5 Simpson Ct, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

We have had two children at Walnut Heights, and the classroom experience has been very good. The teachers we have had have been wonderful: warm, capable, supportive, and clearly committed to the children. My kids have generally had a positive learning experience, and I am grateful for the work the teachers do.However, the school’s front office is a serious problem, and in my experience that problem is centered on the office manager. Routine parent interactions — residency verification, picking up a sick child, asking how to complete basic school requirements — have too often been handled in an abrasive, unhelpful, and unnecessarily unpleasant way. Instead of feeling like the office is there to help families navigate the school, it often feels like parents are treated as an inconvenience.At this point, I also think this reflects on the principal, Amy. When one specific staff member has such a consistently negative impact on families’ experience of the school, and that person remains in such a visible family-facing role, it becomes a leadership issue as well. I have spoken with several other parents who have had similar impressions.The school food is another weak point. The menu seems heavily dominated by pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, and tacos, with only occasional more balanced meals.Overall, Walnut Heights has excellent teachers and a strong classroom experience, but the office manager, the front office culture, and the food program significantly bring down the overall school experience.