Crocker Highlands Elementary School

I graduated from Crocker Highlands last year. I loved Crocker and got a more then fantastic education there. I recommend Crocker Highlands to every child and want to give a special shout out to both my 5th grade teachers who were absolutely outstanding and taught me so much school related topics and much more. Thank you Crocker Highlands I will never go to another school like you, I will never forget Crocker! :D

I have had children at Crocker for 6 years now and will be there until my 2nd child graduates. The last few years I walk away thinking...."why do we all think this school is so great?" The principal is fabulous! The parents and community are unbelievable. But I want more from a school. While we've had a few GREAT teachers, I would say we've had more teacher that are not inspiring, yell FAR to much, and do not seem to have a love for teaching. Perhaps if I didn't continue to hear what an amazing school this is, my expectations wouldn't be so high. I hope in time the principal can make the changes necessary to make this a truly great neighborhood school!
—Submitted by a parent

Crocker Highlands is a wonderful school. Our daughter is in Kindergarten and she loves her teacher and loves going to school! The community at the school is nurturing and supportive. The principal is also wonderful and has instilled a great sense of cohesiveness, positivity, and excitement for learning! And we can walk to school (when we are not running late...)! The buddy program helps connect older kids with younger kids, and teaches children to be thoughtful and to care for each other. What a great place!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student at Crocker Highlands and really like it . I came in third grade and was welcomed in to the community. That year I had a great teacher. I am now in fifth grade and encourage your child to go to Crocker Highlands

Very active parent community which strives to promote an excellent learning environment and to become inclusive of all learners and families. The staff are all dedicated to not only help students meet state learning standards but to enrich the students with a variety of novel and first-rate activities from hands-on science and math to in-depth exploration of the arts to innovative and thoughtful physical education and now a new edible, teaching garden. Crocker has also adopted the Caring Communities social standard and is one of a few public schools in Oakland with a full inclusion program for students with special needs. Go Cougars!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is fantastic. The parents are everything you've heard/read about and more and really are the defining difference in this school. The principal is new and still getting her bearings, but she shows promise and seems deeply committed to maintaining Crocker's integrity and she loves the kids. We almost decided to go private and then wondered why we'd spend $20k+ a year when we had a gem like Crocker in our backyard. We believe Crocker is every bit as good as a private education, but it comes with the diversity of thought and opinion that we all love about Oakland. We could not be happier with this school and our choice to send our kids here.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are wonderful. They have been there, on average, 10-15 years, and the principal is fantastic. She was a former teacher here and has come back as the principal so she knows and respects the teachers and they respect her. The children have learn and thrive and enjoy the activities that are provided through a strong PTA. I love this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a first grader and feel that Crocker is a tough place. The academics are taught in a dry/ out-of-date manner and the children are not taught a love of learning. The administration is really lacking... the parents are really the driving force... the pta is great and many of the teachers are wonderful and caring... but an inspiring place for young minds? unfortunately no.
—Submitted by a parent

My child came out of a very well regarded private school to attend Crocker Highlands Elementary and we love it! In most ways it is nearly identical to the private school - same great parent participation, wonderful children, dedicated teachers, and challenging academics. We thought that we'd have to sacrifice a bit in the change to public education, but this school is every bit as good as private (or better). We are so pleased with this school!
—Submitted by a parent

As a 3rd generation graduate of cCorcker Highlands, I can only say it is one of the finest elementary schools in the state. Too sad when it go uglyfied for earthquake retrofitting.

I have a son in 1st. grade and hava had a wonderful experience. We highly recommend it
—Submitted by a parent

Well of course I have to write to rescind the last comment! I think that parent is not representative of Crocker as evidenced by the other comments. Maybe his/her kid was a genius? I have a high achieving child there who is challenged academically. Comparable to private schools for sure if not better in some ways. The parent involvement is strong (PTA raises 180K a year to support vocal music, PE, computers and other things). It is a diverse school in many ways; no sheltered kids here! And the staff is fabulous. The diversity in and of itself will drive plenty of people away, but those folks should go elsewhere b/c they wont' fit in. Its a great school.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended Crocker from 09/03-10/05, and I was very disappointed as a parent. I would never recommend any parent send their child to Crocker Highlands if they are expecting their child to excel and be academically ready for the next level.
—Submitted by a parent

Crocker Highlands is an exemplary city school. It displays great racial diversity, is extremely good on both basic academics and on innovating and bringing new ideas and approaches to the classroom, has long-term, experienced dedicated teachers, and is a great community. The school raises about $100,000 a year to support its art, music, and computer programs. It offers a number of programs after school, including chess, martial arts, and Spanish. The combination of extremely high quality education and diversity is unrivalled. The only drawback has to do with being part of the Oakland district: Strict curriculum requirements, financial crises, and the threat of strikes. The previous principal was fantastic at serving the community and insulating the school from heavy-handed administrative oversight. We hope this tradition continues with the new principal, now in her first year (2005-06) at Crocker.
—Submitted by David Roth, a parent

crocker highlands is a good school with excellent teachers. It is one of the best schools in Oakland, but due to budget cuts the child to teacher ratio is high.
—Submitted by a teacher

I have a son in second grade and daugher in Kindergarden. Both kids are adopted and have had cultural adjustment/English language issues. I have been thrilled with the hands on time and attention given to both children by their teachers. They have zeroed in on their special needs and have made themselves completely accessible. Crocker not only has great teachers, but a wonderfully involved PTA. Fundraising activities by the PTA and parent volunteering have single handedly saved the art and music programs. Both of my children are excited about going to school each day. Crocker has proven to be a safe, diverse, warm place for them to learn and grow. Highly recommended!
—Submitted by a parent

Crocker Highlands has been a wonderful school for my daughter. The teachers are amazing and are the best assets a school can have. The plant needs help, but major work is underway as of Nov 05. I wish there were more afterschool programs (tho therre a few) and I want a Kids garden and a grassy area.
—Submitted by a parent

Crocker is a gem -- located in a great neighborhood but very diverse, loads of parental involvement and experienced,dedicated teachers. The school is currently undergoing some renovation which is great. Both of my daughters attended the school and were more than prepared for middle school.
—Submitted by a parent

Crcoker Highlands is a fantastic school, very family oriented and friendly, the staff are so invovled in how your child is doing encouraging parents to really participate in thier academics. We have had only positive experiences at 'Crocker'.
—Submitted by a parent

Super School with terrific staff, excellent parent participation. These people care about our kids and it shows in more ways than just the API.
—Submitted by a parent