I would be interested in learning about the experiences of any parents with children currently attending Crestmont School, a co-op in Richmond, CA. What has been your experience with academics, atmosphere, and other aspects of Crestmont? We are considering public and private school options, and would love an opinion on this school...(there has been no posted feedback on Crestmont this year)
-- An interested parent

I think what drew me to Crestmont was the level of intimacy, if that's the right word. I wanted a place where the teachers, staff and other parents would really know my son and ''get'' who he is as an individual. Likewise, I wanted the opportunity to really get to know and work with the other children in his class.

I love it that the teachers address the children's social and emotional needs in addition to the academics. In fact, I would say that one of Crestmont's amazing gifts is how the teachers really get to know what makes each child tick. And knowing how they tick means that the teachers are better able tosupport or challenge them as individuals. Academically, Crestmont is great. Untraditional in some ways (no grades, not achievement testing), but great. People should contact the school to observe the classes next fall, as seeing for yourself how engaged and interested the kids are in addition to the amazing and wonderful things they do in their classrooms says it all.

Please feel free to e-mail me directly if you have more specific questions. I could go on all day, but probably shouldn't. Please check out our website! www.crestmontschool.org
Catherine

Our son has made tremendous strides this past year in his social skills and his motor development and, most importantly, loves school and seems to really enjoy the process of learning -- which has not always been the case. He is a child who is easily frustrated and reluctant to try new things and his teacher has been able to really work with him on his specific issues, helping both to structure a learning environment and process that can work for him, as well as helping him to cultivate a set of tools so he can recognize when he needs to make his own adjustments (internally and externally) to facilitate learning. Conferences are allotted a full hour or so and the teachers make themselves readily available outside of this as well, so there is lots of opportunity to collect good information on how your child is doing -- from other parents as well, if you choose.

A co-op is a committment and it's definitely been an adjustment for our family to fit in the meetings, work parties, and very busy social schedule -- but the trade-off: A thriving child who loves school and a great enrichment of my own community of friends, has been more than worth it.
Valerie

We have a 4yo son who is currently enrolled in a preschool co-op and are very interested in finding out more about Crestmont, the K-5 parent co-operative in Richmond for Kindergarten next year. I'd love to hear from other families who are currently (or have very recently) attended the school . . . our son is bright, sociable and very artistic/expressive. We are very involved in our current school community and are looking for another solid, committed community for kindergarten. We'd like a school where our son can get a good, well-rounded, possibly unconventional education in terms of learning to think for himself and foster his innate love of learning and the arts. We were previously interested in homeschooling but thought something like this school might meet our needs. What are other families' experiences, both good and bad, with the school and the teachers? Is there art, music, dance, etc? How do the students get along? What are the (dis)advantages to such a small student body? Is community service included in the curriculum? Where do the kids usually go after 5th grade, and how has their experience there affected them as adults (if anyone has made it that far yet)? I would love to hear as much input as possible, both positive and negative. Thank you! co-op mom

Crestmont is a parent-owned cooperative. That means that the parents are the administrators of the school. We have a very specific set of by-laws that guide the board when difficulties arise. By the way, I should mention that Crestmont has been in existence for 35 years, so we have certainly worked through our share of conflicts.

If a parent had an issue with a teacher and did not feel comfortable addressing the teacher directly, their first course of action would be to approach our liason. The liason would then speak with the teacher and possibly facilitate a meeting between the teacher and the involved parent (unless the parent needed their report to remain confidential). If a successful resolution was not reached, a confidential meeting comprised of the board president, the secretary, the membership chair, the liason and the personnel chair would occur. Further meetings with the teacher and/or parent would occur. If resolution still did not occur, the issue would come before the board. If there was still conflict, it would be brought to the membership.

It can be a labor intensive, frustrating, yet amazing process. Yes, there are times that I wish that a paid administrator would just take care of the whole thing - the beauty and the curse of a co-op. But all parties are heard and resolution does occur. I have yet to see such conflict drag all the way to a membership meeting vote - apparently that did happen years ago - maybe the process is improving... The community works together and the job gets done.

I was not a ''co-op person'' prior to four years ago, when my first child started Crestmont. I had great trepedation that the school would be ''flakey'' and wondered how it could possibly work. I'm happy to say that, at least for our family, it is working beautifully. There are a lot of wonderful families that are interested in working together, some putting in many hours, some putting in fewer, some varying year to year, depending on their life needs.

It might not be the perfect match for every family, but if you are curious about how Crestmont works, come on a tour or to our information event on January 15th, from 7 to 9 p.m. You might be surprised at how appealing our school can be.

