New reviews of Maybeck High School
Hello BPN!
My son is considering going to Maybeck High School in the fall. I noticed there aren't too many recent reviews, and I would love to hear more about your experiences. My son really loves learning and likes deep and challenging curriculum. He's a pretty normal, academically strong student but often says he wishes he could learn in a smaller, more focused environment with really great teachers. I personally want to make sure he's in a healthy environment, not an academic pressure cooker. He's not particularly into organized sports but loves the outdoors, like hiking, biking, camping, and backpacking. It seems like Maybeck is a really warm, inclusive school, and their special programs are really interesting. Would love to hear more from recent families.
TIA
Parent Replies
My daughter is about to graduate from Maybeck and she had a great experience. From your description of your son, he sounds like Maybeck would be the perfect fit. The teachers are amazing and develop great relationships with the students. I have often wished I could take some of the classes offered. In addition to the two camping trips each year, there are also a bunch of off campus activities called "Maybeck Beyond". They include everything from biking and camping trips to rollerskating. For special programs, for Freshman year, my daughter did a two week sewing intensive, sophomore year it was film making, junior year she went to Greece, and this year she went to Ireland. If you'd like to talk to me, feel free to reach out to the school and ask them for my info. My name is Torrie.
Our son (17) is currently a junior at Maybeck High School, and it’s been a great fit for him. The curriculum is rigorous and challenges him academically. What’s made the biggest difference is the level of attention and support he receives from his teachers. They hold him to very high standards while providing individual support, nurturance, and thought-provoking development. They know him and care about his success, not just in the classroom, but as a whole person. That kind of connection has helped him thrive.
One of the things that drew us to Maybeck was its incredible set of outdoor opportunities. There’s a hiking class that counts as PE, regular camping and biking excursions, and a wide range of outdoor-focused experiences during the school’s "Special Programs" before spring break. Honestly, I wish our son would take more advantage of these—he’s just not as outdoorsy as we are! But for students interested in that kind of learning and adventure, it’s a real highlight of the school.
Maybeck is an amazing place -- students feel seen and are truly engaged in learning.
My teen is in 10th grade at Maybeck this year, and we’re very happy to be there. The things your son is looking for are the things my teen loves about the school. They feel challenged, interested, and supported academically. They’ve found their social footing (I will warn that 9th grade can be a little stressful socially, adjusting to such a tiny student population). For their 2-week special program this spring, they got certified as a wilderness first responder—grueling, but also exciting and very fun. My sense is that a lot of the students take learning seriously—not for the sake of grades, but because they enjoy it. The adults at the school take their responsibilities for student well-being (academically and otherwise) very seriously and are truly receptive and responsive to parent/guardian and student concerns. This is definitely not a pressure cooker—more like a slow cooker ;)
My son attended Maybeck for his freshman year. While he ultimately chose to transfer because it wasn’t the right fit for him, there was a lot he appreciated about the school. He found the teachers to be outstanding and the environment to be supportive and low-pressure. One of the highlights for him was participating in the school bike trips at the beginning and end of the year. He hadn’t done much biking before, but the community was incredibly encouraging. If your child is quirky and looking for a small, caring school community, Maybeck could be a good fit.