Sycamore Canyon School

Parents, please take the reviews seriously. I know everyone wants to go to a brand new, clean school but please do not judge a book by its cover. It is true beautiful school in a beautiful neighborhood but that is all. Teachers just care about high scores. Children are a product here a commodity. They are not valued or treasured. Talent is not developed here. Love of learning is not developed here. Kindness is most certainly not developed here. Sycamore Canyon earns the high test scores on the backs of the students and the pocketbook of the parents. Any of the other NP schools will produce a happier and smarter child.
--Submitted by a parent

Horrible experience at this school. Principal is an egotistical elitist, sweeps parents' problems under the rug & feels the school is perfect based on API scores. Principal brags, Sycamore is the best private school at a public price & "meets needs of gifted students"- we found both to be untrue. Principal and dean have serious power issues. Cronyism runs deep between the principal & CVUSD, so good luck getting anyone to acknowledge problems at a higher level. Principal says all his teachers are excellent, and it is just not true (ask parents). If you get a great teacher & your child isn't bullied, I can see how the school might work for some. I agree with the prior post that "a dose of humility" is long coming. If you have issues with this school, do your child (& others) a service & at least email CVUSD's superintendent. Maybe finally some changes will take place at this school if enough people are not scared to speak up. If this school fails to treat you and your child with decency, move on. There are a growing number of families in DVR who have found private schools to offer better academics, social environments & teachers who can be fired (without union threats).
--Submitted by a parent

Would score it higher but the administrative staff is weak kneed when it comes to providing a safe learning environment that is free of bullying, including bullying by parent volunteers and the occasional teacher. I've had either amazing teachers for my children, or one I would never let teach my children if I had a choice. They scorn those with learning disabilities and fail to perform as required. I think they could benefit from a healthy dose of humility. The neighborhood is affluent but who cares?
--Submitted by a parent

While the school caters to the majority average, there are opportunities for students who want to challenge themselves. There are programs such as Odyssey of the Mind, Math Counts, Reflections, Science Fairs & Competition, etc. I am so happy that the principal, teachers and parent volunteers actively support and seek out these types of programs. The Middle School environment is excellent. High performing kids are differentiated with the Honors programs, giving them a chance to develop high academic calibre. My daughter is now a freshman in High School, and she continues to excel academically. I attribute that to the quality of the Sycamore Middle School and the rigor she went through for 3 years. I cannot thank the school enough for giving my child a challenging and enriching school experience!
--Submitted by a parent

It is a fine school for a perfect child. If there are any struggles at all your child is stepped over like road kill. They have no time to slow down and help. The administration is oblivious to an enormous bullying problem. Some teachers are very good and others are very bad. It is a pretty new school and has some nice features but if I had it to do over again I would have picked a different school.
--Submitted by a parent

This school feels like a jail (excessive rules that tend to disrespect the ability of children). Some teachers are good and others are horrible. Principal talks big, but no follow through and passes everything off to dean and assistant principal. Teachers are supported by principal, often at the expensive of treatment to students and parents. I agree with a prior post that this school caters to the average student, and there is little to no effort to differentiate for the truly gifted. Poor reviews are accurate.
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent teachers, attentive staff, lots of volunteers, beautiful facilities, and councelors that really care about the kids. Not sure why all the negative reviews. It is a competitive academic environment but they offer numerous opportunities to the students who need some extra help. Have an 8th grader, 4th grader and one in K. The K has 21 kids, 2 full time certified teachers, and 2 parent aids each day. I feel so fortunate because my student does need the extra instruction. I don't think reducing the curriculum to suit the needs of a small percentage of the students that can't keep up is the way to go. Like any public school, it is hard to meet the varied needs of the population. It must be so much easier for teachers in private schools where the kids are of a similar academic level.
--Submitted by a parent

I give this school 5 stars because I compare it to other schools I have gone to in Bell Gardens & Lakewood, CA where Academics standards were not that high....and I see what my kids do and it way better than what I was expected to do. Also, knowing that our kids will have to compete in a new Global enviornment, one filled with kids that are edcuated in China, India, Japan, etc, where academic standards and expectations are very high, we need to get our kids prepared for the competition and it starts in Elementary. If we can get them used to higher level of standards and expectatiions, I feel like they will be ready for the competition when we send them off to Universities and eventually the workplace. Finally, I say to the teacheres, bring on the homework...more the better.
--Submitted by a parent

Ditto! The previous review was right on the money..excuse the pun. My 2 daughters scored "Advanced" in STAR testing, were blessed with good teachers and achieved high marks all year. But this means little to a school system that caters to the "Average" and those who write the large donation checks. As a class volunteer (a must, this allows one to know 1st hand what is happening in the class room) I saw teachers sacrifice valuable lesson content for interruptions of indiscipline students that distract and rob others of quality learning. There are exceptional students at this school, they just go unnoticed and misunderstood while problem students get their attention and time. There are many rules & regulations . At these tender ages school should be fun & enjoyable, not a burden. My 2nd Grader dreaded Sunday night knowing school & homework were the next day. Heck! I did not have these feelings until Grad School. We leave S.Cal next summer. I can hardly wait. 2 yrs in this school is plenty! My advice to New Enrollees... Remember you are the Parent, Not the school. My advice to Administrators seeking Ratings... It is Elementary School! Not Grad, Law or Medical School.
--Submitted by a parent

Sycamore Canyon is a beautiful school. The campus, setting, the people. Unfortunately it has some real issues. Read the reviews--they are true. This school puts all of its emphasis on academics. Yes--huge multi-subject binders etc...all exist. Parent involvement is very high--because the parents work with their children constantly at home--just to keep up. Huge homework projects (moon journals, animal reports, CA landmarks) are frequent--the parents do these projects--not the kids . Teachers do not help struggling students--nor does the school. It is a very elitist school with the attitude to go with it. Their is a fair amount of name-calling--and physical "issues" on the playground. Staff is afraid of the the parents--so no one is punished--and the cycle begins and stays. Parents are also very invovled because everyone feels like a number-- the parents over compensate so their voice will be heard--their child will be noticed etc. It really depends on what you want for your child. There are better and more balanced schools nearby. Test scores are not everything. Parking lot is a ghost town by 3:00--teachers want to get out of here too!
--Submitted by a parent