The Berkeley School or St. Brigid Academy for Dyslexic Student?
Our 1st grade son has been in a language immersion school he loves since 3. He was diagnosed with dyslexia in fall and the school can't support him, so we had to find an alternative for next year. We didn't get into the usual dyslexia schools (Charles Armstrong, North Bridge), but we were recommended The Berkeley School (TBS) and St Brigid Academy. We've gotten into both and have to make a decision in the next couple weeks.
Does anyone have experience with a dyslexic student at these schools? We have two concerns - academic/culture and cost/commute.
We're unsure what level of support we'll get and how well they would prepare our son to establish strong literacy skills to be able to move to a traditional classroom in the future. At TBS, it seems like some teachers and learning support staff are trained in dyslexia support but some less-so, so our experience could vary year to year and even next year as assignments aren't made yet. Our bigger concern is that there is less structure and it could bring out our son's ADHD tendencies that are largely mitigated by the focused, structured environment at his current school. St. Brigid seems very structured, has handpicked teachers and dyslexia/dyscalculia-friendly curriculums at the core, and has leadership that is fantastic. But St. Brigid is only going into its second year and teachers only have a year of experience with this curriculum, and only had a few dyslexic/neurodivergent kids in each class during the debut year.
Financially and logistically, we have concerns about coupling a tutor with the high price of TBS (they recommend continuing our tutor), and while St. Brigid is far less expensive as a Catholic school, we'd have to commute to SF each day and find a co-working space and parking in the city which is a big logistical change for our family (current school is 5 blocks away).
Any recommendations on both what's best academically, and about the long commute or a high price tag at either of these schools?
Parent Replies
We were dissatisfied with our experience at TBS and our child has special needs. We were asked to withdrawal my three-year old several months before Berkeley TK began in March of 2025. It has been an absolute nightmare as we both work full time. Apparently they do this routinely since the principal said “we took it better than most parents.”
The campus is very inviting for children to run around and play, but that can make it difficult for them to constantly “transition” back indoors to the classroom. Particularly for three-year olds given TBS’s very high student-to-teacher ratio. The teachers really don't want or even have the ability to chase the young children around the courtyard.
They permit the kids to run around and play in the giant sand pit for most of the day, but when it rains (which is most of the winter), the kids are stuck inside and the dynamic can become a little different and chaotic. Even then, my son’s feet, socks and shoes came home wet with sand embedded almost every day and he developed cellulitis on his ankle.
My wife was at a routine parent teacher meeting and at the last minute they invited the principal. I was not there and this quickly became a serious conversation where my wife felt we were being asked to leave, although the principal later re-characterized that into that’s where the conversation evolved. Had I known what was going to be discussed we would’ve both taken off work to be there. My wife called me crying and I couldn't believe the things they said.
Our teacher had her own child attending in the same small school setting. We always felt this was a little off, especially considering our son became an annoyance and was asked to leave.
There is a very large towering construction project immediately on the property line and towering over the outdoor play area. We were not notified of this when entertaining schools and I worry about longer term issues from particulate similar to 9/11.
The cost is also very expensive with after school daycare, over $3600 per month. Just make sure to do your due diligence, TBS was not for us and may not be for you.
Frankly, we thought they prized themselves and the concept of the school more than the children individually.