Cambrian Academy
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4340 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118
408.833.7050


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UNIQUE!
DO NOT WAIT ANOTHER YEAR

If your child is about to enter sixth or seventh grade, you are standing at one of the most decisive points in their intellectual life--—and what we see every summer at Cambrian Academy should alarm you.

We are not guessing about what’s happening in local schools; our visiting summer students are living evidence that math—and organized, conceptual thinking across subjects—has gotten much worse.

Don't be fooled by "high grades" in elementary school. In almost every case, they are based on compliance and memorization, not understanding.

Middle school may not be too late to reverse the cognitive decline documented in our Headmaster's 2026 book: Mr. Feynman Wasn't Joking: Why the Education System Doesn’t Work, Why It Can’t Be Reformed, and What Must Replace It.

Craftsmanship

Our typical class size is between 8 and 12 students -- 12 is the maximum.

To maintain the highest quality possible, we are limiting our middle school admissions to 10 per grade level.

Specialized Sports

Students who are aiming for college scholarships in their own sport can participate in our specialized program for Individual and Elite sports. Academics and your sport--without compromise. Learn More

No time for fun?

Does our academic nature mean that students have no time for fun? Of course, not! Learning in groups of 6 to 10 students ensures quick and solid learning. The teachers know the strengths and weaknesses of each individual child, and this powerful recipe for success allows students to learn much more in less time.

HAPPY PARENTS & STUDENTS!

"The engagement and support my son and I received from the teachers is un-rivaled. Starting from Day 1 all the way to graduation. I am deeply grateful and thankful to Cambrian Academy without who, my son would not have graduated high school. He was severely impacted by the COVID Pandemic and the lock down, the public school system had no solution and the only thing they could offer was for him to continue in High School as a failure and they would allow him to walk with his class at graduation but there would be no diploma. Cambrian educated and turned him into a success, prepared him for college. At the end, he was accepted to 5 colleges!"

"Mr Delgado is always personally engaged at each and every step giving the attention, care and focus including personalized learning path. The staff as well goes above and beyond. The rigor is high and our daughter progressed really well with the attention to details on academics, college prep and applications.

School premises are very safe, very friendly and respectful environment for kids to feel psychologically safe."

"My mom chose this school for me when we first moved to California. At first I was worried that it would be a rigid private school that I would hate, turns out it’s a pretty cool place. The staff here are very passionate about what they do and everything revolves around how the students can best succeed. I specifically liked how the school seemed to actually focus on what the students want to study, and not just what they are forced to know to graduate. I wanted to go into zoology, so they gave me animal science classes. Im already ahead of my education and I haven’t even walked into the doors of my college yet. I recommend Cambrian Academy."

"My son attended Cambrian Academy from 6th-12th grade and it was the best decision of our lives. He is a bright child and his classes were able to be individualized to meet his needs. You aren’t just a student at Cambrian, but rather part of a family. Before he was driving, I would often wait 20-30 minutes for my son after school because he would be visiting with all the teachers. Then when he was driving to school, Angela (best admin ever!!!) would often have to finally kick him out because she was “locking up for the day”. Not many schools can say they need to force their high schoolers to leave campus. If you are looking for a school that will cater to your child’s academic needs, treat them like family, and do all they can to help you be ready for college, then Cambrian Academy is the spot for you."

"This year was a complete success as far as Jenna's schooling is concerned. I had to deal with unpleasantry when I broke my enrollment contract at her previous school and practically coerced her to transfer to Cambrian. Your kindness and support toward Jenna have given me ample reason to believe that I took the correct course of action."

"This school is small and offers a supportive, close community. The teachers are just fantastic. They are passionate, dedicated and masters of their subject area. Class sizes are small, leading to one on one attention and an individualized curriculum. A variety of AP subjects, dedicated college prep classes, choir, band, drama, tennis, golf are just some of the great features of this school."

"My son has been attending this school for about a year and it is the only school that I know of ( and I have toured schools all the way from Hillsborough to Santa Cruz) that satisfies all the criteria of being an exceptional school."

"I have a son that graduated from Cambrian Academy and we were both very happy with the staff and the loving environment he experienced. "

Middle School Program

URGENT: 2026-2027 Placement Notice


Placement by ability, not age, is critical this year. If your child is a rising middle schooler, let us assess and place them accordingly — at least for this year.

Why: Our enrollment data over the past several years shows a clear pattern — students were expected to simply resume where they "left off" after the remote-learning years. Two problems compounded this:

1) They never actually reached where they were supposed to be during that remote-learning period.
2) Large elementary classrooms (20+ students) can only manage compliance and memorization — not the extra time needed to check for real understanding. Students were pushed "forward" without solidifying the foundations.

