Red Oak Elementary School

As a parent and former classroom teacher, I had extremely high expectations as I researched different area schools. I toured numerous schools, made spreadsheets using data from different area schools, interviewed parents/teachers at different schools, spoke with families at the middle and high school levels, and used the Great Schools website to round out my research. I left no stone unturned when selecting a school for our son (K). Now that we are at Red Oak, I am so thrilled with the experience our son is having! He is thriving academically under the guidance of caring and supportive teachers. Red Oak boasts excellent parent support and involvement, kind and dedicated teachers, and a strong school community. We have seen our son continue to make strides academically, especially with the flexible grouping for language arts. He enjoys the extra-curricular activities (art, music, computers, P.E., cooking etc.) and has enjoyed utilizing technology in the classroom. The students and families in our class are all very nice as well. While no school is perfect, Red Oak has been perfect for us!
--Submitted by a parent

We moved to Oak Park specifically for the schools here after months of research. Red Oak is an incredible school, the teachers are wonderful and the PFA is outstanding. There is a huge community spirit at the school and we are very happy with our decision
--Submitted by a parent

We have one student leaving for middle school next year and another whom we are moving to a different district. The music program is outstanding and the PFA has stepped up to fill in with fundraising, but parents and students are very cliquish. The teachers are a mixed bag. Most only pay lip service to a parent-teacher partnership. Students who fit well into the program do well, but there is no flexibility to adjust to the different needs of diverse learner types. If you are coming from LAUSD, you will probably be much happier here, but we are hoping to find something better in the area.
--Submitted by a parent

We are inter-district and the inter-district person at the District Office was extremely friendly and helpful getting enrolled. Almost every teacher has a Master's in education. I was happy to get in and although we were very unhappy with the first year (too many teachers with tenure who feel untouchable) we have been more than happy with the rest of the grades. The kids receive much help other than just the teacher's (language arts, math, tutoring). One big thing though, is that the kids are extremely pushed academically - almost too much - as the school struggles to exceed their 921 Star testing (out of 1000) goal from last year. Additionally, they have pushed the class size from 19 two years ago, 22 last year to 29-30 this year. This was one of the reasons I left my district, but now I find Oak Park's size larger than my home school. However, I will not leave as I do feel there is too much to lose. Due to the amount of parent participation and fundraising, Red Oak's PFA generously subsidizes ART, EDUCATION, LIBRARY AND MUSIC PROGRAMS. I still believe this leads to a well rounded child. No school is perfect, but all in all this is school will be pretty hard to beat.
--Submitted by a parent

Red Oak has an amazing location but definitely well beyond its location are the people behind the school who are the best teachers and the administrators. The after school program is one of the best I've ever seen. Fantastic personnel there too!
--Submitted by a parent

We have two kids enrolled at this great school. Superior, caring teachers in lower grades. Adequate (somewhat controlling and negative) in upper. School office staff is very friendly and helpful. Principal is accessible and tries hard. Librarian has done a lot of extra work to turn my son into an avid reader. Music program is OUTSTANDING - far exceeds even our east coast experiences in years past. District office is a huge problem, with unfriendly, self-defensive, unhelpful staff and a narcissistic superintendent concerned more with his own personal agenda and glory than the concerns and needs of students. We have had 3 horrible experiences with this individual and do not understand why he is still employed.
--Submitted by a parent

My son goes to 5th grade and I am very disappointed with 5 grade teachers especially my son's teacher. She never updates the website, not good in communicating with the parents. The standard in 4th grade was high and I wish the 5th grade teachers are like them.
--Submitted by suma, a parent

Great School my son couldn't be happier. He loves to go to school. School Staff always help with every question we have and PTA work hard, so we can have lots of great activities througout the year (they are great at raising funds as well). Awesome teachers as well. We are so blessed to have our son here, he have improved a lot academically since he started coming to RED OAK...we love this school.
--Submitted by a parent

This is my oldest child's first year at this school (1st grade) and I am so pleased with the quality of teachers at this school. The staff is also very helpful and friendly. There are plenty of parents involved in the day to day activities of the school. My son loves his teachers and all of his friends. The children are also amazing at this school. Everyone is so well behaved and have respect for their fellow classmates as well as their teachers. The school atmosphere is very warm and inviting and you get a sense of real caring and nurturing that is being displayed at all times. I cannot wait until my youngest one goes to Kindergarten at this school. The teachers are always ready to talk to you about your child and their achievements or areas that need to be worked on. They really care at this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Very good school. My son had wonderfull teachers and the campus is very kid friendly
--Submitted by a parent