Which Private School for Black Kids?

Archived Q&A and reviews ▼

Archived Q&A and Reviews

Questions

Progressive school with black students/teachers?

Nov 2014

I am dreaming of a primary school in the Berkeley/Oakland area (I am willing to travel a bit) that has individualized, student-led learning AND racial diversity. Any recommendations? Thank you! D.

I highly recommend looking at the Walden School in Berkeley: www.walden-school.net. It's intimate, very student-led, and diverse in many ways. Walden Fan

St. Paul's has one of the most racially diverse student population I've seen in any of the ''progressive'' schools (read private). I would also say that St. Paul's is as or more racially diverse than some public schools in Berkeley and Oakland. It's an excellent school with an amazing community that has a real (not lip service) focus on community, diversity and giving back. We've been at other fancy private schools that say they have all that but they really don't - St. Paul's does. I strongly encourage you to check it out. Public & Private School Parent

I'm not sure if you're inquiry was for public or private schools, if you're considering private independent schools I would encourage you to take a tour of the Mills College Children's School. The school is based in a progressive, constructivist, inquiry-based school that is student-centered. Yes, there are black students, and black families that are actively involved in our small community. The racial diversity of the school overall is quite diverse without a clear majority of any particular ethnicity. As for faculty, the Head of School is an African-American woman, and several teachers are also African-American. Check out the Facebook feed to see more-https://www.facebook.com/childrensschool Happy African-American Parent at MCCS

Are the hills above El Cerrito too far from you? If not, check out Crestmont School. Super-progressive with diversity in the students and teaching staff. We're happy we found it. Happy at Crestmont

Dear DeeAnna, I am happy to tell you that your dream is a reality! My husband (white) and I (black) are parents to a delightful 2nd grader. It was very important to us that our child be a part of a community where he didn't feel as if he was ''the only one.'' Yet, while we wanted a diverse, inclusive community, we also wanted an environment where: he could grow and learn in his own way and where his socio-emotional growth would be prioritized as much as the academics. We hit gold with St. Paul's Episcopal School (SPES)! Some of the highlights which continue to make St. Paul's a WOW experience for us are:

* People Power skills - each week the classes will address a different People Power skill, focused on helping the children develop better social and emotional skills. An example of a people power skill is ''Bouncing Back'' which is about recovering from disappointments, as well as delving more deeply into what it means to be a good friend.
* Just Right learning - SPES uses a differentiated learning approach. It was refreshing last year (1st) grade to have my son tell me why it was ok that he selected/read the ''J'' books and his buddy was reading ''R'' books. ''It's OK mom,'' as he put it, ''it's just right reading.''
* Inclusion and Diversity - SPES has a very diverse student body AND you can see some of this diversity reflected in the classrooms. We've been in the community three years and we've had a rainbow mix of teachers - both in class and in after care. We haven't had a male teacher yet, but not to fear, we have several years in front of us of wonderful male teacher (and one's with ''color'' too)!! I would be remiss on this topic, if I didn't mention the socio-economic diversity of St Paul's. The school has a tuition assistance program and this means that motivated kids from many different circumstances come together for the SPES experience. Our very caring child is becoming even more so, by seeing and learning about different families. Most importantly, he is learning how to evaluate people for who they are and not for what they have.
* The Aftercare program - Many SPES parents are working parents. There is such peace of mind knowing that the wonderful things that happen in the classroom (People Power skills etc), get played out seamlessly in After Care. There is a variety of activities, music lessons, clubs (chest, math), arts and crafts etc, for kids to choose from. Kenton Young, the director of the program is WONDERFUL with the kids. He's a personal hero of mine, I must admit.
* The Extended Oakland classroom - SPES views the surrounding Oakland as a part of it's extended classroom. From service learning (ex: cleaning the lake), to physical education (ex: walks to the YMCA for swimming), to academics (ex: bird census), to plain old fashioned fun (ex: Kid's Kingdom park for kindergarteners on Fridays). Our kids are city kids and what better way for them to experience and get to know this city that many of us love so well.
* Community - Community plays out in so many wonderful ways at SPES! There's Friday Chapel - don't think religion, but rather think about a celebration of life, led by different classes and rooted in something cultural or inspiration. There's Service Learning - where each class has a different service project each year.

