website: http://www.smallschoolsfoundation.org/manzanitaseed

I know that there are openings at SEED for Kindergarten this Fall. So I wanted to write to agree with what was posted here by another parent. Manzanita SEED is an excellent program. I think it is a wonderful option for any parents who need to put their children in public school - and even for parents considering private school.

I have been very pleased with both the dual immersion (all kids spend half the day in Spanish and half the day in English) and the exploratory curriculum. They really encourage the kids to see themselves as scientists - at school and through a series of educational field trips.

In addition, the API scores have been continually improving. When you consider that Oakland School District as a whole is the most improved urban school district in the state, and that these kids are learning many subjects in their second language, this is a huge achievement. There are no low expectations for kids at SEED. The teachers support them and give them homework and class activities that prepare them for success.

The school has taken many steps to increase safety on and around campus and I have found them responsive to my input and concerns. In addition, many parents are involved at the school above and beyond the 2 hours a month that the school asks for. (Through Parents Council or just volunteering on campus.) Even though many public schools are suffering from funding cuts and removing programs and services, so far SEED has continued to find ways to thrive and grow. The cafeteria food is supplemented with a fresh fruit/vegetable salad bar, Sports 4 Kids runs recess and after school programs and there are community celebrations held about 3-4 times a year.

If you are thinking of ''bilingual'' education for your child/ren, please look into SEED. Other ''bilingual'' programs in the public schools are designed for Spanish-Speaking children and phase them out of Spanish. (Due to a ''no-bilingual Education'' law passed in CA a few years back.) In Dual-Immersion at SEED, all children are expected to speak, read, and write *both* languages fluently by the end of 3rd grade.

There's also a celebration of the diversity of the school/students throughout the curriculum and other activities that's really great. My kids are friends with children of all different races/ethnicities from the ''hills'' to the ''flatlands'' and everywhere in between. I highly recommend Manzanita SEED.

(By the way, Manzanita Community School is on the same campus. Also a great school, but I'm describing Manzanita SEED in this post.) Another Manzanita SEED Parent

Can anyone give me more information about Manzinita SEED's bilingual immersion program since they started in 2006? Since they are so new, I'd like to know current parents' opinions on the teaching, on how their kids are doing... advancing, if safety is ever a consideration, and if this program is comparable to private school immersion programs like that offered through The Renaissance School or EBI. Thanks! anon