The best way to learn more about Maybeck is to visit the school, sit in on our classes, plan an interview with a few of our teachers, and see what we are all about. We encourage all forms of intellectual and personal individuality. Every student here is an important part of our community. Staff and students get to know each other well - it's an open, supportive community.
If you want a place where your ideas will be heard, and where you actually like your teachers, then Maybeck is the right place for you. Each student and teacher is valued for the individual contributions they make to the larger whole - our community. Whether it is under the redwoods, around the table in a seminar class, on the basketball court, in a science lab, or on the stage, the unique energy of each student is shared with their peers.
If you want a place where your ideas will be heard, and where you actually like your teachers, then Maybeck is the right place for you. Each student and teacher is valued for the individual contributions they make to the larger whole - our community. Whether it is under the redwoods, around the table in a seminar class, on the basketball court, in a science lab, or on the stage, the unique energy of each student is shared with their peers.
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Maybeck High School was founded by a group of educators 48 years ago who set out to create a school where scholarship, independence, and curiosity were shared by faculty and students alike. The school was shaped as a community of teachers who wanted to share in the work of defining the school structure as well as the work of leading classrooms.
Maybeck High School is named after the regional architect Bernard Maybeck (1862-1957), whose work represents imagination and excellence and provides a model for the school's vision of education. Bernard Maybeck's concern for the environment and his appreciation for disciplined technique inspired his use of local natural materials and superb craftsmanship within the existing landscape.
Maybeck, established in 1972, is a vibrant community dedicated to learning, where all forms of diversity can flourish amid mutual support, respect, and responsibility. Through our small classes, high expectations, academic excellence, and programs outside the school, students prepare for college and acquire the tools to engage actively and creatively in the wider world.
Maybeck, established in 1972, is a vibrant community dedicated to learning, where all forms of diversity can flourish amid mutual support, respect, and responsibility. Through our small classes, high expectations, academic excellence, and programs outside the school, students can prepare for college and acquire the tools to engage actively and creatively in the wider world.
We are always excited to get to know qualified candidates who are passionate about our mission. If you believe that you would be a fit for our community, we want to hear from you! You may submit a cover letter, resume, and list of references to employment@maybeckhs.org and we'll be happy to consider you for any appropriate future positions.
Reviews (16)
Colleen N.
Apr 17, 2015
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My son attended Maybeck for all four years of high school. He loved it. Small classes, lots of mentoring from attentive teachers, the Spring travel programs (one year the whole group got scuba certified on a trip to the Philippines), beginning and end of year bike trips, and the great Elmwood location under the redwoods are a few of the reasons he is still close with friends and teachers there after three years away at college. He reported being very well prepared for college, especially his writing skills. The college search process was made almost fun by the fantastic college counselor on staff
Daniel R.
Jan 06, 2015
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Our son is returning to his second semester at Maybeck, and for the first time he is not only not dreading the return to school but told us he is looking forward to it. He loved the first week of school, which is a series of seminars and courses at a camp in the Sierras, and he looks forward to visiting Turkey with his language and history teachers as part of the special programs spring session. He is a junior and attended the large public middle and high schools in Walnut Creek. Although very bright and motivated, he became progressively demoralized by the top-down authority structure and the
Amy F.
Jan 06, 2015
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Excellent school academically and socially! My son started school this fall as a 9th grader and is having his best school year ever. So far his transition into high school has been seamless. He likes the diverse student body and is making friends easily. He came from Black Pine Circle and is a strong student academically. He likes the small classes at Maybeck. The teachers are passionate and are aware of each student's strengths and challenges. As a parent, I have easily become involved in the community. I trust that my kid is in a supportive and challenging environment. We are very happy
J. M. Xena B.
Sep 17, 2014
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Note that posted positive reviews of Maybeck are not recent. Just an FYI to anyone considering it these days: do check out its current situation very carefully. Make sure you spend a lot of time in classes and not just listening to what it's said to be, or what the website says, or what it used to be. --from a former Maybeck parent
Candace Turtle
Jul 18, 2014
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This is a small, independent (WASC-accredited school). It is college prep, but in a collegial not competitive way. Students have a lot of say in how the school works. They sit on a rules committee and propose classes. They also have a cool camping trip at the beginning and end of each school year, so students really bond with the teachers and their fellow students. In the spring they have special programs and may travel internationally. But the real strength of the school lies in the teachers. They are super and really connect with students. Classes are all seminar style and the average class is
Leslie D.
Mar 14, 2014
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We are extremely liberal and yet found the uber-PC-ness and 60's radical ossified attitudes of Maybeck teachers and faculty to be a bit nuts. One teacher actually said, in class, "We deserved 9/11" and that the Taliban deserved sympathy -- I guess, because of America's big, bullying military/industrial complex. Our teen was graded down for not agreeing. Graded down for "ethics."
Oddly, for all their new age thinking, the actual instruction is very old fashioned -- a lot of rote memorization. The academic standards are rigorous; any teens who are mature enough to push
Oddly, for all their new age thinking, the actual instruction is very old fashioned -- a lot of rote memorization. The academic standards are rigorous; any teens who are mature enough to push
Bob L.
Nov 17, 2013
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Our daughter was an excellent student in the Piedmont school system but we moved her to Maybeck to start high school. We were attracted by the small class sizes, instructors - including many who have taught at the college level - who seemed incredibly qualified and a community where teachers are willing to earn less to have a diverse student body. We have an older daughter who succeeded in the grind-it-out, AP-Honors, four-hours-a night-homework model but felt there must be something better but still offering a quality education. We think we've found it at Maybeck.
