East Bay Private Schools Open Houses and Tours

Oakland and Berkeley area private schools offer many choices for in-person and remote learning. They are pioneering advances in educating the whole child to thrive in today’s complex world. At this time most, if not all, tours and visitations are happening online (so you can wear your pajamas at home if you feel like it). Happy visiting!

With the help of EBISA, the East Bay Independent Schools Association, we have assembled this guide to virtual visitations, tours, and other prospective family events at our area’s independent (AKA private) schools. For up-to-the-minute changes, check the embedded calendar here from ebisa.org or with the schools in question.

Kids too little? Find our East Bay infant care, daycare, and preschool guide instead.

{Our 2020-21 guide sponsors}

 

East Bay Independent Elementary, Middle Schools, & High Schools

The Academy School (Elmwood District, Berkeley)

The Academy’s mission is to develop thoughtful, ambitious, and deep learners by honoring students’ individuality while cultivating commitment to service in a global society. The intimate size of the classes enable students to thrive and develop their intellectual and ethical proficiencies.
Grades: K through 8th grade
Take a virtual tour: Schedule a virtual tour here >
Website >

Bentley School (Oakland & Lafayette)

Bentley School is a college preparatory K-12 school where exceptional teachers inspire intellectual curiosity and a love for learning. We empower students to build character and to lead lives of purpose through transformative learning experiences.
Grades: K through 8th grade in Oakland; 9th through 12th grade in Lafayette
Admissions Events: Virtual events are held from September to December on specific dates. Register for an applications webinar, virtual open house, or curriculum focus event here >
Website >

Berkeley Rose Waldorf School (Berkeley)

Berkeley Rose nurtures the imagination by cultivating play. The Waldorf curriculum meets the child exactly where they are developmentally, feeding the mind, body and spirit of the individual, while cultivating community, empathy and the drive to protect and improve our world.
Grades: Nursery through 8th grade
Take a tour: School tours are held outdoors for parents only. Learn more here >
Website >

Berkwood Hedge School (Berkeley)

Berkwood Hedge School cultivates children’s natural creativity and intellectual curiosity within an environment just right for their needs to preserve childhood. By helping children grow into their unique selves with compassionate guidance and expertise, children develop clarity and conviction for the future.
Grades: K through 5th grade
Register for a Tour: Offering daily 1:1 in-person tours and Zoom conferences. Register here >
Website >

Black Pine Circle School (West Berkeley)

For 47 years, Black Pine Circle’s award-winning elementary and middle school has created lifelong learners through a Socratic inquiry-based education that emphasizes both academics and the arts. BPC inspires and nurtures curiosity, community, inquiry, and voice in its students. See our spotlight on Black Pine Circle School’s community.
Grades: K through 8th grade
Virtual tours: Check back in late September for dates and process. Register here to be notified.
Website >

Crestmont School (Richmond)

Join a progressive, diverse, and intimate school that uses a hands-on, project-oriented approach. Crestmont is a K-8 parent cooperative with a strong social justice curriculum that encourages curiosity, critical thinking, collaboration, academic excellence, emotional intelligence, and community spirit. See our spotlight on Crestmont’s small community experience.
Grades: K through 8th grade
Schedule a tour: Complete the form and they will contact you with more info.
Website >

The Crowden School (North Berkeley)

The Crowden School is unlike any school in the country, a 3rd–8th day school with chamber music at its heart. Since 1983, the joy of playing music alongside rigorous academics offers students a unique education with transformative results. See our spotlight on Crowden’s incredible music education program for grades 3 through 8.
Grades: 3rd through 8th grade
Schedule a tour: Complete the form and they will contact you with more info.
Website >

East Bay German International School (Emeryville)

East Bay German International School (EBGIS) is a dual-language immersion school offering preschool through eighth grade programs. They combine German and English instruction with project-based learning and individualized attention to each student. EBGIS offers exceptional academics, a diverse international perspective, and a vibrant school community.
Grades: Pre-K through 8th grade
Register for an Open House: Register here to schedule a visit.
Website >

East Bay School for Boys (Downtown Berkeley)

East Bay School for Boys empowers middle school boys to cultivate their intellectual, physical, and emotional selves to become engaged, thoughtful, and courageous men of tomorrow. EBSB engages boys in a learning environment that combines work, discovery, creativity, and purpose.
Grades: 6th through 8th grade
Schedule a conversation: Check out instagram or request a conversation here.
Website >

Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley (Southwest Berkeley)

Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley (EB) is a preschool to 8th grade international school that integrates the rigor and excellence of a French curriculum into a dynamic, whole-child independent school education. Through bilingual immersion, students become open-minded, adaptable learners who discover their best selves while respecting the differences of others. See our spotlight on Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley’s early childhood education program.
Grades: Nursery through 8th grade
Take a 3D tour: Visit the school through multiple video tours.
Website >

