UCB Parents School Recommendations
Corpus Christi School
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January 2003
Does anyone have any comments or thoughts (positive or
negative) about Corpus Christi School in Oakland and its
after-school care program. We are applying to the
kindergarten program. Thanks very much.
em
We have two children at Corpus Christi School. I would say
95% of the families are Catholic--admission is competitive
and they give priority to parishioners, so most people are
part of the Church. This gives the school a real sense of
community, but not much in the way of diversity. The pastor
is African American and that has brought in a bit of
diversity, but not much. The principal is quite good and she
loves and watches over every child. Most of our teachers
have been pretty good, but with 32 kids in a classroom (16
kids in K; full time aides in grades k-2, part-time aides in
3-4), there is only so much time for individualized
attention. (Parent-teacher conferences are 15 minutes long.)
Still, the academics are quite good and 98% of the kids get
into their 1st choice of high school. The curriculum is
fairly traditional, I'd say, but informed of modern learning
theories. It seems the school really works hard to help kids
who are having learning difficulties or social difficulties,
for that matter. Bullying, teasing and excluding are taken
extremely seriously. Overall, it's a warm environment, with
an entire school assembly every day, many community events,
etc. They require 35 hours of volunteer time each year from
every family, so you get to know other people that way, too.
The physical property is what it is--no grass and only one
tree--but the school is well maintained and they have a
relatively new computer lab, etc. Some of the teachers are
incredibly great.
As for the Day Care, it is not bad, but not great either--
far from nurturing. I have repeatedly seen day care teachers
unaware when a child was crying in the corner or not respond
to a conflict with the delicacy required. It could be a much
more enriching situation than it is.
CC Parent
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