Crestmont School is at 6226 Arligton Blvd., in the Richmond hills. Call our enrollment line at 237-9336 or check out our website at www.crestmontschool.org. sara

I am posting this message in response to a query put out earlier this month re private schools and diversity. This was written by Karen Pojmann, our Diversity Chair.

What makes Crestmont's brand of diversity special is our ability to provide an inclusive place for families who might not have one in the community at large, as well as for those who do. Our small, 67 student cooperative school currently supports 20 multiracial families, a dozen immigrant parents, six families with gay-lesbian/bisexual parents, and four families with adopted children. Our teachers integrate the celebration and appreciation of diversity into the curriculum daily.

We so highly value fostering a multicultural perspective that we have dedicated a board position, a committee and an annual parents' event to the topic. We look forward to broadening our horizons even further.

To learn more please come to our information event on Saturday, November 15th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., or on Thursday, January 15th, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., or call 510) 237-9336 to schedule a tour. You can also check out our website at www.crestmontschool.org. For more information on diversity, please e-mail Karen Pojmann at pojmannova at aol.com sara

We have 3 children and two of our boys have gone to Crestmont School on the Arlington in Richmond, our last will probably start there this fall in K. While no school is perfect, Crestmont offers families the opportunity and the responsibility to get involved in their children's education. It is a parent coop, teachers have sole say over what they teach, parents make up the board, help in classrooms, serve on committees or help in other ways, including scrubbing an occaisional toilet! The teachers are responsive, talented and enthusiasitic! The families are mostly loving, caring and interesting and so of course are their kids! I have loved the concept of developmentally appropriate learning that has let my kids move ahead and be challenged when ready and supported if needed. Wonderful emphasis on all learning including a strong art program! Check it out, it is a wonderful resource and a bargain in the private school world to boot! Jennifer

I have been a parent of children attending Crestmont School for the past 8 years. I truly love the school. As well as educating my children it has educated, supported and nutured me as a parent. I highly recommend it. The school has just developed a web site http://www.crestmontschool.org. Please check it out. We still have a few openings. It is located in Richmond on the Arlington, with children attending from Pinole to Berkeley and even across the bridge in Marin (Terra Linda). Susan

Crestmont School is having an information Day on Saturday, November 14 from 11:00 AM -1:00 PM. There will be an open house followed by a presentation by the teachers and parents. Crestmont is a small, nonprofit, nonsectarian parent-administered cooperative for grades K through 5.

The school was founded in 1969 with the goal of creating an environment that would encourage curiosity, creative thinking, and community spirit for children of all backgrounds. Crestmont's excellent, credentialed teachers have designed a strong curriculum in language arts, mathematics, sciences, social sciences, and fine arts. The academic curriculum is complemented by frequent field trips and opportunities for community involvement.

Crestmont is committed to ethnic, racial and economic diversity in its membership. The school maintains an active outreach program, scholarships, and offers participation credits to maintain affordable tuition.

Extended care is offered from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Crestmont is located at 6226 Arlington Boulevard in Richmond.

James

I thought the UCB parents might be interested in the open house for Crestmont School. My oldest child age 14 (now in 9th grade) attended and my two younger children in third and first grade attend this school. I absolutely love it and highly recommend it. The classes are small (average 15 per class), with an aide and participating parent creating a ratio of approx. 1 adult per 5 children most of the time. What I like best about the school is that the children are allowed to learn at thier own pace. My oldest was behind (didn't read until 3rd grade) when he came to the school and he learned at his pace without feeling like he was dumb or slow. My younger children are both ahead in some areas and are allowed to move on without waiting for the class to catch up. Children are taught to accept each others differences and value them for who they are, not what they can or can't do. The school is located on the Arlington about 15 mins. from campus. I would be happy to answer questions regarding the school if anyone wants by email or phone. Here is the official blurb from the school:

Crestmont is a small, non-profit, non-sectarian co-operative school for grades k through 5.

The school was founded in 1969 with the goal of creating an environment that would encourage curiosity, creative thinking, and community spirit for children of all backgrounds. Crestmont's excellent, credentialed teachers have designed a strong curriculum in language arts, mathematics, sciences, social sciences, and fine arts. The academic curriculum is complemented by frequent field trips and opportunities for community involvement.

Crestmont is committed to ethnic, racial and economic diversity in its membership. To achieve this the school maintains an active scholarship and outreach program, and offers participation credits to maintain low tuition. Extended care is offered from 7:30 am to 6 pm. Crestmont is located at 6226 Arlington Boulevard, in Richmond. Enrollment phone 237-9336

Susan