Gateway School

Only reason I didn't give 5 stars is bc the pool of kids is much smaller than at a public school. Other than that, materials are great, teachers are great, students are welcoming, highly recommend this school for younger children to stay at through  8th grade, and hopefully make some friends for life!
Aug 30th, 2022

Our 2nd grade son LOVES to go to school every morning. It is hard to explain the magic that is present on the Gateway School campus - the teachers and staff are passionate and committed and there is a great sense of community amongst the families. The academics at Gateway are strong, but equally important is the focus, (especially in the early grades) on social and emotional development. Gateway School is truly committed to educating the whole person.
Mar 27th, 2018

I've been a teacher here at Gateway for more than a decade and this year I became a parent when my son started in Kindergarten. I have a new appreciation for this amazing school and community. Our academics are strong, but above that the care and attention to the emotional lives of the students goes above and beyond. Come and visit us!
Feb 9th, 2018

Santa Cruz: You don't know how lucky you are to have a school of this caliber in our small town! My children (currently in grades 6 and 2) feel incredibly safe and secure, known, loved, and inspired every day. The teachers at Gateway foster their intellectual creativity, encourage them to take risks, push their critical thinking skills, and help them build and nurture friendships, social skills, and personal well-being. I am confident that the experiences they are having in this impressive k-8 program will help them grow to be healthy and happy life-long learners. But more importantly, they do not feel that they are merely preparing for a meaningful life, they are living it today.The faculty and staff at Gateway value childhood and take it seriously. They infuse joy and play into their masterful teaching and model an ethic of continuous improvement by reflecting on what is working in the classroom and embracing new practices based on research on teaching, learning, and neuroscience.As a parent, I can tell you that the added bonus of having your children at Gateway is that you become a part of a caring, compassionate, small community who looks out for one another. There are many opportunities for parent education that the school organizes, bringing experts from many fields to campus for workshops and discussions. As an educator who has worked in and visited schools all across California, I feel comfortable stating without hesitation that the educational experience that Gateway provides is of the highest quality and is worth the investment. Please come take a look. You will be blown away by what you see happening on campus!
Oct 26th, 2018

Gateway School is a progressive, inclusive, and highly supportive school in Santa Cruz. I attended Gateway for middle school, and I can say that I left excited and well prepped for high school. The environment helps students get excited about learning, the teachers are motivated and they truly care about how the students feel on a day to day basis. In Gateway's middle school, the grades are given a chance to mix and students can make friends they might not have otherwise had the experience of meeting. I can say that I met some of the truest, kindest people there. Unfortunately, some others have not had such good adventures as I have. From my experience, the staff and faculty at Gateway address problems as they come up, and do not ignore pressing concerns. Overall, I'd say that Gateway give its students a collaborative, exciting place to foster love of learning. Enjoy!
Oct 5th, 2018