes people of all races/colors/ethnicities . Their staff & teachers are compassionate, kind and excellent educators , we feel lucky to have found Crestmont for our son .
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2022

My son is currently in 8th Grade but has attended Crestmont since 3rd Grade. Let me start by saying I do have one regret....that regret would be that I didn't enroll him into Crestmont sooner. The community at Crestmont is indescribable. When Jordan came from public school he was a shy child and got lost in the shuffle of all the students in his class. Not long after starting Crestmont I witnessed a positive shift in my son and his personality. It was as if some sort of lightbulb went off that was on switched on by the community at Crestmont. I have never witnessed a more devoted group of parents and staff who focus on the children's social, academic and emotional needs. If I was able to keep my son in this community through 12th Grade, I would without any hesitation. I wish that all children had the opportunity to experience a community like this one.
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2021

We have had two children at Crestmont and have been very pleased with our time here. The school is small enough to allow for individual attention from the teachers and staff, but large enough for the children to make friends and enjoy their day. The programming is robust but also takes into account the different learning needs of the students. We love Crestmont!
Submitted by parent on July 06, 2020

I recommend Crestmont to almost everyone I meet with school age children. It's a great community with high academic standards & great social-emotional support for the kids.
Submitted by parent on July 04, 2020

Crestmont is a friendly, creative community that fosters academic growth and pro-social values. Crestmont has been the perfect fit for my daughter in middle school, and though this school year didn't exactly unfold the way we expected due to the global pandemic, I am grateful that we found ourselves in an environment that adapted so quickly to the challenges and continued to meet her needs for academic and positive social development.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2019

Wonderful! My children have had a great experience and love coming to school on most days.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2019

My son loves going to school and is progressing so fast. I love this school and am so glad I found it and am able to send my son here.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2019

Our experience at Crestmont has been wonderful.
Submitted by other on February 07, 2019

This school has acted as a safe haven for my child. His first year at public schools he was lost in a sea of 27 students and paired up with a teacher who was not dedicated to her students at all. My child Has found a home at Crestmont, he’s not lost anymore.