I've shared a lot here, but I would again be remiss if I did not mention the many wonderful families we've met since we've been at St Paul's. From our monthly mom's nights out, to the frequent play dates with different families, to tailgating at A's games, to weekends away together, the families in our 2nd grade class have become our peeps. DeeAnna, I am open to you or other parents here contacting me about St Paul's. As you can tell, I love this school . All the Best! Francine

I am a parent of an African American Boy at Park Day School in Oakland on 42nd street -- a great location for both Berkeley and Oakland families. And, full disclosure, I was invited to join the Board of Trustees this year. While no Bay Area independent school is as diverse as I would like it to be, Park Day has been a great fit for my son. The social-emotional skills development coupled with the academic stimulation that he is exposed to has been transformative. He is thriving at Park Day, he loves to go to school, and loves (and is loved by) his school-mates and teachers. In addition to the growing numbers of both African American and other children of color, what sets Park Day aside is the incredibly active network of parents, many of whom are working towards increasing the diversity of our school community. We have a ''Diversity and Justice Alliance'' group made up of families and staff which holds monthly salons and meetings, as well as a family group (''Families of Children of Color'') that meets for social outings. In short, Park Day School is actively 'doing the work.' I'd choose Park Day again (and again) for my son. Tanya

As a mom of an active, outgoing 11 yr. old young man, I looked hard to find a non-elitist, progressive middle school that would nurture my Black child. We landed at PARK DAY SCHOOL in Oakland, and my opinionated son has never felt safer or more at home- at school. During our initial visit, the admissions team (including head of school) made it very clear that they were actively looking to attract and retain Black students, especially boys. Diversity and inclusion have been pillars, and the family/community network is strong. If you have not visited this campus- it is an oasis of gardens, farm animals, and genuinely happy children. The staff is on point with messaging and core values. While the student population is diverse, I would love to see more students of color join. Definitely worth a visit. I was surprised one day, to hear my son tell me he loved school. When I repeated that back to him for further discussion, he quickly corrected me and said, ''NO, I DON'T LOVE SCHOOL, I LOVE PARK DAY SCHOOL.'' J~

As an African-American woman, I too was determined to find schools that had diversity -- socio-economic, ethnic, gender, and above all, racial diversity. I went to a private school in New England where I was the only black person and I didn't want to mirror that experience for my children. In truth, you aren't going to strike an even balance in any school in the Bay Area. Not wanting my personal experience to shadow my child's, I ultimately followed my child's lead. I saw which schools he felt most comfortable at upon visiting. My husband and I attended the Open-Houses, Science Fairs, Brunch at the PTA's homes (to assess the cultural ambience). We went to Diversity events- if the school invited us, we attended! It almost felt like a full-time job but considering the monetary commitment we were about to make, we did what we had to in order to make an informed decision.

