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Parent Cooperative


Crestmont School is a parent-run cooperative with extraordinary teachers and small classes. Member families own the school and are directly responsible for its day-to-day and long-term operation. The parent coop format encourages a great deal of interaction, both between teacher and parents, as well as among parents. This interaction creates a strong, supportive school community, and greatly benefits both the child and parents. Crestmont epitomizes the old Swahili proverb, “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child.”

There is no traditional Principal or Head Master and parents operate the school through the Board of Directors and monthly membership meetings. The curriculum, however, is determined by the teachers, who provide professional expertise and continuity, using the California K-12 content standards as a foundation. Parents are responsible for hiring the staff who implement the school’s philosophy and program.

Beyond the administration, parents are involved in many other ways in helping the staff to provide the most enriched environment possible for our children. Parents assist in the classroom, supervise on the playground, drive on field trips, help children with plays, accompany the classes on camping trips, teach special classes, and share talents in areas ranging from music and drawing to map making and astronomy. Because many families are not able to participate with the children on a regular basis, Crestmont provides a range of involvement options, both inside and outside the classroom walls.

Close contact with the school guarantees Crestmont parents up-to-date knowledge about the children’s activities, academic and social skills, and peer relationships. Crestmont children benefit from the diverse and creative pool of talent among member families. The students grow up surrounded by an alliance of adults devoted to their growth and well-being, who in turn, find themselves enriched by what the Crestmont “village” has to offer our families. Adults build deep, long-lasting connections with other parents. Parents also learn new skills and gain confidence as they sometimes stretch themselves as participants. Taking part in the collective effort of running the school, and helping to guide the children from kindergarten through graduation from fifth grade, is a truly profound experience.

Co-Op Obligation

The school relies on the participation of all parents for its maintenance and functioning. Each family is responsible for:

  • Attendance by one parent/guardian at monthly membership meetings (childcare available).
  • Fulfilling duties of one co-op job.
  • Cleaning the premises 3 times during the school year (buy-out option available).
  • Ten hours of maintenance work at scheduled work parties (buy-out option available).
  • Field trip driving or additional maintenance work (buy-out option available).
  • Annual fundraising obligation of $300 for one child, or $390 for familes with more than one child enrolled. The obligation can be offset by participation in scrip and escrip programs.

Note: Families facing serious difficulties may apply for a waiver of a portion of the service obligations. All rates are subject to change by the Membership each spring.