Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School

My older son is now going into 7th grade (after starting Wornick in 2nd) and my second son is starting 3rd. I have been nothing but happy with every aspect of the school. I love the teachers---they not only care about teaching their students but they care about the kids personally. It is truly amazing how dedicated they are. Both of my kids have learned so much and are very happy at the school. The middle school is top notch---the things that my son learned in 6th grade I did not learn until high school! The school not only focuses on critical thinking but teaches the kids to be better people. The school does not tolerate bullying or anything like that in any way shape or form which is very important in this day and age.

We joined Wornick last year after giving up on the public schools in California. We couldn't be more pleased. The class sizes are small the teachers very well qualified and the community is very tight knit. The school emphasizes critical thinking and teaches the kids how to love learning. Lots of hands on project based learning. The teachers are personally invested in the kids growth and development. My son loves going to school is completely jazzed about learning and is progressing very well academically. The principal is a gem very smart and great instincts when dealing with parents. All in all we are so happy we chose this school and highly recommend it to others.

Our family relocated from Orange County and our 3rd and 5th graders entered Wornick in September 2009 after attending a large well reputed Jewish Day School and JCC preschool from the age of two. Over the past two academic years despite the challenges of their homesickness and missing life-long friends both boys have transitioned very well to Wornick. The Wornick community welcomes new families and looks for ways to make the transition in as smooth as possible with multiple opportunities to be involved in school life. Although we arrived during the most challenging time as Wornick experienced necessary growth pains the teachers provided superior quality individualized education and attention to our boys as they do for all students. Academically I have one average and one above average student with extremely different styles and needs. Both of my sons have been impressed that their teachers gave them clear written and oral feedback to help them improve on multiple occasions. In this smaller caring community environment I see them growing academically and socially and developing confidence that is invaluable to their future success. We highly recommend the Wornick experience!

We have been a Wornick family for four years after having spent the previous six years in the San Mateo/Foster City School system. The Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School has been a very warm and welcoming place. The staff is very caring and professional and constantly evaluates what works and what doesn t work for the students and families. Their constant desire for excellence translates to all areas of study and throughout the Wornick community. I value the individualized attention dual curriculum leadership and superior educational standards that the school implements. I have two children that thrive and excel due to their education at Wornick.

There are some happy parents and kids at this school. Our experience was 100% negative. We were not happy with any aspect of this school and were sorry we chose it for our child. We found the academics not up to private school standards the teachers unpleasant and worst of all we felt that bullying was not handled properly. We would never recommend this school to any parent and are very glad to have pulled our child out.

As a family finishing our first year at Wornick we are so happy - so much so our second child is starting here in fall as well. Our eldest child has had a great year - socially (in middle school this is not always easy) and academically (we finally found curriculum that is challenging!). The faculty and Head of School are always willing to work with the kids but even more importantly the kids learn to advocate for themselves. It seems as though they are learning the "basics" but they are always doing/making/performing with hands-on projects so that the learning is deeper. The classes in many instances overlap (technology with social studies etc.) so that their learning is reinforced. I sincerely wish that we had started here years ago and not waited until Middle School. You have only ONE chance to educate your children and do it right - Wornick gets it right.

Our child is in her third year at Wornick so we have been there through the transitional Head of School (who made critical changes as she succeeded a well-loved but overly permissive leader) -- and now (2010-11) the first year of the CLEARLY long-term Head of School a remarkable leader. It is hard to convey how exciting it is to be part of an organization moving from great to preeminent. Change is always challenging for some especially when it includes insistence upon the very highest standards. But what else would you want for your child? Creativity flexibility rigor innovation and excitement are what characterize the school now. The Board is not just dedicated but brings the talent and know-how to take Wornick to the next level. Come and see for yourself ... blog sites like this only get you so far.

I am shocked to review the negative reviews of the school! My experience and that of everyone that I know is the complete opposite. The school handle all disciplinary problems promptly and effectively. My son had an issue at his prior school with bullying and one of the reasons that I picked Wornick was their zero tolerance policy. The changes in staff have been for a variety of reasons including teachers relocating to other areas. The new Head of School is absolutely fantastic and has evaluated every area of the school to ensure that we are truly reaching our potential. Every child's needs are addressed individually with extra help for those that need it and extra work for those that a bit ahead of the class. The morale of the school is at al all time high including the morale of our wonderful teachers who fully support all of the changes. My only assumption from the negative comments by some parents is that they or their child was just not a good match for the school.

How high can you rate a school when your children are upset that summer vacation is too long and they would rather be at school. Wornick teaches our children in a way that doesn't scare or intimidate them.The caring environment running through the school is obvious to anyone that visits the school.

