Almond Elementary School

Teachers are so good my daughter was in tears when she graduated. Great music and theater program as well as strong academics. Parents are involved as their time permits and have a very strong sense of community. School is very diverse and students are given the opportunity to excel.
--Submitted by a parent

We are a bit disappointed with this school. It is not nearly as good as what you would have expected for such an expensive living area. The parents involvements are very high, which is OK with us. But in the kindergarten classroom the teaching is mainly driven by worksheets. The teacher requires the kids to sit very quietly and not allow free expression of kids' own ideas of conducting even the craft work.
--Submitted by a parent

My children and I love this school. Overall, we have had wonderful and caring teachers. They work hard to help our children learn.
--Submitted by a parent

Yes, the parent involvement is very high, but I pretty enjoyed it. Not all the teachers are the best for sure. My kids had some bad expirence and hope they can keep the good teachers even they're young. Old doesn't mean good.
--Submitted by a parent

Our children currently in grade 2 and 3. Teacher quality is shockingly poor. Impressionable kids especially disadvantaged by teachers that are 'tuned out'. Teachers are happy to farm out much of the responsibilities to volunteer parents who become substitute teachers. This is a parent driven school.
--Submitted by a parent

Not nearly as good as I would have expected. Yes, parent involvement is high...a bit too high in our opinion, enough to suffocate the kids' freedom of learning. Also, due to this or may be even despite this some teacher quality is not good, especially is lower grades.
--Submitted by a parent

My fourth grader and kindergartner are proud to be 'Almonders.' I've been very pleased with my children's teachers every single year they have been at Almond. The Los Altos Educational Foundation (funded by parents) keeps class size to 20 in grades K-3 and provides art, music, and science labs to all grades. I feel that Almond is a family-oriented school, with many parents staying for the 'morning assembly' on Mondays and Fridays to hear the principal's and student council's announcements. Overall, this is a friendly, diverse school with high expectations for its students but also a high level of support from the staff and administration.
--Submitted by a parent

Parent participation is high. Teachers are excellent and have high expectations for students. Many wonderful fieldtrips like weeklong camps and other overnight trips are offered but are also costly. Teachers and staff are devoted to student success and it is apparent they are willing to do what it takes to help students that struggle. There is no cafeteria, lunch program is run by parents and is expensive - $5/day. There is an ongoing conflict resolution program and when there was an issue with bullying, the school administration involved parents and took a proactive position. Overall, this is an impressive school.
--Submitted by a parent

Great school. But there are a few parents w/ children who have special needs. Sadly,the parents of these children are still in denial, this affects many.
--Submitted by a parent

A great school. I know my son's teacher truly cares for him and does his best to help him learn while making learning fun! He is being equipped not only academically but emotionally as well. The whole child is being educated.
--Submitted by a parent