Golden Hills School

Posted: May 31, 2024

I have both my children at Golden Hills School. I love that the teachers are consistent and there is attention to behavior and academic excellence. Their IB program for Middle School requires a rigorous academic schedule for students. There is small class sizes at every grade level. There is nothing but positivity at this school and a growth mindset to always strive to do better and be better. Thank you Golden Hills!

Posted: May 31, 2024

Posted: May 31, 2024

Posted: May 31, 2024

Posted: May 31, 2024

Posted: May 31, 2024

Posted: May 31, 2024

Posted: May 31, 2024

Posted: January 13, 2022

This school has helped my student develop more of the schools character traits of gold. This school is giving a great academic and athletic courses.

Posted: January 13, 2022

Posted: January 13, 2022

Posted: January 13, 2022

Posted: January 13, 2022

Posted: January 13, 2022

Posted: January 13, 2022

Posted: January 13, 2022

Posted: October 24, 2021

Posted: October 24, 2021

Posted: October 24, 2021

Posted: October 24, 2021

Posted: October 24, 2021

Posted: October 24, 2021

Posted: October 24, 2021

Posted: October 24, 2021

Don’t let the Open House fool you, this place is a mess and many of the student projects are done by parents. While they advertise character development in students, they do not hold a high bar for their teachers, other staff or parents. The behavior of the teachers is outright appalling but because the principal has no backbone no one is held accountable. There is constant drama, teachers talk about students to other parents and there is clear favoritism in the classroom and the sports field. This place is great if you want to set your student up to be anxious and unable to advocate for themselves with a teacher but if what you want is a well-rounded student not afraid to ask questions from adults who actually care about their health and well-being there are far better schools.

Posted: July 3, 2021

Posted: July 3, 2021

Posted: July 3, 2021

Posted: July 3, 2021

Posted: July 3, 2021

Posted: July 3, 2021

Golden hills school have the worse international program

Posted: July 3, 2021

Posted: July 3, 2021

Posted: November 23, 2016

Posted: November 23, 2016

Posted: November 23, 2016

Posted: November 23, 2016

Posted: November 23, 2016

Posted: November 23, 2016

Posted: November 23, 2016

Great overall education and character development. I have 1 daughter in 5th grade and one who graduated and is now a sophomore in high school. GHS prepared my daughter very well for high school!! I could not be happier with our experience. The best part is the Community which works together to do one thing - impart the best education for our kids.

Posted: November 17, 2016

Golden Hills School is an incredible student centered, family oriented school. Our daughter has attended GHS for two years and we are extremely happy with the quality of education she is receiving. From the dedicated teachers to the small class sizes, Golden Hills an excellent private school.

Posted: February 3, 2015

Golden Hills is the best choice we made for our children! I have a daughter that is currently in eighth grade. We brought her here in sixth grade after attending the local public school. We didn't want her to have to compete with 30 other kids in a class for the teachers attention. At GHS small classrooms gives teachers a chance to actually work one on one with students and focus on each individual learning style. The middle school teachers are excellent and my child is excited to go to school every day A well rounded education is offered with daily PE activities. Music, art and Spanish is a regular part of their daily instruction. When I drop my kids at Golden Hills I feel like they are with an extended family who truly cares for them. I strongly recommend GHS for anyone looking for a better choice for their children.

Posted: January 26, 2015

This school is fantastic! The teachers are wonderful and the programs enriching. My daughter is thriving! It's a close-knit and caring community and allows her to grow academically and socially. The interaction between the older grades and the younger grades (the "buddy" system) inspires the older students to be responsible role models and creates a connection that lasts for years. Academically, I couldn't be more pleased. As a working professional with a post-graduate degree, I strive for academic excellence for my child. I've compared the curriculum here to the local public and private schools and am confident my daughter is getting the best education possible!

Posted: January 18, 2015

We have two daughters at Golden Hills, one in 4th grade and one in 1st. We couldn't be happier with our experience. The before school care and all-day Kindergarten were great for us. Both our kids continue to excel academically, which we attribute to the teachers and curriculum, both first rate. Very warm and inclusive of the parents, from the Head of School on down. Highly recommend.

