1677 E Gate Way
Pleasanton, CA 94566

Hearst was a very good school during the first two years, despite the principal being completely cold toward the students and caring only about meeting district goals. My son is now in 4th grade, and it has been a nightmare since the beginning of the school year. The teacher has no emotional control, yells, and doesn’t seem to know how to deal with children (which I found interesting, considering she’s been “teaching” for 15 years). I’ve had numerous issues with this teacher and had to reach out to the principal, but she simply doesn’t seem to care about the students’ well-being at the school. There are also many problems with bullying, which are completely ignored by the principal and many of the teachers.

I would not recommend this preschool unless your child is high on the spectrum. It has a high iron fence built around the entrance/play area with two gates in order to gain entry giving it a fortress and very un-preschool like feel. This is for safety purposes, but it sends a message that this is a place for children who have some serious challenges. Also, it is not an inclusive program, so the preschoolers are not exposed to typically developing students on a daily basis. Research has shown that children who are high functioning autistic or developmentally delayed tend to improve ata greater pace by having role modeling from their typically developing peers.Some teachers appear melancholy a lot of the time, perhaps due to lack of resources, burn out, or a combination of both -- but it's hard to know why. However, I would have to say the aides there really try to make it as great as possible given its atmosphere and are very upbeat and kind to the parents. If you have the resources, consider a private school such as the School of the Imagination in Dublin instead.