Palmquist Elementary School

I am a serious momma and I began searching for a diverse, innovative, and creative school with excellent leadership when my daughter was only 2-years-old. Palmquist has everything I was looking for: bleeding edge reading and math programs, extracurricular activities for a nominal fee, and a HIGHLY involved and active PTO. The principal is awesome, the teachers are creative, and everyone plays as hard as they work--adults and kids alike. I love Palmquist and feel 100% satisfied that my research brought me this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Also, forgot to add in my last reveiw, I love the homework schedule, they get a packet on Friday and its due the next Friday. Great for kids in all grades!
—Submitted by a parent

These reviews made me laugh, I thought for a moment that they were fake, but then the dates confirm that they are just mostly old. Palmquist is so highly regarded in the district that they had to cut off enrollment when it climbed over 700! Other schools in the district are copying the great programs we have and we have the most technology in the district. We just received California Distinguished school award, of which our awesome and ambitious principal, staff, parents and students are very proud. We wouldn't want to attend anywhere else.
—Submitted by a parent

Palmquist is an excellent school with excellent teachers. If over-crowding is an issue, it's not he school's fault or the principal's fault. Look to the higher source for that!
—Submitted by a parent

Classes are over filled, the teachers (at least the one my son has) don't give that one on one time he needs. He went from an amazing school and excelled, to this one where he has not learned one thing! If you can put your kids in another school I would very much recommend it!
—Submitted by a parent

I just want to say that I am VERY UNHAPPY with this school! I love the principal, but my daughters teacher is a JOKE!! I can not count the number of times that I have been in her classroom and she has yelled at the students to the point where I have seen 3 students beging to cry! She is a bully and rude and she has NO BUSINESS teaching at that school!! That is the only reason I'm giving this school a bad rating. After compaints to the principal there has been no action taken against the teacher. The teacher in question has made the comments to several parents about wishing they would allow them to have alcohol on campus. And while that may have been a joke, I don't find it funny. The teacher has a very bad habbit of just leaving the classroom with out having anyone in the class to watch the children and she answers her cellphone during lessons with the kids!
—Submitted by a parent

There has not been a review in a while? The school has been through a lot of change. The focus is so much more consistant. The principal, teachers, and parents are on a pathway to creating something great... Stay tuned!
—Submitted by a parent

Palmquist has been a great school for my children. Palmquist had a principal change last year which with that lots of changes have been made through out the school. Sometimes change is good but not for everything!! I believe the new principal does waste time in the morning by doing the outside get together assembly for about 15 minutes then the other kids or just 5th graders have to run around a few laps. I thought it was outragous honestly, I believe that maybe once a week hold that but on a daily basis come on!! Other than this whole new principal change it has been a great place for my children to learn. We really miss the old teachers who had been teaching here for many many years they left with the old principal and that was sad to see since I was an old student as well.
—Submitted by a parent

Wow! What a great year! Palmquist is such a neighborhood school...the families are incredible! It is so nice to be involved in a school where the teachers care as much as the parents and are willing to go above and beyond to help the students be all that they can be. I think a lot of people were scared about the new principal, but there have been so many great improvements internally, and with the construction of the new buildings, it will just continue to get better every year. Congrats to those families that have 'stuck it out' and have been able to have their children reap the benefits!
—Submitted by a parent

Palmquist is turning out to be a surprisingly nice school. We have moved to oceanside from del mar 6 years ago and were quite concerned with rates and general comments about oceanside school's performance. Our 6 years old daughter loves her kinder class and our 4 year old is looking forward to start kinder. The school needs a lot of improvement, facility wise. There are great groups of committed parents working with the new principal and make it happen.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has been in Palmquist since kindergarten. Academics at Palmquist have always been less than challenging, and, when asked for higher education for him, the standard answer is, 'just wait for the rest of the kids to catch up.' Nonsense. It is fortunate, however, that due to the much needed faculty change, most of the former teachers are gone. There is one left, however, that needs to go as she is completely inadequate to learning. Most fortunately is one teacher who is now gone, as he had no business being around children. On more than one occasion I had witnessed improper behaviour between he and his female students. Letters were written to the district, to no avail. It is not just the school, it is the district who should be held accountable for inadequacies. Educate your own children, don't leave it up to the public school system.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very disappointed in the quality of the education my son received this year, so much so I am transferring him back.My son was being taught what he learned the year before at another school. I was also alarmed to learn of the bullying that occurs on the playground. I've called to complain but saw no results. I'm glad I'm getting him out.
—Submitted by LJ, a parent

Most teachers seem solid and dedicated. The curriculum is adequate. Facilities are old but functional. Previous weak principal was 'teach-to-the-test-only' focussed, and arts suffered somewhat. The big problem is the playground culture of violence/bullying, which, despite numerous complaints by many parents, is ignored or downplayed. Common sense says that 500+ students with 2 playground monitors(up from just 1 last year) during recess and lunch is inadequate. Being unsupervised, the bullies have mastered their intimidation routines. Waiting until monitors are focussed elsewhere, and then ganging-up on one kid happens daily. 1st Graders armed with plastic knives is not uncommon. With time, new leadership may rectify this, assuming a dedicated approach, but we're not willing to wait for possible improvements. It's not worth subjecting our child to more 'junior-gangster' behaviour. We're going elsewhere.
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently an 8th grade student who previously attended Palmquist Elementery. I have to say those were the best five years of my life. The support from every teacher including the student peers is incredible. Music programs provide a great way to get a jump start on finding your talents as did I through music there. There is also a great amount of parent involvement that is usually overflowing with volunteers that make Palmquist that best it can be. They currently raised thousands of dollars to buy equipment and playground structures to get the kids active during free time. These are just some examples of what make Palmquist the best academic and social environment around. I recommend this school to anyone who would like a quality learning experience.
—Submitted by a former student

Great music program but academically hard on students. Parents have to participate fully and there are so many group projects, my daughter did not have the opportunity to have pride in her own work. I found a certain amount of insensitivity when approaching teachers about problems, especially the newer teachers. Much bullying goes unnoticed.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended Palmquist since Kindergarten and has received a quality education. He's in 5th grade now and absolutely loves his teacher. The 5th grade teachers team up and teach all the children at some point during the year and I think it's a great way to get ready for middle school. They also go to camp, which doesn't happen at all elementary schools. There is a wonderful music program offered and the children get to showcase their talent at least twice during the school year. The parents are very involved on campus especially with reading. There are several special family night events throughout the year as well. There is a great mix of students which helps the kids learn tolerance at an early age. Palmquist is a wonderful school for early education and I highly recommend it to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

A very regimented environment. No real room to address individual student needs. Teachers are locked into a district-wide curriculum and are not allowed to vary. Utterly inappropriate for educating young children.
—Submitted by a parent

so far I am not very impressed with this school. academics don't seem to be that great. there is a certain degree of insensitivity. currently looking into other options.
—Submitted by a parent

I think that Palmquist is a terrific school!! At least in my child's first grade classroom there is a lot of support for all students, regardless of their native language or level of ability. Reading is extremely supported and there is an excellent mix of students. My child's teacher is absolutely AMAZING!! We are so happy with the progress our child has made!
—Submitted by a parent