Leona Valley Elementary School

Wow! What a shame. They get a different teacher every year or two and the same with principles. When they get to Jr High, High School and College, they will have to face the same thing. Most parent are more worried about dressing their kids up like little "adults" ranter than worrying about preparing them for life an the "real" world. I see no problem with the changing of teachers every few years. Let's face it...unless they don't pass the grade they are in...they are going to have a "NEW" teacher anyway. When they go out in the "real" world, they will have many changes in their jobs..including "NEW" bosses. You need to get a grip!!!!!!

My child has attended this school for six years. It is small and safe but unfortunately there is always a trade off for anything. I agree with the last reviewer about the staff always being right. There is very little administrative oversight at this school. There seems to be a group think of negativity among the teachers and aides at this school they are never wrong! There is definitely parent involvement and if you want your child to be treated nicely you better be involved. There is definitely favoritism shown at this school for certain students if the parent volunteers or they are related to the staff. I have two older children who went to larger schools and there was definitely not as much nepotism as you see at this school. I think it would be better if the principal was there more since it is not a good idea to have the teachers and aides answering to no one because they really have no accountability on a daily basis. I am not sure I would recommend this school I know that there is not a perfect school but this one does not even come close.I look forward to moving on to a larger school with more activities and less hostile teachers who seem to not even enjoy childrenGoodLuck
--Submitted by a parent

My children attended this school but I could not recommed it. The school district puts the teachers and budget considerations before the students. The principal is rarely on site. If a parent has a concern about a teacher - the teacher is always right! Parent involvement is very high.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a great small school. I'm very happy with my son's teacher soon I will have my youngest child attending kindergarten here. Definitely a 5 star school.
--Submitted by a parent

I am very happy with this school. Parent participation definently isn't required any more than any other school, but its great to see how many paretnts are so supportive of the school and their children's education. And it shows in the quality of the students here.
--Submitted by a parent

I have been at LV three years and I think that the parent participation makes all the difference. A lot of responsibility does fall to the parent volunteers, which is necessary to fill in the financial holes that the district can't fill. (Library books, some school supplies, classroom supplies, enrichment assemblies, etc.) The teachers are generally good but I think because the district seems to use the school as a principal training ground (although the administrators that we had the last two years, Mrs. Barker and Mrs. Jones were awesome) there is a certain level of indifference from some of the teachers. With that said, the teachers have a lot of responsibilities that the parents and students don't see. Overall, it is a really great, small school and I think you get out of it, what you are willing to put in.
--Submitted by a parent

I love this school compared to other schools. My daughter is thriving, her teacher is very involved and I think it is good that the school requires parent participation.
--Submitted by a parent

Although the school is very safe the academics are severely lacking. My son is bored out of his mind. Although there is a gifted program it is just more work. Basically the teachers my son has had have all given him worksheets. That is no way to teach 100% of the time. The alternative is not good either, not safe, drugs, gangs ect...so make your decision but be ready to beef up the academics with something additional if you choose LVS.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is a nice school,but the parents do everything. Sometimes it seems like they run the school. You also see favoritism because of this. The teachers are nice,but the school gets a new principal every year. Kind of a Joke school,but at least it's a safe school.
--Submitted by a parent

Leona Valley is a unique school within its district--Westside Union School District. Located in a smaller community, the population of the school is small which results in multiple combination classes throughout the grade levels. The negatives: limited extra-curricular activities and multiple combination classes. The positives: smaller student population, high parent involvement, dedicated teachers/administration, great atmosphere for school pride, continued growth in API.
--Submitted by a parent