Sutherland Elementary School

This has been our first year at Sutherland, but my son's third public elementary school experience. We had been told for years that his is a "great school" and that "all of the schools in Glendora are great". However, in our opinion, it is not a great school in what we deem important. My son has learned virtually nothing this year and his quantity of reading is 50% of what it has been in previous years due to lack of motivation. There are virtually no activities or contests to motivate high achievers at this school. They do not have a student council either which I think is a shame. I have come to conclude that the reputation is as such because the school's test scores are high. From my experience here, the reason the test scores are high is because you have a lot of involved parents who are working with their children, not necessarily from what they are learning in the classroom.
—Submitted by a parent

Unfortunately, I've been pretty disappointed with our experience so far at Sutherland. While she definitely has her strong points and does some good activities with the kids, our kindergarten teacher is not a nurturing person - often resorts to shaming the kids in front of others as a form of discipline. I sometimes feel I need to have talks with my child about the things I see in the class. While I hesitate to say anything that undermines my child's teacher, I also don't want him to think that those behaviors are acceptable. There are some really wonderful and caring teachers at Sutherland (I think that Mrs. Moreheart is one of them), but unfortunately, you can't pick your teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

Our two kids started here last year. We LOVE it. Mrs. Morehart was the best kinder teacher ever.
—Submitted by a parent

What a great school this is. What a great school this is.What a great school this is.What a great school this is.What a great school this is.What a great school this is.What a great school this is.
—Submitted by a parent

I give the school 4 out of 5 stars because we have been attending for only .5 yrs. Thus far, my family LOVES the school in general. A few things they could work on...getting parents involved!, (there are maybe 12 members at the pta mtg every month) communicating better to the parents about not only activities but rules as well, the 'parking' lot a.k.a. pick up/drop off is horrible!, after-school activities are very limited, and their overall funding/fundraising could be stepped up a notch. Again, overall we are pleased with the school academically, but just like everything else - there is room for improvement.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great School. Most of the teachers here really love what they do and it reflects in the way they teach our children and how the children respond. I can't say much for the new principal except she wants to have the last say in everything and her is is not only the best way, but the only way. The school used to be a lot more fun for the teachers and the parents. This could be why there is less parent participation recently then in the past years.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in the 4th grade and has attended Sutherland since Kindergarten. I love the school and the faculty. Sutherland has very high standards and require a high level of performance from the students but I think it is preparing their students to achieve for a lifetime.
—Submitted by a parent

Have a son and daughter who both went to Sutherland; one entering high school and one entering middle school. Good school, good teachers. Past principal was great. New principal seems to be a good principal. Good parent involvement and lots of outside activities are available to the students.
—Submitted by a parent

Sutherland teachers have always been very open to communicating with parents
—Submitted by a parent

Great school! I love it!
—Submitted by a parent

This school in defenitely improving. The new principal is excellent and is having a tremendous impact on what was a rather miserable school
—Submitted by a parent

excellent school, principal and staff really do care! and you couln't ask for a better pta. it has the best enviornment for learning, go cougars!
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my children are currently attending Sutherland Elementary School. From day one they have been challenged in every aspect. Academically they are encouraged to set goals and with the help of very attentive instructors, they enjoy the satisfaction of achieving their goals. There are outstanding music opportunities for your children to explore. The effort the principal puts forth is second to none and the children and teachers seem to respond to his example. Overall my children have had a tremendous experience and have learned to excel in their education.
—Submitted by a parent

School lacks cultural diversity, even in staffing. Parental involvement is limited to a few individuals, facilities are dated, including playground equipment. Focused on perception not substance. A lot of pretention. Office staff are often rude and the simplest requests seemm like the greatest impositions. The Principal, however, is relatively new to the school and is very involved, visible, and participatory with students, staff, and parents alike. Some teachers are shining examples of caring, gifted educators while others leave much to be desired. Be sure to ask around when requesting classes. Library staff are also very knowledgeable and dedicated. Uses accelerated reader program and good use of computers in class. Very limited resources for disadvantaged, or special ed. Parking lot (student pick up/drop off) is attrocious and borderline dangerous.
—Submitted by Melinda Maselbas, a parent

Our school is a terrific school. There is wonderful parent participation and the family is very involved. Our teachers care about our students, are always willing to work with us and are open to new suggestions. We are having a terrific educational experience with our sons in 5th and Kindergarten.
—Submitted by Tom & Crystal Arroyo, a parent

Can't say enough good things about Sutherland and Mr. Bell. After three years of private school education in another area of California the move to Glendora and its outstanding schools has been a real treat. Sutherland is far ahead of the 'outstanding' private school that my children went to last year. It's summed up best by my 4th grader's comment 'I really do love going to school at Sutherland'.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter just finished kindergarten and we also came from a private school, Sutherland has exceeded our expectations for a public school. The teacher-parent communication is wonderful. Parents are constantly being informed of the latest news in both the classroom as well as the entire school. Great School!
—Submitted by Valerie Andrade, a parent

My daughter just completed 1st grade at Sutherland, having come from a private school. Sutherland met or beat the private school in increasing her reading/writing/arith. levels. Parents- be ready for lots of homework. Principal Scott Bell is always visible and accessible. Playground for grades 1-5 is slightly older than nearby schools', but that is minor. Highly recommend the school.

We are confident that Sutherland will help our children's growth and development in all areas. Academic rating is excellent, and the teachers and staff are dynamic and caring. we are pleased with how the teachers and principal deal with problems and issues.