Testimonials
We struggled with the decision to send our son to The Burkard School. He was previously at a Montessori school and he was getting by in his first grade class, but he would come home and say things like he wasn’t good at math and was refusing participate in some of the class activities. We also heard stories from his younger brother about the negative exchanges with other kids on the playground. For a child that needs extra help and guidance on how to interact with his peers in a more cooperative way, it was very difficult to have him at a school that didn’t provide much supervision at recess and lunch times.
At the open house at The Burkard School last spring, we heard so many difficult yet familiar stories from other parents. Immediately afterward, we decided to have our son do a few “shadow days” at the school. The first day he came home he told us how much he loved the new school and promptly asked us when he could go back. By the end of his “shadow days” he said he said he didn’t want to return to his old school at all. Instead of waiting to switch schools in the fall, we joined TBS last March.
Now, instead of merely doing the bare minimum at school, our son is thriving. He is learning how to be resilient and stick with challenging tasks with the help of his supportive teachers and behaviorists. If he works hard he knows that he will be rewarded with an opportunity to engage in his interests in dinosaurs and animals. He tells me that even when he had a difficult time during the day he is always able to turn it around, complete his work, and leave feeling good about his day. Our son loves his teachers and he has made some nice friends with the other kids in his class. He loves going to school so much that he was upset the last time he was sick and had to stay home. The next morning, the first thing he asked was if he was able to go back to school! Honestly, I can’t think of a better recommendation for a school than a second grader that can’t wait to go back to school.
We feel extremely fortunate to have discovered this wonderful school and its supportive community.
He spent three years at a very nurturing preschool and did fairly well since it was mainly a play based program and he had a lot of freedom of movement. But when he started kindergarten at the same school, things changed. Despite his best efforts, the traditional classroom standards for behavior and attention frustrated both him and his teachers. I was determined that my son’s academic environment would be a positive experience and that he would continue to expand on his love of learning and not start to think of school in a negative way. I knew he could excel in a learning environment that was supportive, understanding, and challenging.
I was very anxious about my son changing schools, but I also knew it was necessary. Then I found The Burkard School, an absolute treasure! When I visited TBS and my son did his shadow days, I knew! I knew that this school would be the right environment for my son and I didn’t need to look any further. What made me even happier was when my son told me that he loved TBS and didn’t want to go back to his old school! TBS provides a safe, supportive, caring, and challenging school environment for uniquely talented children. Their ability to attend to the individual needs of each child yet cultivate a sense of community is truly incredible and what every parent wants for their child.
The program at TBS offers exceptional children the opportunity to discover and fully develop their strengths and overcome challenges that keep them from excelling in a traditional classroom setting. Instead of being the class troublemakers, these children are celebrated! I feel so fortunate to live in the San Francisco Bay Area and have my son attend this gem of a school. Every child will thrive if they are truly understood and in the right environment!


A small independent K-8 school for bright children who need extra support with self-regulation, executive functioning, and/or social-emotional learning in the classroom.
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