Robert Semple Elementary School

I went to Robert Semple K-5 it was the best years of my life. The staff was amazing & very friendly. When i got to 5th grade i could not wait to go to BMS (Benicia Middle School). i have had the worst years of my life here. at least the elementary schools were great, its a bummer the middle school and high school isnt!

We love our school and our teachers. The parents are wonderful and pull together for the benefit of our children. Great community!
—Submitted by a parent

My son has completed Kindergarten and Grade One at Robert Semple. I simply can not imagine a better experience. Both teachers were absolutely fantastic! They have provided him with an excellent academic foundation. He is reading far beyond his grade level and his math skills are great. Both teachers treated their students with love and respect and had an uncanny ability to bring out the best in each child. The school is very family oriented. Parents are welcome in the classroom and younger siblings are able to come with you to volunteer.
—Submitted by a parent

Robert Semple is a community school in every sense of the word We are truly a family. Every parent, child, teacher and support staff work as a cohesive unit. Semple Rocks and has been selected a CALIFORNIA DISTINGUISED SCHOOL for the third time. GO DRAGONS!
—Submitted by a parent

I love the school! The 4th grade team is very very wonderful, I wish all the staff was as good. The principal is not great. I really question how he got the job. Very family friendly and the kids are happy.
—Submitted by a parent

Our staff and parents are very caring and supportive. Our kids give great hugs and warm smiles
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been to 3 of the Benicia schools now. I just love Robert Semple, and due to a change in demographics my son now has to go to Matthew Turner. Just because MT has more money in their students and parents certainly doesn't make them a better school. On the contrary, Robert Semple was awesome. It was a family type atmosphere with an awesome, involved, principal. Every event they sponsored was well done, the entire school was friendly and helpful. I recommend Robert Semple to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

Robert Semple is a great school with wonderful 'family' atmosphere. The principal is very supportive of all the children and available for parents who have concerns. Parents are very involved with the school.Academics programs are strong. Little sport or arts as these programs have been cut in most school due to lack of funds but each class does have a art docent program ans there is a music teacher one day a week.
—Submitted by a parent

While the Mathew Turner (because of its modern facility) and Joe Henderson (because of its size) garners the so-called prestigious designations, Semple definitively holds its own in the upper echelon of top schools in the State. Most parents consider Robert Semple as a diamond in the rough! There must be a reason for the school receiving the National Distinguished Award, twice! The caliber of teachers and administration is impressive. Children are well taught. Quality education is this school's main goal. The principal and staff are concerned for my child's safety and provide a culture of learning and respect. My daughter loved her teacher, Miss Dutro! It s amazing how many hugs the teacher gives and receives just by standing in the door. A high number of dedicated parent volunteers supplement wonderful influence for the children Ethnic diversity at the Semple is high thereby presenting a social progresssion for an eclectic California.
—Submitted by Rey and Michelle Deborja, a parent

I have a daughter in Kindergarten at Robert Semple. She has had a wonderful year so far and is excited to go everyday. The teachers and other parents are very welcoming. The Principal is well known by all of the students and always takes time to stop and chat with both parents and children. She's always ready to listen and lend advise. Especially in these economically tough times, everyone at Robert Semple has pulled together to make the best of education. The library is well organized and the librarian is very kid friendly and knowledgable. It's a place where everyone is welcome and comfortable. While all parents at our school are proud of our test scores, most recognize that this is only one measure of our wonderul school. Community, friendship, a warm atmosphere and wonderul, enthusiastic teachers and adminstrative staff are what really make Robert Semple an awesome school.
—Submitted by Kelli Huettenhain, a parent

From everything I've seen from my daughter's Teachers, the quality of teaching is excellent. The ONLY thing I'm disappointed with there is that my daughter was introduced to Spanish in Kindergarten, which I thought was a superb idea, but then it wasn't continued in her following grades. I think it should be a requirement for all students in California to learn both English and Spanish. And besides, learning another language is a great thing. It opens one up to new people, new music, new viewpoints, a whole new world. I've been very impressed to see how many parents come out for the school's extracurricular activities. Besides the superb Teachers, that's a very promising sign for things to come! Keep up the good work!
—Submitted by Troy Kelley, a parent

Robert Semple Elementary, overall quality is very good. The only problem that I saw was that there was too much horseplay in front of the school. The teacher monitors should stop children that are kicking, or harrassing other children. Like my son, some children do not want to rock the boat and keep taking this abuse. I saw one child bothering my son when I was dropping him off for school. I immediately told that boy that I would report him to the office if he did not stop harrassing my child (there was a teacher monitor present in a distance). The boy stopped bothering my son and went to class. There has to be discipline in the schools. Children are not going to school to be harrassed but to be educated. Children have enough stress than have to put up with physical or mental abuse from another student.
—Submitted by a parent