Barnhart School

The school and teachers are student and community focused! They teach to the child's abilities instead of grade or age level. They focus on the whole child instead of pure academics. We transition from public school and my son now is happy, engaged and challenged. Fantastic school for all kiddos, especially gifted students.

Years ago my child attended the most expensive and prestigious schools in Pasadena. Now my grandchildren attend Barnhart, and the academic and social / developmental experience offered here meets or exceeds what was offered at those schools.

We adore Barnhart! We were looking for a school that provided a stellar curriculum for bright kids. Barnhart turned out to be a perfect match. They understand that kids can be very divergent thinkers and they meet them where they are at. The staff is amazing and really understood how to work with my kiddo. We feel blessed to have found an academic home here but regret not having made the transition sooner.

Barnhart is such a special place! They recognize that there is no "one size fits all" when it comes to learning. The teachers and administration partner with families in order to create the best learning environment for each child. There is no push for children to be anything other than themselves! Barnhart is a breath of fresh air and we are so grateful to have found them. From the minute we stepped foot on campus we knew we had found our home and friends that will last a lifetime.

Barnhart is my happy place. As a parent of two boys who are currently enrolled in the elementary school, I couldn't be happier to have found a place that is such a great fit for my family. My children love going to school and are sad when they are sick and have to miss a day.

During our time at Barnhart, I have watched both of my children grow to be caring friends, inquisitive leaners and confident students. I know this is due to the incredible teachers who create a safe learning environment for all. I have always felt that the teachers truly care about my children and have a vested interest in their well-being. Teachers often email to communicate their concerns, and also to share sweet anecdotes or moments when they've felt proud of students. With small classroom sizes, teachers are able to give students extra support or challenges if needed.

What I love most about Barnhart is the school's philosophy of focusing on fostering growth of the whole child. Each member of the faculty and staff act in harmony with a specific emphasis on balance, so that students receive quality instruction and also learn about what it means to be kind, accept others, and resolve conflict.

We also chose Barnhart because our oldest son is unique. He was reading by 3 years old and exhibited other advanced academic skills. During first grade, his teacher and vice principal encouraged us to have him tested for giftedness. This diagnosis has absolutely been life-changing. We feel like we understand our child and are better equipped to handle the joys and challenges that come with gifted learners. We will forever feel grateful that Barnhart led us on this journey and that the faculty and staff are well prepared and dedicated to helping meet his specific needs.

The community at Barnhart is what makes this place shine. From day one, we have felt welcomed as part of the family. We've made life-lasting friendships and truly love our parent peers.

We are new to the Barnhart School -- and have only great things to say about the place so far. We came from a reputable public school that delivered on great test scores, minus any consideration of socioemotional development. What we found at Barnhart was a small community with engaged parents, creative children, wonderful academics, thoughtful consideration of values and emotions, and authentic prioritization of children as individuals who can make a powerful, positive, and lasting difference in our society. I see, in the other reviews, negative comments about a head of school, but he no longer works there; the current head of school, Ms. Beilstein, is absolutely fantastic. I do not know the circumstances leading to another, more recent negative review, but I will note that my child was bullied mercilessly at his prior school; at Barnhart, we have witnessed absolutely nothing that comes remotely close to that. The emphasis placed on kindness and communication is real, and the school is far more diverse than many public ones (which is awesome).

Okay. I'll stop writing. My strongest piece of advice for those looking at private schools ... Barnhart is a hidden gem (and a far more affordable private school than many others in town). I worry about writing such positive things because, in many ways, I want it to stay hidden. More attention for my own kid!! But I don't believe that some of the prior reviews are up-to-date. And I do believe that the place is truly special. Take a tour. Meet the families, teachers, and administrators. Assess for yourself. I suspect you will find what we've found -- the sort of school, with the sorts of teachers, that parents and kids are overjoyed to discover.

We are approaching the end of our fourth year at Barnhart and are still VERY happy. Another family we knew from our previous school also enrolled their kids at Barnhart. When asked what he likes about Barnhart, their older child said "the teachers seem happier". I think this is one of the things that's special about Barnhart - the teachers do seem happy and that, obviously, carries over to the classroom and teaching. Barnhart has also hired a fantastic assistant head of school, Miriam Singer. She is incredibly smart and has a back ground in administration at a school that specializes in meeting the needs of kids who are "twice exceptional" (both gifted and have one or more learning differences). With Mrs. Singer on board, it's clear to me that Barnhart truly is a place that meets the kids where they are and works hard to make sure they succeed socially, emotionally, and academically. I still highly recommend this school.

During his two years at Barnhart, I have watched my son grow in confidence and overall happiness. I am also very pleased with his academic progress and the consistency of the teaching staff.

Barnhart encourages family participation and has very good success with engaging a student's entire family. The school is not cliquish or elitist. The kids, the parents and the staff all seem to be reaching for a common goal - which is an excellent education in an ethical and comfortable atmosphere.

I have been on campus many times, and have paid a lot of attention to the details of maintenance and administration and continue to be impressed..

The best way to evaluate Barnhart is to go there and meet the staff and kids. It is a gratifying experience to see an organization repay the high trust we place in it. The environment is simply excellent.

I have a child in her second year at Barnhart School, and we love it! The school is a perfect balance of a traditional and progressive education where the focus is not just developing academic strengths but also and equally as important, building character and integrity in each child. It's a community of educators and parents and children who help develop a whole child. The staff is kind, intelligent, innovative and fun. The community of parents is equally the same and full of love. I toured so many schools in the Pasadena area before deciding on Barnhart, and within five minutes of the classroom visits, I knew, this is where my child should attend. Perhaps, most noticeable, and the key in having elected Barnhart is the class size. In her Kindergarten class, she was one of six. Let me repeat, one of six! In her first grade class, she is one of eight. The student:teacher ratio truly helps make such a difference in educating one's child and developing the whole child.

This is a great school for college prep k to 8. I WENT HERE IN 1969....after a while I returned to San Marino School District to finish out high school...I recently met some students on a local field trip....and asked them about Barnhart school....these BRATS SAID TO ME GET ALONG OLD LADY...Where are the manners of these brats???? I LEARNED MORE MANNER FROM SAN MARINO because old money people have MANNERS!!!5