Blue Oak School

We moved our kids from public school to Blue Oak and couldn't be happier with the change. The public school "teach to the test" approach was unavoidable and the teachers seemed resigned to worksheets and repetition. Blue Oak offers creativity, energy and a fresh view toward learning. We have been impressed with the way the teachers and staff have taken the time and energy to really look at, and tailor their approach to, our children's individual strengths and needs. Our kids are inspired to learn, use their imagination and think outside of the box. They're happy and enjoy school. The families, teachers, staff and administrators at Blue Oak are incredibly friendly and accessible, ready to answer any question or address any concern. We just wish we had decided to send our kids to Blue Oak sooner!
--Submitted by a parent

Love the direction the school is heading!! I have two girls attending in 4th grade and kindergarten. They LOVE coming to school and their teachers! Parents are VERY active and I could not imagin my family going anywhere else!
--Submitted by a parent

Having started our child in the public school system, we were very disappointed and frustrated with its mediocrity and "teach for the test" approach. In our search for change, in a town where there are very few nonsecular options to public school, Blue Oak was by far the best choice. Our daughter is challenged academically, supported socioemotionally and receiving a well-rounded education that includes art, music, drama, foreign langugage and physical education - all while exclaiming how much fun school is! BOS apparently had its growing pains and past difficulties, but it is very clear to us that the present administration and parent association have corrected their problems, with a clear vision for the future of the school. Blue Oak is a wonderful place, with an amazing staff and student/parent community. We cannot praise, nor recommend, Blue Oak highly enough.
--Submitted by a parent

We transferred both of our children to Blue Oak School at the beginning of the school year and could not be happier. They are thriving in the learning environment that has been created there. We have been warmly welcomed as a family and feel included and informed about all that happens in the school. I am shocked at the negative comments posted as this has not been our experience at all. We are delighted to be far away from overcrowded classrooms, uncaring administrators, rote learning and meaningless testing! Teachers at Blue Oak know their students and care enough to support them in everything that they do! I wish that every had the opportunity to attend a stellar program like Blue Oak..
--Submitted by a parent

My child has been at Blue Oak 4 years. Though we wanted to support our public school, the focus on test scores in the end prevents kids from learning optimally. Combine that with tenure for all teachers which rewards seniority not ability and you have a system rife with mediocrity. We needed an alternative. Thankfully, BOS has provided this: excellent teachers (those that arent cutting it get fired); developmentally appropriate program, experiential learning (learn by doing and even by teaching classmates, not by drilling), an excited and engaged group of students who love coming to school. Music, art, amazing field trips, a diverse group of students make this a rich experience. My son is ahead on all academic, social and p.e.benchmarks, excited about school and thriving. While it is a financial commitment, it is money well spent.
--Submitted by a parent

Sad, but true, most of the negative reviews have merit. When the head of the school and his administration are under the thumb of founding members and the trustees, he becomes their agent. The teachers seem to be committed, but there is some questions as to who runs the school and for what mission.
--Submitted by a parent

Two of our children have attended this school. We scoured the whole Bay Area and thought that we had finally found the right school for our kids. Year one was very good for one of our children and mediocre for the other. Since that time our experience has mostly been getting worse. As parents, we have been bullied by the administration whose policy is not to put the success of the student first. The narrow and critical view of the administration is much more important than the success of the child. It is the board of trustees and the administration of this school that make this a very difficult place to send your kids, especially considering how much you have to pay to put yourself through so much turmoil
--Submitted by a parent

Don't do this to yourself or your child. This school's administration is disorganized and dysfunctional. There are some good teachers. But there are some very bad ones as well. If you have a problem, they will go about discrediting you and finding every fault they can in your child as evidence that it is never their problem. They will not address the problem if it is from a child or parent. They will, however, require that you attend confrontational meetings with the head of the school who is on a power trip. Then you will feel even worse and you will eventually leave, feeling very bad. You could complain to the Board, etc. but they do not care either and no one will ever help you.
--Submitted by a parent

I have never seen so many children be so excited and passionate about their school. It has been a true pleasure to see the positive effects Blue Oak has on it's students.
--Submitted by a parent

The previous administration at Blue Oak was average at best. They believed in the concepts of independent education, but didn't value collaboration with the parents that makes a school really work and they didn't value long term planning that Blue Oak critically needs. Now we've been taken over by the founding families. And we're left with some ineffectual rookie leadership, particularly at the lower school. Having had my kids experience both the lower and middle schools, I would rank the MS as **** and the LS as **, particularly going forward. This school desperately needs some seasoned leadership who can help foster a community of teachers, parents, kids, and administration. Unfortunately, I'm skeptical whether this can happen in the near team. I hope that the founding families understand this...they are good people who I believe are well intentioned. In the meantime, teachers and students/families are suffering.
--Submitted by a parent