local independent schools?

Dear neighbor!

Good luck with exploring the many great school options in the East Bay! I have two children at Berkwood Hedge (5th grader and an 8th grade). Both children have been at Berkwood Hedge since kindergarten.The school has cultivated my children's collaborative, respectful and curious engagement with the world, and with those around them. Berkwood Hedge has allowed my kids to relax while learning; to be nurtured in a loving and thoughtful atmosphere, with an emphasis upon interpersonal relationships and open-minded engagement with academics.

The school also has a very strong community feeling- families and parents share a love and respect for one another. Families tend to gather outside of school hours, provide care for one another's kids, and generally look out for one another. Berkwood Hedge feels like a neighborhood my kids live in- filled with play, exploration and warmth. They miss it during the summers! There is so much play and delight at the school.

Best of luck with your decision and may you find a school that works well for your kiddo!

Hey there!  We've been really happy with Park Day in Oakland.  We're in North Berkeley and it's about a 15 - 20 minute drive to get there. Park Day has been really supportive of my son's learning style and I've genuinely felt like the school is partnering with me to figure out what's best for our son and our family.  The social-emotional component is what has been most powerful for us.  We started in first grade and the transition was difficult for him, but everyone rallied around him and made sure that he was supported.  The school's focus on progressive education was a bit difficult for me at first. I've only done "traditional" schools, but it has been so good for my son.  He just started fifth grade and we often tell people how glad we are that we chose Park Day.  Please feel free to reach out if you have additional questions!

We have a child in 4th grade at Park Day School who has been there since Kinder and have had a beautiful experience with the school and community. Incredible grounds, deep understanding and knowing of the children, project-based and child-led learning with a solid academic basis, and have had several long, long-term teachers (10-30 years of experience). The parent community has also been really wonderful to participate in. 

I’ll share from the perspective of a family that transferred from public to independent at a later grade (did not join in K). We looked at several schools based on what we knew our child needed such as:

• smaller cohorts where the kids are really known, with low staffing ratios, long term stability and eager collaboration
• a progressive community that is authentic and actually walks the walk of inclusion, equity, social justice, respect and kindness in all the right ways
• a learning environment that is whole-child learning & still embraces the power of learning through projects and play
• a school that surrounds kids with encouragement, establishes a safe place to make mistakes, and builds confidence academically/socially
• strong & consistent leadership to guide the school and its goals

We ultimately found that Park Day fit everything we were looking for (we also did others like Redwood & Aurora; and had other experiences at various catholic schools, St Pauls Ep, Berkwood, Black Pine). Park Day just had the right balance of everything. The community has been wonderful & welcoming, the school actually is what it describes itself to be, and mostly importantly my child has loved going to school every single day (his words literally are, "wow, they really like and care about kids here.")

Check out Park Day School (K–8, Oakland—an easy hop from Berkeley). It’s truly progressive: project-based learning, student voice and choice, and social-justice woven through the curriculum. Early grades are play- and inquiry-based with lots of outdoor time, while older students take on real-world projects. Teacher retention is strong and the parent community is great. The campus is absolutely stunning, with gardens, outdoor play areas, chickens, yurts, and amazing play areas. It has a genuinely magical feel. 

Both my children go to Park Day and we are so happy. I have a 4th grader and a newbie in TK and both of them have absolutely blossomed there. Worth a look, at a minimum!! 

My daughter attends Park Day School in Temescal, North Oakland. It’s a beautiful school, both the campus and the community. Park Day follows the progressive education model and inspires the kids to be life long learners by exploring subjects in a variety of ways across different mediums. I can see the positive effect of this model through my daughter’s inquisitive nature and ability to view topics through many lenses. 

The teachers and administrators are top notch! They are caring, thoughtful, and always available to kids and families. The campus is like a park fantasy world but the school also prioritizes connections to the Oakland community. 

Definitely check out Park Day School, it sounds like it may be exactly the gentle, loving, supportive environment you’re looking for.