Victoria Magathan Elementary School

I love Victoria Magathan Elementary School because it is the best school in the High Desert. We have an excellent Dual Immersion Program that teaches children to read, write, and speak Spanish. Our staff is dedicated to the well being of the children academically as well as mentally (FUN). Our principal is awesome. She loves teaching and continues to due so through her leadership skills and great knowledge of the learning process. We are a family that sticks together and supports one another through the good times and the bad. theses children are considered our children and we take special care to make sure that they know it.
--Submitted by a teacher

This school has improved greatly in the last few years thanks to Mrs. Thomas. The teachers are wonderful and dedicated.
--Submitted by a parent

If you can help it, do not enroll your child in this school. At first, I was happy that my child would be attending a school with a black principal and what seemed to be a supporting staff. Come to find out that I have had nothing but difficult situations; one after another. The teacher my child was assigned to, was purely antagonistic, to her students and my child. She did nothing to help the students advance, but had much to say if they didn't read at the level she thought they should be reading at. Not to mention, this school has no physical education system in place. The children have twenty five minutes to eat and play, which is the only exercise they have. My child was not happy at this school, and I was even unhappier, knowing that he wasn't in a positive learning environment. I have transferred my child to D. F. Bradach, where we are both happy.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is much improved. My daughters first year at this school was filled with frustration! Two years and a new principle later, the staff has done a wonderful job of bringing an unorginized mess into control. My only complaint is the lack of a music program.
--Submitted by a parent

I have worked at Magathan for the last two years and I have enjoyed working with the teachers, staff, and parents. What makes Magathan such a great school is that we are unique. We have a specialized program that is the only one in its kind in the entire high desert. We are the only school that has the Spanish/English Duel Immersion Program. When our children go through the entire 7 year program, they will leave Magathan speaking, reading, writing, communicating in both English and Spanish. They will be completely bilingual. It is a wonderful program and I know many students and parents are thrilled with the program. We have several teachers' children in the program too. At the kindergarten round up we had on Monday, March 30, 2009 our duel immersion kinder class was completely full, with students on the waiting list. We might even open a 2nd class.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with the 2/7/08 post. The school is so much calmer since Mrs. Dalton has come to support the Principal. The district has a winning pair in these two. As a parent I am glad to see that the District Office is interested in supporting their administrators.
--Submitted by a parent

This is such a lovely school. The principal is always there. What a refreshing change to see that the district has replaced the VP and has supported Dr. Thompson. In providing a good safe environment for learning
--Submitted by a parent

I agree somewhat with previous reviews-regarding 'last minute' notices. As far as the teacher's communication with students/parents I personally haven't had a problem. This is my son's third year and I have nothing but high regards for his teacher's all 3 years. Discipline hasn't been an issue for my son, but I think Dr. Thompson is wonderful-she's almost always out among the students and knows alot of them by name- not only the 'bad' ones. They are still somewhat of a 'new school' but I appreciate all the time/work their staff has put in. A special thanks to our staff there !
--Submitted by a parent

This is my daughters second year. I tried to have her placed in another school, but it seems that this one is suppose to be one of the best. I find that hard to believe. The lack of communication is unbelievable. I also feel that there is a lack of discipline at this school.
--Submitted by a parent

This is the 3rd year my children have attended and they lack communication with the parents. Notices/newsletters do not get distributed until the very last minute or later regarding anything such as minimum days, field trips, pictures and especially student award assemblies. They really need to be more organized. I feel that students come first and their education environment should be comfortable and pleasant in order for them to achieve academically so if a parent has a concern it should be addressed, which mine never was. I give it two thumbs down.
--Submitted by a parent