Helen Carr Castello Elementary School

I'm sad to see some of these comments. We've been to several school in Elk Grove and this is the best. The staff is great - teachers and admin. Our kids love their teachers, there's lots of involvement, we see the principal out all the time. She's been responsive & supportive of our needs. Cuts are due to budget, not the principal. Test scores just went up 24 points! That's due to good teachers and leaders.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers are great and stay motivated, even when they're going through tough times. I agree the new principal is ineffective and programs have been cut since she started. She is unavailable and unresponsive to parents and is rude when asked questions. The VP is good and tries hard to be available to parents.
--Submitted by a parent

I feel that Castello is an excellent school. There is a ton of parent involvement, at least in the grades that my kids are in. The teachers that we have had have been great as well.
--Submitted by a parent

We've been at Castello since it opened and the teachers have all been great! We do have a new principal and yes I would agree she is out of touch. She has no real leadership skills and often offends parents. But that being said we still have the good teachers. I'm not sure with the budget cuts what this is going to do to our school? I'd hate to get senior teachers but with less motivation to teach. Senior doesn't always mean better...I'm hoping Castello stays above average in the years to come.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is going down hill since the new principal arrived. I'll be taking my kids elsewhere next year, not because of the teachers. The principal does not attend school performances and she is not out with the kids--she's always in her office on her computer. Discipline is lacking and is very one-sided. Morale is horrible--the teachers are so sad.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers at Castello are passionate about their work. They connect with students and care more deeply than at other schools I've had my students at. My daughter is in 5th grade and her teacher is a whiz at teaching math. He explains things to her in a way that she 'gets it' for the first time in her life. She loves going to school each day. The after school program has suffered because of budget cuts, but hopefully that will improve as the economy improves.
--Submitted by a parent

I have had nothing but a positive experience since the inception of Helen Carr Castello. Each teacher I've dealt with has been easy to reach, easy to communicate with and has a genuine concern for the education of my children. When I've needed our principal she has always responded quickly and with unbias. She has been able to answer my questions and the kids appear to enjoy her presence. I am grateful for such a wonderful faculty and staff during these 'lean' times.
--Submitted by a parent

Helen Carr has excellent teaching staff. There is great parent participation as well as parent/teacher communication. My daughter look s forward to going to school.
--Submitted by a parent

I think Castello is a great school. My son has learned so much in the two years that he has been there. The teachers are great! The parental involvement is definitely there.
--Submitted by a parent

Not enough programs for struggling students that don't qualify for special ed/learning center help.
--Submitted by a parent