Ohlone Elementary School

Ohlone is truly unique, I can't say enough good things about it. It has brought out the best in our children, educating them towards self-confident curious learners and creative problem-solvers. The teachers' dedication is second to none, they understand the children, and every child is given the opportunity to reach his or her full potential. As an aside: Even though they don't 'teach to the test', my children's test scores went up after switching to Ohlone from a different (comparable) school.
—Submitted by a parent

This "choice" school is truly a gem. We have had 2 of our children attend Ohlone. We have been able to compare this school with another private school where we sent our oldest child. Ohlone instills a love of learning, independence, and initiative that the private school was unable to provide. They adhere to their philosophy and project based learning is taken very seriously. There is also an emphasis on whole child development.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is fantastic. With mixed grade levels, students are able to work at different levels of work and be supported by older kids and help younger students. It is a public comprehensive program encompassing the humanities, sciences and arts. Best of all - the school has a farm where students learn about growing and eating healthy food and taking care of small farm animals. It's the best!
—Submitted by a parent

They actually teach at Ohlone, not just get through the day. I don't think I realized just how wonderful the place was until I was exposed to other schools. Both of my children who have gone have really become motivated to learn for its own sake. So instead of stopping when they did just well enough to get an A, they were always motivated to learn and do more. And despite not having homework every night (maybe because of it?) have done really well in middle school and beyond. The teachers are really supported to do some of their own thing -- so one class did claymation, another does Shakespeare, some go different places for the simulation. It does depend on the teacher, but that is part of what makes the teachers motivated -- and the school better.
—Submitted by a parent

We feel blessed to have our kids in the school. Teachers are extraordinary and when faced with a challenge do everything always focusing on the welfare of the cildren.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are fantastically dedicated and wonderful with the kids; the principal is the same, and the philosophy of the school (educating hearts and minds together) is so right!
—Submitted by a parent

Ohlone has been a wonderful school for my daughter for three years. She has cherished both of her teachers, developed a hearty appetite for reading, and feels confident about herself as a student. I am grateful to be a part of this community.
—Submitted by a parent

great 'style' that hearkens back to how school should be at this age
—Submitted by a parent

Our kids have gotten a tremendous love of learning at Ohlone. They are curious, questioning, and liberated to think in new ways, mostly (I think) due to the alternative curriculum. Ohlone's 'no-homework' rule is an incredible blessing to let the kids be kids as long as possible. The test scores catch up by grade 5, earlier on, they are lower, largely (imho) b/c Ohlone does not 'teach to the test' and they don't teach test-taking skills, until later in the curriculum. The buddy system, 2 years per teacher, farm and caring parents make this an Oasis of creativity and learning in the crazy world we live in. Principal Susan Charles is a gifted leader.
—Submitted by a parent

Ohlone is a fantastic find. The independence and self direction fostered here are the best tools possible for success in later learning. Our children enjoyed their time at Ohlone tremendously and were very well prepared for middle school and had the tools to ensure their own learning success.
—Submitted by a parent

Ohlone does a great job of teach kids a love of learning. We've been thrilled with it.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a wonderful school that fosters learning. It is a special place for children to learn. The school works best if the child is a motivated and self directed learner. The teachers and principal are fantastic.
—Submitted by a parent

Upon visiting this school I realized the importance of a well balanced eduction for any child. The children of this alternative education school benefit from a hands on education that can be felt and is tangable rather then just read in a text. They are well rounded children who learn through various practical manners and who understand the subject learned because they are given the opportunity to feel that knowledge first hand.
—Submitted by shahla yaghoubi, a parent

The level of parent involvement is very high at Ohlone. They use the help of parents all the way up to fifth grade. They have music classes available beginning at 3rd grade. The children do specific instrutments during fifth grade. The downside of Ohlone is the lack of continuity from grade to grade. Sometimes depending on the teacher, the child may not be well prepared for the next grade level. Unless there is a glaring problem, the child will move on. There also seems to be a lack of consistency within grades, one 2/3 class can have a very different emphasis than another. The differences are very disturbing. The bottom line is, everything depends if you get a good teacher or not. Seems like there are less and less of those.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been thrilled with our experience at Ohlone. The academic level is outstanding and the project oriented learning has really helped our children to enjoy school and be fully engaged in their learning.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a school that is great for independent workers because they really stress working independently. This is also a great school for creative students because they emphasize working out-of-the-box.
—Submitted by a former student

My daughter has attended Ohlone since 2000; she is entering into her last year at Ohlone a more confident, aware, social, committed student! I don't know what I would have done without Ohlone. Ohlone teaches the whole child and I am very grateful for that! Ohlone is committed to the community as well as each individual student. I am so grateful for the parents that have been able to commit there time to the classrooms and the opportunities for me to be helpful from a distance as I am a single mom with not a lot of 'free' time.
—Submitted by a parent

Very very good school, my kids love it there and the teachers are magnificent
—Submitted by a parent

Supports children's learning creatively and develops self-motivation. Fosters teaching relationships between children by having each child mentor a younger child.
—Submitted by a former student