Posted: October 30, 2014

My daughter has been attending since kindergarten and is now in middle school. I never thought that I would be sending my children to private school, but the full day kindergarten really started me down the path. My wife and I both worked at the time and she was already going to a full day preschool. When we evaluated the kindergarten programs and hours we were shocked with actual classroom time in the public schools and how much time she would have been in after school care with older children, the decision was easy. The school has changed over the years, but in my opinion it has always been a year to year decision and the school consistently earns my children's enrollment. I love the smaller class sizes compared to other schools in the area, diverse student body and the focus on character education.

Posted: October 25, 2014

I usually do not write reviews. I am so happy this year with the new middle school teachers and with our Head of school that I just want to tell everyone! The curriculum has been challenging this year particularly in math. My child is on schedule to enter high school taking Algebra 2 in the Freshman year instead of the Junior year! All of the middle school teachers are doing a great job. I noticed a comment about fund raising that I would like to address. Some parents do not understand why the school has so many fundraising events. The reason is simple. Many private schools operate on Gap funding. This means that the tuition charged does not cover all the operating expenses. The money donated in fund raising is to cover the Gap. The money that the parents donate to fund raising is also Tax Deductible unlike tuition which is not. So this is a benefit to parents in need of a deduction. My child feels at home at GHS. Safe and friendly environment. The school offers after school sports such as volleyball, basketball football etc. I recommend that if you are interested in a private school that you take a look at it for yourself. It has been a great experience for us!

Posted: September 15, 2014

What a great start to the new school year! New middle school teachers are amazing, really perfect addition to the school. Lots of new and exciting program- Latin in middle school!!! Parents are involved and happy to be back. Negative energy has gone. Thrilled to part of this wonderful family again this year.

Posted: June 18, 2014

We sent our child to GHS with the hopes of receiving a superior education within a safe environment. We were disappointed on both counts. Sub-par teachers and curriculum. Social bullying with no consequences. Too many parents way too involved in the day to day. GHS should adopt a "closed campus" approach similar to Country Day. This school should focus on academics --- Build it and they will come! Continuing to "dumb it down" to order to increase enrollment is only driving away the families of students who excel in academics!

Posted: May 3, 2014

GHS has deteriorated considerably the last 5-6 years, academically, socially & culturally. Too many turn overs, new faculty, administrators that have "dumbed down" classroom experience. Character Ed is a joke! Several teachers are average, many substandard. GHS has gotten by on its good reputation to date, but that is changing. Low enrollment and general dissatisfaction are telling. New parents have no clue about the origin and foundation of the school. As long time parent with multiple graduates, I truly hope the acting HOS can turn things around, but I have serious doubts. Cannot in good conscience recommend GHS and this is painful to admit, given the time and $ invested.

Posted: April 22, 2014

GHS - A Lifetime of Success Starts Here Golden Hills School is a fully-accredited, private, non-profit school. We offer a comprehensive program that guides the academic, character, social-emotional and physical development of students in Junior-Kindergarten through Eighth grade. Golden Hills School is independently managed and not part of a corporate chain. Our philosophy is that the successful education of a child requires an equal partnership between students, their parents, and the school. At Golden Hills School, we are committed to nurturing and developing this partnership to ensure a superior educational experience for each of our students. Small class sizes, student self-discipline, excellent teachers, and parental involvement are the foundations on which Golden Hills School was established. We believe in challenging each student at their ability-level, providing him or her with the opportunity to progress at his or her own pace. Our academic program focuses on imparting a strong academic foundation, through small group, ability-based learning with differentiated instruction. Character education is a critical part of who we are as a community. In addition, Golden Hills School offers an extensive portfolio of enrichment classes enabling us to deliver A Complete Education at a value we feel is unmatched in the Sacramento area. We incorporate physical education daily at all grade levels taught by a full-time physical education instructor. Our students enjoy art, music, dance, acting, Spanish, and computers. We participate in the county sports program which includes basketball, volleyball, wrestling, football and cross country. Our students have the opportunity to participate in sport clinics including golf and basketball. Extracurricular activities take place on campus in our complete gymnasium with stage for the performing arts and our athletic field. Please enjoy this video about our school: http://youtu.be/GjO7In9z_eQ

Posted: February 4, 2014

Our Kids Love the School for the size and attention they receive. Most important, the teachers and Head Of School care about children. They care not only about the education, but the whole student!

