Ruby Bridges Elementary School

My daughter went to Ruby Bridges for four years- K-3rd grade. Excellent principal, excellent teaching staff. My daughter says some of the kids use inappropriate language and are inappropriate in general---especially the boys, which is one reason we left. The other is that they seem to teach to the lower achieving students to pull them up, and this leaves the higher achievers a bit bored. My daughter's input: 1- Gym class is all running laps and she doesn't like that. 2- Teachers are not strict enough on inappropriate behavior.
--Submitted by a parent

RBE has improved greatly throughout the years. My child has attended 3 years so far. His teachers are dedicated, hardworking & give the proper discipline for my child. They have established his strengths & we all know what needs improvement. His STAR testing standards were in the advanced level for his grade. Every school has its own concerns but I believe the experience is driven by family commitment to a school, not just the staff. There is also the LEAPS afterschool care & they are fantastic! My son has taken dance, music, theatre with lessons in art, math and science. A great school if you love diversity! Strong ethics discouraging bullying and accepting difference. Very diverse socio-economic & cultural backgrounds. It has been a great learning experience for our family. PTA is dedicated, always needing more people (as seems to be the case at many Alameda schools). A school is what you make it to be and is only as great as the staff, PTA and dedicated families. We plan to complete his education until 5th, and look forward to a new school year!
--Submitted by a parent

My kinder garten son and my 2nd grade daughter went to this school 2010-11 and I give the teachers, administration, facility, and curriculum 5 of 5 stars. We had an excellent experience. Ms Goodman's fantastic leadership is supported by the excellent teachers and she creates a welcoming, community environment. They have great special assemblies like their talent show, encourage the kids academically as well as socially, and treat families as part of the community. The teachers really give 110% and obtain lots of extra funds from places like science and art funding. We also participated in the LEAPs after school program which is the best i have ever been a part of. Special thanks to Ms. Y, Mr Parodi (vicP) and Ms. Rider. The only things that need improvement are low family involvement (improving), some crabby staff members in the office and recess/lunch monitors, and the large campus population (i think it is the biggest elementary in Alameda). I would not like to see it get any bigger. Even those don't rate one less star.
--Submitted by a parent

We are in our second year at Ruby Bridges, with experience in grades K-2. I frankly had pretty low expectations for a public school, even if an Alameda School. We have been very pleasantly surprised by the school's proactivity in working with us to ensure our children are successful. I love the values and commitment of the faculty and administration. What I know of strategic decisions make great sense (e.g., early intervention, leverage pre-learning of concepts to slower learners to drive the whole class forward faster). Improving test scores without being driven by them. Closing the gap on educational disparities by race, socio-economic status, English-learners and learning abilities. And incredible diversity! So many languages and backgrounds in every single class. While I miss some other things that private schools might offer, such as foreign language and community service programs, as a public school I love Ruby Bridges.
--Submitted by a parent

It is a beautiful and a new school, but I do not understand why the Ruby Bridges' GreatSchools Ratings is only 6? (6 out 10), it ir very low. I am so worry students' academic performance
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is now in 3rd grade and I've had her in Ruby Bridges since K. This school, although placed in the "bad" side of town, is excellent. The principal, the staff, and "most" of the teachers are great. My daughter continues to get shown great attention. After a few weeks of the 3rd grade year, the principal and another staff member was in touch about some problems my daughter was having in the school and immediately had her accessed. An intervention plan was taken. Friendly staff, DEDICATED school, great from top to bottom. The passion from the principal is felt from top to bottom.
--Submitted by a parent

I'll get to the point this school is great no bs. The teachers are cool and care about the kids and they also have a strong pta. My kids go here and I say if you want your kids in a good public school send em here.
--Submitted by a parent

Physcially, this is a beautiful school. It is modern. It has a great library/media center! It has dedicated teachers, some average teachers and no bad teachers. The problems we had with this school were a few 'bad apple' children not from Alameda. If they could not import bad apples, it would have been a great experience for our kids.
--Submitted by a parent

We moved to Alameda a few years ago and had no ideas about the school districts. However, as my son just joined the Kindergarten program for a few weeks at Ruby Bridges, we found him pleased and motivated. His teacher Ms. Weber is excellent by providing adequate caring and assistance. She has done a wonderful job to teach my son. We believe we have made the right decision to send our kid to Ruby Bridges.
--Submitted by a parent

Amazing, loving teachers and staff, wonderful principal (Jan Goodman), and a great philosophy of peace, democracy, communication and non-violent conflict resolution. The school is beautiful and modern with safe play grounds and a school garden. I trust that my child is well cared for when he is at school, and that I can communicate with staff if I have issues. My child is advancing and increasing his aptitude for learning and his ability to relate and communicate with other people. We are proud to be Ruby Bridges Stars!
--Submitted by a parent