Kenwood Elementary School

Kenwood is a great school with outstanding teachers and admin staff. Unlike so many other grade schools, the parents of Kenwood students are very involved and manage to raise quite a bit of money. The school is also unique because it comprises its own school district. As a result, it isn't at the mercy of budget battles that vex the Santa Rosa and Sonoma school districts. Lunches (always fresh, no fast food, no soda) are cooked from scratch in the school kitchen. Extracurricular activities are varied: there's choir, yoga, garden club, etc. and the school has a nice after-school childcare program called Cougar Club which is very convenient and affordable for working parents. The school grounds are very peaceful and scenic, safe, and relaxed. The only downside to Kenwood is that it's located in the middle of the Sonoma valley, between Santa Rosa and Sonoma. Even so, this doesn't deter Sonoma parents (60 percent of Kenwood kids are from Sonoma) from making the 10 mile drive to arguably the best grade school in the valley. Not surprisingly, there is often a waiting list for inter-district transfers.
--Submitted by a parent

This is school as school should be. The teachers are wonderful. The principal is amazing. Parental involvement is seen everywhere. This team has created a warm, loving and supportive environment where children cannot just learn the basics but dare to dream and achieve. Academic standards are very high but not at the expense of the rest of the child. This really is a place where 'everybody knows your name', which is a very hard thing to find in today's world.
--Submitted by a parent

Great school rating very high academically. Has asizable budget and many extra programs in music, art and sports. Parents are very involved. It is a lovely community.
--Submitted by a parent

I would have to say that Kenwood School should rate above the maximum '5' on this scale. There are only about 140 students (K-6), and the quality and dedication of the teachers and staff are extraordinary. When combined with the tremendous parental involvement (they raise over $100,000 a year) in and out of the classroom, the result is a wonderful and loving environment for learning. The teachers very much care about the outcomes and take very seriously the responsibility they have for the future success of each of the children entrusted to their care.
--Submitted by a parent