Sumac Elementary School

I have transferred my child into Sumac just this year and am elated over her improved performance both academically and emotionally. She is allowed to progress at her own pace and not held back when she needs an extra challenge. Her teachers are outstanding and patient and are as concerned with her social development as with academics. This is truly a whole-child approach to teaching and it makes all the difference in the world. The principal, Carol Martino, is a phenomenal educator as well who is genuinely interested in the success of each child and is always accessible to parents and students. She is a wealth of ideas and has the knowledge and experience to put them into action. The office staff is amazing as well and makes it a point to quickly get to know everyone well. Safety was also a prime concern as my child has severe food allergies. This school has proven to me that she is 100% safe and everyone looks out for the students at all times. The campus is clean, safe and beautiful with a warm atmosphere. I feel lucky to have found this gem of a school and look forward to seeing what new magic these educators dreams up next!
—Submitted by a parent

My son transferred to this school in 3rd grade and has been there for a couple years. At first he needed a lot of support to get him on track, now thanks to their collective efforts he's doing really well. You want an amazing principal who knows every child (very well I might add), supportive administrative staff, and excellent teachers...put them here! They truly care and really educate your child and not just teach them to memorize. Not to mention the wonderful families that attend. My son is very happy and very cared for, and I'm will always be grateful.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended 2nd grade this year at Sumac and I couldn't be happier. She has thrived. The teachers and principal seem to really care about the kids progress. They take the time to get to know the kids each individually and seem to adjust approach depending on needs. I have been very impressed and look forward to 3 more years at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I appreciate how all students are valued and are able to learn in a nurturing, yet supportive environment. The curriculum keeps students engaged and challenged, but not to the point of frustration.
—Submitted by a parent

Both of our kids attend Sumac and we have really enjoyed the experience. The school has strong parent participation, a terrific staff of teachers and amazing enrichment programs like music and PE. We are also very enthused about the technology focus that the school has adopted.
—Submitted by a parent

Our children are in 1st and 3rd grades and we are in our second year at Sumac. We could not be happier with the staff, teachers, and principal. This is the most racially/ethnically diverse school in the area and the parents and the whole school embraces multiculturalism. Our children participate in their top-notched strings program and chorus. My son plays the violin wonderfully and the music director, Peggy McClintick is phenomenal. She has the 1st year and advanced year violinists perform in the annual Lindero Canyon Middle School's Fiddlefest. This experience is first rate for our young performers. Also, the principal, staff, and a core group of parents are forward thinkers. They are about to launch an exciting program that enhances global literacy through a language immersion program in Spanish and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) that is fully integrated. Wow!!! This is exciting. If we were looking to send our child to a top notched public school in the area that embraces diversity on many fronts and embraces 21st century learning to produce competent global citizens, I would choose Sumac hands down.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is in 5th grade and we are at our 6th year at Sumac. I couldn't be happier with the teachers or the curriculum. There is a music teacher, strings program and the finest PE teacher I have ever met. The principal is installing some very forward thinking programs in the near future including a STEM program and full immersion Spanish program for families who want to participate. These new programs sound so exciting I wish I had another child to send through. As for the comment below about security that is ridiculous. In the first place their child was under the supervision of the YMCA - an after school program - not Sumac. In the second place there is not one school in the district that is completely locked. In fact I have personally been on 7 of the 8 elementary campuses and Sumac is by far the most difficult to get into and the most gated. I have been a substitute in the district and if I were able to choose among all the elementary schools regardless of where I lived I would definitely choose Sumac.
—Submitted by a parent

Our 6 year old wandered 1/2 mile off the campus while under the supervision of the on-property YMCA that is contracted by the district! The school fails to lock the campus to prevent random people from entering the campus or kids from wandering off. This happened after we raised security concerns with the principal. Her response...they haven't had a problem in 25 years...WHAT?!? Does she watch the news? She told us that if parents saw someone they didn't know on property, they'd ask the person who they are. I said that I was new and that I've been on and off the property without kids - nobody had ever asked me...and added that any of the adults wandering the campus at the time could be up to no good. The superintendent basically said that he doesn't want to take responsibility for security b/c they'd be liable if something
—Submitted by a parent

My 5th grade spent 6 years at Sumac. A wonderful family like atmosphere at Sumac. The staff, teachers, principal and parents really care about the well being of the children. The parents at Sumac real and dedicated to providing all the kids with the best opportunities. The teachers have been caring and challenging. The principal has a vision for Sumac which has provided PE twice a week , a strings program, many great ideas. Our family loved Sumac!
—Submitted by a parent

Sumac is a great school. It is a very diverse and the pricipal is awesome!!!
—Submitted by a parent

We've been at Sumac a few years and I've been happy with it most of the time. I have been very happy with the improvements that came with the new Principal. She is very thorough and on the ball. In our three years in this school, it's been a roller-coaster. Our first year was rough. Teacher wasn't great - bad fit for our child. Spent the next year recovering and this year's been pretty good. Our oldest struggles and the school has been helpful in getting the help we need. Our younger has a fantastic teacher. Next year the campus of an 'alternative' school will be moving to this campus, and I am concerned it will effect the rest of the school. However, I believe since the principal is SO strong she will keep an excellent balance.
—Submitted by a parent

Sumac has the high level of personal dedication from staff that is needed to make a public school stand out from the rest. Although it took me a while to warm up to the staff, I do have to say that they are very accommodating to the children. My son has special physical needs as well as an independent education plan (IEP), which they have really been on top of. Their personal involvement in my son's education makes this school exceptional to me. Without a doubt better than Willow across the street or any others in the area.
—Submitted by a parent

Nice neighborhood school. After-school YMCA program is very overcrowded with no structure.
—Submitted by a parent

Student workload is reasonable. High parent involvement. Well organized, good location. School provides after-school opportunities for child care as well as enrichment. Concerned teachers and administration. Our child really likes Sumac.
—Submitted by Brice Yocum, a parent

Sumac is a wonderful school! Both my children attended K-5 and had a great educational experience. Top rate teachers as well as specialists for computers, science, music, p.e. (Great p.e. teacher who has been at Sumac forever) Chorus program offered and 4-5 students have the opportunity, due to a very generous 2nd grade teacher, to learn to play the flute. Not as homogenous as some other LV schools, which we liked -- better representation of the 'real' world outside our pearly gates... Enrichment classes offered after school.
—Submitted by a parent