Leo R. Croce Elementary School

Not only does my daughter go to this school, but I work there. I see a lot and would NOT recommend this school, EVER!! My daughter suffers from ADHD and teachers don't have the knowledge or patience to teach her. Unfortunately she gets mostly F's every year and they still pass her. She slips through the cracks. A lot of bullying at this school as well. I think the principal is overwhelmed and things don't get done.
--Submitted by a parent

One of the teacher in my kids class found very poor she cannot teach any thing other than reading stories as any day care nannies do she is very poor in encouraging kids her teaching skills are poor cannot teach reading or math skill... not sure how she stayed in same school for very long as teacher. My son knows very good math before he joined this school now he forgot teacher actively tries and tries to settle scores with parents to show the kid learned only from her not before... There are some good teachers in the reviews make sure not to send your kid to other teachers. I am disappointed.... Parent
--Submitted by a parent

The posting from 9/6/06 sounds like a problem with a particular teacher. It really helps to be as involved as possible with your child's teacher and classroom and to discuss issues as they arise. I have had 3 children attend Croce for the past several years and have found the staff open and welcoming, the curriculum challenging, the extracurricular activities abundant and the PTA/parent involvement to be outstanding. All of my children have benefitted greatly from their experiences at this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Croce Elementary is a fantasticl! It has dedicated, talented, energetic teachers who enjoy teaching. My sons never complain about school or say that they don't want to go. They enjoy learning and their high test scores show they can prove it. Croce teachers are often involved in extra-curricular activites on and off campus. I often see teachers (and principals) at school/community functions. Croce also has many parent volunteers that help our school provide a plethora of extra-curricular events. Lastly, our wonderful GATE program provides activities and adventures for our GATE students. No school is perfect, however, this school is exceptional. They listen and respond to parent input and always strive to do their best. (Communication is always hard, but Croce has worked to make it better: website, teacher email, specific day for notices, etc.) My oldest son attended 5th (currently 9th LHS) - my youngest attended 1st - 5th (last year).
--Submitted by a parent

Croce Elementary School has proven to be a great disappointment. My child is attending for her second year and after only a week and a half, I am ready to place her in a charter school. I wanted to have her in a public school for several reasons such as developing and maintaining social skills, learning in new and creative formats, and building confidence. However, the only information I seem to receive in a timely fashion is the monthly fundraiser flyers. I have received information about assemblies where my daughter will be receiving a reward and I'm invited to attend, the day after and my daughter has brought home completed homework that the teacher hasn't reviewed because no one checked her backpack, this has happened many times. Amazingly enough though, if I send a check to school for school pictures, yearbooks, ect. my daughter doesn't return home with them.
--Submitted by a parent

Croce has been a wonderful place for my son to learn and get a great education. The teachers as well as the principal and staff are outstanding in their care for their students as well as a great passion for their jobs
--Submitted by George Dala, a parent

The Livermore School District is an underfunded district. It receives less money per student than surrounding districts. However, with voter approval of Measure D in 2004, class sized reduction is available until 2010. After that, CSR will fall back to the parents in the community for funding or to the state. Croce offers music, library, and computer classes as a result of intensive PTA funding. Parents raise $50-70K each school year to fund these programs. This school offers P.E. in the classroom run by the teachers. This school has very invovled parents and teachers who work hard each year to provide the best educational experience for Croce's children.
--Submitted by a parent

Mrs. Lisa Prevost, Mrs. Jennifer Renner, and Mrs. Pat Gephart are the best kindergarten teachers. Mrs. Lisa Prevost goes above and beyond to make her class fun with accelerated learning. She has five tables set up each with one of the following: math, writing, shapes/sequencing, problem solving, and an art table. She has volunteers (mothers) that help with the tables. I have never seen a teacher so involved and interested in making children learn and have fun in a balanced manner. She organizes events where children enjoy potluck, play games, and dress up as their favorite characters. My daughter has learned so much she reads, counts to 100, does first grade math (subtraction and addition). My daughter also tells time and is able to count money. She knows her presidents (Washington, Lincoln, etc.). She also knows every shape even hexagon, pentagon, and octagon. My daughter doesn't like being late for school.
--Submitted by Mrs. Singh, a parent

Croce school has a close community of parents, teachers, and students. The principle works hard to provide the best education and extra-cirricular activities possible. She cares deeply for the staff members and the kids. She faces difficult decisions daily due to the extreme budget crisis in the state.
--Submitted by a parent