Joaquin Miller Elementary School

This is our third year at Joaquin Miller and we could not be more pleased with the principal, teachers and PTA/level of parent involvement we have experienced. JM is blessed with an extraordinary community of people all working together to help the students achieve but also excel. One of the things we like best about JM is the extra attention paid to the kids "at the top" as well as "on the bottom" through tutoring, PTA-sponsored teacher's aids and programs such as the after school enrichment programs which offer everything from languages such as Spanish, Mandarin and French to music instruction, public speaking , chess, science, dance, Ecology Club and Odyssey of the MInd. In addition, we boast a diverse student body that represents everything we love about Oakland! We also have a classroom of learning-disabled children whose scores are folded into the overall school's scores--so don't be fooled by how JM's scores look a little less robust than neighboring Hills schools. Joaquin Miller truly is a Great School.
--Submitted by a parent

This is our first year at JM, and we're really pleased. We moved from a state where funding for librarians, music programs and computer teachers, etc. is provided by the state, so coming to California was a bit of a shock for us. But we are so impressed by how the JM parent and teaching community has risen to the occasion, and through fundraising and creativity, have kept important programs alive and high quality. Our child's teacher is a gem. Our child is learning so much and loves doing it. Socially, I have found the other parents to be friendly and approachable. I'm glad we are here.
--Submitted by a parent

VERY involved parents, great teachers, fantastic enrichment programs offered, lovely & spacious campus
--Submitted by a parent

We feel very fortunate that our sons are at Joaquin Miller. It feels like everyone involved with the school, the teachers, principal and parents are all wholly committed to distinguishing JM as an exceptional school. As a consequence, the sense of community is extraordinary - parents are involved in all manner of activities and there always seems to be someone to pick up the ball and run with it. Society itself should work this way.
--Submitted by a parent

JM has been a great school for a long time, and our new principal is helping us make it even better. I'll be on kid #3 at Joaquin Miller next year and I can't wait for him to have the same strong teachers our other children had and to enjoy the same community-, skill- and character-building experiences.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a fantastic school with outstanding teachers/staff and a very active parent community. We have been happy since our oldest started 6 yrs ago and it seems that it even gets better every year.
--Submitted by a parent

JM has a fantastic parent community to support the teachers and students. The living history program is wonderfully rich, and helps the kids build a sense of identity while also learning about the diverse world we live in. The principal is great.
--Submitted by a parent

It has a thriving community of teachers, parents and students who along with a new and committed principal all contribute to a comfortable and safe environment focused on learning. and community.
--Submitted by a parent

Great teachers to teach, a great principal to lead and great parents to support all the children of our school. A great place to be.
--Submitted by a parent

JM has strong, committed teachers and staff, an outstanding principal and a highly supportive and active PTA. A highlight has been the annual living history days for each grade. We have been thrilled to be a part of the JM community.
--Submitted by a parent