Carden Day School Of San Jose

My daughter has been at Carden for six years (since Jr. K). Great thought and research went into deciding on a school for her, having myself been an educator for over 10 years. The teachers are not just caring, they are inviting. They challenge the students every day to think for themselves, come up with thoughtful answers and provide a wonderful environment for their pupils. Artwork and student work adorn the walls. The students are proud of the work they are producing. Test scores from this school speak for themselves. They are high achieving students. The 8th grade students attend prestigious local high schools and are sought after because the schools know what kind of learner and well-rounded student Carden Day School produces. Parent participation is exceptional. We love this school, the families and the administration. I could not ask for a better school experience for my daughter! Pros: Teachers, Administrators, Parents, Curriculum more

I started researching private schools in the South Bay when my daughter was barely 2 years old -- in other words, I'm was very diligent in my research (which included talking to teachers, watching classes, talking to parents, reading teaching materials, reading samples of student work, talking to my teacher friends). I will never forget picking up a handful of book reports from the 3rd grade class -- the writing blew me away. Some of the papers were more insightful and original than what I was writing in high school (or even college). It was clear to me these kids were learning to think critically. I also really appreciate that parents are required (by school policy) not to ""do"" their child's homework. Of course we are encouraged to supervise, but the teachers want to know if the kids didn't understand a concept so they can reteach the areas that are causing difficulty for students. Because Carden Day School is a relatively new school, it has the excitement and energy of a start-up. The teachers, parents, administrators all seem eager to improve the school, are open to new ideas and are willing to pitch-in in a way I haven't seen or heard of at other schools. In terms of academics, the kids are learning to read at age 4, expected to be fluent in French by the time they graduate the 8th grade, studying Latin in 6-8th grade, computers, music (not just theory -- but actually learning to read and perform instruments), etc. And all of this is accomplished in an environment that is supportive and encouraging -- stressing self-confidence, love of learning and critical thinking versus rote memorization and competition. And one more thing -- if you are a working parent, Carden offers wonderful after school activities and care (including summer camps, chess club, dance, karate, art, sports, Spanish and Chinese). I highly recommend Carden Day School. more

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 more

We have two children at Carden Day School of San Jose (CDSSJ) and we highly recommend this school. The Director of the school is entirely welcoming and 100% genuine. We continue to be impressed by the level of communication between teachers, administrators and parents and we have always felt that our questions were not only welcomed at every level - teachers, principal and director - but attended to quickly. We also appreciate the smaller size of the school and the fact that the school is committed to growing its enrollment slowly and thoughtfully. The growth is in the lower grades ( for example, eight of the 15 2nd graders have or will have younger siblings attend Carden, while only 2 have older siblings) but it is impressive to know that of the nine current 8th graders, six of them have been with the school since it opened (with 50 students) in 2002. The length of service and experience among the teaching staff is also notable: 15 teachers with an average of 13.6 years teaching experience, who have specifically taught the Carden method for an average of 8 years, and who have been with CDSSJ for an average of 4.5 years (the school is just 5.5 years old). The teachers who have left did so very entirely understandable personal reasons - to start a family, to care for an ailing parent, to move out of state and to return to school full time to pursue an advance degree. Pros: Small classes, Education of the Whole Child; French, Music, Fine Arts instruction; Attentive to the individual students. Cons: Would love to have an enormous playing field but the play area at the lower campus is beautiful and the kids love it. more