2020–2021 Schools Guide
Welcome to Berkeleyside’s School Guide. We’re back with our annual local private schools’ listings chock-full of vital information to assist your family’s education decisions. Use this list to discover and select the best pre / elementary / middle / high school in the East Bay for your child.
We invited private schools around the Bay Area to submit detailed, paid-for listings for the guide. Want to see your school listed? Please fill out the form to reserve a spot.
For additional questions, please contact Colleen Leary or Andrew Weiler.
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East Bay School for Boys
The East Bay School for Boys empowers middle school boys to cultivate their intellectual, physical, and emotional selves to become the engaged, thoughtful, and courageous men of tomorrow.
The East Bay School for Boys focuses on how boys learn best and believes boys engage more and learn more in a challenging and active learning environment that combines hard work with discovery, creativity, fun, and purpose. At EBSB, we teach and do. We provide opportunities for boys to design, build, nurture, and grow their world, empowering boys to affect, connect, reflect, and most importantly, love to learn. Boys will go to high school prepared and passionate. In short, our purpose is to empower boys of the East Bay to become strong, capable, and self-actualized through a challenging, active, and supportive all-boy middle school program.
Grades: | 6th – 8th | ||
Types: | AcademicAll boysIndependent | ||
Locations: |
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Admissions Information
Name: | Lamar Johnson |
Email: | lamarj@ebsfb.org |
Phone: | (510) 621-3272 |

Mentoring Academy
Mentoring Academy successfully meets the individual academic, social and learning needs of bright students through strong mentor relationships, and a personalized curriculum and innovative coursework. We continually identify each person’s evolving academic, social and learning skills, their specific needs, and individual goals. We then support their growth through active personal, individualized, problem solving engagement. Fully accredited, college preparatory, community based and mastery oriented, we employ very small classes (1 to 5 students) so students do not fall through the cracks or get lost in Zoomland. We have a few openings in the current, fall 2020 year for 8th, 9th, 10th or 11th grade students.
The central core of Mentoring Academy’s approach is, well, mentoring. We guide mastery of strong academics, identify stumbling blocks, create solutions, and develop trusting, knowledgeable, relationships so students can seek help without fear of being judged or belittled. Expectations are high, but support makes attaining the goals doable. School should not be painful. The relationships, coupled with individualized learning can make it joyful. Last spring with shelter-in-place, we finished the school year employing a full the mix of Zoom, telephone, and individual, socially distance safe, conferences. The academics were not compromised, the relationships continued and deepened. Students completed their courses. Graduation was a real celebration of accomplishments.
Please visit our website.
Grades: | 8th – 12th | ||
Types: | AcademicAlternativeIndependent | ||
Locations: |
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Admissions Information
Name: | John Muster |
Email: | johnmuster@mentoringacademy.org |
Phone: | (510) 345-3000 |

The Crowden School
Children who love music have a home at The Crowden School for grades three through eight, with beginner musicians welcome in third-fifth grade. Since 1983, Crowden’s innovative ensemble-based curriculum has instilled in our students the collaborative, creative, and critical-thinking skills to succeed in life.
The communication skills and cooperation our students learn playing music together—and the fun they have while doing it—carry over to all aspects of their lives. Crowden students are lively, curious, and confident learners.
Playing music together in ensembles, Crowden students learn skills such as focused listening, practice, perseverance, and an empathetic group dynamic.
Our alumni are well-rounded leaders, coveted by the best public and private high schools and colleges. Financial aid is available on a need basis.
At The Crowden School, music changes everything.
Grades: | 3rd – 8th | ||
Types: | AcademicIndependentSpecialty | ||
Locations: |
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Admissions Information
Name: | Anette Skloot |
Email: | admissions@crowden.org |
Phone: | (510) 559-6910 |

