Cleveland Elementary School

Well it is then end of the 2012-2013 school year and my daughter graduates 1st grade today. She spent kindergarten and 1st grade at Cleveland, and we plan to be there until she moves up to middle school. There is only one problem, and it does upset me regularly. Some of the people who work in the office really don't seem to care. At all. The won't even make the effort to apologize if they mess something up. They DO NOT want to talk to ANYONE. If you get through a conversation with them without getting snotty attitude or rude facial expressions you are incredibly lucky. Also, this school is on a steep hill. If you are coming from the bottom you made need to use the back gate, but sometimes they just forget to unlock. I have a severe back injury and they do not care at all even after telling them that I cannot walk up the steepest hill to get to the "front" of the school. Very upsetting, and I really hope they replace some of those people soon, because they are awful, mean, uncaring people.
—Submitted by a parent

My son also started kindergarten at Cleveland this fall and loves it! I have been very impressed with the involvement and dedication of the parents and PTA who are sensitive to the needs of all students. The school is very diverse and inclusive. Cleveland offers a unique Eco-Literacy program with a beautiful garden. My son is really picking up speed with his reading and loves his teacher and the after school program Bear Cub that is on-campus. There's a school music program and after school activities such as soccer and drumming. The teachers are hard working, very experienced and dedicated. I really can't say enough about how amazing this school is!
—Submitted by a parent

My son started Kindergarten at Cleveland this fall. He really loves his teacher and his new friends....and he's learning a ton. The aftercare at Bear Cub City is great, too. I've been really impressed by the parent community....lots of smart, caring adults who are really focused on ensuring the highest-quality education for their kids.
—Submitted by a parent

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

Cleveland is a happy fmaily oriented school. It is a friendly school in a big city. The students, teachers, staff and parents all work together beautifully to make Cleveland the best elementary school on Oakland.
—Submitted by a parent

Cleveland Elementary was the school I was attending as a little girl. I enjoyed because of the great friendly atmosphere, the teachers who work hard to make sure that we learn what was needed. The parents and children here are also mutl-racial, friendly and giving. Now currently my three children are attending Cleveland Elementary School. Next year my fourth child will be attending as well. After fifteen years, Cleveland has become an even better school with its new gardens, it has added an outside classroom where the kids are taught about the plants and health. The teachers are so delicated in teaching out kids, that we can't thank them enough. Our PTA is one the best, fundraising yearly to add afterschool programs, for example after school care to six o'clock, guitar classes, lego classes, chess classes etc. Pta work hard help raise much need money that the state or federal level does not supply which help to build a playground structure for our school, money for each individual class for fieldtrips, new benches and tables for the kid to eat their lunches and rest during recess. The funding also supplies further funds for many pending project need for the school and help make newer events possible. With each year we see Cleveland grow and mature in something better than the last. our parents and teachers are remarkable working together for what, for our kids and future kids and our community. Cleveland School is a great school. I proud of our school 'Cleveland School' IOt's my school and my kids school, hopefull it will still be around for my grandchildren.
—Submitted by a parent

Cleveland is a diverse, amazing school full of interesting people and dedicated teachers!
—Submitted by a parent

Cleveland is such a wonderful school with great teachers, a diverse community, super academic record, fantastic programs and enrichments, beautiful campus gardens and a new outdoor classroom. Amazing! My kids and I love Cleveland!
—Submitted by a parent

I love Cleveland for its great teachers, visionary principal and wonderful community of students, staff and parents who work together to make Cleveland even better. It is safe, nuturing, academically strong and incredibly diverse. We couldn't ask for a better environment for our son.
—Submitted by a parent

diverse school, great principal who remembers the kid's names. great teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

Fantastic principal, experienced teachers, and a diverse and involved community of parents and kids.
—Submitted by a parent