What to Do About Junior High? (Berkeley, Albany, Portola or Private?)

I sent my son to Albany and he loved it and I was very happy with the teachers and the education he received there. He is now going to Albany high school and doing well. It's kinda like a private school, in the manner as the staff really cares about the kids and the education they receive. They prepare them for college and teach them to be independent it's great. My son is doing very well.
My daughter who is older went to Portola and she did good but she said there were fights in the classroom and there were quite a few problem kids. So that's why we didn't send my son.

As Nana Glenda says, schools can change a lot in five years. My son went to Hilltop (graduated 1994!) and my niece and nephew go there now. The school is a lot different now, and definitely not as good as it used to be, although still better than any other public elementary school I've seen. We moved to Berkeley and he went to King/Garfield, where I had gone, and which was fine when I went there. It was TERRIBLE when he was there. At the time, I actually thought Portola was better than King, since I worked there as a teacher's aide. I have never been impressed with Albany schools. If you can afford it, I would send your son to private school for junior high (there is St. Jerome's). But follow Nana Glenda's advice, and wait until he's ready for junior high and see how the schools are then.

We live in El Cerrito and have 3 kids. Absolutely will not send them to Portola. We might look into transfers, but also looking into Catholic schools. You can apply to private schools and request financial aid and see what happens. The private schools (most) go through 8th grade. There is supposedly a charter school on Barrett in El Cerrito/Richmond too (6-8). Just start looking at all options and doing the research and find what works best for you. There are quite a few schools and options. Good luck.

What about Pinole Junior High? It's closer to Hilltop than Berkeley and Albany and is really a good school. I went there when I was in school and now my grandson goes there! We love Pinole schools!

Greetings S.,
I am the mother of 5, and Child Advocate for Special Education, my husband was a teacher, and I have many family members that are in Real Estate. I just tell you this so you will understand what I have learned over the years.
About every 5 years entire neighborhoods can change. Going from older families that don't need such a big home to younger 1st time buyers or growing families. So ENJOY Kindergarten and not worry about what will happen in 13 years from now. There are so many things like your having a job change that relocates you that may interfer with where you may be living then. Each year is special and elementry education has such exciting times and chances for you to be in the classroom and observe your child in the learning process. I helped with schools all through Pre- 12th ( my kids didn't always like me being on the High School campus but there were times that it came in handy to be there). So if you are wanting to be in a neighborhood you like then go for it and enjoy that as well. Enjoy the adventure of parenthood it is the greatest times of your life and wilder than any theme park ride. Take Care, Nana Glenda