Maybeck High School
Maybeck High School has been educating students in the East Bay since 1972. Over the past 50 years we have challenged young people to push, explore, and stretch their imagination. In the science lab, the art room, around a seminar table, or hiking in the woods, we know that when teachers and students see themselves as collaborators the relationship is strong and the learning is rich. Maybeck is a small school of 110 students and 25 educators. We were founded by teachers who created a school where questions are just as important as answers, where time and space is created to sit with inspired topics, where laughter is frequent, and learning is celebrated.
Grades: | 9th – 12th | ||
Types: | AcademicIndependent | ||
Locations: |
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Admissions Information
Name: | Diana Warren |
Email: | dwarren@maybeckhs.org |
Phone: | (510) 841-8489 |

The Marin School
The Marin School – Confidence, Creativity, Integrity, & Academic Excellence.
The Marin School is an independent, college prep high school in San Rafael. Small by design, TMS students thrive in a challenging, collaborative environment where dedicated faculty set high expectations and encourage each student to realize their full potential. We offer a UC-approved, thought-provoking curriculum, with a creative approach to everything we do. Our small, supportive environment inspires our students to take risks and explore new ideas.In the coming school year, our small class sizes of 8-10 will allow our students greater opportunity to maximize distance learning and receive daily support from faculty and staff. When we are able to safely return to campus, our small size again has a huge benefit, with cohorts of less than 30 students making in-person instruction safer, with more days on campus.
Virtual Open Houses: 10/24 and 11/15. Register online!
Grades: | Preschool – Preschool | ||
Types: | AcademicIndependent | ||
Locations: |
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Admissions Information
Name: | Sierra Antonio |
Email: | santonio@themarinschool.org |
Phone: | (415) 450-8703 |

Park Day School
Discover a school that will nurture your child’s love of learning. Within Park Day’s Kindergarten-8th grade program, dedicated teachers and engaged students collaborate to create a dynamic and joyful learning community for mastering academic and interpersonal skills. Students construct meaning and deep understanding through inquiry and discovery-based teaching. Our practices promote critical and creative thinking, artistic expression, and a commitment to diversity and social justice. In the spirit of partnership and service, students expand their perspectives through participation in the broader community. Continuing the legacy of the progressive education movement, Park Day School prepares students to be informed, courageous, and compassionate people who shape a more equitable and sustainable world.
Grades: | Kindergarten – 8th | ||
Types: | AcademicIndependent | ||
Locations: |
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Admissions Information
Name: | Josie AG Shapiro |
Email: | admissions@parkdayschool.org |
Phone: | (510) 653-0317 |

The College Preparatory School
College Prep is a home for ideas, discovery, and engagement—intellectual pursuits that our students treasure. Our academic offerings are buoyed by our warm culture and welcoming verdant campus. In and out of the classroom, students explore and extend their abilities, test their ideas, question assumptions, grapple with moral issues, and acquire the skills to be positive and productive citizens. Led by exceptional and caring teachers, mentors, and coaches, our students are encouraged to grow into their best selves.
Grades: | Kindergarten – 12th | ||
Types: | Independent | ||
Locations: |
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Admissions Information
Name: | Evie Koh |
Email: | evie@college-prep.org |
Phone: | 510.652.0111 |

Berkwood Hedge School
We are an independent kindergarten through fifth grade school located in the heart of Berkeley. A leader in social and environmental justice issues, we are well known for a hands-on Project Based Learning curriculum that promotes deep and intuitive learning. A solid and enduring core philosophy – a rich academic and arts program, close ties between families and school, and a strong sense of community – are the hallmarks of a Berkwood Hedge School education. When we help children grow into their unique selves without growing up too quickly, they develop clarity and conviction for the future, yet still enjoy being children today. A lifetime of learning begins at Berkwood Hedge School.
Come see for yourself what makes our school such a thriving learning environment.
Grades: | Kindergarten – 5th | ||
Types: | AcademicIndependent | ||
Locations: |
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Admissions Information
Name: | Kemmeo Parr |
Email: | Admissions@Berkwood.org |
Phone: | (510) 883-6990 |

Prospect Sierra School
When we welcome students to Prospect Sierra, we embrace that each child brings distinct talents and offers infinite potential. Here, students learn to think deeply, know themselves, and care for others. By equipping students with the tools to leverage strengths and overcome challenges, they leave Prospect Sierra prepared to succeed.
There’s no question that the pandemic has changed the way our children go to school and how our teachers teach. During this unprecedented time, Prospect Sierra has met these new challenges with the strategies and values that have always guided us: courage, vision, care for one another, and joy. Whether our students are learning in PS Campus or PS Home, they are building relationships, deepening academic skills, increasing their own self-knowledge, and having fun.
Grades: | Pre-K – 8th | ||||
Types: | AcademicIndependent | ||||
Locations: |
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Admissions Information
Name: | Renee Thompson |
Email: | rthompson@prospectsierra.org |
Phone: | (510) 932-3141 |

Golestan School
Our mission is to support the development of curious, creative, and altruistic children through experiential and heuristic learning, with a special focus on heritage language immersion and cultural education. Our preschool and elementary school give children a deep understanding and respect for the world they live in, through a fully integrated, experiential approach to teaching. The child’s entire experience is guided by a rich and comprehensive curriculum.Golestan is a new Ashoka Changemaker School and International Baccalaureate candidate school in the Berkeley, Kensington, El Cerrito triangle. Upcoming tour dates: Tuesday 1/12 @ 1:30pm Friday 1/15 @ 10am Tuesday 1/19 @ 1:30pm Friday 1/22 @ 10am Sign up here for a tour! |
Grades: | Pre-K – 5th | ||
Types: | AcademicIndependentInternational Baccalaureate (IB)Language ImmersionSpecialty | ||
Locations: |
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Admissions Information
Name: | Eija Ramos |
Email: | admin@golestankids.com |
Phone: | (510) 704-8541 |

East Bay German International School
The East Bay German International School (EBGIS) is a dual-language immersion school offering Preschool through Ninth Grade programs. We combine German and English instruction with project-based learning and individualized attention to each student. We offer exceptional academics, a diverse international perspective, and a vibrant school community.
We prioritize safe in-person instruction. Our Preschool program has provided safe care for children throughout the pandemic. Our other students have been safely back on campus in small cohorts since August and have seamlessly transitioned to regular instruction under our rigorous school-wide Covid Safety Protocol.
EBGIS is now accepting applications for the 2021/2022 school year! Join us for our on-campus Open House on December 5 or for an online information session. We also offer private tours. You’ll learn more about EBGIS, meet our faculty, and experience first-hand our dynamic learning environment. We look forward to meeting you!
Grades: | Preschool – 9th | ||
Types: | AcademicIndependentLanguage Immersion | ||
Locations: |
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Admissions Information
Name: | Kay Naumann |
Email: | admissions@ebgis.org |
Phone: | (510) 679-2199 |

Walden Center & School
Walden Center & School is a small, progressive, K-6 elementary school where children are taken seriously so they can be their authentic selves. Our unique program is grounded in:
Agency: Our students take responsibility, make choices, build knowledge, and think critically. They trust themselves.
Peace: Walden’s unique learning community nurtures mutual respect, peaceful conflict resolution, and empathy. We trust each other.
Arts: Making art engages the whole child and cultivates creative self-expression, risk-taking, and appreciation of multiple perspectives. Children engaged in art use these habits in academics too. They trust their skills.
Academics: Our academic curriculum is developmental, multisensory, and experiential. Children learn in depth and with joy. They trust their knowledge.
Walden’s graduates can think critically, solve problems creatively, resolve conflicts peacefully, build relationships honestly, and easily hold their own. Walden alumni change the world.
Grades: | Kindergarten – 6th | ||
Types: | Independent | ||
Locations: |
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Admissions Information
Name: | VickiLee Edge |
Email: | admissions@waldencenterschool.org |
Phone: | (510) 841-7248 |

Black Pine Circle School
“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” —Socrates
For 47 years, Black Pine Circle School’s award-winning elementary and middle school has nurtured lifelong learners through a Socratic inquiry-based education that places equal emphasis on both academics and the arts.
Our caring, engaged educators are dedicated to fostering independent thinking and to creating a supportive environment, where the focus is on inspiring and encouraging curiosity, community, inquiry, and voice in our students.
Grades: | Kindergarten – 8th | ||||
Types: | Independent | ||||
Locations: |
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Admissions Information
Name: | Greta Wong |
Email: | gwong@blackpinecircle.org |
Phone: | (510) 529-2719 |

