Carmel River Elementary School

The safety profile of this school needs a total overhaul. When a girl in kindergarten last year can be sent home with concussion and the parents were not even informed of any incident until the child exhibited symptoms that night and had to go to CHOMP, how does the school resolve this? By further not telling other parents when incidences happen to their children. Scary? You do not want to know what happens behind those giant juniper trees on the playground. And, what does the principal do? Nothing.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a student at River School and this is my 2nd year here after moving from another city. I came here at the beginning of 3rd grade. The education is great and people are very welcoming. Overall the school is great but WAY to much homework. In my experience some of the homework assignments are more difficult than what we do in school.

We have traveled all over the U.S./overseas, due to my job, and found Carmel River Elementary School to be top-notch in every aspect. The school truly focuses on building fundamental skill and provides an atmosphere of learning and enrichment. Excellent support from the community and PTA to enable students to experience extracurricular activities, which are truly out-of-this world! By far, one of the best elementary school in California and the U.S.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is fantastic it thoroughly deserves the great reputation. The principal is very fair and approachable. The teachers are extremely good. However, the parents are very disappointing, to borrow a phrase from a previous review "the club-like, cliquish social atmosphere" makes this school a very difficult environment to be in.
--Submitted by a parent

I appreciate this school because the Administration and staff are sensitive to the needs of their students AND their families.

Quality of education is really high, teachers are great, kids do great academically and on tests, bullying is minimal.
--Submitted by a parent

As a grandparent and retired educator, I really appreciate the efforts and follow through of the staff for the benefit of all families.

demands high achievement and recognizes the importance of parental involvement
--Submitted by a parent

While Carmel River School may be the best public elementary school in Monterey county, that is really not saying much. This school pales in comparison to schools we have dealt with in other states. The school is clearly overcrowded and understaffed. While it may achieve above average test scores, this is at the expense of creative expression and flexibility in the curriculum. As people below have noted, some of the tenured faculty are extremely poor educators. The administration is rigid. There is no dedicated indoor place to eat lunch. Many classes are taught in trailers. The 90 or so kindergartners are often supervised by a single adult during the lunch break.
--Submitted by a parent

carmel river school is a great school my kids get wonderful education .I think the best teachers are Mr.T,Ms.Block,Mrs.Marsh,Mrs.Esaka and Mrs.Osorio .
--Submitted by a parent