Calavera Hills Elementary School

At first, my husband and I were considering sending our daughter to private school for kindergarten but decided to give public school a chance. We have been pleasantly surprised at the quality of the program and with her teacher Mrs. Phillips. It is amazing how our daughter can read, write, subtract, add, and more!! The school is well maintained and the after school Kids' Care program is also excellent. We are hoping the trend with continue throughout her time here. The programs funded by the PTA such as art and music are amazing and the annual musical is a must see.
—Submitted by a parent

I am continuing my post here.... Ms. Boyer, is one of the best teachers I have ever encountered. My son was at a previous ES in the district and it amazing he does not hate school based upon those two years of having teachers that yell at very young children. Ms. Boyer, knowing my second grader loved school and had the negative experience has ensured that he not only continued to love to learn but has grown in leadership skills and confidence. Mrs. Phillips is amazing working with 33 kindergartners. I do not know how she does it. My son is able to learn in the large group setting and in small groups so that he is challenged at his learning level in math and reading. Thank you CHE for a great school year, for welcoming my boys and allowing me to be a contributing member of the PTA.
—Submitted by a parent

Calavera Hills Elementary School is a fun school which focuses on students being the best they can be. My child was very excited to learn her math facts this year and to be presented with her special "Math Master" certificate. The staff always makes our family feel special and welcome at school.
—Submitted by a parent

The new principal Ms. Huesing and one of the secretarial staff are rude & mean. We have a child who started in the special ed program and our son had a hard time adjusting to this new environment and his new teachers. He had some behavioral problems and Ms. Huesing and a secretarial staff had very little patience and tolerance for the poor child who is already handicapped and adjusting to a new environment. A staff member called us and demanded that we pick him up from school immediately because he had some behavioral issues. As working parents we informed them that we could not come immediately since we were at work 40 minutes away. We made some arrangements for a relative to pick up our son but when we got the phone call we decided to pick up our son ourselves. We arrived 3 minutes after dismissal time and our son's teacher aide was very understanding and kind. But Ms. Huesing and the staff member who phoned us were very rude and inconsiderate. The way they addressed us seem to ascribe moral guilt to the parent for their child's behavior which is not entirely under the parent's control since the child is at school, has developmental problems and is adjusting to a new environment.
—Submitted by a parent

The new principal is excellent. She is very visible and always has a smile. She is firm and fair with the children and my grandchildren love her.

My son was happy with his teacher and she had a good idea of what his strengths and weaknesses were
—Submitted by a parent

The faculty and administration and very interactive with the parents. Parents contribute time and energy in the classrooms and extra curricular activity. I guess it is the people that make it a really great school.
—Submitted by a parent

Our school has dedicated teachers that love teaching. The community wants our school to succeed and therefore works extremely hard to make that happen. The students are enthusiastic and want to be there. With all that how could it not be a wonderful place for my children.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is currently a First grader and so far has had nothing but WONDERFUL experiences. The Staff is caring and the curriculum is good.
—Submitted by a parent

My children attend Calavera Hills Elementary school and they love it. They have so many programs paid for by the PTA. Most families don't know the PTA pays for so much and they need to toot their own horn a little more. There are so many activities and events for families to participate in - just read your weekly courier and you know everything that is going on during the school year - it's wonderful. This year they have a great website that also fills you in on what's going on all over campus. The parent involvement at our school is wonderful and the teaching staff couldn't be better. They really know how to teach to each child. Excellent school, excellent teachers, excellent principal and wonderful families!!
—Submitted by a parent

A great school undergoing a culture change as new leadership exerts influence over a diverse student population, and builds relationships with a 'second wave' cohort of parents, as the 'new home community/new school' first wave of enthusiastic parents follow their kids into middle and high school. Unflagging PTA leadership, deeply dedicated and professional teaching staff (another one just won 'teacher of the year' in this top-rated district) continues the proven path of dedicated collaboration here, supported by not one but two powerful community non-profit dedicated to the schools success, during California's difficult state fiscal environment. Expect great things to follow from the same fundamentals that produced the unprecedented multiple awards for the this elementary and co-located middle school being awarded Distinguished Schools, twice.
—Submitted by a parent

Bullying at Calavera Hills Elementary is a huge problem. Very little supervision equates to many kids running wild and getting into a lot of fights. The school needs to focus more on education and creating a safe and comfortable environment for students, where they don't have to worry about going to school. Some of the teachers do care, but apparently not the administrators. The Coyote Productions (school play) is very well done.
—Submitted by a parent

The quality of the academic programs is fantastic. Most of the teachers do an excellent job of bringing the lesson to the child. Music, like most elementary and middle schools, is MIA. But there is a school play that has a great reputation for putting on quality shows. Art? Almost nil. Sports? Same. Better to check with C'bad parks and rec dept for classes. There is great parent involvement. It can become overbearing.
—Submitted by Tom, a parent

We are just finishing my daughter's first year of Kindergarten at Calavera and we love this school. She is involved in two afterschool activities - tennis and chess club. Her teacher and all the staff have been wonderful. This school has exceeded all my expectations. I cannot say enough good things about Calavera Elementary and the community.
—Submitted by a parent

My children attend Calavera Elementary. I feel the environment is friendly, and the teachers from what I have experienced are willing to listen to parents.Although I think the new principle has good intentions,and has some good leadership skills, she has a tendency to come off brash. I understand there are programs for music,drama, but no one mentions the cost of these programs when signing up. I think this school could improve in their mathematics department. I take time to teach my children because it is part of my job,however I do expect more math to be taught in the classroom than in homework assignments.
—Submitted by a parent

I LOVE Calavera Hills Elem.! It is a warm, wonderful school with lots of community and family involvement! I'm so happy my child attends here.
—Submitted by a parent

As a teacher, I just want to say that this is the most amazing school to work at. The environment is warm and friendly. There is excellent leadership and parent involvement!
—Submitted by a teacher

Community collaboration is the theme. This school has a Fund Raising Committee that funded two libraries, a music program, and an arts program, including the teachers salaries, a PTA that has added a fathers group to do community service projects, and has won grants and awards for doing nature education. In spite of a 25% non English speaker population, the school has increased its scoring, by drawing from the best and brightest in the district. For diversity and excellence combined, this school scores A+.
—Submitted by a parent

Although this new elementary school opened two years ago with an inadequate library, the principal and faculty have more than made up for it with their dedication to providing a safe learning environment that fosters individualism and excellence. Two challenges face the school: year two test scores and their ability to bring their scores in line with other top-notch schools in the area, and their ability to accomodate the influx of older student from area schools when the middle school opens on the same campus this fall. The PTA is strong, and the Dad's club formed this last year has been effective. Overall, Devin Vodicka has done a great job of defining an identity, clear goals, and standards for this new school in a short time - I believe he will continue to do so going forward. I am pleased to have my two children (seventh and first grades) attending this school.
—Submitted by a parent

My children love this school! It has a great family atmosphere. All the teachers that I have come in contact with are very concerned about their students.
—Submitted by a parent