The K–3 years are the critical window for cognitive development. Passing a child in math because they could memorize a formula long enough for Friday's quiz has left most students without genuine understanding — right when understanding matters most. This isn't a teacher-quality problem. The system itself was never built to check for understanding.

We've seen it repeatedly: new middle schoolers with excellent grades who don't understand place value or how fractions actually work. They remember the tricks, but because they don't understand why the tricks work, they apply them to the wrong problems.

These gaps are not your child's fault, and there's no reason for shame. We know exactly where the typical gaps occur and how to find them. Last year, an 8th grader arrived at a 3rd-grade math level. In eight months, we brought her through to the halfway point of Algebra 1.

Reading is no different. We work to reverse screen-shortened attention spans so students once again picture what they read in their minds. They'll still learn technology — but as a tool that enhances thinking, not a replacement for it.
Not Your Typical Middle School Program

Our middle school students are a unique breed. Joining us from a wide variety of elementary school programs, they arrive with a wide range of ability. Our Placement by Ability policy works both ways and allows us to help students rebuild their academic foundation if they have fallen behind for some reason.

Our middle school students are in school to learn. They are here to discover and reach their potential in our College Preparatory program, and they don't want to be held back by 30 other students vying for the teacher's attention. Their parents place a tremendous value on education.

This is a Grade 6-12 program, so there is no Grade 8 graduation. We focus on Grade 12 graduation from the very beginning.
High Achievers

Because students learn at different speeds, Cambrian Academy provides a special program for middle school high achievers.

Students who are receiving high grades in middle school, and who have a track record of 90th percentile scores on standardized tests, may qualify for special admission. These students may complete the basic middle school requirements at an accelerated pace--and begin high school courses as soon as we determine they are ready.

Unlike K-8 schools that offer "advanced" classes, Cambrian Academy can bring our UC approved class credit forward onto our high school transcripts.
Mastery Based

As we reported to the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) during our accreditation inspection, student progress is based on mastery, not seat time. Our middle school students are immersed in a combination of review and accelerated learning that ensures they will enter our College Preparatory program with a solid foundation and usually some advanced credit.

01
English

It's highly probable that there are some significant gaps in your child's English skills. American schools have been failing students in this area for a long time. Communication is the cornerstone not only of good education, but also a major factor in success as an adult.

Our students will read and write like they have never done before. They will learn to comprehend and communicate both concrete and abstract concepts. They will be expected to develop a vocabulary significantly greater than the average native English speaker. They will be prepared to study more sophisticated subjects with confidence.

02
History

Our history teachers are intimately familiar with the ultimate outcome we want our students to achieve. Students come to middle school with a basic introduction to US History (4th grade) and Geography and World History (2nd-5th grades). Our US and World History survey classes are designed to prepare the students to take AP Geography, AP World History, and AP US History.

03
Science

Our integrated science curriculum covers introductions to biology, physics, and Earth science. In these courses, middle school students become quite capable of exploring high school level topics. This, combined with the appropriate level of math mastery, will prepare students for AP science courses, as well as allow them to enroll in high school level science classes before entering grade 9.

For example, we offer students the opportunity to take HS Biology instead of the typical MS Life Science class. These students quickly discover that with a little extra work they can do as well as the older high school students. We enjoy seeing this produce a legitimate boost in self-confidence, and a stronger interest in science. If the student gets an A or a B, that course can be carried forward onto the high school transcript when the student enters grade 9.

The 14-page brochure you will receive when you inquire explains how we have made our science program so effective, with customized paths leading to pre-med, biotech, computer science, and more.

04
Math

A good student can memorize his or her way through elementary school math. Our teachers will know if your child truly understands the concepts behind the math and will work quickly to help fill any gaps. Most of the basic concepts are simply recycled at higher and higher levels and should be solid before stepping into abstract math.

A 21st Century student, who wishes to work toward a career in the sciences, should be ready for Algebra 2 or higher by freshman year. Period. That's an easy task for students who join us in Grade 6. Click here to learn about the emphasis we place on math and science.

05
Arts

Music and Art help define the classical well-rounded student. They will NEVER be cut from Cambrian Academy's curriculum.

We find the artistic aptitude in every student. Visual Arts include painting, drawing, sculpting, computer graphic design, AutoCAD, video production, and more. Performing arts include drama, stage band, choir, audio engineering, and more.

06
Physical Fitness

At Cambrian Academy, our Physical Education program is purposefully structured to help every student improve their health and physical fitness, recognizing that steady progress leads to lifelong benefits. Our program also allows teh option to satisfy PE requirements with individual or elite sports outside the school.