William G. Paden Elementary School

Paden has a caring and very creative staff of dedicated teachers and staff at all levels. This is a transitional period as new administration and teachers find their way, but there is a developing cohesiveness in vision that will only strengthen with time. My child feels safe and loves to going to this school and learning every day.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in a special needs class and the program is great for her. The atmosphere at the school is inclusive and welcoming, and I love the focus on good values. The principal even came to my daughter's IEP.
--Submitted by a parent

Our experience with Paden has been very positive. The Principal enthusiastically leads a morning ceremony each day where kids, teachers, and parents gather on the schoolyard to hear announcements and to start the day in a positive way. This is just one example of how Paden fosters a real community feel. There is a strong group of involved parents who really work to make the school a better place. I highly recommend it!
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter just started at Paden this Fall. So far, we have been very pleased by the quality of the teachers and the participation of the parents. The Principal is enthusiastic and really seems to care about the school and the welfare of the kids and his staff. I highly recommend Paden!
--Submitted by a parent

We had excellent teachers at this school and an overall great experience. There was a bad scare one year we had a really horrible teacher that was getting shuttled around the district. We pulled my son out for that year and went to Lum. A very good school as well. This teacher was an anomoly to an otherwise perfect elementary expeereience. That being said there is one teacher theere to be avoided but otherwise great teachers and staff and an active parent involvemnt
--Submitted by a parent

Very good elementary school, with combined first/kindergarten classrooms. P.E., Music, and after-school enrichment offers are also good features.
--Submitted by a parent

This's my daughter's second year to paden. Most teachers are nice and patient to students. Principal is an enthusiatic person with high caliber in leading the school.
--Submitted by a parent

Paden has a wonderful curriculum. Parent involvement is very high. They have a full time music teacher! They offer enrichment classes for afterschool. The school focuses on community and life skills.
--Submitted by a parent

Paden has attracted students from all over Alameda since it re-opened over 10 years ago. I was impressed with its focus on child development and core values (such as responsibility, friendship, cooperation, etc) that are built into the curriculum. It has a very supportive group of parents and an active PTA that creates a wide variety of after school enrichment programs for students, and raises money for interesting field trips and assemblies. It's location is spectacular, with wonderful views of the Bay from the attractive playground. Parents are also obtaining grants to expand the Bay Trail and create a park area and observation deck next to the school. The students are ethnically diverse and the teachers are experienced and accessible. The Principal, Ms. Goodwin, is the best principal I've ever met. She not only knows all the students (and their families) by name, but treats everyone with respect and fairness. She is firm but kind while reinforcing core values. She is present and available and has her finger on the pulse of the school at all times. Judy Goodwin is a marvel!
--Submitted by Jillian Saxty, a parent