Rio Del Mar Elementary School

We really love this school because the teachers have been very kind and energetic and the principal is educated, thoughtful, very responsive and well spoken. It's in a really beautiful ocean view setting and parents are very involved. In our class we have about three volunteers a day so the teacher is always supported. The teaching is traditional/progressive and the classrooms are spotless, bright, sunny, cheery with plenty of supplies. I would say there is not a lot of diversity at Rio Del Mar, this is a predominantly affluent, white suburb, which is representative of the school.
--Submitted by a parent

Yikes, this school is bad. Completely agree with the other reviewer about bullying. Also,in my experience, there are a select group of students who get selective treatment with the best teachers year after year.
--Submitted by a parent

We pulled our child out of this school due to the overwhelming and relentless bullying he experienced here. The bullying is pervasive at all grade levels unfortunately. The girls are no more immune to this environment than their male peers. I have never seen such ruthless behavior in young children. The school is too large to effectively manage the problem and the parents seem more interested in socializing with one another than taking action.
--Submitted by a parent

Though Rio gets the great blue ribbons, there is a well known fact in the community about RIO... Zero Tolerance bullying but that is just not the case. Victims are made to confront their tormentors. As anyone knows, kids (people) recant their stories for fear of retaliation. Rio does not follow their own rules of discipline. I have talked to other Unified school employees who have pulled their children out of RIO for the lack of action on the part of the principle(s). I have talked to many parents whose kids have been bullied and their tormentors rarely get suspended, expelled..just a colored note w/ a slap on the hand. Parents and kids are made to sign a contract (that lists the consequences for bullying - that are not enforced). There is 1 assembly in the beginning of the school year re bullying. Effective? If the Administrators @ RIO were in touch w/ the realities of the playground they might change things. But they are out of touch. The parents of kids that I have talked to are afraid to go to school at times. As my (bullied) child says: "School sucks". Their motto is: "Where open hearts and open minds rule". Really. 1 on 1 w/ rio admins do not work.
--Submitted by a parent

Rio Del Mar Elementary school is a top notch school, with an amazing Principal, Vice Principal, staff and volunteers. The children are treated with great respect by talented and caring teachers. Even though these challenging economic times, parents are doing their best to keep their many programs running, with much success! Their Star test scores are high and gaining. We couldn't be happier!
--Submitted by a parent

Rio is a solid school with an incredible staff. Each grade level (K-6) has dynamic teachers that work very hard and put in many hours beyond their contracts. Many of the teachers are still on the campus after all the soccer and baseball practices are over. The administration is very available and willing to listen, as are the office personal. My children have gained so much from this wonderful group of educators.
--Submitted by a parent

this is a really good school i love it!
--Submitted by suzy, a student

Sorry to see that the principal has decided to leave. He really has been a great asset to the school. However, I'm happy that he is moving on as it seems like his hands have been tied with regards to several issues in the school.
--Submitted by a parent

Sixth grade is in the mud as teachers go. You can have a pleasant male teacher, but not learn a heck of a lot, except for computer technology. Or, you can have one of the majorly overbearing, unapproachable female teachers who walk around with frowns on their faces and give tons of homework, even on the weekends. If I had a child who was getting ready to reach the sixth grade, I would seriously think about transferring to Valencia where I have been told that the sixth grade teachers are more much more reasonable and patient. I think there should be a law where teachers should not be able to have a classroom more than five years as it seems like they either burn out or get too set in their ways. Anyway, I wish all sixth grade students luck. I really do mean that.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with the comments below on work outside the classroom, and long term projects that cannot possibly be done without complete participation of the parent, thus taking up their weekends as well! Also, nothing seems to be done about teasing.
--Submitted by a parent