Posted: February 4, 2014

We have two kids who have blossomed academically as well as in their overall character development, which I believe is most important at the middle school / Elementary age. It is true; there have been changes with teacher turn over. It s very difficult to know when teaches will move or retire. I believe the recent negative reviews are very short sited and not substantiated. The Head of school is extremely knowledgeable who is working to continue to build an extraordinary school. Ultimately, you are responsible for your kids as a parent. My two children have had all the help they needed when they needed it. My communication with the Head of School and teaches have been outstanding. As a result, I have seen my kids transform. You cannot receive this type of attention in the larger public schools who only care about test scores. As far as the schools asking for donations etc, you have to remember this is a private school! If you do not have the means to participate your kids will still get the same attention. It s unfortunate; the comments are so short cited. I would recommend anyone interested in pursuing a private education to visit the school and evaluate your- self.

Posted: January 23, 2014

There were many spot on but unflattering reviews of this school between October & January that were removed for some reason. The 01/17/14 review is worth the read and time to consider. The Principal is not the warmest you will find & will not deviate from her plan; does not show that she understands the school community or what is is best for the school. You should explore and ask questions of both the public neighborhood schools and of this school. You have to determine why you would want to spend thousands of dollars in order to attend this school. Possibly it is worth it for you to ensure that you do not have drugs at a school. It is a very small community and there are clicks and there is bullying. You will be presented with a dog and pony show if you get a tour, but again, try to get behind that and see what they really do in the classrooms. The middle school is again in transition and not sure it is worth all the money you spend for the education you get. Investigate, ask questions, it is your money you are spending, & you have to determine if there are other things at this school than the education which draw you to it.

Posted: September 29, 2013

GHS has provided us with a stable environment for our children. The small class sizes have enabled our children to quickly learn subjects and excel academically. GHS also supplements the traditional academic studies with enrichment programs that also benefit our children.

Posted: September 20, 2013

The school teachers are great but they will rip you off if you try to leave for thousands of dollars and they are constantly asking for more money from the parents in the form of auctions, give aways and any other method they can think of.

Posted: September 8, 2013

This is a great school. The Administrator has really helped bring the staff together to make curriculum advancements to keep the educational enviroment challenging and relevant. The small class sizes allow for perosnal attention and help facilitate a srong bond between the students.

Posted: August 21, 2013

Our family could not be happier with the school and the teachers. The small class environment is making a big difference in the way children learn and relate to each other. We like the safe environment the school provides and also the character education. In a world where bullying is affecting the life of so many families it is reassuring to see a school where these issues are discussed and dealt with on the spot.

Posted: August 6, 2013

My child has attended GHS since Jr. K. At each grade level, we have found the teachers to be exceptional in their skills as well as excedptional in caring for the individual needs of my child. Any concerns I may have expressed about my child's education has been met with great interest, guidance and assistance by the teaching staff. As we enter our 8th year at GHS, the best endorsement comes from my child, who loves to learn and loves going to school!

Posted: February 20, 2013

This is an awesome school, where your whole family will have a great experienece. We have a child in middle school and a child in elementary school, and have been here for 3 years. The teachers are phenomenal, especially in middle school, 2nd and 3rd grades. It is a small, safe environment where all teachers know all the kids in all grades, the parents know each other, and the children are well-behaved and kind to one another. Its a place where kids can develop their academics and other talents, and learn how to be great human beings, without the peer pressure, cliques and bullying you see in public school.

Posted: February 18, 2013

this is a wonderful little school for grades jk through 8. personalized attention from teachers with small classes. the education is well rounded and includes character ed, music, foreign language, computer technology and sports.

