Bret Harte Middle School

Both of my daughters attended Bret Harte, and had very positive experiences. It was quite a change from their cozy neighborhood elementary school, but what they learned is that they can successfully adapt in a large economically and racially mixed environment, and thrive. Plus, they got outstanding academic preparation for high school. Bret Harte prepared them very well for their transition into high school (also large, urban, diverse) and I would say also into REAL LIFE. Bret Harte IS a slice of Oakland, which is fabulous and full of challenges at the same time. As parents, we struggle to find the balance between preparing our kids for "the real world" and also wanting them to always be safe and cared for so that nothing bad will happen to them, right? What I found at Bret Harte was a genuine combination of "real world challenges" of dealing with all kinds of kids in an environment staffed by alert, engaged, and caring adults that were prepared to intervene, but not to coddle. For us, it was a winning combination. I feel my girls are more savvy, slower to judge their peers, have a broader range of friends, and a solid academic foundation, thanks in large part to Bret Harte!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a former student - and Bret Harte was a great school who cared for students and had teachers who cared!

I am a parent of a 6th grader at Bret Harte. We love this school. Her teachers are excellent and the principal is very easy to communicate with. He met with me personally for a half hour the first week of school to help me out with concerns I had about her schedule. Positives: the teachers are excellent, have good classroom management and interesting curriculum; the campus is clean & comfortable; they wear uniforms so there is never any issue about what to wear or using clothes as status symbols (and is so inexpensive if you catch the sales in August!)-- honestly, kids might complain a little but uniforms are really nice; the music program is excellent and the practice room is available before and after school for kids to use; the ASP has tons of enrichment and quiet time for HW and is only $50 a year; there is enough space and time for lunch; it is really diverse and kids make friendships outside of their "groups." My daughter and her friends (boys & girls) are happy there. Downsides: like any public middle school, the transitions from class to class are exhausting at first; again like any public school, classes are big; PTSA works hard and are awesome, but it is small.
—Submitted by a parent

We love Bret Harte Middle School because the teachers are fantastic!
—Submitted by a parent

Im a current student of this school and I personally think this is a great school. The good things are: Diversity, and the teachers are veru helpful in any way, the counselor is supportive al though they do need at least 1 more counselor. The bad things: The bathrooms are great but good enough to to your business, too many fights and suspension, and it is quite dirty. Sometimes the principal can be helpful and sometimes the ooposite but in the end, Bret harte is a wondeful! school.
—Submitted by a student

There are many excellent teachers. My kids have had great experiences with Cody, Grimes, Yamoto (retired), Fitzsimmons. The principal is very engaged with parents.
—Submitted by a parent

This school changed my life. Teachers were very great. it was organized
—Submitted by a student

Bret Harte has some hard working teachers. The administrative support staff is not helpful. The principal is often busy. There needs to be more than one counselor for the entire school.
—Submitted by a parent

Bret Harte is a great school, it's a big school but surprisingly it's a family environment. The student body is diverse and the faculty reflects the diversity of the student body. The Principal and Assistant Principal offer support without being critical if you have a student struggling academically. The students are addressed in a manner to prepare them for taking control of their own destiny's and making choices good for their lives.
—Submitted by a parent

Bret Harte is a great school. Our 2 children attended and experienced excellent teaching, and good foundation for high school. Bret Harte has 2 Nationally Certified Teachers in Sci/Math. There is an active PTA, SSC and Parent Center. A monthly newsletter is mailed home for more communication. Make sure to visit this school when making your decision!
—Submitted by a parent