Muir (John) Elementary School

My child currently attends this school and we could not be happier (so far). My child is in the kinderarten in Mrs. Fontaine's class & she has been a WONDERFUL teacher! Intitally, she had to challange my daughter to cooperate and participate. She made us aware of this and also nformed us of her stradegy in working with her. Over time my daughter adjusted, loves her teacher and the friends she has made at this school. This teacher always keeps the parents in the loop as to how your child is doing (good or bad). She takes the time to answer any questions you have in person or through email. I am hoping our experience with all the other teachers are this great as she has set the bar high! As for the school campus it is kept nice and clean as it should be. The office administration does a good job as well, in my opinion. The staff is friendly and attends to your questions or needs as soon as they are available. Last but not least, the API scores are ok but could improve. In my opinion, parents should try to recongnize their child's weaknesses & work w/them on those areas as well as challenge their academic strengths when possible.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a hit or miss with the teachers, no consistancy with the education and attention our children get. The office faculty is terrible, for over three years I have dealt with the two ladies that run the front desk of the school and they are very rude. This is not a personal issue either, I have witnessed many parents being treated as if they are nothing by the office staff. Due to the variety of people in this area the childrens behaviors vary greatly. You can have some very respectful children and some that are terrible role models. I hear young children swearing at eachother daily and my child comes home weekly telling me who has hit him today and what bad language was presented to him. Regardless if the school disciplines the children with a detention (time out) the bad apples continue with a negative behavior having a great impact on the positive and well behaved students around them. I want my child out of here asap!
—Submitted by a parent

Fantastic school. However that was under the old principal. A new prinicpal is starting so we will see.
—Submitted by a parent

Just moved in to the area and went to pick up enrollment forms. The office staff was rude and very condescending. Even continued their conversation for a few minutes instead of acknowledging I was even present. Based on this I will not be sending my child here.

The teachers are really dedicated to the school. The only thing I wish for is that more parents get involved not just here but in California as a whole. Teachers can't do it alone.
—Submitted by a parent

I support my local elementary school. The school does a great job of champing its students!.
—Submitted by a parent

I love our school and so do do my kids. The teachers are intelligent and the staff are great. My kids have learned so much this year.
—Submitted by a parent

The assigned teacher for my childs class has not been in and a long string of substitutes have been filling in. My son is WAY behind due to this, he needs consistancy, this is not it. The school says they can't hire a new teacher and they can't keep a substitute for more than 21 days - both very poorly thought out rules, kids need consistency.
—Submitted by a parent

My son just transferred from the Hayward School district. My child is bored this school. The teacher tested him and he is scoring above grade level. She even tested him on a subject she haven't even started teaching her class and he scored above grade level. My child use to love school and now doesn't want to go because it is so boring. Antioch school district need to bring their lessons up to par. I don't know what to do?
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent School but we need more Parent participation to help our kids sucessed.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school, better than some private schools.Uniforms would be good.
—Submitted by a parent

Although scores this year are not #1 in Antioch, John Muir has been on the right track. The staff is committed to providing the children with a quality education. Greater parental involvement is needed for some students to restore John Muir to its former number one position in Antioch.
—Submitted by Jerome Smith, a parent

John Muir is an excellent school. Everything about it is top notch. My children feel safe. There is a large amount of parent involvement. The academics are superior!
—Submitted by a parent

John Muir has been a very good school for our two children. Both our 5th grader and 2nd grader have been there since kindergarten and have benefited from the level of experience the teachers bring. The principal is one of the best we've encountered and encourages family involvement in almost everything from fund raisers, to helping out in classrooms, to just supporting your kids.
—Submitted by a parent

This will be the 3rd year that both my children have been at John Muir. Prior to that, they attended a private school in Concord, that was rated highly for academics. I was worried that my children would be more advanced for their grade level. Boy was I wrong. John Muir was right at the same academic level as the 'Private School', which prided itself on being more advanced than public schools. The transition was a smooth one. The teachers are wonderful. All of the teachers my children have had, they have just adored....and so have I. My children have learned so much and they enjoy going to school. The atmosphere is wonderful, they have many friends - even my shy one. Lots of eager parent participation and administrative staff is tops. Enrolling my kids at John Muir was the best decision I ever made.
—Submitted by Kathy Cabrera, a parent

Great School, wonderful Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Tong. They do a lot of art, singing and they even do cooking on Friday's. There is a lot of parent involvement from what I see.
—Submitted by a parent

Due to budget cuts, the carpeted classrooms are vacuumed once per month. Teachers are not allowed to vacuum becuase of unionized cleaning contractor. I believe this causes a health and safety issue for the children and staff. Separate topic: My third grader is being provided spelling words she learned in first grade in an East Coast School...why are CA schools so far behind?
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter just started Kindergarden at Muir and we are very happy with the school. The teacher (Ms. Crooks) is great and we're very happy with the year-round school.
—Submitted by a parent

Principal is a bit laid back. Would like to see a stronger leader.
—Submitted by a parent

Significant concerns about elimination of vice principal position, office staff, computer instructor, art, physical education, teachers speaking to spanish speaking students in spanish vice english, combining of two classes from two different grade levels into a single classroom to save money vice keeping a lower student to taecher ration and improve the level of learning.
—Submitted by a parent