Castlemont Elementary School

Castlemont is a great school! My daughter is in kindergarten and she has a wonderful teacher. There is a lot of parent involvement which is key to a great school. It is only January and I feel that my daughter has learned an incredible amount in such a short time. I think the principal is wonderful. She is passionate about her job and it shows.
—Submitted by a parent

Most of the teachers are great and very interactive, however, some will incorporate their own personal academic research to study the students. I'm not a big fan of using children for these types of research at such a young age when they cannot comprehend this type of exploitation. Principle is not very helpful and tends to ignore parent concerns. Campbell Care staff is excellent.
—Submitted by a parent

I grew up in Campbell, and went to Capri. I wanted my son to go to my Alma Mater. That didn't work out and Castlemont was our home school. Thank God we have had the best experience their. My oldest son is in 3 grade and my youngest 1st. They have never had the same teacher, and all of the teachers they have had have been awesome. Every staff member of this school I have encountered has been awesome. Everyone their is respectful. I volunteer often and have never seen staff act anything but positive with students. Bethel church also does a great job with thier kids club after school.
—Submitted by a parent

Two of my grandchildren attend Castlemont Elementary School. They are getting a good fundamental education. And both enjoy going to school!

My son has gone there to Preschool: Loved it! Than Kindergarden: Loved it! Now first grade: Loved it! Thumbs up for Castlemont. An all over great experience, we feel safe, our son is thriving there, we like the 3 R's (Responsibility, Respect, Right to be safe), nice atmosphere, what more could a private school do without overwhelming the kids? We feel extremely lucky!
—Submitted by a parent

We were concerned as the official public ratings of Castlemont are not the best. Our son was in Kindergarten and now he is in 1st grade and we just love this school. They have really great teachers and in all comparison with private schools like Stratford or so - this public school comes out to be great and nothing short of those private schools. The key point always about any school is the parent involvement in their kids education and this is the one area where we all need to do a better job to make a school at the end a better school with better ratings.
—Submitted by a parent

Unique opportunities, Diversified, Friendly Principal and School Staff, Creative learning Techniques.
—Submitted by a student

This is the most caring staff of teachers and administrative I've ever seen. We moved out of the area and decided to move back just to get into Castlemont and for good this time. Thanks
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are very good and the ESL population has not affected my children's learning. If a parent is committed, as we should all be, children will learn well. There are enough learning and support in Castlemont, but, it needs parent involment if you want to see results. Good school overall: excellent staff, diversity and safety. I love that fact that the school teaches them about the environemnt - they even have an organic garden.
—Submitted by a parent

I enrolled my son this year in Kindergarten at Castlemont after I was unable to get him into a Charter school in Cambrian District. I was worried at first because I did not know much about Castlemont and they only offered all day kindergarten. I wasn't sure how my son would adjust but his teacher is wonderful and because of her, he really enjoys going everyday. He has made friends easily and is always willing to tell me about his day. The new prinicipal seems very motivated and safety is a number one concern, which makes me feel better about him being there all day. The ESL population has had no effect on my son's learning so far and he seems to enjoy the diversity. Parent involvement is encouraged and I plan to volunteer as the year continues.
—Submitted by a parent

I highly support Castlemont Elementary School and encourage parents with school grade children to send them here. Regarding the ESL students - my son was placed into a classroom where 1/5 of the children were unable to speak or write English, with no detriment to his learning. The teacher was wonderful, placing special emphasis on each child's learning capabilities and assisting them on any problems they encountered. I was able to see this being a homeroom mom who came into the classroom almost every day to help out. There appears to be a decline in parent involvement and spirit, from what I've seen, in the past three years however. Perhaps the two new principals coming to the school after Mr. Short's departure may have contributed to the decline, due to uncertainty of what needed to be done first. Hopefully things will stabilize this 2006/2007 school year.
—Submitted by a parent

Castlemont is a good school. It has a lot of high quality teachers. my kid started castlemont since K, every teacher she has is good, she loved everyone teacher of them. teachers are responsible, funny, patient, enxusiastic. GTAE programm is ok, not so much activities as other scholl as I know of, but I am ok with that. Principals did not have much deeep impression on students, but overall they are goo, just leadership point of view, I can not say that much, because I am not told many. After school activity is ok, day care is in same camp which make it very easy, I do not have to go to school and pick up my kid, they can just go over the day care them self. I think this school is still limited to people who know each other.
—Submitted by Robin Ma, a parent

Gone downhill for the last two years since principal left. No leadership or teacher morale. New boundaries mean drawing lots of ESL population. Scores lower two consecutive years.
—Submitted by a parent

STAR test are dropping and the school has now been under attack by gangs tagging and vandalizing. ESL students are outnumbering english speaking students and as a result the STAR test scores have dropped 26 points in one year. This causes the school rating to drop and thus the property values of Campbell residence and surrounding San Jose are taking a hit as well. Something needs to be done...
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at Castlemont for 10 years now and still counting! This is a good school. As in any school, there are staff and demographic changes each year. As a parent, it is important to be flexible in your child's schooling and to expect change. At Castlemont, my family continues to have *excellent* teachers each and every year. The parent involvement in the English- and Spanish-speaking communities is phenomenal - *this* is the key to a good school. The principal is not as good as the old (no one could match Mr. Short), though I heard from a teacher that 'curriculum' is supported more now for the teachers and it's appreciated. She seems to be doing a good job with hiring more good teachers. Though it was sad to see one long-term employee get transferred by her, the change is not a bad one. I recommend Castlemont without reservation. Nov2005.
—Submitted by Kim Schauer, a parent

I go there and it is wonderful. They rebuilt it last year and it lookes awesome. they have great teachers allround. It gos up to 5th grade and is very welcoming.it also has a very nice principal. So send your child(s) there and I guarantee they will have a blast!
—Submitted by a student

I believe that the parents that dedicate their time is what value Castlemont currently offers. The new principal is lacking in her leadership qualities and is too much into control and felt it was necessary to make changes involving people that worked and had dedicated themselves to Castlemont.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended Castlemont Elementary for 6 years, starting in kindergarten. The school had a good staff and a high level of parent involvement. I particularly liked the Life Lab science garden. I recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Castlemont Elementary has met my expectation, my daughter has learned a great deal in the two years she's attended this facility. The staff is extremely patient, and helpful.
—Submitted by a parent

Parents are very supportive and helpful and there is lots of support in the classrooms. I have never had a bad teacher at this school. I hope that in years to come this school can stay distinguished and financed properly so that it can stay great!
—Submitted by a parent