I really cannot recommend this fabulous elementary school enough! Before my children entered school, I searched and researched and visited and suffered over finding the best elementary institution in the South Bay that offered strong European-style academics yet allowed our children to be silly kids and not robots. Carden Day School beat out the others hands down. I am so absolutely thrilled with the Carden Day School's teachers, curriculum and structure and loving, supportive environment! I have 2 children attending the school (second-grade daughter who has been attending for the last 4 years since K-1, and a son who is just completing his first year K-1) My children come home every day excited about learning, gushing with new vocabulary, telling me story after story about their days' interactions with friends and faculty. My children are learning to think (not memorize), to imagine, to analyze, to speak publicly and to enjoy the thrill of chasing down interesting subjects. They began learning French in K-1, the second grader has learned to read and even compose music over the last 2 years, they both study the great composers and artists and they have PE every day. This is a highly academic school with an emphasis on learning for the love of it, on collaboration not competition, on elocution, on good citizenship, on personal integrity and responsibility. All of the parents seem to share the same values and for that I am also grateful. We all want excellent education for our children while still allowing them the excitement and awe of being little kids. No doubt when my daughter grows up to be Secretary of State, she will come back to offer her support and love to her elementary Alma Mater.
Pros: incredibly, highly educated teachers, small class size, charming atmosphere
Cons: wish it went through high school
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