Heritage Elementary School

Too much emphasis on testing and teaching for the test; have an unfortunate feeling this is the case at all schools that rely on federal funding. Im definately not as impressed as the staff with test scores as a true measure of my childs success or failures.....and my child scores advanced in all areas. I feel the teachers are not enabled to teach to their full potential as they are too busy prepping our kids for testing. Again, this likely has more to do with the current state of public education in general than it does the school or faculty.
--Submitted by a parent

Now on our third year at Heritage, I am not happy with the direction the school has taken. Focus is almost exclusively on state testing at the expense of any other classroom enriching experiences or projects. Zero creativity in the classroom. No science projects, art projects, none of the things that used to make grade school fun! Our kids are essentially sitting in a lecture hall all day! Library time is a joke. Some great teachers but having to teach just for test scores diminishes their talent. Other teacher have pretty much given up and it is painfully obvious that they much rather be anywhere else but teaching our kids. Definite favoritism towards a specific group of the school population. Basically if you are not in the dual immersion program or the English learners program, your kid is just a warm body, just adding to the count for state funds. Look beyond the test scores!! It is just a competition between the principals for bragging rights! Our kids need more than that!
--Submitted by a parent

My son has been attending Heritage elementary for 3 years now, this school offers a great Spanish immersion program. I think the climate at heritage is great, I see so much enthusiasm from the principal in her blacktop assemblies, and during her coffee chat. She is a real positive influence to our school. The teachers are also very good with communication with me as to where my son is doing good, and where he needs help. Overall I feel that Heritage has an excellent staff, and a great group of volunteers that help out with assisting the teachers, or helping those special events come to life. Thank you Heritage!!
--Submitted by a parent

Heritage Elementary School is the most wonderful place on Earth! We have two children and have recently moved into the Heritage community. The warm sense of community among the parents is incredible. Most notably at the Family Luau at the beginning of the school year, which felt more like a family reunion than a school picnic. The culture at this school is one of excellence and class! We have yet to come across a group of individuals more dedicated and nurturing than those we see at Heritage. The teachers at Heritage are top notch! They are a collection of the best teachers in Chula Vista. We appreciate the strong emphasis on academic achievement and wish more power to them as they welcome each student into their classrooms daily with warm smiles, a nurturing demeanor, and high expectations. We want the BEST for our children. They are spirited and joyful when we discuss school. Keep it up Heritage! We are very proud to be Heritage Hawks!
--Submitted by a parent

Please don t be misled by all of the four star rankings you are seeing. We moved here from TX last summer and made a decision to put our child in this school based on the reviews from other parents. The majority of the faculties concerns are based on test scores. They all seem to be so focused on the scores and their ranking within the district that they have completely lost sight of the child and what they are really learning. My child is in the third grade and struggles to keep up because they push so much on the kids before they are ready. It takes my kid nearly three hours to do homework each day because he doesn t understand what the steps are and that s with me walking him through it. They were and are still doing long division before the students even know their multiplication facts. When I contacted the teachers their only response was he should know his multiplication facts by now and that if he continues to struggle they would teach him Singapore Math I don t even know what that is. If you like test scores this is the school for you. If you what your child to have fun learning and enjoy going to school, you may want to look for another school. I am!
--Submitted by a parent

Heritage Elementary is a fantastic school, with great leadership and amazing teachers. The entire staff is dedicated solely to ensure all students grow and develop into intelligent, positive and confident young people. I feel extremely fortunate to know that my children are off to a great start in life because they are being influenced by teachers that have great intentions and dedicate their time to ensure each child succeeds. My children love Heritage and look forward to going to school everyday. Thank you Hertiage Hawks Staff for all of your hard work and dedication to helping tomorrow's future, you are doing an amazing job, evidenced by the schools results and the smile on my kids faces!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

Since becoming a member of the Heritage community almost two years ago, one thing has become astoundingly apparent: Heritage is indeed, a true community. Parents, teachers, administration, and of course students all come together in a way I have never seen in my 20+ years as an educator. My children have quickly grown to love their school, its teachers, and their friends. They have wholeheartedly taken on the overwhelming drive to work and learn that permeates the Heritage culture. They understand the hard work involved is directly tied to their own growth and achievement. The children are assessed regularly, however, the data is used to drive instruction. Student needs are identified and addressed thanks to the results of the tests. Our children love the challenges presented to them by their teachers. They feel they are cared for not only by their teachers but by the entire staff and community. For parents, opportunities abound to become involved in the happenings at Heritage and a visit to any school function will demonstrate the degree to which parents and families support our school. Come and see for yourself.
--Submitted by a parent

I can't say enough about Heritage Elementary School! I am a parent of a 3rd grader and feel so blessed to be a part of the Heritage family. My husband and I are confident in knowing that we are sending our daughter to a safe and caring environment, where ALL students are engaged in their learning on a daily basis. If you love to volunteer, then Heritage is the place for you! Spending a little time on campus, you'll quickly see parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles helping, not only their children's teachers but ALL teachers, whenever they can.There are endless opportunities for you to volunteer. The atmosphere at Heritage is one that can be truly felt. You can feel a sense of family, love and dedication from teachers, administration, staff and parents who hold the welfare of the children as their highest priority. From the Blacktop Assemblies to the Chalk Walk Festival, from the Family Art Nights to the Carnival... Heritage is truly the best school in the world!... AND to top it off, Heritage Elementary has been the highest achieving school in the district for two years!!!
--Submitted by a parent

Gloria Ciriza as principal has positively changed the school culture at Heritage. She is omnipresent, has a can do attitude and is a true leader of our school. The office staff is warm and helpful and welcoming to all that come in the door. Teachers are ON, as evidenced by the recent test scores. The PTO is active and always wants a fresh face no matter how little time you have. Academics and safety are stressed, but in between it is never the same month twice. Our new Vice Principal is on top of being available and helping the school keep on its current track. We are a military family that is now planted in the area, and this is the best elementary experience we have had.
--Submitted by a parent

Heritage is the best in the district and our 2009-2010 API score of 917 proves it! Principal Ciriza is one of a kind and has turned Heritage into something to be proud of. All the teachers are caring and put our children's needs first! Way to go Heritage Hawks!
--Submitted by a parent