Perched high on a hill, Vannoy Elementary School boasts breathtaking views of the surrounding Castro Valley hills, peppered with trees and houses. The home of the Cougars also features vast grass fields, picnic tables, a playground and many nearby single family homes.
Robert Engel sells and rents most major brands of used pianos from his A Street warehouse, which is across Ruby Street from his retail Yamaha piano store. He donates pianos to the Castro Valley Performing Arts Center and loans new pianos to Castro Valley schools. He's been in business in this location since 1968. Access is through the retail store on A Street. Chinese-language sales help is available.
Bee Best Learning Center is an afterschool tutoring program for kids from kindergarten through 8th grade. In addition to helping kids with math, English and general science, they also have tutoring for Mandarin, Spanish and a couple of fun subjects like cooking and arts and crafts. They're located right next to the Castro Village Bowl inside Castro Village Plaza. Check out their website or visit them to learn more about how Bee Best Learning Center can help your kids do better in school.
A California Driving School is located on Castro Valley Boulevard, close to Redwood Road, inside the Spade & Spade Associates building. Learn how to drive in California with a state certified driving instructor. This business does not accept credit or debit cards. Please call to schedule a lesson.
Curriculum is an academic and play-based program at this well-equipped child care center founded in 1963 in a large former private home. Preschool is for kids two to five; they must be potty-trained. Day care is available for kids six to 11 during school breaks and also in conjunction with Castro Valley Elementary, two doors south; staffers walk the kids to and from lunch and provide activities before and after class. Activities are based on weekly or monthly themes, such as "Argh! Pirates!" or "Rainforest." There are rooms for naps, two miniature classrooms, a room-size "dollhouse," a large playground in back and a courtyard for outdoor crafts.
Redwood Alternative High School offers an alternative program and a continuation program. The former offers courses that will prep students for a successful academic career at the community college or trade school level. The latter gives struggling students a lighter course load so that they can graduate and lead productive lives.
This school high in the hills in the Five Canyons subdivision offers Montessori kindergarten for kids age 4-6, programs for toddlers 18-24 months, a preschool and day care for children of any age. The facility evokes an upscale ambiance, with CDs of forest songs playing in the entryway and warm wood paneling throughout. Instruction in Spanish, Mandarin, gymnastics and ballet is offered. The outdoors and nature inform the curriculum, with kids picking up skills they will later use to master academic subjects. All teachers are credentialed in early-childhood education and certified by the American Montessori Society. Five Canyons also offers Montessori teacher training in conjunction with Cal State University East Bay.
In addition to priding itself as a "California Distinguished School," the Canyon Middle School prides itself on its notable music program, in which students can study choir, band or orchestra. The school also offers competitive sports in football, cross country, golf, softball, volleyball, tennis, basketball, soccer, wrestling and track.
The School of Healing Touch is a vocational school that teaches the profession of massage and spa therapy and offers continuing education. It is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association and is approved by the State of California Employment Development Department. The director and teacher at the school is Hussein F. Azar, CMT who has been practicing and teaching massage and spa therapy since 1989. Be sure to view the website or call for more information.
Creekside Middle School, "Home of the Wildcats," is surrounded by single family homes and lush greenery.
Since its 1997 inception, Creekside's vision has been to provide "unwavering commitment to a rigorous program for every child, where each is challenged and provided with the means and motivation to increase achievement."
At His Growing Grove, children can take basic Spanish lessons, eat healthy meals, learn conflict resolution skills and study the Bible, among many other enriching activities. The playgrounds are safety-proofed and ready for each child's imaginative games and adventures. Toilets, sinks, tables and chairs are kid-sized, allowing kiddies to navigate their world at eye-level. Expect arts and crafts, a crib room for babies, lots of primary-colored playthings, and a big gymnasium for rainy-day playtime.
In 1986, Catherine Eckhardt opened Growing Years Preschool. At Growing Years, each child takes home a developmental portfolio after graduating, which showcases how many inches they've grown since the first day of school and includes writing samples to demonstrate how much their skills have improved over time.
The play-based, as opposed to academic-based, curriculum ensures each child has a messy, hands-on experience in the classroom. Kids can of course wash up at child-sized sinks before munching on crackers, cheese or cookies during snack time, or before digging into a fulfilling and nutritious lunch.
Marshall Elementary School, home of the Mustangs, takes part in the eScript Program to raise funds for school enrichment; check the school website for details. The grounds are spacious and well-kept, including two baseball diamonds and a large playground. The PTA meets the third Wednesday of each month. Walt Lewis is the current principal.