Kettering Elementary School

After starting Kindergarten at a popular charter school fall of 2010 and having a less than positive experience, we switched our son to Kettering, our home school. Best decision we could make. He, as well as my husband and I, instantly loved the school. We were welcomed warmly by other students, families, teachers, principal and all support staff. He is now in 1st grade and we have a new principal who is terrific, as was the former. Both Kinder and 1st grade teachers are super. We feel very lucky to be part of this amazing school!
—Submitted by a parent

My son just started kindergarten this year. He loves it and surprises me every day with his progress. The PTA is committed and put on great events. The teachers are awesome and he is extremely happy with the after school CDC. He doesn't want to come home.
—Submitted by a parent

The heart felt passion for teaching shines academically through every child. If you see your children excited about going to school, and coming home with A's, the school has to be great.
—Submitted by a parent

my son just started this school and it is amazing. the principal is great the best elementary in long beach
—Submitted by a parent

Kettering is a small school with big hearts! Teachers, parents and students all work together to maintain the incredible reputation it has. In addition to the top notch academia, kids get to be kids and enjoy the foundation of their education. The community is outstanding, especially in these hard times. My son is not only thriving, but exceeding beyond my expectations. And more important, he's happy!
—Submitted by a parent

Kettering is an amazing school with caring teachers and involved parents. Great great place for any child.
—Submitted by a parent

Kettering is a great little school with lots of parental involvement and wonderful Teachers. There's a good community feel, my daughter has attended there for 5 years and I have been very pleased with all staff members, Teachers and parents there. No complaints!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Kettering is great, its a small scholl with alot of parent involvement. We have a new principle again... and she seems very pro active. If your chlld needs after care CDC the program is excellent my second grader really gets a lot out of it. he is there from 2:00pm until 4:30pm and its hard to get him to leave! Parent participation is is critical (with budget cuts) and we do what we can. We are very pleased with his progress and look forward to a great school year.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful school! I couldn't be happier! The only thing I don't like very much is that from grade to grade, the children are not kept grouped together and so, children are sometimes split up from their best friends from the grade before. In a way, it is a good thing, as it makes them get to know more people - but my son was depressed being separated from his best friend and felt very lonely when that happened. The teachers are terrific! The major supporting team (principal and counseling staff) seems to turn over a lot more than I've seen at other schools, but so far - it seems like it has been for the best. I recommend this school to anyone looking for a place where their children will actually learn something more than the basics and the PTA is second to none!
—Submitted by a parent

My son just started Kindergarten and I couldn't be happier with the quality of this school - in all aspects! From the PTA and parental involvement to the teachers and students - this is, by far, the best school in Long Beach! The students and other people involved with this school care about our children! We are blessed to be there! It is a terrific place!
—Submitted by a parent

Kettering is an excellent small school especially under the new principal leadership of Kim Weber. My child adores Kettering and the teachers there have some of the longest years of experience. I love 'neighborhood ' schools where everyone seems to know everyone.
—Submitted by Sandie Morrison, a parent

I have been very happy with Kettering so far. I have a Kinder that loves school! All of the Kinder teacher are great and the principal is very involved. So happy we are there. Lots of parent involvement. Great PTA.
—Submitted by a parent

Kettering is a great school with a higher percentage of parental involvement than most. It is a small enough school where most of the teachers know all the students. Kettering is also a safe school, with a caring staff and great teachers. We had 2 children attend Kettering, and were very satisfied we chose Kettering.
—Submitted by a parent

Strength - academic expectations and parent expectations for student success Weakness - classroom based discipline. Emphasis on administrative/counselor support in this area.
—Submitted by a parent

We are very pleased with the quality education our children are receiving at Kettering. The curriculum is full and the children are challenged. By offering art, PE and music, the children experience a well rounded program. The children respect their teachers and their classmates, and due to the intimate size of the school, most all students know each other.
—Submitted by angela simonelli, a parent

I very much enjoy the atmosphere and the closeness that is available and transferred out from the staff and faculty. I am a parent of a kindergartner and felt very welcomed into the school.
—Submitted by Yolanda Anderson, a parent

I have 3 children at Kettering (K, 2, 4). The teachers are amazing - they truly care for the students and do a great job of working with accelerated students as well as struggling students. The administration is very professional and works hard at making sure all students adhere to the school's behaviour and scholastic standards (which are very high). The best part is that the school is small and it is easy to get to know your child's classmates and teachers. The school welcomes and encourages parental involvement.
—Submitted by a parent

I think this school offers near-private school quality. We were very lucky to live in the area--very few apartments in this area of upscale homes. Teachers are excellent, several went here as kids or student taught here. What impressed me were the affluent parents who could have sent their kids to private school and the ehtnic balance, this school has an ethnic makeup similar to California's instead of being 70% Anglo or 80% minority--gives my kid a chance at realistic socialization. I've volunteered here for many years and am impressed by how well the students do, only one or two in a class cannot keep up. And thank God for school uniforms.
—Submitted by a parent

The best aspect of Kettering is the quality of the K-4th grade teachers. Both from personal experience and from talking with other parents these teachers are at least Good and some are Excellent. My own experience (as well as that of other parents) would lead me to rate the admininstrative people from principal on down to staff (with a few exceptions) as poor. There is a very imperious attitude when trying to find out information from administration. These people must be very sure of their jobs because their customer service skills are horrible.