Our end result? We chose Berkwood Hedge. We liked how warm and candid they were— allowing parents who toured to stop in on any given Wednesday to attend their all-school assembly. We saw a number of African-American and African-American mixed race families in attendance. The head of school is an African-American mixed race woman, one of their math specialists and Dance Teachers (who we learned, danced with the Alvin Ailey Co.) is also African-American, there's also an African-American woman in the office, in the Art Studio, a man welcoming families in the morning. It's a very small school so it was comforting to see so many other brown and black faces around the campus. I am comforted that my son gets to see A. Americans in leadership roles during these early years. He also gets to learn from a number of male teachers and staff. And that speaks to their racial diversity— culturally the school is very diverse with families and teachers from Lebanon, Croatia, Japan, Indian, German, Spain, Israel, Mozambique, to name a few. Of course I only found that out once we were enrolled but I wouldn't overlook this tiny gem. It is known for it's progressive education and student-led curriculum. One year, Spirit teacher, Hanan, saw a growing interest in hair and texture among the kindergarteners. She modified the curriculum to include a unit on hair and pigment. We love Berkwood Hedge. I am not sure where my sons will attend middle school or high school (where the racial diversity is bound to be less given the size of our local independent upper schools but given their experience at Berkwood Hedge, I feel confident that they will walk in to any school with the swagger that Berkwood Hedge alumni are known for— that of a self-assured creative and critical thinker in tuned in social justice issues and academically grounded for success. Mama to a Berkwood Hedger

Progressive school with a critical mass of black children

Nov 2013

Hi! We're moving from the peninsula to Oakland next year and I am researching schools in Oakland. I'm very interested in putting them in public schools, but am looking for a school that practices progressive teaching methods, has small-ish class sizes, and is racially diverse, but with a critical mass of black children. I know there are several independent schools that would meet this criteria, but I want to support public schools. My children will be entering 3rd and 2nd grade. Along the same lines, I'm looking for a preschool (not day care) for my two year old. Does anyone have recommendations for schools to look at? LC

I think you should look into Kaiser Elementary in Oakland. They are racially diverse, high-scoring, and families are very happy there. A couple of years ago I would have said Peralta, but there is no longer a critical mass of black children there unfortunately. For preschool I can highly recommend The Model School, although it's technically in South Berkeley, not Oakland. While not completely diverse, it is definitely more diverse than most preschools in the area. It's also affordable and they offer a very flexible schedule. Also, it was founded and is still run by a black woman, Dr. Mante, who really knows her stuff. Many of the teachers are of color as well. Rockridge mom

Elementary schools where African American boys thrive

Oct 2009

As I approach the kindergarten season with my son, my heart sinks as I hear story after story about my friends' African American sons still treated as either the school pets or repeatedly grouped together (in first grade) as troublemakers. Have things not improved at all since my school days? Are there any elementary schools, public or private, in Berkeley or Oakland, where your African American sons are thriving? I can prep my son for the worst but would love to expect better. Hopeful mama

You may want to consider homeschooling. After a horrible experience with a ''diverse'' preschool, we have not looked back and we are sooooo happy with our son's education. By the way, we both work full-time.

p.s. I've heard great things about Ile Omode and when I've been to their events--the students are amazing. www.ileomode.org happy homeschool mama

it's just sad that parents of children of color still have to worry about these things. i had the same fears for my (dark- skinned) latino son. he's just started kindergarten at Berkwood Hedge and we're both happy.

the class is diverse and curriculum reflects that. the staff keeps its ear to the ground so it can address any social issues that come up among the kids and the curriculum is flexible enough that it can accomodate many learning styles and skill levels. the dedicated math teacher and art teacher are both african american, and there are other minorities on the staff.

when i went throught the process last year i remember wishing there was a school which had the kind of flexibility and great academics where all the teachers and kids looked just like him ( and where the teachers weren't demoralized becasue of the budget cuts). in the end the curriculum won out. there is also an argument to be made against keeping kids in a monoracial environment: the world just isn't that way.

anyway, it was sad to read about your friends' experiences. hope you find the right place for your son. anon

Kaiser Elementary in Oakland may be a good option for you. It is very diverse, economically, socially, family make-up, race and ethnicity. In a recent newsletter, the principal commented: ''I received an invitation to speak at the Association of California School Administrators about the achievement of our African American students. We are one of the top nine schools in the state in this category.''

My son is a first grader at the school and we love it. I encourage you to make an appointment to tour the school and meet with the prinicpal. It's in the Hiller Highlands area of Oakland off Highway 13, so a bit out the way for many, but we have families attending from many different neighborhoods. There really isn't a feeling of ''neighborhood'' kids versus the handful of kids from outside the neighborhood which is common in other schools.

