James L. Bunker Elementary School

We are happy at Bunker but it's just an average school. If you have child that is above average or a high achiever it may be hard for the teacher to notice their need for more advance work assignments due to the large class sizes.This school offers no computer lab but this may be a district problem. We are going to try a new program next year due to our child's needs and desire to achieve more for herself than what is offered with the current California education curriculum.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter just completed 6th grade at Bunker. She has had a great experience there and will miss it. All her teachers have been outstanding: Ms. Street, Ms. Watters. There is alot of parent involvement in the school, everybody does their part.
—Submitted by a parent

The teacher, principal and over all education is pretty good. This school is improving day by day.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter just finished her kindergarten. She had a great experience at Bunker. Her teacher is really good. We love her! She seems to know all the kids pretty well even though she has 29 kids in the classroom. She would spend extra time to work with the kids who need help. All the kids seem to behave pretty in the class too. My daughter is lucky to have a great teacher at her first year of school!
—Submitted by a parent

When we moved to Newark 6 years ago we did not have any information regarding the NUSD or Bunker School. My child has attended Bunker, since kindergarten and we are very pleased with her development as a student and young person. We work on her home work every weekday evening and receive feed back through homework, graded assignments and report cards. We have been given the opportunity for her to receive after school help with her weaknesses. Additionally, we have always had access to her teachers and the principal. I believe all of Bunker s staff is very committed to the community and its students! Bunker is building students who have a strong foundation of the basics, a great dedication to their education and who becoming life long readers! As involved parents my husband and I could not be any happier.
—Submitted by a parent

I think teachers and staff do a great job specially considering the economic situation of the schools. The new principal has worked, in my opinion, in a very professional way. There is a great deal of parent involvement and all parents are welcomed to become involved. My daughter went to Kindergarten and loved her Teacher and now in first grade has told me that her teacher is as nice as the Kindergarten teacher was. As usual there are disagreement among parents, some love the school and staff and some are not so happy because boundaries are set. Come to Bunker and be involved in your child's education. Bunker will be a great school for your child.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has the highest API of all Newark schools, with a gain of 20 points for a score of 862! This is an amazing accomplishment and represents the hard work of each student, staff member, administration, and parents! Students who need help can attend interventions, and students who need to be challenged are given that opportunity as well. I'm happy to have my son at Bunker.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my 4th year at Bunker as a parent and so far it has been very pleasant and safe for my child.I have appreciated and enjoyed the vision that our Principle has had for our school.She does have open door policy and she does make time for the parents.I have dropped by in her office.Bunker is a great school because it have great parents behind its students as well as teachers leading them.
—Submitted by a parent

My family is new to Bunker School, and while we have no experience with the school, I'm confused by the previous post. It sounds to me like an unhappy parent attacking another post? Or is the parent attacking the webpage? I was looking forward to reading some honest to goodness reviews of the school, and not the rantings of a conpiracy theorist. I look forward to experiencing Bunker for myself, and countering these disjointed, accusatory comments as soon as possible!
—Submitted by a parent

Quick!! Make a copy before it gets scrubbed. Adminstrations from our Nations Capitol, all the way to our Public Schools. Don't like it?? Simply get it deleted. The First Amendment is but a blink away from extinction. Look to the stars for your answer, or perhaps the lack there of...
—Submitted by a parent

New administration is not doing a good job. Parents feel that they are only needed when the school needs money and otherwise are a burden. You either feel like you don't know what you are talking about or your questions are an inconvenience from principal and staff. The open door policy is a joke as it takes several weeks to get an appointment with the principal. Then when you do, she is condensending. The office manager often forgets your childs name or just doesn't care. Each child is a force to be reconkened with by her instead of being treated with respect and kindness. The lunch room is run like a boot camp. I have witnessed the monitors telling the kids that they will not get recess if they are not quite, both feet on the floor, etc. Not the same school it was 2 years ago.
—Submitted by a parent

Academics: homework burden beyond normal, no help for children needing extra help, no inspiration for higher achievers. State Standards is pushed, with study to test. There is little if any enrichment learning. Parent involvement: regarding academics is not welcome at local and district levels - but is welcome for fundraising efforts. Quality family life, talents and skills is not considered important. Teachers: extremely unhappy with one teachers integrity which fell on deaf ears when reported... as bad teachers are protected by Unions and can not be fired. Good Teachers hands are tied, as they must teach to the test. In summary: After years of trying to help improve the system which was to no gain, we choose to leave Bunker and enroll in a Private School. I get no pleasure in writing a poor review - but this has been our experience.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has been at Bunker School for several years now. My family was happy with the school and Mr. Chamberlain was a very great asset to the school. However, recent encounters with the new administrator have left me feeling disappointed and even a little discouraged about my child's future at Bunker. I am not personalizing this, I am basing this on what I feel other administrators would have done in the same situation. I was not happy with the process that was carried out. I honestly have lost all confidence in the new administration and I feel as a parent my child needs to have a more supportive, understanding, and empathetic environment in which to learn. We are even considering moving out of the school district next year. That's just my personal experience, but I know there are other parents out there that feel the same.
—Submitted by a parent

It is an outstanding school with exceptional teachers that teach from the heart.
—Submitted by a parent

this school has taught my daughter so much in a year, since we had moved. i am very proud of her and the teachers for helping her.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a fantastic school. The teachers do an outstanding job getting the students to reach high academic goals, the school is well organized and there is a sense of community throughout.
—Submitted by a parent

So far the school is great. My son has the best and the brightest Kindergatren teacher who is all about new and innovative teaching. Other parents want their kids in her class!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is excellent, my child loves it there.
—Submitted by a parent

Best school! My son loves his school. Teachers are very good and have enough time to make kids understand a subject in a fun way. School Principal is a hard working,dynamic person. School office staff is helpful and friendly. Overall this school is well balanced with good academic and cultural activities.
—Submitted by a parent

I really like this school, since my son is in kindergarten. He changes a lot acadomic wise and behavior wise. Their teacher pays really close attention to their student and helps them a lot and shows lots of concern. I will rate this school 5 star. 10 out of 10.
—Submitted by a parent