website: http://www.dorriseaton.com/

Re: Middle School Options in Oakland/Richmond/Berkeley
I have good friends who have sent their kids to Dorris-Eaton School in WC. They have been very happy with the education their kids received. It's definitely for kids who want to work hard and enjoy academics, though I hear their art and music programs are very good. Their children both went on to CPS, for the parents who have asked about preparing for rigorous high school. Oakland mom

Re: private schools in Walnut Creek area
our daughter has had good experiences at dorris-eaton school the past two summers. she is in public school in lafayette (at least some step up from your walnut creek district, i think, at least from conversations w/ parents whose daughters are in walnut creek; but the gradient may not be all that big). but her mom and i wanted her to get more academic stuff during the summer and she enjoys it (her favorite game at home, believe it or not, is ''playing school''). we found it a year or so ahead of where they are at equivalent grade in public school and the discipline expectations are much higher (not a problem for our girl who is not in the slightest a discipline problem, but she does better in such an environment). the summer school campus is in walnut creek, on newell avenue, just west of 680. however they have another campus in either south alamo or north danville, i think, so you have to check them out as far as geography. good luck doug