Carden Conejo School

Our child has been at Carden for six years now. The principals know every child's name. Classes are small. And teachers always greet the children; there is an after school session for extra help. If there is a problem with another child, it is dealt with immediately. No bullying. No harsh words. Please and thank you. Manners are real here. It is childhood learning at its finest.
--Submitted by a parent

I attended Carden from pre-school to 8th grade and loved it. I don t believe I would have received as well-rounded an education anywhere else in the area. I went on to LRHS and found that I was well prepared for the academic rigors of HS. I later graduated with honors from a prestigious college and to be honest, I attribute almost all my academic success the foundation I received at Carden. Teaching French at a young age exposes children to the importance and benefits of learning a foreign language. I now speak it fluently along with Spanish thanks to the interest in languages I gained from Carden. The traditional style of teaching may seem outdated but was very effective at teaching me academic and life skills. Carden children are sheltered in a good way and some of the best teachers I ever had (credentialed or not) were my Carden teachers. I still have reunions with my classmates and am now 23. That s an example of what it teaches you about friendships!

I can't speak highly enough about this school. I investigated many in the area when my daughter was 2. She started at 2.5 and has been going there for two years. She has learned more than I could have ever hoped for. She loves attending. They teach and live respect - and I find this so different from my experience with public schools in the area where my step-son attends. In this economy I would seriously lose my cars and house before I'd ever even consider my daughter attending anywhere else.
--Submitted by a parent

I've had and have 3 children attending Carden Conejo. I agree with just about everything good and bad that others wrote. Overall, if you want teachers that care about the success of your children, and a family run atmosphere than this is the school for you. If you want your children to be morally raised with beautiful manners, than again this is the school for you. Maybe the old fashioned way of teaching is still the right way of teaching. The Flemings are wonderful people who give their heart and soul to the school. We are blessed to be part of this school. Anyone who doesn't like it should .... well leave!
--Submitted by a parent

I am a Carden teacher who attended USC & graduated with honors from the School of Dentistry. I hated the dental field & wanted to do something more meaningful. I love teaching at Carden! I love the students and the philosophy. There is no other school where your child is taught manners & morals. They learn to include everyone & no one will ever eat lunch alone. Standing when an adult enters a room, saying please & thank you are just the beginning. Where else would you see a teacher on a Friday night, Saturday morning, or midweek afternoon watching "their students" play soccer, sing, dance or play baseball? Carden teachers care! My experience with public school teachers are e-mails & notes unanswered. Carden teachers may be paid less than public schools, but we are there because we love what we do, not just the bigger pay check! Mrs. Lyon-1st grade
--Submitted by a teacher

If your considering sending your child to Carden ask the Principal how they "qualify" the teaching staff? I happened to ask three years after we enrolled our child at Carden and found out that a majority of the staff have no teaching credentials. When I was expressing my frustruation about the teaching methods to my mother (who happends to have a double masters-one in teaching) she told me to inquiry how they qualify the teaching staff. I was horrified what I found out. Interestingly, when we left, I found out that most of the qualified teachers in the community will not work there because they make more money at public schools. In fact, my child's teacher at public school not only has a Masters Degree, she has been at the same school for 15 years. Obviously a Degree isn't the only factor in determing a wonderful/competent teacher...ran out of words...
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been attending Carden for 4 years. It has been a wonderful experienc!!. I have over 18 years experience with Carden. My sister sent both of her children to Carden from pre K through 8th grade. I am very fond of all of the teachers and staff.They really put their heart into their work and it shows. I like the student teacher ratio very much. I know that it brings my daughter comfort that she is know by first name by all teachers, and staff through out the school. The education is excellent! The teaching of manners and morals, you will not find at a public school. My daughter loves Carden and so do I.You couldn't find a better school. Please feel free to phone me. 805-338-3004, Anne Dean
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended Carden from PreK through 6th grade and I feel that Carden prepared her very well to enter her new middle school with excellent study skills, superior English language knowledge, and a firm understanding of history, geography, French grammar and Science. One unique feature of CC has not yet been mentioned by other reviewers: Carden has weekly school assemblies where several (and sometimes all) classes recite poetry from memory. This focus on performance and mental retention is valuable both for stretching their mind's capacity, but also allows the students to become comfortable presenting themselves verbally in a public setting. These are not trivial skills, and are rarely acquired by children in public, or other private, schools. Many previously 'shy' children (like mine) become surprisingly outgoing while attending Carden Conejo. I don't feel this is a coincidence.
--Submitted by a parent

Carden Conejo School has a fantastic curriculum. We have have 8th grader who just transitioned into one of the best public middle school in the area. After starting at Carden in pre-K. The study skills and knowledge she has is far above most other students in her class. We credit Carden and its small class size and individual attention. Our daughter was a very shy child who had very little confidence. The school allowed her to bloom into the amazing young adult with strong morals and manners. Our 4th grader is still attending Carden. We have been so impressed by how responsive the schools administration has been to implement new approaches in teaching subject such as the new math program. Our daughter never want to miss a day of school. A parents dream :)
--Submitted by a parent

Good school for preschool to grade 3. Excellent academics. My children have moved on to public and private schools and are doing fine. Principal is moody, you never know what you are going to get. Teachers are allowed to voice their political views and give the students projects that support these views both in art and music. Silly awards that seem to elevate feminine traits. Daughters loved the school. Son felt they 'hated boys'. Everyone must wear the uniform, a good thing. The lunch program is fine. It is a convenience. The local schools are no better. Parents are responsible for feeding children, not the school. PTA is very active but clicky.
--Submitted by a parent