Daves Avenue Elementary School

As an educator and a long-time Los Gatos parent, I concur that this school is seriously lacking--and even more so this year than in the past. A second grade teacher who deems Spelling to be optional--and sends it home for parents to teach. An entire school district that shuns the traditional format of math computation in lieu of a new system being touted by an east coast university (parents refer to it as fuzzy math). We have 5th graders who can't do long division--luckily I can, so again I teach math--in addition to spelling. Administratively, the new principal lacks any ability to step up when a problem arises. But he's worse than ineffective, he appears to foster a sense of entitlement in the teachers--not at all what we need in the current system of teacher tenure that makes it difficult--if not impossible to fire a teacher with tenure. I concur that Daves used to be the premier school in the Los Gatos district, but that is no longer the case. In fact, with the new principal at the helm, Daves now ranks at the very bottom.

I have to say that I am deeply disappointed with the school, teachers and curriculum this year. The principal is a recent hire, so he can't institute any new initiatives, which Daves desperately needs. First off, the school has to step up its curriculum. It's agonizingly slow, which is making my once eager-to-learn son very bored. Second, the teachers seem uninspired and lazy. My son only gets math homework once, sometimes twice per week in his second grade class. He is assigned to read 20 minutes per day, which he already does on his own, but he gets no writing assignments or practice spelling tests to take home. This minimal approach not only puts the whole student body at a disadvantage, because the neighboring schools are doing much better academically, but it also discourages good study habits. On a more positive note, the school is beautiful and it's in a lovely area. It's also a pretty wealthy area, which means there's plenty of snobbery, which carries down to their kids. All in all, I'm giving this school a thumbs DOWN.
—Submitted by a parent

As the last reviewer said, " It takes a supportive parent to make a good experience for a child great. " Well, I am a 100% supportive parent and sometimes that is not enough when your teacher is not properly providing positive reinforcement and help. My son who couldn't wait to come home and do his homework last year turned into an angry boy who would get upset any time I mentioned homework. It turns out his teacher in 2nd grade is yelling at the children and even told them to "shut up". I have witnessed the yelling and frustration myself on days I help out. At this point the year is completely overshadowing the wonderful 1st and Kindergarten teacher experiences that we had. I believe this school is beautiful and most of the teachers are fantastic. This two star is for the lack of response to getting a bad apple out of the bunch.
—Submitted by a parent

Reading the last three reviews, it seems possible all are absolutely true. The most recent post, 11/11, states the teacher "everybody seems to be talking about" did a good job for her kids, who have since moved on to high school. That means the perspective is 6-9 yrs old. The two 8/11 posts are based on last year. Good teachers become bad teachers. Young teachers become old teachers. There has been a significant decline in the education delivered in recent years, friends commenting their younger one not getting the same as their older ones did just a few years ago. Even with the same teacher. The moral of the teachers seems to decline, and a few of the best ones have left. So far this year is better than last, but we're considering private school as we watch our kids get bored and fall behind, saying nothing is hard and material is covered very slowly. The principal wants to make is a no-stress school, but the stress will come when these parents and children realize they lost 3 yrs of educational progress compared to their peers at the other public schools, and maybe more when compared to private. No homework, no study skills. How is that going to work in middle school?
—Submitted by a parent

I totally disagree with the parents who have posted here. i loved my experience with the teacher that everyone seems to be talking about.. My kids got a great education here and as they moved to high school they did better than the kids who went to other schools and they stayed out of trouble. It takes a supportive parent to make a good experience for a child great.
—Submitted by a parent

Beautiful school but problems. Most of my daughter's friends left Daves to attend private school after a horrible 2010-11 third grade year. With few exceptions, third grade is weak here. At the beginning of my daughter's third grade year, all of the teachers echoed, we will not do timed multiplication test (fuzzy math instead) homework will not be corrected and thirty minutes a day she would have independent reading of any book of choice. Parents made frequent visits to principal complaining about academics and discipline issues. Some parents made complaints to superintendent after realizing their child was behind Blossom and Van Meter 3rd grade. The solution to the problem, excellent example for the need to reform tenure policy, the principal swapped a target problem teacher to 2nd grade with a strong 2nd grade teacher to 3rd. Favoritism is big here, 2011-12 class roster has many H&SC "big wigs" and the children of Daves teachers in the strong teacher's class. Job share another issue here, my daughter had this experience of lack of consistency between two teaching & discipline styles of the two teachers. After spending $$ for tutors last year, my preschooler will go to private
—Submitted by a parent

Looking at the qualities of a great school, Daves does not completely fit the bill. Yes there are some good teachers but I believe the leadership in the school squashes any chance of those teachers shinning to their full potential. Further, the school is dealing with a literacy issue and therefore they are spending a great deal of time teaching to the results of last years data. There isn't a challenging environment but an average to low, so don't worry if you are afraid of stressing your child with too much work or you have many after school sports/activities. The school has problems getting volunteers but there is a group of the same busy worker bees, so it's only apparent if you become one of the always called on worker bees. There is a great amount of bullying, one the many reasons why we took our sons out of this school. Punching, hitting and black eyes to name a few. Notice that there are no recent comments on this site but you will find recent post for the other schools in this district.
—Submitted by a parent

Did a great job of emotional support when I had to enroll my granddaughter at the school after the death of my daughter
—Submitted by a parent

We need to think about how to retain highly educated and devoted teachers. Many teachers have been at Daves Avenue for years. How does the principal plan on retaining the highly qualified teachers (or not making them so sick that they have to retire) that you have? A superficial air and disrespect for the highly educated and underpaid caregiver is a fact. Good luck!
—Submitted by a parent

3 out of 4 teachers have been great. The principal is not helpful. She's a politician. While I'm sure H&SC has some friendly people, it is not friendly to me. All about the tasks, not the people. I know 3 families who have left the area this month because of it's lack of community.
—Submitted by a parent

I have to disagree with the early opinion of the Home and School Club. I am a new member to the club and was a little nervous not really knowing any of the other members. But I was welcomed in immediately and my thoughts were listened to as if I had been attending meetings for years. It is not easy doing the jobs these ladies do, but they do them for the kids, the school and the community and for that I am thankful. The H&SC is one of the many reasons I am glad my kids go to Dave's.
—Submitted by a parent

he home and school club is an exclusive group for type A, uber-moms and so I'm trying to separate that from my overall review. We've had 2 exceptional teachers and 2 pretty good. The principal has been quick to help me when needed. The admin. isn't great, but is that really important? The school is new, beautiful.
—Submitted by a parent

Fantastic teachers ... needs more structure on the paper side (a guideline for parents how the different envelopes work incl. homework. your child can miss out on things (e.g. homework) if you don't know the system
—Submitted by a parent

The administrative assistant who answered the phone when I called to get information on how to go about viewing the campus was so rude. I asked what they reccomend I do to view the school since we were not in the area during the tour dates. She said 'We don't reccomend you do anything'. I asked if we could come by during school hours and she said'I guess'. This woman was so unwilling to be of any assistance or give even a hint of useful information. Needless to say Daves just went from number 1 on my list to the last.
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers, but the admin. staff leaves a bit to be desired.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a little girl who is starting third grade this year and one more who will attend in 2005. And I couldnt be more happier with this schools performance. The teachers, parents and princapal are all perfect, I know that might be a bold statement but I have seen alot of schools in and around this valley and Daves stands in a class by itself. Other schools should follow there lead.
—Submitted by a parent