I would like to learn more about Raskob Day School and Institute, and would love to hear reviews from families with students currently or recently enrolled in the elementary school. I am evaluating schools and outside tutors for my son, who has a graphomotor disorder and processing challenges and needs a lot of assistance in the classroom. He's been getting help but it's just not enough. Raskob seems appropriate but the interim director freely admits that she's not a great communicator and that's a big concern for a parent of a child with learning disabilities. Thanks. anonymous

The school has also expanded considerably in the last few years so that although these programs are still developing, there are now art, music, afterschool, and sports league programs. The change in the director is a situation that has just occurred. The previous Director has accepted the position as the Executive Director at the new Bayhill High School which will be opening in the fall, taking the place of Raskob's high school which is closing this year. ak

We too had issues surrounding communication with the school when we were in the application process and, frankly, that is an area where they really do need to improve. However, that has not affected our experience as parents at the school. Once you get in, the communication home is actually pretty good. They use the schoolnotes email program that sends you weekly, sometimes daily, updates with important information. And, the teachers have been wonderful as well.

I just want to add that the director left quite abruptly, just last week in fact, to take a new position. Carolyn Ingle-Price is now trying to step in and do two jobs, I believe. So please know that this is an unusual circumstance right now. I am sure she is doing the best she can, she is a very nice woman and really wants the best for these kids.

Overall, we are very happy and feel quite lucky to have our child at Raskob. Good luck! Happy Parents (finally!)

Rather than just say negative things, here are some items to look at. Some may have changed . . . I hope. Believe what you see not what you're told.
- no ''real'' art or music program
- no science
- the math was Saxon Math and taught self paced out of a workbook. In our case, we taught most of it at home because my son couldn't learn from the book. The teacher didn't teach it.
- facilities are falling apart. When we were there several exterior doors that didn't lock upstairs -security issue. Other maintenance items - fixing fences, washing windows, earthquake supplies were mostly done by parents and teachers if at all.
- our teacher (and others)weren't credentialed in California (there is a website to check this) and was at Raskob to get low cost or free tuition to attend Holy Names to get her credential through them. She also didn't work the full classroom day so she could attend classes.
- when our teacher was sick, in class or on vacation, the aides teach the class. Never saw a substitute teacher or the head teacher even though this was her job.
- The old director only worked parttime. Not sure about the new director. (I think a new director is positive)
- our teacher wasn't teaching regular state curriculum.
- children with social/emotional problems are in class with kids with learning issues like dyslexia. On a good note: with small class size and other non-traditional kids, they may feel more comfortable and feel like they are part of the class. Sometimes for the first time ever. This is cool.
- Physical Safety Issues - Ask what happens if your child arrives late and P.E.just started in the gym accross the university campus, they arrive late for an assembly on the campus or where do they do their running? Holy Names is a University Campus with Dorms and Delivery Trucks, etc. and one big circular driveway.
- If your child has special needs, what training does your specific teacher have to address it? You are only as good as your classroom teacher - really check them out.
- Look at the classroom resources. Each class is different. Most have very little. Teachers are out of pocket for most supplies. If you decide to go, consider giving the teacher some $ like a classroom fund.
- Not all grades are WASC accreditted and even the ones listed on the WASC website might be provisional. If that concerns you, contact WASC by phone. If Holy Names would really get behind Raskob it could be so much more for not a lot of $$. Holy Names was stopping Raskob from grant writing when we were there as they didn't want to compete for the same $. Maybe this has changed?. That would be huge. We met some great parents and teachers there, but it just never came together for us. We went back to public school and should have held my child back to make up for the year lost. There are flaws with any school and I know there will be a bunch of responses defending Raskob, but I wish someone had told me the tough questions to ask so we could have made a more informed decision. Certainly some have done well there, but I know many like us who had better options. Maybe someone will send this to Sister Rosemarie at Holy Names to try to get things improved?? I hope so. Good Luck. Anon

My son has ADHD and a significant Learning Disability, but has a very high IQ. I am feeling more and more that he is out of sync with the other kids in his great public school (where he receives all possible services). Also, I am feeling more and more out of sync with the parents, who all have much pride (and rightfully so) in their childrens accomphilshments, but can notice something is not right about my son. I am very interested in Rascob Day school, and I wonder if there is a way to get in touch with some of the parents of children that attend Rascob. The school sounds great from the tours and literature. I am wondering if both kids and parents of LD kids feel more ''at home' at Rascob. Do the kids really learn better there? Thank you for any help. -Out of Sync Mom

At Raskob, classes are small. (8-10 in the 3rd/4th grade with a teacher and an aide.) The curriculum is very individualized and set up to insure success. As the children get older, they are taught strategies to do grade level work and to advocate for themselves so that they are prepared to go on and achieve success in the future.

