Carrillo Elementary School

This school is doing wonders for my child socially. We move a lot and I usually had issues with my daughter's happiness and lack of friends. Not here. The teachers and kids seem to be loving and accepting. It must be that there is little drama coming from upper class homes. Whatever it is, it makes a happy student. She is involved in the activities. There are many to choose from. Improvements to be made include the lack of parking. Maybe they should make a parking structure for the regulars. Also, children who excel at academics need to be recognized and encouraged more. Do they have a GATEs program? Many of the children there are from successful brainiacs, despite how good the school is, this is a great influence on the high test scores. So do we have to move back to the ghetto to get some recognition? I hope they do something. Put it in gear, please.
--Submitted by a parent

Let's do a comparison. First, let me say that community is a school starts with the principal, then trickles down. If the principal is not at the TOP of her game, then the system fails. At Carrillo, the principal does the minimum possible because this is a job, not a career for her. She collects her paycheck as does the least that she can. This trickles down to the front office. Please do not something like smile, it may hurt and you don't get paid to smile. Why is this important? Is a school of 900+ students if the first thing you see is a grumpy face how do you feel all day? At Alvin Dunn Elementary, the principal knows her students, smiles, her job is her career, her happy nature affects everyone around her. The front office staff goes above and beyond to assist, and make you feel welcome that you are at their school. Such an awesome difference. We have attended Twin Oaks Elementary, San Marcos Elementary, Alvin Dunn Elementary, and Carrillo Elementary. If you based choosing a school on principals, we would never return to Carrillo. She should retire.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with many reviews, both positive and negative. Overall this is a great school and your child will get a very good education here. The overall school atmosphere is very welcoming for children. Bullying seems to be completely absent from campus. As others have pointed out the administration doesn't seem to welcome change or constructive comments that could be perceived as negative (ie. don't rock the boat). The parents at this school are highly involved but they seem to form cliques and buddy up to administrators for the purpose of helping their children over others (especially with regard to selection of teachers each year). There does seem to be an inordinate amount of time at flag salute spent on the running club. While the running club is a great program, spending fifteen minutes each Friday handing out awards for running is a bit excessive. Maybe rewarding kids for academic efforts such as Math 24 and reading would be a better way to go. Again overall a very good school and would recommend it to anyone. If there was a concerted effort made on behalf of the administration and parents to improve deficiencies (science, art) this school could be the best.
--Submitted by a parent

Carrillo Elementary is an amazing school. My kids love school and want to get there early to play with friends. Most of the teachers are excellent and the staff is great too. I don't agree with all the negative comments below at all!!
--Submitted by a parent

Carrillo is a great place for kids to go to school! There are fabulous teachers and tons of parent help! The campus is always clean and there are tons of afterschool programs to join ! With Education being a sore subject in CA--- you would never know it at Carrillo! They truly love the kids and that is what matters most! A great community an a fabulous place for your child to go to school! My son loves to go to school everyday and can't get there early enough! That says alot about a school!
--Submitted by a parent

A lot of the reviews are correct, this is a good school but with a lot of faults. The teachers are in general very good and some are excellent, but I agree that any sort of complaint contrary to how the school is run falls on deaf ears with those in charge. They do push the children, but some are progressed when they should obviously be held back. They lack severally in science and arts, they claim to be focused on math and English but spend a ridiculous amount of time at flag salutes rewarding those who run, surely this is extra curricular and academics should come first, which it does not. They rely heavily on parent funding and participation which does provide many programs but gives those 'clicky' parents too much power in the school and certain staff pander to those 'in the click'. Class sizes are too big and students get lost if they don't cause problems, there is no provision for those who are not struggling to excel, just meet the requirements. The parking lot is not designed for the parents of 900 kids with no school bus it can take 40 minutes just to get to you child for pick up. My children are happy and learning and this year have amazing teachers to thank.
--Submitted by a parent

We just moved to this community and I was very excited about the school. I was surprised at the high level of reverse discrimination. We are fair skinned but from another country with another language spoken at home other than english. I was shocked to see a Chinese program only offered to a selective group of youngsters bc a fund came from a private Chinese money. I see other AMericans of White color (many from all different nationalities mixed) but no particular class offered for them. Instead there money goes to the entire school program to facilitate all other children. IF the money collected came from the nationalities of other origins such as German, IRish, Denmark, Australian etc.... then only those children should be allowed to participate! The school does not even have a art or science room and parents teach art. The school is over crowded and they provide a room for a Chinese class to take place. Then looking at the registration form, why should it matter your race? THey have every nationality of Asian listed (about 20), and Hispanic, And I am other white. I am from a foreign country and we do not speak english but my children are learning and have no choice.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has highly challenging academic programs and some of the best test scores in the district. Most children, including mine, perform above grade level. Unfortunately, any concerns I have brought to the staff have been met with defensiveness and denial. Other parents have shared the same experiences. The rule here is "don't rock the boat."
--Submitted by a parent

This school is a great school for children they keep them all motivated and the parent volunteer is great.
--Submitted by a parent

Carrillo is a great school that continues to provide my children a well-rounded education. I have one in 5th and another in 1st. Thanks to wonderful parent support we have been able to hold onto a music program, computer lab, reading program, and art. Many other schools in our area don't have these programs anymore. The running club has made physical activity fun for the kids. The teachers and staff are dedicated to do what is best for the kids. Parent involvement is high and encouraged at this school. I am thankful for the past six years I have had here.
--Submitted by a parent