Washington Elementary School

My son is in 1st grade, and thriving at Washington. The teachers do a terrific job of challenging and supporting students with a range of abilities. There are lots of great enrichment activities - music, art, p.e. gardening, library, cooking. The culture of the school is really nice - from the way the kids treat each other on the yard, to the way the parents interact, to the way that the principal and teachers care about the kids and families. Washington gets overlooked because the building is a bit old, but it's referred to as the "hidden gem" by people in the district, and with good reason.
--Submitted by a parent

We've been at Washington for two years, and I can report that our first grader loves school, is eager to get up and go every day, and is learning at a ferocious rate. He has a wonderfully diverse set of friends, has learned reading skills we couldn't imagine for him two years ago, and comes home with the most fantastic knowledge learned in his gardening, art, music, and many other enrichment classes. We love Washington!
--Submitted by a parent

I love Washington School so much because of it's diversity and caring children, parents, and caring & dedicated staff, and principal.
--Submitted by a parent

Our family has been at Washington School for several years. We are consistently impressed by the dedicated teaching staff and Principal Kimball. Our kids enjoy Wash.'s special programs: music, art, gardening, cooking, and more! The after school programs are equally impressive... the kids can choose from a variety of enrichments: leather crafts, dance, science, art, chess, and more. .. In the age of education spending cuts, Washington School is an Oasis. .. Keep up the great work!
--Submitted by a parent

If you really want to know how well any school functions, attend the school's School Site Council. That's where you get a much better picture of how effective the principal is, how collaborative teachers and parents are with each other, and how decisions get made.
--Submitted by a parent

Dedicated principal, engaged parents, amazing couch Don, garden, green yard, music, art, diversity.
--Submitted by a parent

Washington is a great school and a great community. The parents work hard to support the school and the teachers, to make the school a beautiful place to play and learn, and to raise funds for special programs to fill in in tight budgetary times!
--Submitted by a parent

Washington School is a diverse school that is somehow ale to take all kids, whether they are ahead or behind grade level, and give them what they need to improve their skills and character by huge leaps.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm a grandparent of a 4th grader. My husband and I have tutored his classmates since he was in kindergarten and so are well acquainted with the school. I taught and observed classes in about a dozen East Bay schools for 11 years. Washington definitely offers more than most of those in terms of quality of academics, excellent principal and teachers, extra programs during and after school. The atmosphere at the school is as organized, orderly, serene and productive as at any school I have known. I don't know how much most parents are involved, but the staff and teachers are great.
--Submitted by Liz Maxwell, a parent

Most underappreciated school in the District. Great principal, model of diverse ethnic groups working together, orderly classrooms, virtually all good to great teachers. Had 2 sons attend and have received excellent education (oldest now an honor student at BHS and GATE youngest has been challenged to do personal best rather than be satisfied with easy good grades). Art and music is integrated within school, Sports 4 Kids as well as P.E., garden/cooking program, and wonderful after school care. Check Washington out in person, you will be impressed.
--Submitted by a parent