Northern Lights

My daughter has been attending this school for two years and it has truly been a pleasure seeing her grow and develop in an environment that provides her with the greatest opportunity to excel academically, socially, and in her character. My daughter chose this school over the fluffier schools with the new playground and facility because of the warm and nurturing environment that she felt when she visited the school. In the two years I have seen her blossom into a dynamic individual.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been going to this school since pre school and is now in 1st grade. I agree that the school has been going downhill since the new administration. A lot of the GOOD teachers left the school. The policies aren't clear and procedures aren't always followed. This school has been living of the name its once had. I'm currently looking for another school for my daughter.
--Submitted by a parent

The new principal and administrators are horrible this year. Since the original founders of the school have left , the school has gone down hill. Over crowding in the classrooms. Students who don't belong. Very few activities for the kids to do... Save your money and try a high performing public school

My daughter went to this school and I would not recommend this school to anyone. I have a son who is entering first grade and he is better off going to public school. The principal used foul language to describe how my daughter was acting. Due to her strong personality they treated her horrible. I am scared if i sent my son there they would treat him horrible because of who his sister is.
--Submitted by a parent

This is my son's 3rd year at this school. He just finished the 2nd grade and will NOT be returning unfortunately. In addition to strong academic program we wanted a nurturing environment, especially for the you ger classes. Not for our child to be babied or anything like but it just seems like the environment was more into the robot approach. It was all about them being as smart as they could force them to be not focusing on the children as individuals. Education is a top priority which is why we chose private school but we also don't need our child worrying about that in the first grade. Basically it was too much pressure on the children and several other have had the same concern. We gave the school another year and we didn't see a difference so unfortunately we had to switch schools. We decided on Mills College Children's School until the 5th grade. I happen to know we are aren't the only family to switch to Mills. Mills is a lot more than Northern Lights... I heard it's worth it.
--Submitted by a parent

I am very thankful that for the staff and faculty of Northern Light. The classroom environments are warm and welcoming and filled with teachers and administrators who CARE. It's also great because of the teacher to student ratio. The teachers provide many hands on learning opportunities that enhances their curriculum. Northern Light encourages parent participation and offers a multitude of opportunities for volunteering. Northern Light is a family school where the teachers are not just teaching but facilitating learning as well. My son is extremely happy again. He is excited about school again. Thanks Northern Light!
--Submitted by a parent

As an alumni/ graduate of Northern Light, I have grown into a loving and respectful young man. Northern Light has taught me skills and preparation for high school. In 8th grade, I was learning Algebra 1!!! I learned pre- algebra in 7th grade!!! Normally, in public schools you would learn pre- algebra in 8th grade. Learning algebra 1 in 8th grade was such an advantage because in my freshman year, they start you of in algebra 1!!!! I really struggled in math So I went to my teacher and I told her my dilemma. She OFFERED HER LUNCH BREAK to HELP ME!!!! No other teacher wouldve done that for me. Thinking about this right now really makes me feel special. And I am proud to go to high school. Next year, I will be at Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School. I LOVE NLS. Thanks. I will never forget you.

As a current student of Northern Light School, i have learned many amazing qualities. In this school, the directors dont just help you academically, but morally and orally. Coming from a public school, things are amazingly different! Students are just so nice and comppasionate towards others, its hard even to comprehend! This is an amazing school. Also the comment about hypocritical stuff , this is a joke! Yes, the directors are strict on discipline but it affects them in a good way. As a student and participating in the Theater Arts, my sel-esteem has boosted amazingly.This school was a perfect match for me! I feel that this school teaches amazingly and its a school to visit! You will definetely get a sense of love and caring if you visit. Enroll your child for a better future for your child! This school is outstanding!
--Submitted by a student

this school is a wonderful school .if you moving to oakland please check this school.
--Submitted by a student

As a current parent, I just can't brag enough about this school. WOW. What an awesome, awesome place. The saying is, 'It takes a village to raise a child', this school--'this village'--is definitely doing all the right things. My children are young, but I cannot wait to watch them grow and learn here. They've got an UNBELIEVABLE arts program--GET THIS--FREE String ORCHESTRA, four days a week starting in KINDERGARTEN! The kids are so musically talented, it blows my mind. Drama programs begin in sixth grade--we are talking BROADWAY-QUALITY Musicals. And the academics--I can't say enough, again. Last year's eighth grade students read Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, all the advanced literature. Sciene Faires, Mathalons, school-wide Spelling Bee--What more could you ask for? The academics are stellar, and the list of high schools and colleges students attend afterwards is impressive and exhaustive. FOUR WORDS: ENROLL YOUR KID NOW.
--Submitted by a parent