Forest Grove Elementary School

This is a wonderful little school in a sweet family friendly town. We are a military family that moved here last summer, and I researched schools before we came here. I saw that the Monterey schools had low ratings and were overcrowded. But the Pacific Grove schools were much better, so we decided to live in Pacific Grove. The teachers are fabulous and there is a huge amount of parent involvement. Lots of fun field trips and community events. The only downfall is the fact that there is no Art in the budget, but just a few "Art Docent" lessons (parent volunteers) a year. Music is huge, with 5th grade band and orchestra lessons and fancy recitals. If only Art was this important, very dissapointed with this.
--Submitted by a parent

The most beautiful elementary school, surrounded with forest and often visited by the local deer.
--Submitted by a parent

The quality of the acedemic programs at Forest Grove is high. Sometimes feels like it may be too much for the kids, but it really keeps them up to par with what they need to be learning. My son has learned so much, sometimes its difficult to get it all done, but we do it and he prospers.So no complaints!They have a music program that is funded by the PTA.Most kids meet weekly and love it!The art docent program is taught by parent volunteers and is wonderful!The school is very good about sending info home about local sports and extracurricular activity choices, (science,spanish etc)they all cost money.Parental involvement is awesome at Forest Grove and I believe it makes a huge difference!My son and our family love the school and would recommend it anyone.A great education and socialization! Principal is new, but seems to be leading well.
--Submitted by Allison Bautista, a parent

Forest Grove is an excellent school. My daughter has been attending since kindergarten and has had a wonderful learning expererience. She is one of the top students and got involved this yeat with G.A.T.E. (gifted and talented education) This is new this year and has been wonderful in giving her more. The teachers are also giving her more challanges beyond the normal work. Hopefully this year we will get a great principle. We had a new one last year who was getting us in the right direction, but unfortunetly some heath issues came up and she had to retire. I love this school and an excited my youngest will be starting there this year!
--Submitted by a parent

I am happy w/ teaching staff, but not with variety of extra programs offered. My son was in advanced classes in VA, which were wonderful, but these apparently are not offered here?! It makes it frustrating for a child to be held back academically because they have to wait for the other half of the class to 'get it'. He has often complained of being bored with his work and that he doesn't feel challenged. We cannot afford private school in this area, so it would be great if CA would start taking a more active role in placing the more advanced kids in one class. It works. Also, the constantly changing principal issue is a bit discouraging.
--Submitted by Christine, a parent

This school is adequate in helping children meet academic goals. Frankly, based on its test scores I expected more. The curriculum seems uneven, many things seem way too easy for the grade level, others ridiculously difficult. My child was an excellent student at his previous school and is bored with the work. It's one size fits all. The principal seems pleasant and enthusiastic, but she is new to the school so its difficult to assess her effectiveness. The parents are extremely involved and eager to help their kids get the best academic experience possible.
--Submitted by a parent

Forest Grove Elementary school is excellent. The teachers, with very few exceptions, are top knotch and the school, while not a small one, has a small-school feeling with teachers following former students' progress over the years.
--Submitted by a parent