P. F.
Nov 16, 2013
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My daughter started her Freshman year and is now a Junior 2013/2014 at Maybeck. Taking her out of public schools and placing her here was the best decision and investment our family has made. She started struggling socially and academically in middle school. After many talks with her we decided to venture out and look at private schools. We knew as soon as we walked into Maybeck that this was the place. All the usual social pressure disappears and the students are encouraged to be themselves. The teachers, students and administrator's are outstanding! It's a school where your child learns
Jasmine L.
Nov 15, 2013
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2013 Best Independent High School!!!! If you are looking for a small independent, tight and personable community where your student can thrive, this is the school for your student. My daughter is a freshman this year, and we are very happy with Maybeck. The special programs is an awesome opportunity for the students to participate and explore the world around. The small hands on class room is what attracted us to this school and we love it!! Cheers to Maybeck!!
Carolyn R.
Nov 15, 2013
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If you are looking for small classes, with dedicated, passionate teachers, where students learn things that are important to them, Maybeck is the place for you. If you like to think for yourself, don't necessarily do what your peers do, and want to be accepted as you are, Maybeck is the place for you.
Classes are seminars, lectures and labs in which everyone participates. Every school year begins and ends with a week-long school-wide camping trip. Every spring students have an opportunity to travel or learn a new skill with teachers who all seem to have multiple amazing talents.
Our son
Classes are seminars, lectures and labs in which everyone participates. Every school year begins and ends with a week-long school-wide camping trip. Every spring students have an opportunity to travel or learn a new skill with teachers who all seem to have multiple amazing talents.
Our son
Katrina L.
Apr 01, 2010
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I had a great experience at Maybeck High School in the late 1990s. I had been successful academically and socially in Oakland public schools K-8 and was initially not sure that I would "fit" at Maybeck. It turns out that, within such an intimate environment, they enroll a truly diverse group of academic passions, interests, social styles, etc. I found many students with whom I developed close friendships.
I also experienced advanced, thought-provoking, and college preparatory classes. Yes, there is a liberal lean to the school and I believe that every student, no matter their political
I also experienced advanced, thought-provoking, and college preparatory classes. Yes, there is a liberal lean to the school and I believe that every student, no matter their political
Eightlegs F.
Oct 17, 2009
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This school had a giant influence on who I am and what I went on to do, educationally, professionally, and as a human being and community member. Compared to other small college preparatory schools in the area, Maybeck had more rigorous academics and a warmer social environment.
Outstanding classes from my four years there: invertebrate anatomy, socialism, photography, the essay, French IV/independent study, and of course the special programs and camping trips. I was motivated to work hard, to be active in the school, and, for lack of a better word, to care. It isn't particularly cool
Outstanding classes from my four years there: invertebrate anatomy, socialism, photography, the essay, French IV/independent study, and of course the special programs and camping trips. I was motivated to work hard, to be active in the school, and, for lack of a better word, to care. It isn't particularly cool
Lara T.
Sep 04, 2009
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It's been twelve years since I graduated from Maybeck, but my memories are still clear and crisp. After a difficult experience in a big public Oakland junior high school, I found that Maybeck's small classes, opportunity for strong teacher relationships, and eclectic student population gave me the academic home I longed for. Additionally, the school's varied extracurricular options helped me make friends and begin to shape the person I wanted to become.
I was a smart kid who'd always done well in school; this continued at Maybeck, but at last, my classes actually challenged
I was a smart kid who'd always done well in school; this continued at Maybeck, but at last, my classes actually challenged
Nene R.
Jun 03, 2008
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My daughter went to Maybeck (yes, I made her go). She went from a troubled high schooler to a well rounded adult. She now has her Master's Degree from UC Berkeley. Yes, we thank Maybeck (and she thanks me too) for helping turn her life around. She hated me for the first few months (as I forced her to go to school with me every day) but did the work and found a place where being herself was accepted and valued. I will never forget her coming home one day soon after starting there saying "they asked me my opinion--can you believe that?".
Did I (as a single parent) wonder
Did I (as a single parent) wonder
Aaron M.
Jan 16, 2008
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I've been trying to think of what to say about Maybeck for a long time now. In honor of my 100th review, it's about time I share with you what an amazing place this is.
The problem is, I'm not really sure how to say it. I don't know if a single review can adequately convey just how much Maybeck changed my life.
I was bored by my classes at Piedmont Middle School, and wasn't getting enough individualized attention from teachers to actively engage my interest. I didn't fit in with the other Piedmont kids, and clearly wasn't going to thrive at PHS.
Maybeck saved
The problem is, I'm not really sure how to say it. I don't know if a single review can adequately convey just how much Maybeck changed my life.
I was bored by my classes at Piedmont Middle School, and wasn't getting enough individualized attention from teachers to actively engage my interest. I didn't fit in with the other Piedmont kids, and clearly wasn't going to thrive at PHS.
Maybeck saved
Alice H.
Nov 29, 2007
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This independent high school in Berkeley has offered students excellent educations for over thirty years. The school is wonderful for students who want greater personal interaction with teachers as well as a more intimate school environment in general. There are generally between 90-110 students attending the school.
I graduated from Maybeck in 2002, and continue to appreciate the time I spent there. My two older sisters also attended Maybeck so my family has been connected with the school since 1994. We are all so glad that we found such a perfect community to have become a part of.
I graduated from Maybeck in 2002, and continue to appreciate the time I spent there. My two older sisters also attended Maybeck so my family has been connected with the school since 1994. We are all so glad that we found such a perfect community to have become a part of.
