C. K. McClatchy High School

My child just graduated from Merryhill (MH) this past June. They attended K through 8th grade. Enrolling at MH was, without exception, the best decision we made. From day 1, our child was supported. When he went through some emotional struggles, he met with the counselor for support. The field trips are wonderful and very enriching - he loved all of the overnights that began in 4th grade (SF Aquarium, Submarine overnight, Gold Country, Washington DC, Ashland Oregon for theater, Disneyland, and so much more). The COVID response was exceptional - providing in-person school so that the students did not fall behind. My kid is prepared for high school and excited about learning. Never did I think homework was excessive (in fact, most years, my son finished homework at school and rarely brought any home). Having homework support at school was great - especially when he needed more support in mathematics. During K-5th grade there was terrific afterschool programming and clubs - my son tried yoga, science club, chess club, various sports, and more. I encourage any parent reading this to visit the school. The campus population is very diverse, which is a huge plus for us. It made for a very enriching K-8 experience. Thank you.

This school may make a strong first impression during tours, but many families find that the reality falls short once enrolled. One of the most persistent issues is poor communication: important information is inconsistently shared through a mix of disconnected platforms, creating confusion and frustration. Compounding this, the school allows the use of unofficial, parent-run messaging apps for key updates and decisions, which undermines transparency and accountability.Leadership is another major concern. Rather than being guided by a clear, unified administrative vision, the school often appears driven by a small group of influential parents. This imbalance leads to inequities and raises questions about the integrity of the school.Classroom dynamics reflect a top-down approach, with some teachers relying on authoritarian methods that prioritize control over meaningful student engagement. The overall culture feels more focused on adult priorities than on fostering a supportive, inclusive environment where students can thrive and have a voice.Families looking for a school with strong leadership, consistent communication, inclusive values, and a student-centered philosophy may want to explore other options.However, if a more top-down environment driven by parent influence and limited staff accountability is what you're seeking, this school may align with your expectation.

This school is horrible with teaching, they just want your money …