18601 Vessing Rd
Saratoga, CA 95070

Moved from palo alto during covid times. This school is exceptional, way better than ovehyped palo alto schools. Atmosphere is very inclusive. Administration is very supportive. Environment is safe and teachers are all competent and genuinely love kids.

As a parent of a 6th grader nearing the end of the first year at Rolling Hills, I’ve generally observed a positive experience for my child. One of his teachers is terribly disorganized and needs constant reminding to update grades or fix her mistakes. The music teacher is phenomenal and this is the real highlight for my son. The bands and choirs improve significantly at each performance and the teachers are very passionate about these programs. There are a lot of good after school clubs and activities and the no-phone policy was the main reason we moved close to this school rather than the Saratoga or Los Gatos middle schools. The population is nicely diverse in racial and economic makeup. It isn’t the best place for smarter kids who can get bored at the typical pace in the classroom, but that’s probably more of a universal public school experience. All in all, I’d recommend this school. There haven’t been any bullying, fights or social issues as far as I can tell and despite not knowing anyone at the start of the year, my son’s been able to make friends.

I have two teenagers attending this school, and while there are several positives worth highlighting, there are also some ongoing concerns.Westmont stands out as one of only two remaining high schools in Santa Clara County with a strong agriculture program, including a legitimate 3.5-acre farm. The school also offers an impressive machine shop and woodshop program, along with knowledgeable and dedicated teachers in the arts, particularly in art and photography/film. Additionally, the sports facilities are well-maintained and in great condition.However, there are notable issues with administration and consistency among teachers. The administrative team appears to have limited control over classroom expectations, which are often not enforced. As a result, some teachers operate independently without much accountability.The use of Canvas is another area of concern. Despite being located in the heart of Silicon Valley, many teachers seem reluctant to use the district’s platform effectively. Some even state at back-to-school events that they dislike using it, which is reflected in delayed grade updates and slow communication. In some cases, teachers have also indicated they do not respond to parental inquiries. Additionally, non-subject-related content is sometimes promoted in classrooms, which can be distracting.Although the sports facilities are in great shape, the athletic director leaves a lot to be desired. He is rarely present at sporting events, including larger tournaments and meets, and appears to provide little to no oversight of coaching staff. Communication is also a concern, as he is largely unresponsive to player and parent inquiries. This lack of leadership creates an environment that feels vulnerable to inconsistency and potential impropriety. I strongly encourage parents to be proactive—depending on the sport, students may not receive the motivation and guidance needed to succeed in high school athletics, and may be underprepared for collegiate-level competition.Overall, while the school offers some excellent programs and resources, there are clear areas that need improvement, particularly in administrative oversight, communication, and consistency in both academics and athletics.