Los Altos Christian

We had a very poor experience at this school. We were here for several years and it just got worse every year. A number of things to be aware of - this is a parent participation school. They do not make this clear to parents when they join. Due to the school's low budget, it is necessary for parents to give time and donations constantly. Other parents ostracize those who cannot help out. If you are a working parent or do not want to help out, then this is not the school for you. You are strongly discouraged (read not allowed) to be part of the Parent Teacher Board if you are a single parent. They want married couples. The board is made up of a clique of parents and it is very difficult to get involved if you are not part of their social group! Religion is first and foremost and academics are sacrificed for this goal. The academic standards here are very low compared to other schools in the area. The leadership is very poor. Any issues that we faced were not dealt with effectively or with any kind of resolution. The leadership team does not seem to want to deal with any problems and brushes parents off. They are disinterested.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has proven time and time again that they care for the rounded development of the student. Schoolwork is adjusted to one's current abilities and each student is encouraged to strive to do their best. Combine this with an environment where sports, the arts and community are equally emphasized, students are exceptionally well prepared for high school, college and beyond. I especially like how parents are integrated into the school community and are treated as partners by staff to assist students in their pursuits.
--Submitted by a parent

To me, LACS is the best school anyone could go to for an Middle and Elementary education. All teachers were very kind, friendly, and helpful and none of them made any student feel like "they were out to get them". The principle was great and loved by all the students and were friends with the parents, teachers, and students! The classes provided an academic challenge for me which prepared me for high-school very well. The projects assigned taught us teamwork, and how to cooperate. For those who needed special help, they weren't pulled out of class and alienated from the others, but were simply put into classes of the same level except they were smaller so the teachers could help each individual student and pay more attention to them, and those students there could know that they weren't alone since they are other students who have the same struggle as them!

There is a little known gem here for the child and middle school student who is struggling with learning disabilities, and needs a high amount of consistent structure between the teachers and team work with the parents. I love this school, they do their best to live up to their promises in this area. In middle school the struggling child isn't "pulled out" for special help, embarrassing him and setting him apart, but instead simply goes to smaller English and/or Math class with other kids who need support, with a teacher who is GREAT and has specialized in learning how to deal with smart kids who are challenged in learning in one form or another.. The Social Studies teacher is amazingly structured and supportive of our kids, and understands how to teach the kids to gradually become more and more independent in managing their note taking, their learning and their projects from 6th through 8th grade. Of all the schools I looked at in this area, from public to private, this is the one I would recommend for trying to help parents help a kid struggling with Executive functioning skills and academic output.
--Submitted by a parent

Fantastic school with small class sizes and a great balance between academics and a supportive caring environment. The kids are well behaved and the staff are wonderfully caring.
--Submitted by a parent

If you are looking for a school that will provide safety, academic, moral values and a happy place to be. Look no further.... drop you child off for school and go to work in peace, knowing that your child is in a good place. The all in one School..........

We are coming into our 4th year at this school. We have two boys attending, we are truly blessed with the quality, standards and leadership that we see everyday presented at this school. Our boys have both had learning issues and they have been addressed with love, care and proven results. We could not be happier, it's a small active school, with parent involvement if you want to be involved. It's a school that delivers on it's promise 'a school with heart'. Well worth the investment, you care about your child and you care about education and you care about religious standards you will love this school.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has a learning assisted program with small classes (12 students max) and certified special education teachers. With their expertise and dedication, they have done wonders for my dyslexic and very anxious son. Thank you, LACS. I brought you a wounded little boy and you have healed his soul.
--Submitted by a parent

Los Altos Christian School offers high academics and a loving Christian atmosphere. The school partners with parents to foster well rounded students. The school has a unique program (Academic Plus) for students who are struggling or who have specific learning differences. We offer a small class with teachers trained in using a multi-sensory approach. The teacher/student ratio is around 1/10. The mainstream classes concentrate on high academic standards. We offer Spanish, music, art, PE, computers, and library. For students who are gifted in certain areas we offer writing and math ExL. After school time is busy with sports (flag football, volleyball, and basketball), art, drama, science, and chess club. If you are looking for a warming, nurturing school that will give your children the best academics, please give us a call at 650-948-3738 or check our web site at www.lacs.com.
--Submitted by an administrator

I've been very impressed with the academics& teacher involvement. They really got to know the kids, and were great about communicating issues to parents via e-mail & websites. Parent involvement not required, but was pretty good. Sport activities were good, but I'm not aware of any other extracurricular activities, other than specialty classes which required additional payments. My only concern about the school was the intense religion taught; evolution theory vs. creationism, if you don't believe in Jesus you won't get into heaven (my husband is Jewish. . .), and other religious issues I felt were inappropriate coming from the teachers. My child consequently will attend a catholic school next year, rather than continue in the baptist-based system. Other than this issue, we were thoroughly happy with the school & the commitment by these teachers--they were awesome!
--Submitted by a parent