The School's phone number is 549-4900. anon

Please come by and visit the school that you may be interested in. When visiting, you can ask for phone numbers of any parent access coordinators, or parents of African American students that would likely be fine talking with you about their child's experience. At the Berkeley school that my child attends, I know of some parents of African American young men who would be glad to discuss their child's experience with you. Keep in mind that not all parents of these African American students are African American themselves, so don't just look for the African American adults to speak to. You might also know of families with African American middle school students who have very recent experieince with elementary schools. I recommend that you speak with those families, too.

If the number of schools overwhelms you, talk with folks who know about school assignment policies in Berkeley and Oakland (2 different assignment policies) and see which group of schools are your most likely candidates. Not sure where you live, but much of school assignments depends on that. Anon Mom

This might be unpopular. I have two sons. One in 2nd and one in 4th grade. Both of them are incredibly well behaved and both get positive comments from their teachers, peer's parent's etc. Both are African American as well. We were in public school in Castro Valley with limited African Americans (19 out of 560?) Sadly almost all of the other boys of color played to type as disruptive, noisy, confrontational etc. This was not hearsay but what I witnessed working in the classroom two or three times a week for four years. In a place like Castro Valley, the only kid who threatens to bring a gun to school is African American?

My boys were not stereotyped by their teachers or treated badly in any way shape or form by their teachers. In fact my youngest was requested by his 1st grade teacher(a veteran teacher of 20 years) after having my eldest. However they never fit any negative stereotype. In my whole life I have never made an excuse for any bad behavior on their part by saying, ''you know how boys are'' or ''boys will be boys.'' There is a time and place for everything. If you have taught your son to respect teachers, follow the rules, listen, use an inside voice, keep his hands to himself he will hopefully have the same experience as my sons.

We are currently in schools in Piedmont, again with limited kids of color but almost all of these kids are well behaved because that is expected. My husband reminds them daily - school is a place to get your learn on - you can play at home after we work with you here. My husband attended a segregated school south of the Mason -Dixon line in Md that didn't de-segregate for 10 years after Brown vs, Board of Education. He finally got his learn on when he was bused to the white school in 7th grade - he's a doctor now so he stresses the importance of education every day. The biggest gift you can give your son is to model that education is important first and foremost and he needs to seek out knowledge at every opportunity and work hard at getting his education. mom to great sons

Bridgemount Academy (K-5th Grade), an offshoot of Shelton's Primary Education Center which has been in business for more than 30 years and is just what you're looking for!!! My daughter who is now in the 5th grade has been there since kindergarten and she absolutely loves it. Visit their website www.bridgemountacademy.org or schedule a visit. The staff there is great, I'm sure you will love just as I do!! bridgett

My children attend Prospect Sierra in El Cerrito and I recommend you check it out for your son. The school has made a huge effort in two areas relevant to your post. 1. There has been a steady increase in racial diversity in the past few years. 2. There is an emphasis on social/emotional health of children and, programmatically, that extends from teacher education to lots of work with the children - mutual respect, inclusion, conflict resolution, differences, kindness and more. It is a kind and happy place.

I am sure the admissions director would be happy to let you speak with other parents of color to discuss their children's experiences at the school.

And, besides all that, it is a wonderful school! Good luck. A Happy PS parent.

My child just started at Grass Valley School, in Oakland and we are delighted with the school. It is a public school, predominantly African American and Latino children and the principal is an African American woman with years of experience and she expects ALL students to work to their potential. She and all the teachers, address the children as ''scholars'' and are really invested in their sucess. Unlike in many other public schools, class size remains small -- no more than 20 students per classroom.

