Bella Vista Elementary School

I am a parent with my 3rd child now in his last year at BVE. My other two (now in High School) attended BVE and it was the best experience of public elementary school my children could have experienced. With my 3rd child, we experienced only one 'sketchy' year and it truly was the teacher, not the school. I just had to keep on top of it, to make sure the year remained positive. The Principal's ONLY focus is running the school. This can be perceived as a positive thing, but a little more connection with the parent community would be great. She literally looks right through you in the event you meet with her to touch on a concern. She began with her term here with the 'If you don't like it, let me get the door for you' attitude. It has since subsided, but only a bit. GREAT teachers!
—Submitted by a parent

I give BVE an A-. Pros: 'dedicated' content knowledgable teachers; K-5; friendly staff; safety/security; strong leadership; new ELO afterschool program; GATE. BVE has had 4 or 5 principles in the past 5 years and exceeded or placed honarable on state testing (API). Therefore, for a school to go through so many administrators in a short timeslot, in my opinion, speaks loudly that BVE has a rock solid foundation and incredible potential. Cons: Safety/Security is a top priority at BVE and improves with each incoming manager, but I am dissapointed to see no permanant solution to address the 'possible' accident prone intersection behind BVE on Markland/Via which has no stop signs or assighned crossing guards. We, (city, parents, BVE) should be held accountable and liable if an accident were to take place. Second, increase parent involvement. Last, 'flexible' evening meeting times for working parents and continue to address traffic patterns around BVE.
—Submitted by Go Dragons!, a parent

Both my daughters attended BVE. My eldest daughter did wonderfully at this school. If your child is a gate child then you are in great luck but if you have a special needs child forget it! Teachers individually are good but have no idea how to work as a team. This is why there is no consistency and no raising of test scores. The support staff is condenscending and rude to adults and students. I find this to be unacceptable. I do see the current principal working hard to make this school better. I wish her much success!
—Submitted by a parent

Bella Vista has great potential. Thier Academics are great as for other extracurricular programs they don't offer many. They are learning from the problems in the past and working forward to correcting them. They don't have any Parent involvement and thats not good for we need more of that. There is no motivation from any where, so like with everything its a routine, parents drop of thier child/ children and go on with every day life. We as parents need to know whats going on and need to be told or made aware matters involving our children & school so we can help change them together & not have 'them' change things for us. We as parents are the first roll models. This is a new year and a new Principal & I see alot of good things coming & hope for the better of our child/ children and school. Parent
—Submitted by a parent

Parents at this school are not involved. Teachers were great. GATE program available.
—Submitted by a parent

Parents at this school are not involved. Teachers were great. GATE program available.
—Submitted by a parent

Awesome school, great teachers, fun activities, good after school program, I miss this school after our move.
—Submitted by audree, a parent

My daughter has just entered kindergarden at Bella Vista. I have to say that I am impressed by the level of structure in her curriculumn. The work that she brings home is challenging, and each week her teacher turns it up a notch. I am glad that I enrolled her at Bella Vista.
—Submitted by Elisa Eguiarte, a parent

Both of my children have been attending this elementary school for the last four years. It was a challenge coming from Moreno Valley, only because of the large amount of students attending here. The teachers academic teachings are excellent. The administrative staff is professional and courteous. Belle Vista has a new principal and he has been doing an excellent job. However, I would like to see more of the teachers working together in a more team effort in assisting the principal. Overall, I give this school five star rating of excellence.
—Submitted by Cruz Serrano, a parent

I am very happy with this school. My son has attended 3rd and now 4th grade at BV. He had to deal with some uncomfortable issues when he started there, but he made it through with confidence. The reason he did, is because of his teacher Ms. Takanimi. She is the best teacher I have ever encountered for any of my 3 children. She is patient, stern, and manages to give each child the attention needed.
—Submitted by Janie Rodriguez, a parent

Bella Vista is a wonderful school. My three children attended from K-4th and now I have a grandson that also attends BVE. Parent envolvement is low! Teachers are great role models for our children and most of them get involved with PTA to make our school a better school.
—Submitted by Cris, a parent

All the children in my family (9 children) have attended BVE we have been very happy. The teaching staff is strong and very committed. There have been several turnovers of principals but the staff still remains strong. Myself as well as my children love our school.
—Submitted by Julie Castillo, a parent

My daughter attended this school from 1st to 4th grade. Her experience there was great. I was very happy with the staff and the every single teacher she had. I think that there are great teacher resources in this school which go unmentioned. The enviorment is safe and positive at Bella Vista and it's a shame that more parents don't get involved. The only negative thing I have to say about this school is the parent involvement or rather the lack there of.
—Submitted by a parent

My child attended Bella Vista from the 2nd to the 4th Grade. In the 2nd Grade, my son was still young and accepting of authority. However, things changed in the 3rd Grade. I was looking for a strong teacher who was also fexible with his behavior in and out of class, the school was quite willing to work with me in finding the right teachers. There were times that I may not have agreed with the way things were handled in the school, but overall with as many students as were enrolled, the staff was fair. After all, that's all that we can expect. My son had excellent teachers while he was there and if I had to do it again. I would send him to this public school again.