website: http://www.eastbayschoolforboys.org/

Last year I visited every possible middle school in Oakland, Berkeley, and Alameda. East Bay School for Boys was the last school I visited and it was by far the best choice for my son. Throughout elementary school my son dreaded going to school. He is very intelligent, but he was hyperactive, and not well understood by many. I'm not sure what happened, but within a couple of months my son has transformed. He is no longer hyperactive and he absolutely loves school. He used to be very particular about his friends and didn't like many of his teachers. At this school he has nothing but positive things to say about the other boys and the teachers. He has made deep friendships, but likes everyone. I feel incredibly grateful to Jason and the staff at EBSB. I live 30 minutes from the school, and I was nervous about the long commute, but it is entirely worth it. Previously, I had always felt as if the schools were doing a disservice to my son. They seemed to be teaching to the learning style of girls, but not that of boys. This school understands boys and gives them the environment they need to thrive. As a person of color, my son has felt very safe, accepted, loved and understood. I deeply appreciate the school's dedication to creating a culturally diverse environment and community, where out of the box-thinking and self-advocacy is encouraged. Miko

We are considering sending our son to East Bay School for Boys . My daughter attended Julia Morgan School for Girls where she thrived. We loved it. My concern is with the newness of this school and potential for getting into private high schools. I would love to hear from parents with sons attending EBSB. How do you and your son like it? How are the academics? Thanks! Julia Morgan fan

So to answer your question about academics, I would say they are strong and appropriate for this age group and each boy seems to be stretching and growing and challenging himself. As for the high school question, I am confident that all of the ebsb graduates will be ready for high school and will find their best fit school. Having gone through the private high school process with my daughter, I realized that like her, many students at independent schools were well prepared academically, yet what set apart many of the JMSG girls was the evidence that they had been through a transformative experience in middle school, not just a well coordinated, well taught curriculum or "product." These girls had found their voices! I firmly believe this is and will continue to be one of the major outcomes of my son's ebsb experience and what sets it apart from other private MS options - it has been enormously transformative already and that was only 6th grade with 17 boys! They are now deepening their intellectual curiosity and learning new tools everyday (literally - the workshop is incredible). And what better time for such a transformation as middle school - the adolescent brain is growing and changing more than it has since they were babies, the pressures of identity development are huge and their bodies are changing too. Jennifer

Dear All. It's getting to be that time of year when parents make school choices for next year. At this time last year, we were considering sending our then-5th grader to East Bay School for Boys, which was just getting organized for its first year, and still didn't have a school site or even teachers. What it did have was Head of School Jason Baeten's vision of a school where all different types of boys would thrive. My husband and I knew instantly this was the place for our son. Our son was more reticent since it was small and he didn't know anyone.

Having finished half of a year, I can say that my husband and I are thrilled with EBSB. Most importantly, our son absolutely loves it.

We were hoping for a school where our son would, among other things, develop a love for learning, learn, develop intrinsic motivation, and grow emotionally. All these things are happening. For the first time, my son loves school--more than just PE, recess and lunch. He's much more engaged in his schoolwork and with his family than in years' past. The depth of his growth in these few months is amazing, and while some may be developmental, we attribute most, if not all, to what's happening at EBSB.

The teachers are great, and wonderful role models--key in these middle school years. He's making strong friendships.

Some have asked whether it's ''risky'' to go to a brand new school. My feeling is no--the staff is experienced, and is using that experience to develop a curriculum and culture that seems mature but fresh. Others have asked whether the school works for ''sporty'' and ''non-sporty'' boys. My experience is yes--all boys are stretching themselves. Others have asked whether since it is private it is ''snooty.'' My experience is no--the families are down to earth, and the school is dedicated to keeping it that way.

Sending our son to EBSB is probably the smartest parenting decision we've made.

Good luck to you all in making your decisions. EBSB Parent

As a parent of the first class at The East Bay School For Boys (ebsb), I wanted to speak to what has evolved beyond a vision and is now a reality. Anyone who knows Jason Baeten from Julia Morgan School for Girls knows that he inspires students in ways they never forget. Jason has chosen a team of teachers that are equally as inspired, compassionate and enthusiastic about providing a challenging, enriching and fun middle school experience. Each day begins with either capoeira (a mix of martial arts and dance) or yoga. Boys are encouraged to move and be active; they exercise their bodies and their minds. The creativity and fun sometimes disguises the rigor, but our son is for the first time, enjoying math, not complaining about homework, and he seems so much more inspired to challenge himself in ways he hasnC-t before.

At ebsb, the teachers pay careful attention to individual learning styles. There are daily opportunities for hands on learning and great utilization of technology, but there are times where the boys sit (at desks they built themselves) and learn. Given the space to run, climb trees, throw balls around and play, they have a greater capacity to sit, focus, and enjoy learning.

Lastly, a very unexpected bonus for us is that the school has attracted a compassionate, energized, fun parent community who are equally as passionate as we are about the school and its growth. We are so grateful to have found this gem.

I went to an information night last night for a new middle school- 'East Bay School for Boys' and LOVED it. How refreshing to hear educators express a clear mission - to empower middle school boys to cultivate their intellectual, physical and emotional selves to become the engaged, thoughtful and courageous men of tomorrow, and to have a concrete plan and commitment to providing it for a diverse set of boys. The acknowledgment that boys need active, engaged learning environments, to be taken seriously as thoughtful beings, and to integrate subjects in meaningful ways gave me chills all night. My son loved it too! They showed a short video, which is on the website, that will bring tears to your eyes. I have a 5th grade son at a great independent school, who performs above grade level on all tasks, but who is hungry for more science and math and making connections to his universe. School stifles this in the pressure to conform to the norm, which behaviorally is obedient girls. He would do fine anywhere, but I had the epiphany last night that he would really THRIVE in an environment like this. Check it out: www.eastbayschoolforboys.com Inspired mom