Beacon Day School

My daughter started in preschool and is now in first grade. Her experience has been wonderful. But I actually want to express how great Beacon is for PARENTS: * All-year school -- Students attend all year. Summer vacation is a two-week break in August. Fantastic for their learning, and a dream come true for working parents. No need for camps! Kids stay put, with buddies, learning. * Vacations -- School is all year, so your family can go to Disneyland whenever it works for YOU (ie, NOT when every other family on Earth is there!). * Integrated after care -- Working parents relax. The kids are happy and their after-care teacher is integrated into the regular school day. Your child is a beloved member of the community, which is a wonderful feeling when you have to leave your child for extended hours. * NO HOMEWORK until 5th grade -- More days of school = no need for homework until it is developmentally beneficial. Beacon encourages quality family time and down time for children. Evenings are so pleasant when you play games and eat dinner together instead of battling over spelling words. Beacon is the way school should be, for students AND PARENTS in the 21st century.
—Submitted by a parent

I cannot recommend Beacon highly enough. It is very strong academically. And it also focuses on helping children make connections across disciplines in a way that is fun and valuable. For example 2nd thru 5th graders memorize and perform poetry for an audience which allows them to work on literature and public speaking/performance simultaneously. The philosophy of the school is to create thoughtful, confident, curious, well-rounded children -- and Beacon is succeeding in this endeavor. The community is welcoming and diverse. Teachers and staff go the extra mile and you can tell they truly love working at Beacon. The fact that it is year round can't be beat as students don't have to re-learn in the fall the math (or other subjects) they learned the previous spring but may have forgotten over the summer.
—Submitted by a parent

Beacon is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for children. Not only is Beacon strong academically, with a significant number of its graduates going on to attend top-ranking high schools and colleges. but Beacon's emphasis on manners and other "soft" skills gives the students an advantage in a world in which recent generations are often being criticized for lacking the same. Additionally, Beacon has an early childhood program that goes beyond "day care." My child LOVES the teachers and is already starting to spell and add!
—Submitted by a parent

My two children have attended Beacon Day School since they were three years old. They are now 7 and 9 years old and in the 2nd and 4th grades respectively. I still feel strongly that we made the right decision in our school selection. In comparison to other independent schools, Beacon offers a more personable experience. It is a small school with less than 300 students, and they are in touch with the students. The staff and families have established relationships and work well together for the benefit of the children. The academics are strong along with the development of social skills. No bullying is allowed and conflict resolution is taught so that children learn how to resolve issues before they escalate. I feel comfortable and confident that my kids are well taken care of, while I am at work. If we are fortunate enough, they will remain at the school until they graduate from the eighth grade.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an *excellent* place to send one's child. My daughter suffered at a public charter school prior to attending her eighth grade at Beacon.The teachers and staff warmly embraced her right from the beginning of the year. Her academic progress skyrocketed as a result of the approachability of the teachers and staff as well as the humble, caring attitude of the parent community as well. The best part of our one-year experience was the fact that the kids embraced her as a friend right from the "get-go". There were no student cliques and she felt welcome and appreciated. The school is well worth the $$$ and we will miss Beacon a lot.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved our 2 children from Thornhill Elementary in the Oakland Schools. They learn differently from one another yet neither's needs could be met once the class sizes at Thornhill increased to over 30, etc. Beacon has been able to be more accomodating and attentive, while still challenging our kids to be the best they can be. It is an especially appealing school for elementary school students because there is no set homework. Kids are able to have free reading time each day and there are book shelves along the hallways so kids can grab a book whenever they want. I could go on and on... this is just a wonderful school.... not perfect but still the best around. If you want your child to be truly nurtured and appreciated for the individual they are, please check out Beacon. Note also it is VERY diverse and alternative families fit in perfectly.
—Submitted by a parent

After looking at 9 schools in the East Bay Area, Beacon was by far featuring the best and most accountable program for my son. The 80% proficiency requirement gives me peace of mind that my son is accountable for his performance. The cores values Beacon supports insures that the community of students have a heightened awareness of diversity, respect and tolerance which I find refreshing from many 'elite' schools. As a 6th grade transfer parent last year, I'm very happy with our decision.
—Submitted by a parent

We enrolled our daughter in middle school here, 6th grade, and have had a great experience, after attending 2 other schools. The classes are small, the focus on academics is very solid, is very compassionate, and the 'whole student' is considered with the teaching. The staff is very well organized and attentive to the quality and well being of the student. Very highly impressed with this school and how it is run. Our daughter bounces out of bed each day to get to school, which was not true at other schools she attended.
—Submitted by a parent

Beacon is Great! We are new to the school and have boys in 3rd and 6th grade (middle school). We came from East Bay Waldorf school - a VERY damaging experience for our 6th grader. We can't say enough good things about Beacon. So well run, so responsive, a very well thought out academic approach, follow-through, small class size, the list goes on and on. We no longer worry about our sons' school experience. If you are looking for something different and have been frustrated elsewhere you should check into Beacon.
—Submitted by a parent

Beacan has great teachers and wonderful enrichment classes. The developmental curriculum allows each child to progress at their own rate seamlessly within the class.
—Submitted by a parent

Finally, a school that teaches to EVERY child. Their motto should be, Truly, NO child is left behind' It's a fabulous learning environment!
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers know their students well and are in tune with their individual needs. The kids are totally excited and interested in going to school every day.
—Submitted by a parent

Beacon is amazing. What they promote as their approach to teaching is what they provide for their students. It is a wonderful year-round program that supports working families. Each child is challenged and gifts are encouraged to develop as well as risk taking for new things. A wonderful learning enviroment!
—Submitted by a parent

Just look at the 8th graders at Beacon. Such well rounded, CONFIDENT, smart kids. My children are just starting out at Beacon, but I hope they achieve the same greatness!
—Submitted by a parent

Beacon is a learning environment that celebrates individuality, diversity and community. It grows children into competent, compassionate and likable adults.
—Submitted by a parent

Beacon focuses on raising and educating a whole child, not just an academic performer. They focus on truly raising a child that is healthy in all areas of development - academic, athletic, social, emotional, etc. Each child is different and Beacon fosters and celebrations that diversity. The support for families is incredible - through discussions and classes that focus your child's development, how Beacon is approaching their education during that development, and how I can be a better parent. The faculty & staff are devoted educators, many of whom are Beacon parents too! My child is accepted for who she is. She is positively encouraged to explore and expand her own dreams of what she is capable of becoming. And Beacon safely guides her (and us) along that journey. I am so thankful for Beacon and the loving care they provide my child, and my family.
—Submitted by a parent

Small class size, individualized attention to each student, offers computers, physical education, dance and music weekly to every child from preK to 8th grade.
—Submitted by a parent

this wonderful school provides the tools to be academically sucessful in life, and also teaches them socially, emotionally, and to instill a confidence that no matter who they are, they are special. The diversity of this institution matches the world that our children will occupy in their adult lives, and teaches them that no one is excluded due to their backgrounds. These kids truly know how to work through conflicts with others, how to take responsibility for their actions, know that they may have opinions and views that differ from others, and its OK, and, through very well developed and skilled teachers, teach at the speed the student can grasp..
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are passionate about teaching, and encourage children to learn in many different ways. As a result the children are passionate about learning.
—Submitted by a parent

Beacon is a very welcoming school. The staff and teachers are incredibly passionate and sincere about all the children receiving a great education. The kids at Beacon are engaged, happy, and learning. My family and I are very happy to be a part of Beacon Day School.
—Submitted by a parent