Nea Community Learning Center
- Also see Alameda Community Learning Center
Parent Q&A
Parent Reviews
Parents, please Sign in to post a review on this page.Hi there - my child currently attends Nea (we are zoned for Love) and we've loved Nea for TK. We also chose it for its smaller size, project based learning and flexibility, although it's worth mentioning class sizes are going up next year for TK (20 to 24) with a teacher and full-time paraprofessional. Both TK teachers are wonderful, one of the full-time paraprofessionals spent 7 years in special ed & is the most kind soul to have alongside our children. We have witnessed first had how Nea worked through an IEP and has a full-time dedicated aide for a nuerodivergent child in our classroom, they work extremely hard to ensure the same access to learning. Overall Nea seems quicker to move in supportive services than Love (learned that when we made the choice for my hearing-sensitive child).
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Alameda - Gold Coast vs. East End/Fernside
Jan 2014
Greetings -- long story short, we are looking hard at making the move from Piedmont to Alameda because of an exciting Democratic-based Charter School there called NEA [not to mention the affordability issue]. We love the homes in the Gold Coast neighborhood, but everyone seems to be steering us to the East End/Fernside. Can anyone with experience living there compare and contrast the two areas? Many thanks! Meg
The Gold Coast neighborhood is the most expensive in Alameda, but it is much closer to NEA than Fernside. Fernside is across the island from the school (15-20 min. drive.) Most people interested in Fernside are looking to put their children in Edison School, considered one of the better public schools here. NEA is a 5 year old public charter school, located in the west end of Alameda. There are also many lovely homes located nearby. We live in one of them, and our child attended NEA from third grade ( when it opened ) through sixth grade, when she moved on to the Oakland School of the Arts. We were all very happy with her education at NEA. Diana
Hi There - we attended for TK and currently for K. TK was a wonderful experience for us & really appreciated the low ratio, project based learning was really really fun for my kid etc. There is weekly art & music led by credentialed teachers (vs only parent docents), and motor fitness twice a week led by a credentialed teacher (the only other school close to that is Maya Lin).
It's definitely a more progressive format you'll find amongst the public/charter schools in Alameda. I find the leadership to be communicative and accessible. As far as turnover, one TK classroom this year had a personal issue, a K teacher had a baby etc. I do appreciate that they let teachers decide if they'd like to try another grade (why there was some shuffling for the '24-'25 year in 3rd and 1st grade) to keep their professional growth goals.
I want there to be a clarifying comment here about neurodivergent learners, because like all AUSD schools, they do support integrated classroom experiences. However it's not a magnet school with infinite resources for neurodivergent kids (said as a mom of a neurodivergent kid). You still need to follow a 504/IEP process just like any school setting so the resources can be allocated based on support needs.
Resource limitations will happen at any public, or public charter school. Engagement from the parent community is critical to any school's success. There will be a new PTA president next year as the current one terms out.
Hi Amy! I’m a NEA mom. I have a second grader and my younger child will be starting TK in the fall.
Curious what others write, as I am admittedly biased: I love NEA.
My child’s three teachers have all been fantastic. I’ve been floored by the level of attention they have paid to my child and how well they communicate with our family.
NEA places an emphasis on social-emotional learning that is equal to academics, and I’ve watched my child grow tremendously in that area. The academics are very strong, too!
There is also a huge emphasis on play and physical activity, as well as a fantastic weekly art and art history class.
I have heard about teacher turnover issues in the 3rd grade and above, so I am a little anxious about that, but hopeful for next year.
Also-I love that TK and Kindergarten is a full day program. I work full time and my children need structure. While the aftercare is excellent, I’m grateful they have more classroom time than the traditional public school day.
Good luck with your decision!