I have found that my child, who until now attended private schools, is very happy, challenged and accepted for who he is. I suggest you look at the school, we are delighted to have found a public (free!) school that meets the needs of African American children. Scores are solid (824 API this year) and parent participation is good. Happy Grass Valley parent

My African American son is absolutely thriving at Beacon Day School! Beacon is a fabulous school where ALL children are treated with kindness and respect. The entire faculty and staff continuously works hard to create an environment where every child is nurtured and challenged to be their best selves.

When I drop my son off in the morning, he joyously runs into the building. When I pick him up in the afternoon, it's the best part of my day. Besides seeing my son, it's great to see all the other kids. I'm continually amazed at how the kindness and respect shown to the kids by the faculty and staff continues to be on display as the kids interact with one another.

My son previously attended another private school in Oakland where, sadly, AA children (especially boys) were treated horribly. I'm thankful every single day that we were lucky enough to find Beacon. I'd encourage you to pay a visit and see for yourself. Beacon Mom

Hi, We are a two mom family and have always been treated well at Archway School. My son has been at Archway (Oakland) since Kindergarten (now in fourth)and I have served on the Diversity Committee for these past four going on five yesrs. Archway values it's diverse population and each year the Diversity Committee tries to do something fun and unusual to support our efforts to get to know each other better. This year, three families are grouped together with each family taking a turn organizing a meal in their home, at a park, wherever, but focused on fun ways to celebrate our cultures through food and engaged communication.

We also have a diverse teaching staff. The second and third grade teachers are both African American males with many years of teaching experience. This influenced our decison to go to Archway because finding male role models was very important to us. These men are well loved in our community for their ability to support, nurture and educate all of their students with an emphasis on the individual needs of each child. My son truly loves these men and Archway School. An important aspect of Archway's mission is the committment to creating a community where everyone is valued and supported. It is a community where chilren thrive and develop a love of learning. The biggest complaint of parents is how difficult it is to get the children to leave school at the end of the day.

Please take the time to visit our school, meet the staff and take a tour. You can contact the office at 510-547-4747 to ask questions, arrange a tour, sign up for an information night and get to konw us better. The office staff would be very happy to refer you to other African American families who are happy to share their experiences with you.

Good luck with your school search. Jackie

Our African-American son has been at Redwood Day School since kindergarten and is now in the 3rd grade. He LOVES school and is thriving there. He has other African-American kids in his class and last year his teacher was an African-American male and his intern was an African-American female.

Redwood Day School has been a nurturing and supportive environment for him. Every day he enjoys going to school because he feels safe and respected as a whole person. The curriculum at the school works to be very inclusive and diverse. For example, parents are encouraged to come into the class to teach the kids about their heritage and experiences and topics around race are openly discussed with the kids, but in a sensitive and age-appropriate manner.

While I would always love to see more diversity at the school, I will say that my son does not feel isolated because every day he sees kids in all of the grades that look like him as well as teachers, staff and administrators that reflect the diversity of Oakland and the Bay Area. Adrienne

I'm writing to Hopeful Mama, whose heart is sinking at the thought of what will happen to her African American son in elementary school. That is exactly how I felt when my son was approaching kindergarten age. What I know now is that there is really no way to fully protect my African American son from these negative experiences. I try to avoid the obviously negative environments and, more importantly, listen to my son and advocate for him always, without overreacting or trying to politicize every problem that he encounters. I try very hard to partner with teachers so that he knows all the adults are working together to help him get a good education and start in life. At the same time, I am particularly watchful of new teachers or others in positions of authority over him. It gets tiring to always have to be vigilant, but it really helps when your child knows he has an advocate.

We started out at one of the most supposedly progressive private schools (in Oakland) that brands itself as a leader in elementary education with regard to "educating" about and working to eradicate all of the "isms". This school is quite upper middle class and wildly popular, so it is also difficult to get into.

Our experience there was horrible. They stereotyped my son from day one and never understood him as a person. The disingenuous preaching about diversity by their white administrators and teachers only made the experience worse. My son, on a gut level, knew what was going on. Needless to say, we didn't stay long.

