The Saklan School

Saklan is the only school that we have attended so I have no other schools to compare, but when I talk to families who came from public schools or other private schools around Saklan, they all say I can't believe school like Saklan exist! I often ask them what they mean by that and they say that the Saklan teachers really know the kids they teach as human and care about them and also provide great academics. My family experiences have been nothing but remarkable and we feel that Saklan and we are raising a great human together. Specialist teachers (science, music, art, Spanish, PE) also are great asset to Saklan and kids from age 3 are all exposed to great specialists' classes. Saklan has been providing the perfect balance of challenging academics, social and emotional supports, all the skills that matter in human life after formal education to my child.

I love Saklan. There such a sense of community. The entire school gathers for Friday Flag. There are class presentations, words of wisdom from students of all ages, a birthday song (with everyone identified by name), and a closing song. It is all presided over by a student, from the preschoolers (Owlets) to the 8th graders. At our final one before the shelter-in-place, as the entire community (students, staff, teachers, parents) sang "This Little Light of Mine", I looked down at one of my lights, my Owlet. He was so shy when we started. He wouldn't talk to new people at all. I worried about him, how he would adjust to being at school, being around new friends and away from his parents and his sister (down the hall in kindergarten). For his sister, I wanted to ensure an education suited to her unique needs. We found it. The small class sizes enable the dedicated teaching staff to provide one-on-one attention, while also including her in the regular classroom group. And she has opportunities to interact with older kids as well, making friends across grades. Her curiosity, enthusiasm and outgoing nature are nurtured at Saklan.Searching for a school, I hoped to find a place where the kids would engage in activities and have fun, and happen to be learning along the way. My kids are still too young to be sure that's the case, but it's the feeling I get at Saklan. What really blew me away though, is the social-emotional focus. These kids have amazing bonds with their teachers, especially striking in middle school. Every time I get to hear Ms. Kim talk about her middle schoolers, I am so grateful to have found a woman so totally invested in these kids! They learn to be kind to each other, and to themselves, to be self-sufficient, hard workers, and the pride of exceeding your own expections of yourself.As I looked down at my Owlet during that final Friday Flag, I watched him with his "light" (finger) up in the air, singing along with the rest of his community. He has truly shined at Saklan. He talks to everyone now, students, staff, other parents. I've had people I don't know come tell me stories about him! I couldn't have believed he would grow into this kid just 8 months ago. I was so overcome by the scene, I couldn't sing myself. I love Saklan. I love being with these people. And I didn't want it to end.

Our kids love going to this school. We tried a public school and they hated it there. They are very bright and Saklan is able to keep them engaged and learning. Most of the teachers are very outstanding and the administration is very supportive. The school is like a big family; both the kids and parents feel so peaceful and happy at school. This is a good place for kids with high learning ability.

Can I give more than 5 stars? Our most recent transition to distance learning has made me love our school more than ever. While I give both the teachers and leadership 5 plus stars for making this transition as simple as possible, it has also shown me what our kids really have at Saklan. Saklan is a project-based, hands-on learning school. And while we are continuing to move the academics forward, nothing can replace recess, music, art, PE, class discussions and all the other day-to-day amazing experiences that Saklan offers. I am grateful every day to this school, its faculty and the Saklan community.

All three of our daughters love Saklan! Equally important is that both their parents think they are getting a world class education. The Saklan community is amazing. I would call it a big family. Incredible teachers. Absolutely fantastic music, arts, science and PE. Nothing compares in Lamorinda (Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda).