Berkeley Parents Network: Archway School

Berkeley Parents Network

Archway School

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > K-12 Schools > Archway School

Website for Archway School: www.archwayschool.org

Dec 2007

We are considering sending our extremely bright 6th grade daughter to Archway School. The school sounds wonderful from what we have heard, but we wonder if anyone can tell us about the volume and type of homework, and whether there is any flexibilty in this area for a student who is very smart but struggles with a high volume of homework. Our daughter is really struggling with the high volume of homework at her present school, so this is an important factor for us. Josh

My sister Audrey has a child at Archway, and this is her response to your question...

I have a 6th grader at Archway School and my older daughter graduated last year. There can be quite a bit of homework, but not an excessive amount.It sounds like your daughter will have some trouble keeping up. However, because the school is small the teachers can be somewhat flexible.They do have study hall periods built in 2-4 days per week so they can finish all or some homework at school. They also have opportunities to work in the media lab so that they can do some research and writing of reports/projects at school.

They have daily math homework and English is usually daily. The other classes vary. These last two weeks my daughter has been working on projects for English and history, so she has put in quite a bit of time, from 1 to 3 hours per day, including the last two weekends. (She enjoys the assignments and is doing an excellent job, so she may be putting in extra time.) But at the beginning of the school year she often had only 30 minutes per day, but sometimes up to 1 1/2 hours per day.

I know that the English, History and Science teachers give plenty of time to complete long term projects, but students will have a hard time if they procrastinate. Also, the teachers space out the assignments by giving a short one and then a longer term project.

The homework projects vary from math problems, to spelling and vocabulary, to reading, to projects and writing assignments. I will describe a few assignments that my children have done recently: choose a character in the book that they are reading and complete journal entries based on that character's point of view, interview someone who experienced the Loma Prieta earthquake, working with one or two other students research an ancient civilization and create an artifact box which includes 6 artifacts from that civilization and make an oral presentation to the class, study lines in a play to be performed for drama class, a book talk -- make a poster about a book you've been reading and present it to the class, create an ancient dwelling from the book ''Maroo of the Winter Caves''.

Also you should know that the math program emphasizes critical thinking so involves reading and problem solving, not just doing 10-20 problems per night.

You should contact the school's learning specialist, Noreen Axelson, who can answer your questions. She can let you know to what extent the teachers accommodate the kids who need more time with their work.If you have any more questions, you can reach me at audrey.irwin@mac.com. Audrey

Hi! I am an Archway parent, and like any other school this school also has assigned HW. The volume and complexity of work increases exponentially from grade to grade. The children have lockers from 6th grade on, which in itself is an organizational nightmare. The teachers and Principal are very supportive, however, please know that if your child has any special needs, the school will be understanding, but they are not equipped to support those needs. Unfortunately, even if the kids are bright intellectually, they have to work through this mundane educational system. Best of luck. anon

I have a child in middle school at Archway. I don't think the homework load is bad at all. There are daily assignments, but my daughter completes much of her work during the study hall period (which they have four days a week -- she has more work to do at home when there is no study hall). She does about half an hour to an hour of work at home most nights -- sometimes, like now, when there are longer term projects due, she has more work. I don't have direct experience with what the homework load is at other schools, but I suspect that Archway is below the median in how much work is assigned. My daughter is very happy at Archway and while the level of academic stress has risen somewhat now that she's in middle school, overall I think the school does a good job of balancing giving the kids a challenging curriculum without overburdening them with work. Archway parent

Sept 2007

Re: Private middle school for academically advanced but socially insecure 11-year-old
I have a recommendation for a private Middle School that is perfect for the smart and tender student: Archway School. They offer classes K-8, with two different campuses. The Upper Campus is located in North Berkeley and offers 5th - 8th grade, the Lower campus K-4 is in Oakland, with a shuttle bus service between the two campuses that leaves from the Oakland campus every day. Great teachers, a culture of kindness and tolerance, wonderful parent community, strong science, great art. Give them a call and take a tour. The Head of School, Sarah Flowers, is exceptional and sets the tone for the whole place. 510 849-4747. website is archwayschool.org. Feel free to contact me if you are so inclined. Could be just the place. Carol

April 2007

Re: Private Middle School for Nature Loving 6th Grader???
I urge you to check out Archway School, at Virginia and Milvia in Berkeley. It matches your description very well. linda

April 2007

Re: Private Middle School for Nature Loving 6th Grader???
Our family has been very happy with Archway School, a private middle school we found for our two sons. We have a sixth-grader there now and had an eighth-grader there last year. Wonderful community, great culture of kindness and acceptance, and good solid academics. Unbelievable science teacher (who now helps run educational programming at Lawrence Hall of Science...) The staff and faculty bring commitment and a lot of joy to their work. Archway has made middle school fun -- now that's an accomplishment! Their upper campus (grades 5-8) is located in Berkeley at 1640 Virgina, at the corner of Virginia and Milvia Streets. Their number there is: (510) 849-4747. Sarah Flowers is the Head of School. Good luck, and feel free to contact me if you want a positive parental perspective. Carol D

October 2005

Re: Oakland Elementary school for possible learning delays
In response to your question, I cannot recommend Archway. I am a mom of two adopted kids with a son who developed ADD when he was in second grade. My son only lasted in Archway for 2 months. The teacher had nothing good to say about him. Everyday I would hear all the terrible things my son had done wrong; some days he was on a ''time out'' on the hallway steps when I got there (the class was in an old house). In a matter of weeks he went from a gregarious, happy kid to a sullen, sad kid who could not be dragged to school. We immediately tried to escape and looked at 2 other private schools with late-year openings, but when it came time for the kindergarten teacher to fill out the necessary paperwork, she didn't. It got so bad that one of the administrators from one of the other prospective schools tried to help us out by calling her. It didn't help. We finally got into one of the other schools by the 1st of November solely on the basis of the preschool teachers' recommendations. Karen

Jan-Feb 2005

Hello. Can anyone shed some light on the academic aspect of Archway? It does not appear rigorous, but the setting seems ideal for my child and the teachers seem incredibly down to earth, warm and supportive. Can anyone with first hand experience please inform me on how it compares to any of the other East Bay private schools, academically, particularly in the lower grades. Thank you SO much! Curious Mom

We have been at Archway for three years now and I have to take exception with the notion that Archway and any of the other developmentally-focused schools are anything less than rigorous. My 7 y/o 2nd grader and 5 y/o Kindergartener are doing fantastic both in terms of academic,social and emotional development.

By the end of Kindergarten my oldest daughter was voraciously reading chapter books and picking up my non-fiction books off the nightstand to peruse and pepper me with questions. She completely identifies herself as a serious scientist and her knowledge of matters dealing with the biological and physical world blow me (& most everyone we meet)away.

All that is nice but what is most important to me is that she has experienced learning as a fun adventure and one in which she takes a meaningful role in creating knowledge and shaping her own education.

The Archway learning experience is not one of children as empty vessels to be filled with knowledge but one that develops critical thinking and analytical skills & that celebrates creativity. Ethics, respect, and individual & social responsibility integrated into an academically and socially challenging curriculum; a culturally and ethnically diverse teaching staff who work closely together to coordinate curriculum and learning experiences across subject areas.

It is a small school by design - my 5 y/o has 10 kids in his class with a teacher and an aide. There are lots of cross-age activities that create mentoring relationships and regular opportunities for boys and girls to have separate time with teachers and kids of their respective gender.

If you are the parent who is anxious about making sure your 4 year old is accepted into Harvard, this is definitely the wrong school for you (& you might pick up copy of David Elkind's ''The Hurried Child'' & read about the consequences of pushing children ahead of their developmental schedule)

If your priority is for your kid to develop a love of learning in an intimate connected community and to be able to really think, create, and problem solve (rather than just test well), you'll be thrilled with Archway. We are! Happy mom w/ thriving kids

This is our second year at Archway. My daughter started last year in the fourth grade. Besides being a wonderfully nuturing environment where the whole child is educated (academic, emotional, social, etc), we have been extremely happy with the academics. I'll admit to being a little concerned at first because my daughter kept saying everything was ''easy''. But I think that she enjoyed learning here so much better than in public school that it made it seem easy to her. In reality, when I compare what she's doing with other fifth graders I know, her grade is sometimes at the same level but more often surpassing them. In language arts she is reading books friend's kids are reading in 6th grade. Reports seem to me to be more in depth. They learn researching skills in a much more hands on and in depth manner and they do the majority of this work at school where the teachers help them learn HOW to do the work - a whole new concept for us being used to the public school where the majority of this type of work is done at home. They have an extensive coordinated math program that addresses the same skill level by grade as the public school, but which, because of its methodology, is much easier for the kids to grasp. It includes hands on and group problem solving and seems to me to be teaching much more than just facts. It engenders a real understanding of what's going on. They also have Spanish, Science, Social Studies, History, and PE. Into all this they are able to interweave concepts of community involvement, values clarification, and social responsibility. The teachers are all incredibly dedicated, take the time to devise individual learning plans as they are needed, and really work together to develop truly coordinated programs. This is a great school. Cathy