From there we moved to Walden on Dwight Way in Berkeley. Walden is a very small, sweet school with a ton of heart. There is a real community there that embraces children, and even parents, with genuine warmth and support. Like nearly all private schools, the student body is not extremely diverse; however there are long-time African American teachers who are at the core of the school's program and (collective) decision-making functions. They are fabulous role models for all the children at the school. If you are open to a truly alterative school, I recommend that you check it out. Anon

I personally think that the Bentley School is an excellent school for African American boys. I have 2 girls and a baby son. My 2 daughters go to Bentley and love it. They have teachers of color at the Bentley school that are fantastic as well as amazing white teachers who have a love for diversity in the classroom. My son is just a baby, but I will have him attend Bentley when it comes time for him to go to Kindergarten. You should really check the school out. I am sure that you would love it. anon

Support group for African American kids in private school?

May 2008

Hello All: I heard from a friend that there is an organization of African American families that have children in private schools here in the East Bay, or maybe in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. If anyone knows about this group I'd love to find out more. Thanks, Alison

People of Color in Independent Schools

http://www.ba-pocis.org/

Seeking academic school with African American diversity

Dec 2007

We are looking for an elementary school with african american diversity (18%+) and a top academic program. We are currently considering St. Paul's in Oakland - which we were very impressed with. We are hesitant to select a public school due the limited resources we have seen at the ones we have toured. Please let me know if you have any recommendations anywhere in the bay area. Thanks! rana

Please consider Redwood Day School. The African-American diversity is not as high as 18% but I have found a very nice community of African-American families. My daughter is in kindergarten there and between the two classes, there are 7 African-American students out of 44. (We are an African- American family) Last night we attended the annual winter concert where all of the grades performed and I observed more than a few African-American students in each grade. I'd be happy to share with you my experiences with diversity at Redwood Day. It was a very important factor for me in selecting a private school and I have not been disappointed in the least. As far as the academic portion of your question goes, again, Redwood Day has surpassed my expectations. My daughter is learning and growing in incredible ways and I attribute a large portion of her development and progress to the outstanding faculty and staff at Redwood Day. The school sets high expectations for the students but the teachers instruct in a way that is developmentally appropriate. You should definitely check it out. I have found it to be an extraordinary school and feel fortunate that my daughter is attending. Alicia

We've been very happy at St. Paul's and came looking for the same things you mentioned. The teachers are awesome. The school has more than 50 percent children of color, which I didn't find at any other independent school we looked at. We get tuition assistance, as do a lot of families, so there's a range of economic backgrounds, too. One of the things I like best for my kids to see is the number of African Americans who are running things: the head of school, the head of the lower school, and the director of admissions are all African American. To me, this sends a message to my kids that's more powerful than talking about diversity. Also, St. Paul's kids end up everywhere in high school. My kids will be at Berkeley High when their time comes, but St. Paul's kids go to College Prep, Head Royce, Athenian and Bentley. jane

We chose The Academy for its small supportive atmosphere and strong academics, but the diversity is also amazing--not only different American ethnic groups but many nationalities-- children from all over the world, with many languages spoken in the homes, etc. It's a fantastic school, and I highly recommend it. I didn't see the original post, but only the replies, hopefully it is a place that will work for you! a very happy parent

You may want to check out The Academy in the Elmwood. It's a gem of a school. The school has diversity, strong academics and a great sense of community. We choose the school primarily for the academics but have been pleased with the wide range of activities and opportunities our children have had to grow. The school is diverse in many ways. There are children of color but also many children with varied backgrounds. Among my daughter's classmates , 7 different languages are spoken in the home. Take a tour. One other great feature of the school is the application process. Once children are assessed for readiness, applicants are chosen on a 'first come/first served' basis. A rarity in the Bay Area. Academy Parent

