Torrey Pines Elementary School

Because of the principal, this school is not as great as it seems! The good is that the majority of teachers is well prepared and dedicated and parents are very much involved in the many activities and in their children's lives and education. Unfortunately the principal is a very insensitive, rigid and cold person, he is focused exclusively on scores and money and he doesn't take in consideration important aspects of child's psychology. I must say that a good school is not measured only by scores, from the number of Promethean boards and the amount of money raised by the foundation, other things are more important: the children themselves and their mental, emotional and social development, after all, don't forget that this is an elementary school, not a bank.
--Submitted by a parent

We have a child in this school. It is an exceptional school at the best location I can imagine. The schools gives me a feeling of community.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in her second year at Torrey Pines, and so far, I'm very happy with the school. Aside from the outstanding academics (I am continually amazed by what she is learning), I really appreciate all of the "extras" the school offers from kindergarten up (pairing older "reading buddies" with new readers, class vegetable gardens, art, music, science, P.E., etc.). The fundraising required to do this is a little relentless, but worth it in the end. Another thing that has really impressed me is the focus the school places on good citizenship. My daughter attends on-site aftercare (K-5) and I'm continually impressed with the kindness of all of the kids I meet, and their willingness to help out the younger children.
--Submitted by a parent

This school's focus is on looking like an exceptional school, not necessarily being one. We have been here for two years. Things started well enough and many teachers are great. The trouble comes when your child needs something more or something different. The policy is "Fit in or get out". For the hundreds of thousands raised per year *by parents* to support it, this school is not nearly as exceptional as it pretends to be.
--Submitted by a parent

Watch out for this school. This school has many combo mixed classes where they will assign your third grade child to a combo grade 2 and grade 3 class that is 75 percent second graders with only a few (6)third graders. Most of the class time is therefore spent teaching the second grade students while your third grade student sits idly by doing self study without any teacher. Then, when asked to transfer your child, the TPES school principal refuses to transfer your third grader to a 100 percent third grade class saying that if he does, this will start a war with the other parents. He tells you he does not allow any transfers no matter what. So your child is now stuck in virtually a second grade class for the entire school year. Watch out for this school. It can severly hurt your child's education.
--Submitted by a parent

Yes, I agree the school is too focused on scores. The principal is very rigid. He assigns classes without knowing all the facts, and then refuses to change class assignments once the facts have been explained to him.
--Submitted by a parent

Our son has been in this school for a year, and I regret not having enrolled him sooner. The teachers are excellent at their job, the majority have been teacher for over 20 years. The principal is fantastic. I have spoken with other parents from other schools and they all wished Mr. Solo was their principal...As they say, Leadership starts at the top...and "The proof is in the Pudding..."
--Submitted by a parent

great school! great teachers and great pals!
--Submitted by a parent

This school is too focus on scores. There's no such thing as working with each child's academic issue and unwilling to individualize it. Principal is defensive when a parent try to address it rather than facilitate teacher and parents working together to help a student which is too bad.
--Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent school. The teachers my daughter has had so far have been exceptional. Mr. Solo, the principal, makes it a point to learn every child's name and interacts with the kids on a daily basis. The parent involvement is like none I've ever seen. I am so impressed with the opportunities she has had here, from the Wednesday enrichment classes, to the opera, to the week spent in Old Town. We look forward to one more year here.
--Submitted by a parent