Robert Down Elementary School

I absolutely LOVE this school. I have 2 children who attend RHD, 2nd and 4th grade. Both teachers are great, communication between the families and teachers is good, the education my children have received is superb and the school is very organized. I could go on and on! All schools will have some flaws but RHD has very minimal. My children are happier than ever and so are my husband and I.
--Submitted by a parent

Robert Down is a really good school. You feel like it's family! I am a parent of three, and each of their teachers are wonderful. They each genuinely care about their students and work hard to help each succeed. You will see that many staff members arrive early or stay late to work with students. The school offers many unique programs such as theater, poetry (an author works with each class), art, PE, etc. We have been really happy here and with the cuts education has received recently, feel lucky to have our children in such a great school.
--Submitted by a parent

I was very unhappy as a mother to see the staff and starting with the principal and end with the PE teachers..I'm very happy to choice for a private education. They told me PG Robert Down was a great school in good reputation and I don't thing so!
--Submitted by a parent

Not at all what people say it is....NOT AT ALL....it has been a complete disappointment.
--Submitted by a parent

Robert Down is a wonderful school for the community and the community is wonderful to Robert Down. My child loves coming here. Nevertheless, their curriculum is not very rigorous. It is adequate but mediocre. There are several classes for special needs but none for gifted/talented. The After School Enrichment classes are a joke (beading...). And the school provides very little creative problem-solving activities (Odyssey of the Mind, Lego Robotics, etc.). No languages are taught and band isn't introduced until 5th grade. On another note, we have been here for 3 years and have seen the same group of 6-7 kids remain unshuffled through the system and getting the "preferred" teacher year after year. My child has had only 1 other student that's been in the same classes for all three years. Sadly, if you aren't active in the PTA, don't have a deep relationship with the administration or staff, or are unable to volunteer because you work, then you can only hope that you get the "preferred" teacher next year. It doesn't help that due to a strong military presence in the area the school population is always in a transitionary state.
--Submitted by a parent

Robert Down School is remarkable in all regards. The only data you will need is the happy look on your child's face at the end of the school day.
--Submitted by a parent

My son came in at half year and LOVES it, we we lucky enough to get Mr. Williams as his kindergarten teacher, one of the most in control , kind, invetful, caring person you will ever meet. We love the area but there are not allot of kids that stay permantly here in PG. We have found the area to be a bit to touristy and transitional for our taste. It is also a Huge military area so you can count on that constant change as well. If your looking for the best elementary school in PG you found it ! We have a nice big home and are sad to that we will most likely not be staying as .there seem to be more vacation homes and retires here than anything. We are looking fot that place where our can go to school from K-12 and keep the same group of kids,. PG is unfortunately not that kid friendly place.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a teacher myself and a long time resident of Pacific Grove. My son attended Robert Down and he still has fond memories of the teachers he had! What a caring environment. Robert Down is a gem among schools on the peninsula!
--Submitted by a parent

Our two children attended RD and the attention given was mainly to special needs who were mainstreamed. My son's class often had to leave the room while an 'outburst' was happening, meaning an entire academic lesson was lost. Lots of 'hush-hush' incidents ~ have to agree with the comment where 'the principal talks but.... no follow through.'
--Submitted by a parent

Robert Down Elementary School is a local treasure that is staffed by educators who care to make a difference by making learning exciting for the students......
--Submitted by a parent