Northside Elementary School

Northside is now a K-6. It has some fantastic veteran teachers and some new ones too! The best part about Northside is the approach to community involvement. They have the Seeds of Change Program which is a school garden with it's own Farmer's Market run by the students! My student has learned so much about science, biology and math just from this experience alone. Addtionally, they have a wonderful parent volunteer group called the Dream Team with two different meeting times to accomodate parents busy schedule. All this and a solid academic approach.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had the pleasure of being a parent at this school for the last 7 years. My son is in the 6th grade now. We have seen alot of positive changes throughout the years. The school continues to improve for students. There is a new parent group called the Northside Dream Team that includes, parents, staff AND students to help implement these positive changes. There are some new teachers there as well. The principal, Wendy Westsmith, is an active member of the school and not just a person sitting at a computer.
—Submitted by a parent

We had the pleasure of sharing space on the NS campus as Golden Canyons of the American River Charter. We were so pleased to be working with a local school in support of our cause of establishing an art infused school in the BOMUSD. The honeymoon was soon over as we realized in horror that we were unwelcome on the campus & treated accordingly. I gave the principal one star for she did come around eventually after multiple complaints about her & one teacher in particular, but the reality is it was a little too little, too late. On the + side, we had a great school year w/involved parents, engaged students and that is what's really important here. We had an overall very high satisfaction rate. Our year culminated with performances we gave to select NS school classes & parents. NS, like Geotown school, have a ways to go to be the educational asset this community desires. They harbor teachers who are beyond their usefulness to teach children appropriately. Specifically parents pull kids out of NS to avoid a 4th grade teacher & hope they don't get one K teacher in particular. It's sad to see parents jockeying around the district to fulfill educational needs to avoid unwanted teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

Northside School is clearly committed to its students and community. The staff has adopted Highly Effective Teaching as a course of study during the summer which means our students learn in ways that are rigorous AND relevant and completley hands on! This year students learned hisotry through their own Renaissance Faire's, Silk Road, California History Museums and more. MIddle schoolers took the challenge of a Ropes Course and fifth and sixth grade students traveled to Muir Woods and Fort Bragg to learn about ecosystems! Great Teachers and a fabulous staff!
—Submitted by a parent

I believe that Northside is an average school for the area. If parents want better they should look for a private school or get involved more. I have been involved with this school for 4 years and it's true that some teachers need to retire because they have lost their passion for the profession. On the other hand, the school district have lost a lot of funding because of the economy. I think that the school is doing the best that they can do with the resources that they have. Overall, it's a safe and well rounded school except for the extracurricular activities...
—Submitted by a parent

My my, how the comments have changed over the last 4 years. That alone should tell us something. Our family has been and Northside for years and we have experienced many changes, not one for the better. The sports teams are weak and there is no staff interest in making this an experience the students will enjoy. Because of budget cuts and the lack of raises due the teachers, the teachers have lost interest in the extracuricular activities. We have discussed removing our children from Northside to put them into a more well rounded enriched school atmosphere. If you are new to the area, check the academic scores before enrolling.
—Submitted by a parent

Northside School is going out of its way to improve the quality of education for its students. The vibrant, energetic new vice principal, who has strong people and communication skills, balances out the principal who has strong administrative skills. While there are a couple of teachers who need to retire, the rest are willing to put in the extra time and effort to help all the children be successful, contributing members of our society. The economic problems existing today are hard on the school, but the administration seems to take these into consideration and do the best they can. My children always feel safe at Northside, and I wouldn't change that for the complications of a big city school any day.
—Submitted by a parent

Northside school has dedicated teachers, and has worked hard to engage parents and community members. Their recently revised school plan demonstrates a commitment to accountability and support for all kids. Parents are very involved and feel welcome at the school.
—Submitted by a parent

As a a result of inadequate teaching; absence of leadership; weak and boring education program; weak instruction; laziness of teaching staff; absence of 21st century learning and instruction, we have removed our children from Northside. Many other caring, smart and savvy parents have done the same in order to provide their children with the education they need to be prepared for the world. The school is an embarrassment.
—Submitted by a parent

If you can navigate around the teachers who need to find another career field, your students can have wonderful educational experiences. Unfortunately the teaching staff dictates what students and parents get to experience and it is NOT always in the best interest of the students and often times completely LACKS any sort of educational standard. They defintely have a 'status quo' mentality and have been known to 'dumb down' the students. The complete lack of professionalism and accountability is amazing; as a result we had to put our kids in a different school.
—Submitted by a parent

The majority of teachers at Northside are narrow-minded; boring; operate under a 'status quo' mentality; often disrespect students and parents; do not have any concept of 21st Century learning and student and parent displeasure comes from the ignorance and laziness of the teachers. The administrators need to implement teacher accountability and the entire school staff need a strong lesson in fiscal accountability and overal professional integrity. The school and district is dominated by its local teachers union which negatively impacts the educational program and learning environment of the students. Parents need to constantly monitor and evaluate their children's teachers as well as their academic program since it's very weak.
—Submitted by a parent

Principles do not trust their teachers abilities, micro-manage and use authoritarian power. Teachers are unhappy, bitter and have little or no respect for the Administration. The result is unhappy students who don't like school!
—Submitted by a parent

Northside School is terrific. Our 2 daughters have been at Northside since Kindergarten, all the teachers have been excellent and it has made for many happy memories for our girls. They have a strong foundation on which to build their continuing education. Thank you Northside staff.
—Submitted by a parent

Very Good academic programs and good parents. Teachers Organization to help the parents get involved in the school activities and to know what thier children do at school.
—Submitted by a parent

They have an excellent atmosphere for parental involvement. They are strict without going overboard. Teachers truly care that the students not only understand their subjects but also enjoy learning them.
—Submitted by a parent