We are thrilled to be part of this school and community. Our child is thriving in Kindergarden. His teachers identified his type of learning and are working with him to develop skills to be not only a great student but a kind responsible person. The comprehensive day includes library music art technology PE science math reading and Jewish studies. Kindergardeners are assigned 3rd grade 'buddies' to help them throughout the year. After care is available with additional clubs & classes chess science art music & cooking. Kids can also sign up for PJCC activities & classes and will be escorted over to the campus. We feel very fortunate that we are able to attend Wornick.

My child is currently in the 2nd grade. This school is fantastic from the teachers to the environment to the school community as a whole. It really feels like a big family. I've also been very impressed with the academic quality of my daughter's education. Beyond this they are taught self-confidence and how to be good citizens. The bottom line is my daughter LOVES going to school and we are extraordinarily happy about her love of reading and academics.

My children are having an excellent experience at this school. The academic programs offered at Wornick are challenging and comprehensive and the kids are getting an education which is as good or better than what their peers are getting at other schools in the area - both public and private. The children are learning hebrew and are thriving under the dual curriculum which forces them to engage and expanding their thought processes. The community is warm and involved and - in addition to the academic education - the children are learning the importance of developing their own identity within a larger community.

Much of the negative reviews focus on a two-year period where there was a bad fit between the head of school and the expectations of the teachers students and parents. That has been corrected this year with a new head of school who is simply amazing. The atmosphere is positive interest in the school is on the upswing and the quality of teachers has never been higher. Wornick strives for the highlest level of academic excellence...and it shows. Just visit seeing is believing.

My daughter is having a fantastic learning experience at Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School. The academic programming offered is engaging and challenging. In addition to the secular academics my daughter has daily programming in Jewish Studies and Hebrew. Our daughter is growing and thriving under this curriculum. In addition in classroom experiences include Music Appreciation and Technology as well as Physical Education. To our family the best part of our daughter s Wornick experience is the project based learning approach. Each discipline is tied to the content and theme the students are learning. The teachers communicate and collaborate with each other daily. The school community is educated passionate and involved. Class size is not so big allowing students and their families to make friends for life.

Wornick is an incredible school where visitors can hear the sound of learning just by walking in the door. Students are engaged in problem solving research and discussion in all grades. Project based learning is extensive - for example the fourth grade owl project where through dissection of owl pellets and cost estimates students presented to a (fictional) museum an estimate of the budget needed to keep an owl and a visual inventory of the food needed. The students work together and are taught to appreciate all sorts of learners. Gifted students are challenged by expanded inquiry and by helping their fellow students. The school's mission is to educate the next generation of Jewish leaders and they are very effective at it. The Head of School is extremely warm experienced and committed to excellence in teaching. She has taken an outstanding teaching team to the next level The families are welcoming. New families who have joined our community are invited to homes and quickly made part of the Wornick community. Last week we had a community wide Hanukkah celebration that easily had 150 people in attendance. It's a great place.

I have two children in the school. Both are very different students but both have received a well-rounded and inspired education. Both are confident and proficient public speakers energetic and knowledgeable about Judaism and Israel and speak and understand Hebrew. They are both happy well-adjusted and intellectually curious. I give the school high marks.

Wornick offers an excellent education and loving community. I have been a parent here for 10 years and have watched and participated in it's growth. My children have thrived here (and continue to thrive). We live in Hillsborough considered to be the best school district in the area and we choose Wornick! I would encourage anyone to call the school and check it for themselves. You'll see why so many families choose to send their children here and why so many teachers and staff love to work here! The unique and amazing environment speaks for itself.

This school is amazing in so many ways. From academic rigor strong community involvement caring and savvy teachers and an environment that fosters a love of learning and healthy values! The negative posts here are clearly from parents or teachers with an ax to grind.

This school treats their staff very badly and this harms the general environment of the school. Staff is fired without warning and the real reasons are never given. Last year the head of school several excellent teachers and the IT support person were fired w ostensibly to "improve" the school but the real reason was cost-savings -- they were replaced with cheaper and less qualified substitutes. This atmosphere of terror cannot be good for the children whose interests are secondary to the political warfare going on at the school to determine who keeps their job and what they get paid.

The new head of school has made this school shine! The teachers are caring and creative customized learning. The kids literally run to school in the morning enjoy academics with a strong sense of Jewish identity a diverse active community and PTO; I have both my kids there for more than 8 years now went through the "crisis" year and can highly recommend both elementary and Middle school!