The Crowden School for grades 3-8 puts music at the center of an inspiring whole-child education, empowering our students to find their individual voices as they grow into confident, empathetic young leaders.
At the Crowden school, small class sizes and close teacher-student interactions allow for each student to be recognized and appreciated as a unique indivdual, and to develop confidence in themselves and their abilities. Through the daily activity of playing music together in ensembles, students learn skills such as focused listening, dedicated practice and perseverance, responsibility, and empathy. These essential skills are further developed in the academic classrooms, where our project-based collaborative curriculum challenges students to develop critical thinking skills, self-confidence and a life-long love of learning.
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: School with Special Program Emphasis
- Grades: 3-8
- Enrollment: 53 students
- Yearly Tuition: $38,000
- Acceptance rate: 78%
- Average class size: 10 students
- Application Deadline: Dec. 15 / Jan. 25 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
School Overview
School Type
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 3-8
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Year Founded
1983
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
53 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
39%
State avg.: 51%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
22 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
2:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
73%
Average Class Size
10 students
List of Courses Offered
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Dec. 15 / Jan. 25 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$38,000
Tuition Notes
Lower tuition for 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. Tuition assistance available.
% on Financial Aid
45%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$16,500
Acceptance Rate
78%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Kirsten Shallenberg
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
9 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Chess Club, Coding Club, D&D Club, Gardening Club
Arts and Music Programs:
Chamber Music, Chorus, Instrument instruction, Musicianship, Orchestra
Chess Club, Coding Club, D&D Club, Gardening Club
Arts and Music Programs:
Chamber Music, Chorus, Instrument instruction, Musicianship, Orchestra
School Notes
- For grades 3-8: transformative academic program with music at the core
- Beginning musicians welcome at all grade levels!
- Intellectually engaging, project-based curriculum that develops critical thinking, teamwork, and creativity
- Academic subjects: Art, English, French, History, Mathematics, Physical Education, Science
- Music subjects: Instrumental Studies, Small Ensembles, Orchestra, Chorus, Musicianship and Composition, Music History
- For students with a general interest in music as well as gifted young musicians
- Small class settings (average class size 12)
- Passionate, dedicated, and expert faculty
- Excellent high school placement
- School hours (8am - 3:30pm) include two hours of music daily
- After-school program available
- Payment plans and tuition assistance available
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Noah Bendix-Balgley '97 - Co-concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic.
- Jonah van Bourg '99 - Global Head of Trading at Cumberland; former Executive Director at Goldman Sachs.
- Owen Dalby '98 - Member of the St Lawrence String Quartet and Artist-in-Residence at Stanford University.
- Tracey Dooley, M.D. - Digital health innovator, partner at Avestria Ventures and member of the Women’s Health Executive Committee at Springboard Enterprises.
- Audrey Vardanega - Co-Founder and COO of Arium, a streaming platform featuring global musical storytelling, Founder and Artistic Director of Musaics of the Bay, and touring concert pianist
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does The Crowden School cost?
The Crowden School's tuition is approximately $38,000 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of The Crowden School?
The acceptance rate of The Crowden School is 78%, which is lower than the national average of 84%.
Who are famous alumni from The Crowden School?
The Crowden School famous alumni include: Noah Bendix-Balgley '97, Jonah van Bourg '99, Owen Dalby '98, Tracey Dooley, M.D. and Audrey Vardanega.
When is the application deadline for The Crowden School?
The application deadline for The Crowden School is Dec. 15 / Jan. 25 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 15 / Jan. 25 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
In what neighborhood is The Crowden School located?
The Crowden School is located in the Northwest Berkeley neighborhood of Berkeley, CA. There are 2 other private schools located in Northwest Berkeley.
Nearby Private Schools
The nearest high school to The Crowden School is St. Mary's College High School (0.2 miles away)
The nearest elementary school is The Berkeley School (0.6 miles away)
The nearest preschool is Cedar Creek Montessori School (0.2 miles away)
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Grades
Students
Cedar Creek Montessori School
Montessori School
Grades: PK-K | 31 students 0.2 miles 1600 Sacramento St
Berkeley, CA 94702
(510) 525-1377
Berkeley, CA 94702
(510) 525-1377
0.2
PK-K
31
Grades: 9-12 | 627 students 0.2 miles 1294 Albina Ave
Albany, CA 94706
(510) 526-9242
Albany, CA 94706
(510) 526-9242
0.2
9-12
627
Grades: K-8 | 147 students 0.6 miles 1310 University Ave
Berkeley, CA 94702
(510) 665-8800
Berkeley, CA 94702
(510) 665-8800
0.6
K-8
147
West-wind Academy
Special Program Emphasis
Grades: 2-12 | 24 students 0.6 miles 1551 University Ave
Berkeley, CA 94703
(510) 841-1426
Berkeley, CA 94703
(510) 841-1426
0.6
2-12
24
Bayhill High School
Special Education School
Grades: 9-12 | 77 students 0.7 miles 1940 Virginia St
Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 984-0599
Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 984-0599
0.7
9-12
77
School Reviews
5 2/28/2022
We have a fourth-grader at the Crowden school. She loves it! We're happy with the academic program- knowledgeable and caring teachers, small class size, and fascinating and socially aware curricula. She loves the friends she has made across all grade levels, and the music aspect is pretty incredible. She started cello with no experience in the third grade and 18 months later is practicing the first movement of a concerto- it's amazing what two hours of music a day, five days a week can do.
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