Lakeside Elementary School

This is the best in public education that is available. With regard to comments about 2 grades being in one class: this is an extremely small school. Grades that were put in a single class had less than 10 students per grade. This is an acceptable practice not only at small schools but at larger ones as well. With regard to comments about academics, I think the fact the school rates 2nd in academic excellence for all schools in the state and very high amongst any school speaks for itself. This school does ENRICH the students. It's not a penal colony. It's a throwback to a better time when students learned in open environment with very strong community support as well.
—Submitted by a parent

Very unorganized last year. Two grades put into one classroom. To many interruptions. Real problems did not get fixed. Short staff to watch children. Some children do not understand the homework. Acting crew from another school came in to use the children as a class singing project whithout parents approvel from scheduled classes. Young children should not have field trips but work on foundation for English reading, writing , math and science. I send my child to school to learn these subjects. I am tryng to get my child to like school and homework not running around town on field trips. Parents should not have to do the work the teachers are suppose to do in class.
—Submitted by a parent

The statements made in the posting of April 17th are wrong. Lakeside has never had a full-time superintendent, and has not voted to hire one. The board has voted to hire a person to be both superintendent (30% FTE) and principal (70% FTE). The cost of the superintendent/principal is nowhere near a quarter million, it is very close to hundred thousand annually; the lowest of any superintendent in Santa Clara county. Of the school's tax revenue (including the new parcel tax), 64% is spent in the classroom (46% for elementary, about 18% for middle school). The district has more than 100 students, about 120-130 (of which about 80 attend Lakeside Elementary school, and about 45 attend Rolling Hills and C.T. English middle schools). If you want to verify these facts, review the board meeting minutes that are posted, contact the school office, or contact the County Office of Education or the State Department of Education.
—Submitted by a parent

The Lakeside District's Board recently voted to hire a full-time superintendent at a cost of more than a quarter million dollars. For every dollar of taxpayer money received, less than 40% actually finds it's way into the classrooms at Lakeside. Why does a school district with fewer than 100 students require a full-time superintendent at the same salary scale of a superintendent of a district with 5,000 students? If you want to pay high taxes to finance a good school district, buy somewhere else.
—Submitted by a parent

Lakeside has been the best educational experience for my children. They are given an amazing amount of attention by the teachers since the class sizes are so small. I wouldn't want anything else for my kids. We love it at Lakeside!
—Submitted by a parent

Oh Lakeside, we love you! We switched to this school via interdistrict transfer this year and are thrilled with our son's enthusiasm towards school. The kindergarten program, led by a former Mountain School teacher, embraces the importance of connecting the child with nature and respecting his own learning style. Unlike the institutionalized silicon valley public elementary schools, Lakeside is small, class sizes are small, community is tight and the teachers have the ability to focus on individuals. Great teacher-parent communication. This is not a testing factory. It is like a small private school in a beautiful mountain setting. All of the children participate in music classes twice a week. My sons volunteer that PE is FUN, lunch is eaten outside under a beautiful mulberry tree, the kinders eat in the school garden. It is a must-see school :)
—Submitted by a parent

Both my children attend Lakeside and it is an excellent school. The teachers and principal are dedicated, caring and fabulous. The small size allows for the premier education for a public school.
—Submitted by a parent

Lakeside continues to offer an excellent program even in the midst of the California budget melt-down. Enrichment includes physical education and sports, dance, music (including after school lessons), Spanish, Robotics, Hip Hop, and drama
—Submitted by a parent

Great Principal, Great Teachers. Small intimate environment and class sizes. Like getting a private education in a public school.
—Submitted by a parent

We are privileged to be attending Lakeside school! The quality of teaching and principal leadership is 5 stars. The music and pysical education programs are incredibly rich and inclusive. I am so impressed with the level of parent and community involvement, the commitment to this school and its children is staggering.
—Submitted by Anne Plane, a parent

Excellent school with caring teachers and great performing arts program.
—Submitted by a parent

My two children both attended Lakeside. They both had a great experience there overall, and from a parental perspective most of their teachers were quite good. Their primary grade teachers have all retired now, so I cannot speak to the quality of the current faculty at that level. The current 5th grade teacher is a standout for her high standards, energy and enthusiasm. She makes a great connection with her students, her classroom is a happy, orderly hive of activity and there was a consistent emphasis on writing and math in her classroom. Parental involvement is encouraged and utilized across the curriculum. For a tiny school the availability of music, art and PE programs is great. There are some after school activities available (dance, soccer, volleyball) on the school campus, which is very convenient.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had two students who attended Lakeside School. It is a very small school which leads to some advantages and disadvantages. The advantage of a small school is that all the parents and teachers know all the kids and no child gets lost. The disadvantage is that there is only one teacher per grade and no other options within the school. There is little chance to seperate children who are in the same grade level who do not get along. Lakeside is a one school district (K-8) and has been operating as a K-6 school. There has been an agreement with RJ Fisher middle school to educate the 7th and 8th grade students but this is no longer in effect. Currently, the district is examining how best to educate 7th and 8th grade students or merge with another district.
—Submitted by a parent

Lakeside is like our own little private school, and with significantly more parent involvement, and a very nurturing and supportive, extended-family- oriented community. It is truly a little haven for the kids, with caring parents looking out for each and every one of them. With only 105 children, plus or minus in a given year, and over 100 years of history and experience with all types of class combinations, we truly are blessed with this jewel of a school here in the Los Gatos mountains. Couldn't ask for a more beautiful scenic backdrop for the kids to enjoy while expanding their creative and intellectual talents in small classes, with some of the best & uniquely capable teachers that we are very proud of.
—Submitted by Peggy McRoberts-Korfike, a parent

Lakeside is a wonderful community school. The school is the hub of the mountain community and welcomes parent involvement with open arms. While many schools find parents in the classroom and on campus difficult to manage Lakeside faculty both welcomes and encourages it. This year we are doing something a little different in that we have mixed grade/combination classes. While many parents are a little nervous of this change the staff are working extra hard to prove to parents they are well equipped to cope with the challenge at hand! Lakeside is a welcome breath of fresh air at a time in public schooling where all are struggling to make sense of the endless budget cuts and constraints of lack of funding. Keep doing what you're doing guys, it really makes a difference!
—Submitted by Gina Glenn, a parent