John Muir Elementary School

I am the same positive person who posted on October 5, 2010. Unfortunately, I have a different view after 6 months and that is all I am going to say about the issue. I am investigating other schools for next year, especially after watching "Waiting for Superman"! Respectfully, Melissa M.
—Submitted by a parent

this is a school that needs inprovement.the yard duties are very rude&after school program is not good at all.the staff at after school program are way to strict.but,the schools safty patrol is realy great so why is the school not so great at all.

Most of the teachers and staff at this school do the bear minimum to get by, this shows in their test scores. There are very few parents that show any kind of involvement and the few that do are not appreciated by the principal or staff unless you are in with their "click". Very juvinile behavior by what should be mature professionals. The cafeteria staff spends the entire lunch yelling at the kids, it is quite a terrible way to for children to spend their lunch time. Very dissapointed in this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I had a herendous expierence with this school this past year wih my one child and the current principal should be removed.She is not qualified to be in charge of any school.I am so happy my child will attend a different school this year.This school should be part of them cutting back and close it down to give monies to better schools.
—Submitted by a parent

this is a horrible school, the principal yelled in my childs face, the teacher cant control her temper and the yard duties are rude. Not to mention the test scores are so bad a letter was sent home stating we could pull our kids from that school and they would be accepted anywhere. I WILL NOT BE SENDING MY CHILD BACK TO THIS SCHOOL NEXT YEAR.
—Submitted by a parent

Im a parent and my child has attended John Muir since Kindergarten, but this year my child was to finish graduating and had a set back to being ill, if it wasnt for resources and summer school he wouldnt be passing with out his awesome summer school teachers , no help really from my childs room teacher since the class was so behind we were very disappointed with this year. Over all my child has had the best of the best teachers while attending John Muir keep up the great teaching.
—Submitted by a parent

The school overall is okay. They do have some very good teachers there. A few were awesome. I am disappointed with the new Principal. I feel she lacks people & verbal skills. The after school program this year was a disappointment also. My daughter loved going to the ASP except for this year when they brought in a new set of personnel also lacking people & communication skills.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall the school is good. The new Principal has worked well w/us concerning our kids.
—Submitted by a parent

my daughter attended john muir from kindergarden and we moved in the middle of her 2nd grade year but now im moving back to the same school district where my son will start kindergarden this year.My daughter had such a positive school experience there and excelled so much.I am excited to get back to John Muir, no school is perfect but I like the small classes and the the principal and staff are dedicated to the best interest of the students.There are some great teachers in all grades. Parents need to encourage one another to be involoved even you feel you do not have time for it. I am a single parent so if I can do it so can anyone.Go John Muir!
—Submitted by a parent

I have had children attending John Muir for the last 9 years. I have been invloved with the PTA for all of those 9 years. John Muir has the potential to be a great school. We have good to great teachers and a wonderfull principle and an excellent office staff. There is Latchkey, after school programs and many other activities for the students. The one thing that keeps John Muir from being a great school is the parent involvement. To be great you must have the parent particiapation as well. Please help John Muir be great. Get Involved!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Muir fortunately has a few great teachers, but the Staff and Principal should get on board. The supervision on the playground and lunchroom is a nightmare and sadly my children have both been hurt as unfortunately there will be more. There is not one rule all follows and the Office Staff and Principal will bend a rule or two if you are in with the in, if not watch out so if you want a hard frustrating educational time come to Muir, if not homeschool
—Submitted by a parent

I think John Muir has a lot of extracurricular activities and the principal and teachers are very involved. Only problem I see is that theres a lot of picking on the little ones and soon as your child hits 4th grade, there are so many children that the teachers are unable to give the attention that each child needs. Oh, and they need more parent involvement. This is a good school.
—Submitted by a parent

what can I say John Muir is a great school. They have wonderful, caring teachers. A unbelievable principal that really is for the children. She is a no nonsense principal and she has a remarkable office staff. If only all the parents could do the same. John Muir has great clubs for after school also. They offer Latchkey and a Pre-school program for all day. John Muir is right down the street from the hospital and 1/2 a block from Downey High school. There are about 500 kids that attend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I like this school--the principal is a no-nonsense person, with a caring attitude. The staff is helpful and the teachers are really good. I would like to see more computers, and more parental involvement, but overall I am happy with the education my children are getting here. Would love to be able to have more funding for music, arts, and after school programs--but the CA education budget keeps getting cut.
—Submitted by a parent

Really pleased with the new principal here. She is great! The school is proving that it can provide our kids with a good quality education. I was told that the state began a new method of calculating scores and now many of the schools that rated higher are lower, and those that rated lower are higher. I don't care what the scores say--I KNOW this a a great place for my child to learn!
—Submitted by h_baker82@hotmail.com h_baker82@hotmail.com, a parent

I have found muir to be a wonderful place. Parents are involved, children can achieve thier potential, and disipline and supervision are wonderful. My child began at the school as a head start student--a fabulous program, and is now in kindergarten doing some first grade level work. The staff is caring and experienced. I didn't expect this level of committment to the students --I am amazed and very very grateful that my child can attend muir school! Go john muir!
—Submitted by a parent

Muir fortunately has a few GREAT teachers, but the Staff and Principal should get on board. The supervision on the playground and lunchroom is a nightmare and sadly my children have both been hurt as unfortunately there will be more. There is not one rule all follows and the Office Staff and Principal will bend a rule or two if you are in with the in, if not watch out so if you want a hard frustrating educational time come to Muir, if not HOMESCHOOL
—Submitted by Sydney Courtney, a parent