Melrose Leadership Academy

I'll start by saying my review is based on my tour of the school. Okay the concept is great, I love the idea of Dual Immersion. This school has horrible test scores & horrible appearance! It looked like a school you'd see in a movie such as New Jack City or something like that, not kidding. Classrooms were freezing & the bungalow classes outside are small, crowded & cold. When I asked the principal about the low test scores she responded by saying well we're dual immersion. That was the poorest attempt to answer my question. Then I find out that for some of the grades they grade to a different location! Huh!? I can't say anything about the teachers because my review is based from the tour but the test scores & the appearance of the school was more than enough. So I'll give the teacher's a 3 star. Everything was about the dual immersion, what about the curriculum math? I said to her my son is currently in Montessori & how would the transition be & her answer was oh he'd be fine. Oh that's comforting. I asked was she familiar with Montessori & she said a little. Pricincipal of a school should know about different teachings. Would NOT send my child here.
--Submitted by a parent

Melrose is a wonderful school. I recently attended parent-teacher conferences and was so impressed with the talent and dedication of our teachers. The principal has made a career in bilingual education and shows great vision in her ability to hire wonderful staff, advocate for her school, and negotiate tough economic times. Melrose, and its Spanish-immersion program, is still relatively unknown, but is soon to be one of the brightest stars in the Oakland school district .
--Submitted by a parent

Melrose Leadership Academy is a rare example of a small school looking to really make a difference in its community. This bilingual school started as a middle school and is now adding the lower elementary grades to eventually become a K-8 school. The teachers are great and the principal is extremely dedicated to the program. The parents are involved and passionate about making this school the best Oakland has to offer
--Submitted by a parent