Bradoaks Elementary School

My children have attended Bradoaks for the past 5 years. The principal and her staff are responsive and committed to providing a healthy learning environment. I am very pleased with my childrens' progress thus far. The school routinely holds after hours events, and I am always surprised how my kids want to stay after in order to participate. One would think they would want to get as far away from school as possible as soon as they could! In regards to the comments made about Mrs. B, I can share my own experience. My son is quite challenging, yet Mrs. B has gone way above and beyond to work with me to help him get on track and we have seen huge successes this year. She does come across as short; however, I think she's just a no-nonsense woman. She DOES care about the children in her class and I have no reservations about her at all. Unfortunately, class size is probably true. Monrovia USD, as well as every other school district in California, has faced huge cuts to their budget. Fortunately, the rumored school closure didn't materialize.
--Submitted by a parent

I was very happy with the school until my daughter started second grade in September of 2010. We were shocked by the lack of homework at this school...there is no homework! Class sizes have increased by 5-6 students per class as well. I personally think it is a funding issue but we were told that some of the parents were complaining that the kids were getting too much homework. I can not say that I am happy with the current situation at this school.
--Submitted by a parent

I was very happy with this school until my son entered the 4th grade. Unlike the other parent who reviewed and commented on Mrs. Bolin, my son had a horrible experience with her. She did not help him at all and humiliated him constantly. I volunteered at the school and heard her yelling at the kids from the room across. I emailed her to ask her a question about an incident and she practically told me off via email. Later the apologized but it was uncalled for nevertheless. My son became depressed in her classroom and was referred to a psychologist. This year I moved him to another school and miraculously he is happy, outgoing and getting straight A's.
--Submitted by a parent

My child has been attending school here for 4 years now and I must say that I have seen substantial improvements over the years. When she began she really struggled to maintain a passing grade however this year she has the most wonderful teacher Mrs. Bolin who really cares about her and has helped her gain confidence in herself which ultimately resulted in her making her grades. We will be sad when she graduates next year.
--Submitted by a parent

strong leadership, committed teachers, small class size
--Submitted by a parent

I love this school. My son has attended there for 2 years now and I love all the community/parent involvement activities done. I think Mrs. Bires does and exceptional job as principal and really tries to exceed expectations of parents, teachers and students.
--Submitted by a parent

Staff is highly trained in brain-based instruction... new principal is active, visible, and engaging. After school choral program available... funded by PTA. Garden Club is vibrant and well-attended. PTA needs to grow... an exclusionary element, that prevented many from participating, has left.
--Submitted by a parent

Bradoaks has made a lot of improvements over the past seven or eight years. They now offer a pretty solid academic program. Some teachers might go a little overboard on the homework, though.
--Submitted by a parent

Test scores have shown improvement
--Submitted by a parent

This school has good test scores but lacks community involvement. There is a small group that leads the school. After hours activities are limited and no after school playground activities.
--Submitted by a parent