November 2005

I respond to the parent seeking current info on Edna Brewer Middle School. I have an 8th grader (taking geometry this year) and a 6th grader at Brewer. Both boys are doing very well academically and are very happy at the school. As a whole, their teachers -- a healthy mix of veteran and newer teachers -- have been excellent. (I think that the teachers are particularly strong in the math and science areas.) Ms. Marantz, in her 3rd year as principal, is energetic and smart and really cares about her students, committed to helping students at all levels develop and improve. Test scores at the school have risen significantly during the past 2 years.

The school has some of the best computer resources in the district, with 3 fixed computer labs and 2 mobile computer labs.

The school's music program offers Beginning Band, Beginning Orchestera, Intermediate Band, and Intermediate Orchestra. Students have the opportunity to participate in after-school programs including UC Berkeley Pre-Engineering program, bike club, hip hop dance, world drumming, Oakland Youth Chorus, cooking, Sports for Kids, and Homework Club.

PTSA participation is growing. Some of the PTSA's most visible projects have been the front garden for the school and the renovation of the lovely small Art Deco auditorium, as a venue for performances.

I encourage you to tour Edna Brewer. You can arrange a tour by contacting the counselor Stacey Ho at stacey.ho AT ousd.k12.ca.us.

I have a child in the seventh grade at Edna Brewer, which is our neighborhood school. My husband and I looked at Brewer, Bret Harte, and Montera Middle when my son was in 5th grade. While all three schools seemed to be on the same page in terms of what was going on in the classroom, we liked the physical layout, feel, and size of Brewer much better than the other two schools. Since that time, we have been very happy at Brewer.

The principal is on top of things and very energetic. She has a great rapport with the children. My son, who is doing well academically, likes going to school (walks himself there and back). There are a few after-school programs offered which enhance the academic experience: PEP, the Pre-Engineering Program put on by UC Berkeley, and Future City, where students learn about and design and build their own city of the future. (Brewer competed and went to the nationals last year.) Geometry is offered as an 'A' period for 8th graders, as well. There is a Gate program, which usually gets going in the winter. There is an active PTSA. There are a number of other after-school clubs and classes, as well as electives during the school day. The music program is growing as well.

December 2003

I strongly recommend that parents consider Edna Brewer as an option. My son and his Crocker Highlands classmates (as well as the other Edna Brewer kids I have met) are engaged and enjoying their classes, and the academic work seems to be suitably challenging. My son's teachers are committed and experienced. The principal at Brewer is new this year. She is hard-working, smart and energetic, and has many ideas for strengthening the academic programs at the school. The PTSA at Edna Brewer has become quite active this year. A major initiative has been improvement of the grounds and facilities. The playground recently was renovated, the front yard is about to be landscaped and improved with a marquee board (through combined efforts of the school district, the community, the staff and the parents), and other renovations and improvements are afoot. Another positive is that Edna Brewer has a very diverse student population-- something for which my son was well prepared after his years at Crocker Highlands, which also features a diverse population.

If anyone wants to know more about Edna Brewer, I'd be happy to respond to an e-mail.
Pat Williams prwillia at pacbell.net