I'm writing to Hopeful Mama, whose heart is sinking at the thought of what will happen to her African American son in elementary school. That is exactly how I felt when my son was approaching kindergarten age. What I know now is that there is really no way to fully protect my African American son from these negative experiences. I try to avoid the obviously negative environments and, more importantly, listen to my son and advocate for him always, without overreacting or trying to politicize every problem that he encounters. I try very hard to partner with teachers so that he knows all the adults are working together to help him get a good education and start in life. At the same time, I am particularly watchful of new teachers or others in positions of authority over him. It gets tiring to always have to be vigilant, but it really helps when your child knows he has an advocate. We started out at one of the most supposedly progressive private schools (in Oakland) that brands itself as a leader in elementary education with regard to "educating" about and working to eradicate all of the "isms". This school is quite upper middle class and wildly popular, so it is also difficult to get into. Our experience there was horrible. They stereotyped my son from day one and never understood him as a person. The disingenuous preaching about diversity by their white administrators and teachers only made the experience worse. My son, on a gut level, knew what was going on. Needless to say, we didn't stay long. From there we moved to Walden on Dwight Way in Berkeley. Walden is a very small, sweet school with a ton of heart. There is a real community there that embraces children, and even parents, with genuine warmth and support. Like nearly all private schools, the student body is not extremely diverse; however there are long-time African American teachers who are at the core of the school's program and (collective) decision-making functions. They are fabulous role models for all the children at the school. If you are open to a truly alterative school, I recommend that you check it out. Anon

I personally think that the Bentley School is an excellent school for African American boys. I have 2 girls and a baby son. My 2 daughters go to Bentley and love it. They have teachers of color at the Bentley school that are fantastic as well as amazing white teachers who have a love for diversity in the classroom. My son is just a baby, but I will have him attend Bentley when it comes time for him to go to Kindergarten. You should really check the school out. I am sure that you would love it. anon

Lonely 2nd grader is the only African American in her class

October 2007

My daughter is currently in first grade in a very academic private school. For the second year in a row, she has asked that we move her because she feels ''lonely'' ''singled-out'' and like the ''kids tease her'' because she is the only African American in her class. These are her words. The school cannot do anything about the racial composition of the class and so it falls on us as parents to find a better fit for her. Any suggestions for a private school in Oakland that has openings for second (or even first grade this year) with African American students in those grades? The one school we toured would not say how many African American students they had on the grounds that they care about all kinds of diversity. While we certainly care about diversity in its many forms, and our family is very diverse in many ways, our child is in terrible emotional pain at being the only AfricanAmerican child in her grade. Any school suggestions much appreciated. black like me

Recommendations received:

Independent schools with a black/African emphasis?

Sept 2006

Greetings, peace, and love. Does anyone have any information about home based or independent schools that have a black/African emphasis? We are looking for one that serves first grade for our son. All leads are appreciated. Thanks.
Cherie

I asked a friend of mine and she suggested the following: Shelton's and Roots of Unique Awareness. She would recommend Shelton's, as it has been around the longest and has the best academic record. Shelton's is in Berkeley or North Oakland, and Roots is in West Oakland. Hope this is helpful.
AW

 

Racially Diverse Private Schools

October 2003

Hello. I am doing a lot of research (and narrowing down) on East Bay private schools. My son is 4, smart, and African American. I am also a single parent. I want my son's future (next fall) elementary school to be academically challenging and stimulating (but not inappropriately or rigidly structured as he loves to run around), but equally important is the diversity amongst the student body and staff. I don't want him to be in a racially homogenous school and I feel it is important for him to look around his environment and see a decent representation of the Bay Area's cultural and racial diversity (in school). Does such a place exist? We live in Hercules, but we are looking at Windrush, Berkwood Hedge, Aurora and Pacific Academy. Am I barking up the wrong trees? Can anyone suggest any other schools anywhere in the East Bay? Any insight would be most appreciated! Thanks! marn

Recommendations received: