Berkeley Independent Study K-8

Our family has been with EBI pre-K through middle school, with a current 7th grader and an alum in high school. We are so thankful for the warm, supportive community that we have gotten to be a part of over the years. Bilingualism is a gift that I'm thrilled both of my children will graduate with, but more importantly, the school has helped shape them into the kind, thoughtful, curious learners that they are. I believe an EBI education provides a rich foundation for students to excel in high school and beyond and we whole-heartedly recommend the school to all families.

Our son has been attending Shu Ren for just over a year, and we have nothing but glowing things to say. We enrolled him at two years old, and his teachers were immediately attentive to his needs as he navigated a classroom environment for the first time. As first-time parents, we were anxious — and watching him settle in within just a few weeks was such a relief.In that year, we’ve seen remarkable growth: deep friendships, real comfort speaking Mandarin (neither of us speak it at home), and a diverse range of interests spanning music, crafts, animals, soccer, tumbling, and more. But what we appreciate most is that our son is developing genuine confidence in who he is. That’s not something you can put on a curriculum — it speaks to the culture the school has built.The parent community has also been a wonderful surprise. Honestly, I was quietly dreading “forced” adult friendships built around shared school schedules. That couldn’t be further from our reality. The friendships we’re forming with our son’s best friends’ parents have been genuinely meaningful.Over two school years and a summer, he’s been taught by nearly the entire Pre-K teaching staff — every single one has been wonderful. And Lucy, the Head of School, is as transparent and welcoming as it gets. Our goal is to keep our son here as long as possible, and we’re already hoping any future children we have will follow the same path.