The New School Of Berkeley

Our daughter has been at The New School for a year and a half (she started in the 2 year old class and then transitioned to the 3 year old class in August) and she LOVES the school! She’s happy, talkative, fulfilled, and tired (in the best way) everyday when we pick her up. The curriculum is play-based and all the kids learn social-emotional skills in addition to academics (but the academics are woven into play). The kids play outside 80-90% of the day, go on neighborhood walks and field trips, and even take the city bus back from the library some days! The teachers are incredible, kind, and nurturing— they care so deeply about the kids and truly make the school what it is. We feel so safe leaving our daughter there and know they are taking impeccable care of her while she grows and thrives tremendously. The hours are great too (8am-6pm) and they have an after school program where older kids in BUSD can get bussed over to the school! The New School is a beautiful community and we’re so happy our daughter is growing up there.

I can't say enough good things about my son's experience at the New School. Its wonderful teachers take the work of creating a loving, safe, child-centric environment seriously, providing just the right balance of support and independence for kids as they discover themselves, their peers, and the world around them. The school works hard to support working parents, with hours that reflect the reality of the work day, camps on days when public schools are closed, and a delightful summer program full of field trips, swimming, and ample play. We also really loved how the New School eased our transition to kindergarten by giving my son a familiar place with his longtime friends to go every afternoon. The fact that BUSD buses kids there from many elementary schools was a huge convenience, especially given the intense demand for afterschool care in Berkeley.

We’ve had a wonderful experience with The New School, and I wanted to share for other families who may be looking for a child-centered environment that supports kids from preschool through the early elementary years. New School is committed to its child-led, play-based philosophy. The educators genuinely respect and support each child's individuality, encouraging exploration, creativity, and social-emotional development through open-ended play and meaningful projects. It never feels rigid or overly structured—just a joyful, supportive place where kids are allowed to be kids. One of the biggest advantages for our family has been the seamless transition from preschool to the after-school program when our kids moved into elementary school. The continuity in care, philosophy, and community has made a huge difference in our child’s confidence and comfort. It’s the same familiar space, so the move into TK/K felt smooth and reassuring. The after-school program also offers camp days on the many days when BUSD is closed for staff development or non-federal holidays, which has been a lifesaver for our work schedules. Overall, we feel incredibly lucky to have found The New School. It’s a warm, inclusive community where children are truly seen, heard, and celebrated

This is our daughter's second year at the New School of Berkeley and we couldn't be more pleased. We went through two different preschools with our son, both of which were perfectly wonderful, but this is by far the best experience we've had. We've been particularly happy about the way the New School so effectively fosters community within, as well as the way it integrates students into the larger Berkeley community. This includes student feildtrips on foot or via public transportation to destinations like the library, Cheese Board for pizza, and various local parks among other places. The incredible teachers and staff do an amazing job coming up with fun and creative programming, while also cultivating a loving home away from home for the kids. I could go on for pages about all the things we love about the New School (weekly yoga, art and music classes, healthy snacks, gardening...) but will just say it's a true community treasure and we are so grateful to have stumbled upon it!

My daughter has flourished at New School over the past year and a half. The teachers provide an enriching, loving, and supportive environment for the kids. I can go to work with peace of mind knowing she’ll be engaged and well taken care of.