The Clay Arts Guild of Walnut Creek offers studio space and classes for ceramics, as well as guild member-made pottery for sale to the public. Classes are open to the public, and include beginner, intermediate and advanced lessons.
The studio's equipment includes electric and kick wheels, cone 10 reduction kilns, electric kilns for low fire, raku kiln, salt kiln, slab roller, extruder, damp and glaze rooms and large work areas.
The studio is located in the community center and park, next door to the library on Civic and Broadway. The Civic Arts Education offers classes at the studio; for more information on how to register, visit www.arts-ed.org.
Lafayette Studio provides art education to members of the Lafayette community. In addition, studio space is available for local artists. Locker memberships can be purchased by local artists, providing them with a space to store supplies in the studio, as well as access to the studio at any time classes are not in session. Classes are offered in such media and subjects as watercolor, abstract acrylic painting, gestural figure drawing, monoprint, landscape painting, clothed figure painting/drawing, paint alongs and painting workouts.
KISS offers a total language immersion program for pre-school and kindergarten-age children (from 2 to 6), conducting about 95% of its activities in Spanish. The core of the curriculum consists of participation in cultural experiences such as singing, dancing, art projects, cooking and games - all done entirely in Spanish. The center requires parents to visit the facilities and observe a class before enrollment. Scholarships are available and First Five is accepted. Contact the center to make an appointment or for more information.
Since 1983, kids aged 2 to 6 have been learning in this quiet, nurturing and stimulating environment. The educational programs at Aice's Montessori include math, geography, art, music, practical life and fun time.
Safestway has serviced the entire Bay Area since 1970, providing driving instruction and classes teenagers and adults. Programs include driver's education, learner's permit, defensive driving, suspended license and stick shift training. Safestway is state licensed and is a full time driving school. To pre-enroll or set up an appointment online, visit the website.
Step Ahead Learning Center has been offering quality child care to the Walnut Creek community since 1996. Conveniently located near BART and the freeway, Step Ahead accepts kids aged 3 months through 5 years for day care. It also provides before and after school care for kids up to 12 years old. Activities include: art, science, computer, water play, cooking, music, reading readiness, small and gross motor skills, math and group interactions. During the summer, Step Ahead offers seasonally appropriate programs like swimming, gymnastics, and dance.
Old Firehouse School is a pre-school that seeks to provide children with enriching educational and social experiences. Its curriculum is based in fundamental child development practices, providing primary caregiving and engaging children in project work. In addition, it aims to cultivate and nurture each child's curiosity and independence. This Walnut Creek location is one of three schools in the Old Firehouse School network; its sister schools are located in Mille Valley and Lafayette.
Parents interested in enrolling their children should attend one of this school's scheduled open house events; specific open house dates are available on its Web site.
JC Education has provided academic support to students in kindergarden through 12th grade and adult enrichment services since 2001. Tutoring, homework and class project assistance and test preparation classes (including SAT, PSAT and TOEFL) are offered in a highly structured, family-oriented environment. Programs are tailored to meet each student's specific needs in areas such as music, math, reading, arts and crafts, swimming, foreign languages, chemistry, biology and more. JC Education is located in Ygnacio Plaza shopping center, right around the corner from Michael's Hair Works, on San Carlos Drive.
A ministry of Walnut Avenue United Methodist Church, Walnut Avenue Community Christian Pre-School is based on the church's campus and welcomes students of all religious and cultural backgrounds. Established in 1976, the preschool offers Junior Kindergarten, Kindergarten Readiness, Preschool, and Mom's Morning Out programs that are uniquely tailored to fit each child's development level. Children at Walnut Avenue Community Christian are encouraged to work both individually and in groups at activities such as science, music, art, drama and pre-math and reading. Classes at Walnut Avenue Community Christian Preschool are limited to approximately 41 students and a certified Early Childhood Educator teaches each program. Streeta Farrell currently serves as the preschool's Director.
The Creek is an after-school facility for middle school aged children. The center offers various daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly activities, both indoor and outdoor. The students also have an opportunity to do their homework and carry out other classroom activities. The facility offers individual computer stations. As part of its community services, the local high school students offer tutoring.
Springfield has provided Montessori programs for children between the ages of 2 and 6 years old since 1990. A member of Professional Association for Childhood Education, Springfield Montessori School is situated on a four-acre site in Shadelands Business Park in Walnut Creek. Learning and play time take place in a 12,000-square-foot building that is surrounded by a 15,000-square-foot playground, fenced toddler play area, 3,000-square-feet of covered outdoor patios, lots ofparking for easy pickups and dropoffs, two play structures and a tricycle path. The school features two toddler classrooms, five preschool classrooms, one kindergarten classroom, a large irrigated gardening area and a sport court.
As ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church, Trinity Lutheran Preschool has a mission to "mirror Christ's love by creating a safe and loving environment in which children can learn and grow." Trinity Lutheran Preschool was first established in 1969 and offers half and full day preschool and pre-kindergarten programs as well as extended child care before and after school for enrolled children. Within walking distance from the Walnut Creek BART station, Trinity Lutheran has three classroom facilities and provides special programs such as Sign Language and Dance and Gymnastics classes. Information on tuition fees and enrollment can be found on the Trinity Lutheran Church Web site or by contacting Stephanie Schmitdt, the current Preschool Director.
Garden Gate Montessori School provides quality morning programs for children from two and three-quarters through six years of age. Specially trained Montessori teachers in this school encourage indepdendnce and growth in a peaceful, home-like environment that includes well-equipped classrooms, a fully stocked kitchen, an outdoor pond and flower and garden areas for play and learning. This school offers hands-on sensorial experiences in musical enjoyment and appreciation, visual arts, language, literature, reading, writing, math, science and geography.
Student Organizational Services (SOS) provides organization and study strategies to help students become more academically successful, self confident and motivated. Services include academic instruction, student advocacy, study space makeovers and workshops for students ages 11 to 17, parents and teachers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Milestones is a facility certified by the State Department of Education, offering ABA and social skills group for those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The group's services are based on the belief that children with autism or other similar disorders are capable of far more than most people realize and a successful treatment program should address a child's intellectual, physical and social development. Milestones has been serving the Bay Area since 1998, with the neurofeedback and cognitive rehabilitation program added in 2009. The organization extends its services to the international community as well. Milestones offer a variety of services for children in different age groups and home- and community-based programs. In addition, there are workshops and training for parents and educators.