Real School LLC

Real School Marin is the most amazing school. My son has been there for 3 years. Its not an easy school. Its demanding. Fortunately the teachers are smart and helpful. They want your child to work hard and succeed. Real School gives your child the tools to be an intelligent, kind, member of the community. It has been a pleasure to watch them encourage my son to his highest potential. The teachers are clear, informative, cooperative and loving. They have rules and collaborate with parents to get the kids to be accountable. I love Real School!!
--Submitted by a parent

I just finished a homework session with my son who attends Real School and I am continually amazed at the quality and quantity of information he is learning - we have had dinner table discussions on the existence of God, defining Cancer and the state of events in Africa. He has learned Spanish, studied Islam and the history of early man. My son is excited for school and now loves public speaking. The dedication of the teachers and students is like no school I have ever experienced. There is so much more to say here, but I believe the best way to see the Real School is to meet the teachers and students - they are truly incredible.
--Submitted by a parent

Every child in California deserves to learn in classrooms like those of REAL School Marin. I have said that dozens of times when explaining REAL School to friends and relatives. The school and its rich curriculum is a life long gift to the child and to the child s parents. I was a public school teacher in the Bay Area for thirteen years, eleven of those years in a Marin County middle school. I spent my final two years as a mentor teacher. These three wonderful people are without a doubt in the top rank of the teaching profession. They bring breadth and depth to their subject matter, thoughtfully introduce a variety of experiences beyond the classroom, and help facilitate each child s understanding of himself and others. The child does the work, not the parent. The child is taught to accept responsibility and to accept consequences. The students of REAL School Marin will realize someday, if they don t already, how fortunate they have been. Our family will forever be grateful for Marilyn, Mark, and Margot, and Real School Marin. I was chosen Marin County Teacher of the Year during the 1990's. I know good teaching. These are great teachers.
--Submitted by a parent

When our son was getting ready to enter middle school we were sick with worry that he would fall through the cracks in a public school. He does indeed need extra attention and guidance to stay on track and finish his work. For someone like our son, the quality of the teachers, the extra attention, the consideration for each student's unique learning or social struggles -- has made all the difference between being successful vs. being academically scarred. The teachers at Real School have been a godsend. Yes, they hold kids to a high academic standard, in the belief that most people rise to expectations (whether high or low). My son will always struggle with focus, and he is getting a fantastic education and skill set. Beyond that, the three teachers at Real School are the finest, most devoted, interesting educators you will find anywhere. They stand out in their equal dedication to what kind of human beings the children are growing into as to how well they perform academically. The focus on communication skills, group dynamics, integrity, seeing what others need, citizenship and compassion -- I know this will serve the quality of my son's life forever.
--Submitted by a parent

If you have a child with special needs, beware. We submitted numerous documents giving information about our child's issues, and were told these teachers were familiar with our child's special needs and could accommodate them. Yet they not only failed to do so, they blamed our child for his issues and told him (without our permission and without informing us) that his diagnosis was inaccurate! This caused enormous problems, as you can begin to imagine. The teachers believe in demanding a great deal from students, with many, many hours of homework and pressure to perform, and when students do not live up to their expectations (which are sometimes unreasonable) they blame the child, withdraw approval and concrete privileges. They play favorites; successful children are made to feel great about themselves, but the others suffer. If this is not your style, you should stay away!
--Submitted by a parent