Escuela Bilingüe Internacional (Rockridge in Oakland & Emeryville)

Escuela Bilingüe Internacional (EBI) believes that inspiration and engagement are at the heart of student transformation. An excellent multilingual, international PK-8 education in the heart of the East Bay prepares EBI’s students to thrive in a diverse, changing world with character and empathy. See our spotlight on Escuela Bilingüe Internacional’s International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme and a spotlight on EBI’s inquiry-driven, play-based preschool.
Grades: Preschool through 8th grade
Schedule a virtual tour: Register for a virtual tour here.
Website >

Golestan School (El Cerrito)

Golestan supports the development of kind, mindful, and courageous children through hands-on, experiential, and transdisciplinary learning. The school takes a global view and gives children a deep understanding and respect for the world they live in.
Grades: Pre-K through 5th grade
Take a virtual tour or schedule a virtual visit: Start with a video tour or get in touch for a live virtual tour.
Website >

Head-Royce School (Oakland)

Head-Royce is a nationally recognized K-12 independent school situated in the hills of Oakland, California. Their mission is to inspire a lifelong love of learning with a focus on scholarship, diversity, and citizenship.
Grades: Kindergarten through 12th grade
Take a virtual tour or schedule a virtual visit: Visit the school through multiple video tours or schedule a virtual open house visit.
Website >

Julia Morgan School for Girls (Oakland)

When a JMSG student graduates middle school, her passion has been emboldened by academic preparation and a confidence fortified by her everyday experience within an inspiring community. Each girl leaves having taken full ownership of her learning and is prepared to heed the call to shape a changing world.
Grades: 6th through 8th grade
Schedule a virtual visit: Contact Liz for a virtual school visit; info here.
Website >

Montessori Family School (El Cerrito)

Founded in 1981, Montessori Family School boasts an open-air, in-person K-8 program in a beautiful school setting with large outdoor spaces. Choose either online or open-air for a dynamic Montessori program with seasoned teachers.
Grades: Kindergarten through 8th grade
Schedule a visit: Parents can visit in-person or virtually beginning mid-October.
Website >

Park Day School (Temescal in Oakland)

Park Day School is a progressive K-8 co-ed school located in Oakland. Classes emphasize creativity, collaboration, and discovery. Through a Social Justice framework, students learn their own power to make positive change. Discover a school that will nurture your child’s love of learning. See our spotlight on Park Day School with introduction to new Head of School, Angela Taylor.
Grades: K through 8th grade
Take a virtual tour: Visit the school through a video tour.
Website >

Prospect Sierra School (El Cerrito)

Exceptional teachers inspire students to seek deep, meaningful understanding; to develop strong academic skills; and to become creative and independent thinkers. Prospect Sierra cultivates compassion, fairness, respect, and individuality within a community that celebrates diversity, authenticity, and service. See our spotlight on Prospect Sierra.
Grades: Transitional-K through through 8th grade
Tour and Event info coming soon.
Website >

The Renaissance International School (Oakland/Piedmont)

The Renaissance International School (TRIS) provides a high-quality Montessori and multilingual education for students age two through middle school. TRIS students grow to be leaders, explorers and responsible citizens with a curriculum designed for discovery rather than just learning.
Grades: Age 2 through 9th grade
Tour info: Start with a photo tour then visit website for additonal tour info.
Website >

Shu Ren International School (Berkeley)

Shu Ren International School, an International Baccalaureate Mandarin immersion school, encourages students to ask questions and inspires them to challenge themselves—all in both Mandarin and English! It’s never too early to start preparing kids to thrive in our global community.
Grades: Preschool through 6th grade
Schedule a visit: Contact admissions to schedule a virtual or in-person school visit; info here.
Website >

St. Joseph School (Pinole)

St. Joseph Catholic School has an excellent history of providing a challenging, value-centered, whole-child education in a safe, loving, creative, and faith-filled environment. St. Joseph Catholic School has a rich and diverse family community with a caring, involved staff that challenge the children academically, socially, creatively, physically and psychologically.
Grades: Preschool through 8th grade
Find an admissions event: Take a virtual tour with the Principal; info here.
Website >

St. Paul’s Episcopal School (Oakland)

St. Paul’s is an independent K-8 school located by Lake Merritt. They inspire students through strong social-emotional and academic curricula, community engaged learning, and a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. St Paul’s students graduate with skills, confidence, and a sense of purpose.
Grades: K through 8th grade
Find an admissions event: Join a weekly info session or schedule a virtual tour info here.
Website >

Check out our round-up of East Bay infant care, daycare, and preschool options for younger children.

Apologies in advance for any events we listed but were hard to find, cancelled, or otherwise not what you were expecting. We suggest you always double-check with the school in question. Often RSVP is required or strongly recommended. If your school wants to be added to our guide, please contact Carol AT 510families.com.

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