Probably THE most important aspect of the school is how it affects how the children feel about themselves and their ability to learn. In that respect, it has been transformative in terms of my girls' self esteem. My older child has blossomed at Raskob. She could immediately move into leadership roles, i.e. student council, yearbook, etc.- activities where she would likely have been overlooked in another setting. My younger child is exremely social so the small setting can be a bit challenging, but she really likes and enjoys her classmates. I totally can understand your comment that you feel out of sync with other parents in the regular school. It's hard seeing your own child being perceived as ''different'' and over time you do come to feel you are living in a parallel universe. So yes, Raskob is good for us parents too. You meet others who are also living in this other universe - and it is a great universe too, just different!

For anyone who would like more info, they can contact the school directly at 510-436-1275 or www.Raskobinstitute.com

Re: High School Choices for LD kids
Raskob High School is a school for high school students with learning disablities and is located in the Oakland hills. Although the high school is only in its second year, it is part of Raskob Learning Institute which has been providing tutoring, diagnostic testing, and a comprehensive school program for 50 years in the East Bay. The high school program offers options for students with a variety of learning needs - from college preparatory course offereings to intensive remedial courses, both in classes of 10 or fewer students taught by credentialed special education teachers. There are currently openings for 9th and 10th graders. You can contact Carolyn Ingle-Price, admissions director, at (510) 436-1275 for more information. Next year, in September '07, Raskob High will be moving to a new facility in the East Bay and under the auspices of Bay Area Educational Institute (BAEI). The website at www.baei.org is currently under construction and will have admissions materials shortly. For more information on BAEI, please go to baei.wordpress.com.
ak

My son has been diagnosed with Auditory Processing Defecit and is having considerable trouble learning to read. The Raskob school was recommended to me as a possible place to send him during the summer for some extra help. Has anyone sent their kids there for the summer program (6 weeks @ one hour a day) and/or the day school which is now opening for the lower elementary grades. It sounds great but it is pricey for us and I would love to get some feedback about it. Thanks! Melinda

Re: School for dyslexic middle schooler
I have several friends with children at Raskob. It is a god send of a school. You should visit them and get their advice even if you do not attend there.Their evaluation process might be very helpful. It is not easy to get into and only goes through eighth, but I know people who found it very valuable even for a year or two. claudia

I strongly urge people who are looking for a place for a child with learning issues to go and observe Raskob. It is a hidden jewel and is not a place only for those kids at the "far" end of the spectrum. As a matter of fact, what you will see is that it is a school for basically "normal" kids with learning issues. They are quite stringent with who they will take, and this is not in the same way other private schools are. I have experienced both. Most private schools are looking for bright kids whose learning style fits that of the school, and teachers seem less experienced and less willing to work to accomodate kids for whom things are not working. The attitude seems to be that since there are so many others waiting to take the student's slot they can be very choosey about who they accept and who they "invite" to return. Raskob is stringent because they will only take those kids whom they feel Raskob can benefit. They give you no promises, offer no quick fixes. Quite the reversal from the "we are the best" routine of other privates, and very refreshing. Behavior problems, emotional problems, etc. are generally not the population they are looking for, unless such problems stem from the underlying learning differences, lowered self-esteem, etc. that come with constant failure or ridicule. Research on LD-type kids always shows that the ones who go on to successful and independent lives are those who understand their problems, own them, and know what they need to do to compensate in a world designed for the majority of other-type learners. These kids are amazing as they discuss what they know they can do and what they know are their weaknesses. Graduation ceremonies in June are nearly tear-jerkers as these now self-assured teens talk about their experiences both before and after Raskob, their accomplishments and their dreams. Some of them are there for elementary and middle school. Some come for only a couple of years. Many come only in middle school, for a "jump start", a training in how to succeed and stay on task, etc. Raskob has no vested interest in keeping you there forever. When to leave is a decision arrived at collaboratively with the staff and family. When you are ready for the bigger world, they urge you to get on with it.

Right now Raskob has only about 58 students in their elementary and middle school combined. They are hoping to double the size of the middle school in the near future to provide a more "normal" social scene appropriate for that age. Meanwhile, the kids are so kind and accepting of each other. And not everyone comes from the Volvo-crowd. I urge people to call, to check it out. It has been a lifesaver for our young one who tells me that "everyday is a fun day at Raskob"- and this is a child who had stomachaches and nausea every day before school when she was at public school with all its "diversity" and "sense of community". Raskob is not a hard sell- no orientation meetings, no fancy newspaper ads ( again, so different from the other privates).They are there because there is a need and they simply will not give up on these kids. Check it out. Some very unhappy kids have found their wings at Raskob and learned to fly.