My daughter is currently in the second grade at Archway, and has attended Archway since Kindergarten. We think the academics at Archway are excellent. A lot of learning happens in these early grades, but it is a very integrated approach to learning. A project, such as planting a garden, making an aquarium, cooking, will integrate reading,writing, science, and math so seamlessly that it all just seems like fun. Our daughter loves reading and her teacher in a recent reading assessment found her to be reading at a 6th grade level. Granted not all kids in her class at in this range, but my point is that Archway has supported and fostered her love of reading, and her kept her interested and motivated. The amount of homeowrk is reasonable, not overwhelming, which I think is good. I also know that the Kindergarten through third grade teachers have made a great effort this year to coordinate the curriculum so that there is a logical progression of academic skills from one year to the next. We coudln't be more happy with both the academics and the nurturing environment at Archway, and we hope to have our youngest starting in Kindergarten Rick

My girls went from K to 8th at Archway, and are A students in public high school. Except for some math slips in 5th, it was a fine experience and they were well prepared for high school! Kevin

Hello, I definitely understand your concern about Archway academics, but as an Archway parent and an educator I can assure you that the academics are top notch, and based on educational research.

Archway's program is focused on project based learning. Educational research shows that this is the best way to cultivate higher order thinking skills which are exactly the skills that are needed to succeed in the current 21st century knowledge based economy. These skills include complex problem solving skills that are facilitated by working in groups of diverse people.

I think that I was misled by the fact that all the kids at Archway seem so happy and relaxed. I kept thinking how could the academics be rigorous if they seem to like school and not be stressed out? But Archway's attention to social and emotional development really allows the the learning to happen. The kids know how to work together, they know how to solve interpersonal problems, and they are having fun. This environment facilitates learning.

Please feel free to email if you would like to talk in more depth about Archway. My daughter is currently in second grade. She has been at Archway since kindergarten. Ann

I've been intrigued by the discussion concerning Archway's academics. I visited the school when my now 5th grader was in preschool, and it struck me as being a wonderful school for a shy child that needed a little more attention than public school or the larger private schools can offer. Our daughter was spirited,so it didn't seem like a good match. She has since excelled at a Montclair public elementary school, but we haven't yet made a final decision about middle school. After reading the comments about Archway's academics being ''rigorous,'' ''top-notch'' and ''challenging,'' I am wondering if it is worth another look. Our child has been tested as gifted,particularly in math and science. We are currently planning on sending her to Montera Middle school, which has one of the best math/science programs in the east bay - private or public. It will allow her to take algebra in 7th grade, if appropriate - something that I can't seem to find at any private middle school. However, the idea of smaller class size is appealing, so could Archway be the answer? I know that there are split classes, so has anyone had their child take advanced math at Archway? Also,how easy was it - both socially and academically - to move on to a large high school,like Skyline or Bishop O'Dowd. The 2 children that we have known attend Archway have had learning differences -- how common is this? Thanks very much for your insight. anon

Although I have had my problems at Archway School, I still would have recommended the school if you had asked me earlier this year. However, Archway's recent decision to move their middle school from Oakland to Berkeley has changed my mind.

The board began to seriously consider their move in December but only a handful of parents were invited to tour the new campus, including our single parent board representative. Parents were presented with a fait accompli at the beginning of February after first- round admissions for other schools had closed.

I live in Oakland, a short drive from the school, and do not want to add an hour's drive time to my child's school-day. I identify as an Oakland resident and look at Archway as a neighborhood school. I value the fact that the school community includes kids from 5 to 12 and do not want to see the school split. I value the parent community who will be fractured by this move.

A letter to parents about this decision went out a day before our children were told about the move. The first I heard about the move was a statement from the children that next year they were going to a great new building. No tours were organized for the parents although we were told that we could join the children on their tour. This announcement came only 24 hours before the tour, however.

