Cleveland Elementary School

I have three children at Cleveland - two kinder and one in 1st grade - and we love it! It's a true gem of a public school with great teachers and staff and a very involved group of parent volunteers. The state curriculum is enhanced with art, music, ecoliteracy and after school learning options that include soccer, languages, guitar lessons, creative writing and others. They also provide excellent after school care options. Perhaps some of the best events at the school are a series of community events that bring the school together for fun celebrations of the very diverse community - Spaghetti night, movie nights, Cinco De Mayo celebration, Lunar New Year celebration, Cultural Heritage night, Fall and End of the Year Festivals. My favorite thing about this school is that it is a place that truly celebrates diversity. Nothing can compare to the social learning that comes from experiencing other cultures as a part of everyday life. The campus is bright and lively with flowers, trees, veggie gardens, wonderful play structures and views. The two recently refurbished libraries promote a love of reading in a fun environment. On top of all these pluses, their test scores are excellent.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has been in Kindergarten and loves it!! He is learning a lot and suppose to be reading by the end of the year... The teachers are consistent and lovely, the principal is really engaged with the parents and children. We couldn't be more happy about this fantastic little school!
--Submitted by a parent

I love Cleveland!! Everyone including parents and staff are very friendly. My son also went to the after school program called Bear Cub City which has an awesome group of staff. My son always begs me to stay longer. I enjoy their annual all natural soup day where the students pick the vegetables they've grown and make soup to share with each other. Both new and old principle has been very good to me and my son. The open campus is a bonus in OUSD.
--Submitted by a parent

The school is incredibly inclusive of all families - even translates documents and meetings into the dominant languages spoken besides English - yet achieves high scores and academic success more typical of a homogeneous environment. Go Cleveland!
--Submitted by a parent

After surviving OUSD's total mess of an enrollment process, we were assigned to Cleveland. With a thick coat of bitterness, we enrolled in what's turned out to be a hidden gem of a school. With about 150 kids, Cleveland is small compared to other nearby schools, Crocker, Lakeview and Glenview. The smaller class sizes (17-20) were an unexpected bonus and pleasure for our easily distracted child. The Principal, Ms. Settles, is dynamic, friendly and accessible. She not only knows her school and the educational field, but she makes it a point to learn every child's name- and remembers them all! Cleveland also has great academics and an awesome eco-literacy curriculum that supplements the science program from K-5. Kids learn about growing food in an outdoor classroom designed by an parent/environmental architect, with gardens that have 8-ft tall sunflowers and delicious strawberries. Love what we see so far!
--Submitted by a parent

Cleveland is a great, small community school that is diverse and can set an example of how to communicate with ALL students AND parents. i have been involved with Cleveland school for over 11 years as my 4 children have move through and it has been a pleasure watching it grow.
--Submitted by a parent

Cleveland School has an excellent principal, great teachers and wonderful programs. My granddaughter is doing so well at Cleveland - on her way to becoming a scholar.
--Submitted by a parent

The diversity is great, teachers caring and the principal is very involved, committed and knows the children by name. The PTA, though small, does an excellent job with fundraising and events.
--Submitted by a parent

The school has started some inovative new projects like a garden and an outdoor classroom! Great principal!
--Submitted by a parent

This is our first year at Cleveland. We've heard many great things about this school and so far, the results have more than exceeded our expectations. The principal is very impressive and runs a fantastic operation.
--Submitted by a parent