Crestmont School
Crestmont School is a K-8 progressive modern co-op with a strong, diverse community, located in the Richmond Hills near Wildcat Canyon. Crestmont was founded in 1969 with the goals of encouraging social justice, community spirit, and academic excellence.
We offer small class sizes, phenomenal teachers, a vibrant social justice curriculum, and engaging and innovative educational techniques. A Crestmont education includes the humanities, math and science, Spanish, music, art, and physical education.
At Crestmont we inspire our children to be changemakers. We cultivate a learning environment where students become critical and creative thinkers, skillful collaborators, and courageous, compassionate citizens.
We’re a member of the East Bay independent Schools Association (EBISA).
Grades: | Kindergarten – 8th | ||
Types: | Independent | ||
Locations: |
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Admissions Information
Name: | Maggie Woods Starr |
Email: | admissions@crestmontschool.org |
Phone: | (510) 237-4164 |

Bayhill High School
Bayhill individualizes our rich high school curriculum to meet the needs of our diverse learners. We’re a small private school in Berkeley that serves students with mild to moderate learning difficulties, as well as students who benefit from a small supportive community. Many of our students have learning differences such as dyslexia or ADHD. Others may experience anxiety in large classes or face-paced environments. All Bayhill, we provide customized learning environments to help each student discover their strengths and work with their challenges.
Bayhill’s college prep curriculum fosters critical thinking and problem solving skills, while preparing students for further studies. Bayhill students enjoy a wide range of course offerings, extracurriculars and school events. Students can explore their talents in Studio Art, Photography, Digital Media, Music, and Creative Writing. Our goal is to cultivate a culture of innovation, creativity, mutual respect and life-long learning.
Grades: | 9th – 12th | ||
Types: | AcademicAlternativeIndependentSpecialty | ||
Locations: |
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Admissions Information
Name: | Aubrey Ferreira |
Email: | aferreira@bayhillhs.org |
Phone: | (510) 679-9809 |

Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley
Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley is a French international Preschool-8th grade school located in Berkeley, CA.
EB is a recognized leader in international education, integrating the rigor and excellence of a French curriculum into a dynamic, whole-child education, imbuing students with tenacity, cross-cultural fluency, a deep intellectual capacity and vast stores of kindness.
EB’s mission is to nurture creative, multilingual learners, equipped to confidently embrace the delights and challenges of an interconnected world.
Grades: | Preschool – 8th | ||||
Types: | AcademicIndependent | ||||
Locations: |
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Admissions Information
Name: | Manon Johnson |
Email: | admissions@eb.org |
Phone: | 510 809-0641 |

Escuela Bilingüe Internacional
Escuela Bilingüe Internacional (EBI) is a vibrant, IB World, PK-8 school offering an excellent, multilingual, and international education.
At EBI we prepare students to thrive and excel in a diverse, changing world with character and empathy. EBI has two campuses in the East Bay: Oakland and Emeryville. EBI is proud to be the only independent school in California to offer an invaluable combination of Spanish Immersion and the world-renowned International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme and Middle Years Programme. Students learn in an immersive environment, where they begin their journey of cultural awareness with native Spanish-speaking teachers from 15 different countries. With the addition of Mandarin in Grade 3, students expand their cultural and linguistic competencies in languages other than English. Upon graduation, our students are fully literate in both English and Spanish, and conversational in Mandarin. How fantastic is that?! We invite you to virtually visit EBI and discover for yourself how inspiration and engagement are at the heart of student transformation.
Grades: | Pre-K – 8th | ||||
Types: | AcademicIndependent | ||||
Locations: |
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Admissions Information
Name: | Sara Varela-Acevedo |
Email: | admissions@ebinternacional.org |
Phone: | (510) 653-3324 |
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