For all of these reasons, you may want to think twice before coming to Archway. Archway Parent

My child just graduated from Archway last year after attending for several years. We had an excellent experience at Archway and were delighted with great teachers, a warm, supportive environment, and a responsive new administration. The only problem we had with Archway was the limitations of the physical site. Expanding the site was an issue that the entire school community had been grappling with for years. I am delighted to hear that Archway has found a new site for their 5th - 8th grades. The new Berkeley site sounds like a major improvement, with a full gym, a number of large classrooms, a computer lab, a spacious art room in a new facility built in 1997. Any time there's a change like this in a school, there will always be some families who find it inconvenient. Overall, this change is what's needed for the school as a whole.

The new Head of School at Archway started 2 years ago. She was brought in as a result of a revitalization of the Board of Directors. In these two short years, she has brought about many positive changes, including pushing for parent representation on the Board and actively searching for a larger and better site. During the past two years there were several times that I went to the new Head of School with my opinions, and seeking advice. She was always respectful, caring and responsive. She has been a real blessing to the school. She is clearly looking out for the best interests and future growth of Archway School. I know that the entire faculty and all the parents I know are squarely in support of the new site. Finally the school your children deserve is getting the site it deserves. A Delighted Archway Parent

The recent posting about Archway and its decision making process does not present a complete picture nor put the decision in context. I believe the Board of Directors and the Head of School acted in the best interests of the school as a whole when it made its decision to move Archways upper campus to a beautiful new site. The current upper campus site is unattractive and unsuitable for class sizes much beyond 12. It is housed in buildings that are cramped and in poor shape. Archway is committed to small class sizes (16 pupils per class) but wants to provide a broader social opportunity for the middle schoolers. The present site does not allow for it. Of course, when any decision like this is made, there will be people who are understandably upset with it. Its a big change and presents both obstacle and opportunity.

But what remains steadfast is that the school has an excellent curriculum and superb teachers. And that is why I send my child there and will continue to send my child there. The teachers, in fact, were unanimous in their support of the decision to relocate the upper campus. I have found the administration approachable and responsive and find it unfair to represent that all decision-making is out of the parents hands.

This was an opportunity that presented itself with a very short decision-making time and I believe that the decision makers felt that bringing it to the larger parent community would have been divisive and counter productive. I dont believe that not including the parent community was motivated out of fear that the outcome would have been different, but instead that there was not adequate time for a healthy process. Finally, I think there are some decisions that are the responsibility of school administrations admissions, teacher hiring and retention, after school programs, student/teacher ratios and so on. I believe the decision, while it was top down, was appropriate for the Board and Head of School to make. My responsibility is to decide if I agree with those decisions.

Archway is a great school.

Cynthia, Archway Parent

I'm an ''Archway Aunt'' and hope to one day send my two boys there. I shared the previous posting regarding Archway's middle school move with my sister--an Archway mom. She asked me to post her response. Here it is:

My children are getting an excellent education and an amazing school experience at Archway School. (Both of my children started at Archway in Kindergarten and currently are in 6th and 3rd grades.) I have always wholeheartedly recommended Archway and do so even more now with the upcoming middle school move to a beautiful, spacious facility in Berkeley. The new site, although a bit farther away than I would like, solves the problems that Archway has been wrestling with over the years--insufficient classroom space in old buildings in need of extensive and prohibitively expensive renovations.

Of course parents would love the comfort of being consulted before every significant decision is made with respect to their children's school, but that is unrealistic where school-wide issues such as facilities and financial concerns are involved, and appropriately so. However, in matters concerning my children and how they are doing in the classroom, my parent voice always matters and I have immediate access to their teachers and Head of School.

Admittedly, a sudden change can be unnerving or scary when it comes to your children's school where he or she is thriving and happy. But, upon reflection I know that Archway School is in excellent hands under the direction of the current Head of School and the Board. In fact, Archway teachers (who are the dedicated, creative and inspired heart and soul of the school) have never been happier than under her leadership these last two years.

The current Head of School has worked steadily and energetically to make school operations run more smoothly, all in an effort to support Archway's excellent teachers and enable them to flourish in their classrooms and focus on enriching their curriculum, while adhering to the original philosophy of the school. I trust that under her continued inspired and dedicated leadership the transition to Archway's new middle school site in Berkeley will continue to be one of many positive steps for the school. Archway has always done an amazing job with our children, but our current Head of School has infused it with a refreshing breeze of vision, efficacy and an unprecedented number of improvements.

