Barlow

The worst elementary school in the area. We have changed over to Sebastopol schools, and the extra five minutes to drive is a gift. The children were reading books based on some agenda, and not based on what would give children a love of reading. Teachers let the children know that they aren't happy with their pay. One teacher put the American flag on the floor at a board meeting this year, in front of the children. It may have once been a great district, but it has gone way down. I am not surprised by what I have read about the middle school, because we took a tour. The classrooms were packed, and the children were not paying attention to the teachers. My childs' friend said that children use cell phones in class to play games, and there is a HUGE bullying problem. 65% of children are from out of the district. Save yourself a TON of stress and choose a great school district in Sebastopol. Middle schools have 24 students vs. 35 students per class.

We are so thrilled to be at SunRidge Charter School. The principal honors the principles of Waldorf education through her knowledge she shares with the community, bringing guests, to which she herself offers, to speak on Waldorf and the whys behind its approach, and equally important the teachers she hires. She cares about the school and families. My child has had to adjust to the caliber her teacher requires of her students, and wow... just wow! We moved from two other Waldorf Charter schools in the area and my child was not prepared for the expectations of her class. My child has caught up and moving with the class now, thanks to the teacher's immaculate organization and use of google classroom to share her lessons with her students and parents. I'm so impressed how the teacher's lecture notes are extensive and expand beyond what I ever was taught in public school. There are projects at the end of every block and meaningful work that is done on a daily basis. It is absolutely evident that a lot of thought and forward planning are given to how each subject and block progression unfolds in the year. This teacher is a Rock Star, and the best we ever had (between my two daughters' experiences including private waldorf that we were able to attend through remission)! The kids in my child's class are sweet and inclusive. On my child's first day, she was given a card by one of her classmates welcoming her to the school with hopes that my child would find SunRidge as her new home. This classmate is the most sweetest and profound thinker for their age, and based on my child's interaction with them in the past, my child seeks out this child for advice :). My child was able to make friends easily (one of her biggest fears starting yet again at a new school). There seems to be no walls between classmates as I've heard that children weave between groups and are never pushed away when a classmate joins a group in their class. Specialty teachers are wonderful. My child enjoys her new instrument and teacher, loves her Spanish, Handwork, Woodwork projects and teachers, and absolutely is learning her strength in math and loves her new math teacher. We were just offered a spot at a nearby school today but, it is a no-brainer that we are staying here. I can't thank this school enough, led by an incredible Principal, Ms. Haedo, and held and nurtured by my child's class teacher. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

A devoted staff at every level. Children feel cared about and a family feeling is palpable. Beautiful, natural surroundings provide a sense of serenity and expansiveness. Highly recommend!

My child was relentlessly bullied here. He wound up getting a concussion. We never really recovered as a family.

We love Park Side! My child is thriving here, academically and socially. We love the drama program they offer as an after school club, as well as the garden class they get during the week. My child is learning so much, and loves coming to school everyday!

Plumfield Academy is a great school for teaching boys with learning and emotional issues that is located in a beautiful rural environment.

Its almost comical to read one of the previous posts from a former staff member about the high turnover and the promised benefits that did not happen. hmmmmm. sounds like someone was asked to a do a job and agreed to a pay then wanted more after they realized how hard the work was...just like every other front line position in almost any industry. i've seen sooo many employees look over the fence and say hey "I can make a lot more money and not have boys yelling at me or cussing me out" and leave only to switch jobs 2 or 3 more times before they're back living with family finding odds jobs here and there. Wake up folks! If it was easy, everyone would be doing it...right?! get a grip and realize that these kids are here because there are very few options for them...parents are incarcerated or homeless or still abusive and the public school maybe has one special resources assistant per class helping the "special" kid in class in between facebook posts and texting their other college drop out friends. what greenacres needs to do is expand so they can accept more kids and get them the genuine care they so desperately need!!!!