Posted: February 13, 2013

Our kids have been at GHS for several years now and the school just continues to get better. The new Head of School is incredibly dedicated and very experienced in private school education. She and the other administrators as well as the teachers care so deeply about all of the kids. With one small class per grade of about 20-22 kids, each teacher has really gotten to know my children and they personnally work to ensure their success. The community is great and the facilities are wonderful. It's kind of a hidden gem in the Latrobe Business Park, but we love it. It's just a safe, warm and inviting place where the kids can really flourish. I highly recommend visiting if you are looking at private schools. Just wait until you see how polite and well-mannered the kids are there and you will know why we have kept our kids there throughout elementary and we plan to continue all the way through eighth grade.

Posted: January 31, 2013

My son has been at GHS since Junior K. He loves the school. The class size is small, everyone knows my son and our family. We could not be happier.

Posted: January 29, 2013

My wife and I love sending our kids to Golden Hills School. We believe that investing in our children's future is invaluable and could not be happier with the experience at GHS. The class sizes are small, the academics are top notch and the teachers are caring, attentive and devoted to helping each student achive their personal best. The environment is warm and nurturing with a strong focus on character education, integrity and service to others. The leadership group at the school is active and engaged, and fosters a culture of community involvement and partnership. While there's no substitute for parental guidance and support, GHS reinforces the values that will help our children maximize their academic potential and become strong leaders in the future.

Posted: January 6, 2013

I love the small, personal and safe educational environment offered by GHS. My two young children are known by every teacher on the campus, not just their own, as well as by their upperclass buddies. They are held accountable for their academic performance, their effort and their character. Principal is a stellar professional and leader.

Posted: December 18, 2012

This school is moving forward with some very positive and encouraging changes. The new principal is by far the best and most experienced this school has seen. She is new to GHS, but very experienced and not new at the job. From the first day of school we could feel the excitement and positive changes and it has only increased. I know some who have left that even are considering returning. They have an impressive new learning garden, the character education continues to shine...my child is actually raking the neighbor's yard for the sake of community service. With the small classes, we feel safe and our student's educational needs are met every year. I would recommend this school to anyone. If you're shopping, go take a tour & see for yourself all the positive changes .

Posted: December 14, 2012

This school was a huge headache that I wish someone had warned me about. I enrolled my students thinking I was enrolling them in a nice good school with positive influences and dedicated teachers which was exactly opposite of what we received. I then transferred them to a nearby PUBLIC school and how much more happy and successful my kids were! Just because a school costs money, doesn't mean that its better than the ones that don't. Think carefully before enrolling your child here.

Posted: February 6, 2012

The academics at GHS are a year behind in Spanish from the local public school. The Spanish book my daughter was issued for 8th grade was the one she completed at her previous private school in another area of CA in the 7th grade. After moving her out of GHS after just 4 months, she is now too far behind to keep up with the Spanish class at the public school. Enrolling her here was a mistake for us. Ask about administration turnover history, ask about how they compare their curriculum with other local schools. Not a good choice to prepare your child for local private and public high schools.

Posted: February 6, 2012

Before signing on the dotted line be sure to inquire about stability and continuity. Over the last 10 years the school has had 6 principals and is in the process of looking for their 7th. As the parent of a child who has spent 6 years at GHS, I can attest to the agony of having to consider uprooting the child, when new board members and principals reinvent the curriculum or methods or culture. And closely consider the qualifications of the board with respect to creating a genuine education experience. Additionally, I have personally come to believe that the degree to which an institution is leveraged can compromise its ability to execute its mission. The facilities might be stellar, but on-going solvency is just as crucial, given the long-term nature of this commitment. Consider having them clearly articulate the difference between their academic and disciplinary methods compared to public school to see if it lines up with your own expectations. And don't let them substitute standardized test scores or point to the well-behaved children as a substitute for specific practices. In my view, these questions could be applied to any private school you are considering, not only GHS.

Posted: February 1, 2012

GHS is an academically advanced school with great teachers, small class sizes and individualized instruction. My child is thriving academically and is developing confidence and leadership abilities. Their character development program but also just the culture of the school focuses on developing good people in addition to good students. This was not something that we were conscious that we were looking for but is now one of the most valuable contributions of the school.