Although Archway's Head of School and Board did not consult with all of the parents before taking advantage of this opportunity to move the middle school to a more suitable location, they acted in the best interests of the school with its future in mind. They were forced to make a decision quickly or lose the opportunity. Many parents who have long volunteered at Archway (serving on the PTA, fundraising, making repairs on the charming old buildings, etc.) and the entire teaching staff were consulted and asked for input. The move to a new facility is simply in response to a committed, hard working, and effective Head of School who knows the school's existing shortcomings and is willing to work for its continued success in the future. It is important to note that Archway's teachers unanimously support the move.

Archway has always provided a superior learning environment with wonderful teachers in small, supportive, hands-on classrooms, ensuring engaged, happy learners. The classrooms are in small, cozy, but aging houses in need of repair that do not ''show'' well to prospective parents and therefore do not attract enough students to maintain full enrollment capacity, especially in the upper grades. The new site with its beautiful classrooms and gym will have room for more students per grade, which is important for middle school peer groups, will attract more families, and will provide more practical working classroom space for our committed teachers and their excellent programs.

--Audrey

November 2003

I just want to post a recommendation for Archway School, a K-8 school in the Piedmont Avenue area of Oakland. After agonizing searches for the right school for my son, we were lucky enough to find Archway. It is small (10-12 kids per class), the teachers are incredibly dedicated, the administration is committed to both the kids and the faculty, as well as keeping open communication with parents, and the curriculum is both challenging and reasonable. There is much emphasis on the whole child, and I find that the school is full of remarkable, intelligent, emotionally and socially aware kids, parents, and staff.

Archway is holding a Parent Information Night on November 13th. You can call the school at 547-4747 for more information. It might be the right school for your child and you.

Archway Parent

Archway School, a small private school located in the Piedmont area, will have a Kindergarten Information Morning at 7:45-9:00 a.m. on December 9, 2003.

We invite you to learn about Archway's missions and philosophy, to meet the Kindergarten teacher, and to learn about the kindergarten curriculum. There will be a tour of the school at 9:25-10:25.

If you are interested in signing up for the Kindergarten Information Morning or a tour, please call 510-547-4747. admissions at archwayschool.org

February 2003

My child has been at Archway School since kindergarten and she is now in 6th grade. She has thrived, made wonderful friends, and will graduate with a really good education. The school has also helped her develop confidence, and an appreciation of her place in the larger community.

What makes Archway special is its homey, intimate environment. The classes are held in retrofitted houses and a former church, and the atmosphere is relaxed and cozy. The kids have personal relationships with their teachers and the staff, so it feels like an extended family. The small number of kids in each class often results in the students making friends with kids in different grades, which has been a good experience in our case where there aren't any siblings at home.

My daughter has had amazing teachers at Archway. With such small classes, the teachers really seem to be able to focus on teaching. They take lots of trips, and each class goes on a camping trip in the fall and the spring, and a snow trip in the winter. Our experience of the school has been positive.

February 1999

If you are searching for a private school for your child, I'd like to recommend that you check out Archway, a small, developmentally-focused school located in Oakland near the Piedmont Avenue area. Our daughter, in Kindergarten this year (after an unsuccessful pre-K at another school), has flourished there, in an atmosphere that is child-friendly and fun, yet very academic. We've been pleased by how excited she is every single day (this from a child who, last year, used to say her favorite days were the "S" days because she didn't have to go to school on them).

As educators ourselves, we're impressed by the quality of the multi-cultural hands-on learning, and the way the teachers focus on each child and their educational needs. Class sizes are small (there are 13 kids in our daughter's class with a teacher and a full-time aide) and all the teachers and staff seem deeply involved and highly enthusiastic. We're also pleased by the strength and good feelings of the parent community. Archway has around 90 students, goes from Kindergarten through 8th grade, and it's been around for 26 years. The tuition for kindergarten next year is $6400. If you have questions, you can contact Aimee Moss at the school: (510) 547-4747. Ericka

The opinions and statements expressed on this website are those of parents who subscribe to the Berkeley Parents Network. Please see Disclaimer & Usage for information about using content on this website.