San Pasqual Union Elementary School

SP is an outstanding school with an API of 889. There is a caring staff who takes pride in providing wonderful opportunities for all students. The ELL program sponsors a tutoring program after school, monthly parent educational meetings with opportunities for parent education, technology opportunities, and small group instruction each day utilizing the AVENUES PROGRAM. The GATE program provides hands on learning and research opportunities for students in grades 4-8. All students have the opportunity to participate in music programs, (band,chorus, general music), after school sports, cheerleading, Science Fairs, our state of the art technology lab, our outdoor garden program, and educational field trips including the Marine Science Floating Lab, Sixth grade outdoor education week, and a special science program at the San Diego Zoo's Safari Park for our 4th. graders including animal visits, a sleepover in the park, and special events. This one school district stands out as a jewel as the "Little School In the Valley." Our goal is to meet the needs of our diverse population, providing every student with a world class education.

This is a fantastic school that has so much to offer considering its size and limited resources. Being a 1 school, school district, funds are limited, yet commitment of the staff is not. If you are looking for a small (private school like atmosphere) school, where your child will not get "lost" in the crowd, this is a great option. It is true that if you have a child with special needs you may be frustrated with the resources available to you. If your child truly needs extra resources they might be better served in a larger district that can provide more options. Coming from a family of educators, we truly feel blessed that our children are being educated in this environment.
--Submitted by a parent

For average to above average general education students this is a terrific school. But for those students who have special needs this school struggles mightily to provide services for these students. We have had to move or special needs student to another school after almost 3 years of trying to work with SPU.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is EXCELLENT. Small country feeling, great Teachers, great feeling of care here compared to other schools and it ranks 9 out of 10. No problems at all with gangs, rock solid learning.
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent school with dedicated staff, great before and after-school program (Kids' Club). This school has a variety of after school events, family functions and community awareness programs. As it stands alone as its own district, I believe it provides the best of public school education with many of the benefits of a private school.
--Submitted by a parent

My three children attended this school. My youngest now in the 7th grade. It was a wonderful experience during the elementary years. The school is very nice, in a beautiful and safe location with better than average teachers. However, all middle school classes are taught by just a few teachers and the school doesn't offer electives that would be available at a larger middle school. They have a small athletic program. But, overall even with my concerns, my older children transitioned well to High School and my oldest went on to college on an athletic scholarship. There are pluses and minus with a small school just like there are with a larger school. My choice would still be the smaller school.
--Submitted by a parent

School community provides children with a safe enviroment to learn. Bullying is not as big of an issue as a at 'regular' middle school. Teachers have high expectations of student learning, but are willing to help students in need. Although there are no electives offered at the school, academics are stressed and studnets are provided with extra long math and language arts blocks to make sure all the stanards are taught. Character education is a big part of daily language. I would rather my children be prepared for the rigor of high school than be able to 'take wood shop'. The middle school does put on a HUGE musical at the end of every year. A great place for children to grow and learn.
--Submitted by a parent

Well, San Pasqual gave me the experience of a life time in my short amount of time there I learned so much and I when I went to my high school registration what they told me was the San Pasqual are among the most prepared schools. Also, our school is a family i'm sure we are all well aware of the small school and that also was an advantage we watch out for we each other and we love each other we therefore are a family and we had the most amazing teachers K-8th I m so shocked that everyone is saying that San Pasqaul isn t prepared enough when board members from all over California give San Pasqaul awards for outstanding SAT scores. I came in 6th grade and at every other school I ve been to I had no welcome like San Pasqaul. There are no words except amazing for San Pasqaul.
--Submitted by marilyn bretherick, a former student

I have had my kids at the school from K-8 and my youngest will graduate in a few weeks. Overall is was a good experience but I was not very happy with the middle school experience. I found my children were no longer nurtured and were often treated as failures if they didn't excel just as another parent said in an earlier post. This school is beautiful and a very safe environment. On the surface it has very few problems if any. By middle school however, children are no longer nurtured and are often treated as failures if they don't excel. Giftedness is not celebrated and failures are exasperated. Expectations of students are almost at high school level, with the claim that teachers are preparing students for the transition into 9th grade.
--Submitted by a parent

I was shocked to see a few negative comments about this school because I can't say enough good things about it. When I talk to other parents about it, I feel like I sound like a spokes person. My oldest started kindergarten in Fall 2006 and my husband, son and I are so so happy with this school! We couldn't be more thrilled about his teacher who celebrates both his strengths and encourages him during times of difficulty. I always feel informed and up to date on my son's progress and what's going in his class and school as a whole.
--Submitted by a parent