Ranchito Avenue Elementary School

My school is wonderful, due to the attention, patience and personal care my Pre-K teacher-Mrs. Acevedo gives to my son and his classmates. We also have a mandatory parent meeting at least once a month and each time she personally connects with us reminding us we are all human beings and have a lot of issues going on in our lives including her and reminds us how to stay in focus with our children and their feelings as well as their education. Couldn't have asked for someone better to start off my son's educational beginnings.
—Submitted by a parent

What I like about our school is the family atmosphere. Everyone here is very helpful, friendly and seem to care about one another in a respectful way. Though we are a small campus, everyone here from volunteers to staff knows what to do to work together for a common goal, which is to support the students education. I am so happy to have found this school when we moved out here in the valley two years ago. I enjoy helping out the most I could and I know that when my children culminates from here, I will miss the school community very much.
—Submitted by a parent

I have nothing to say but the great changes the school made for the Parent Center has finally improved. Not only am I getting timely information and updates with what is going on, but also the courtesy that the new Parent Center is giving to all the new and old parent volunteers. Ms. Padilla has been doing a phenomenal job taking over the center and creating a well balance learning environment. She is my unsung hero because she gives her time willingly and unselfishly. Parents are more than happy to help with whatever she and the school needs because of her sense of leadership and concern for others. We would not have this center running the way it is without her help. Like what Board member Mrs.Martinez said at the Grand Opening, if it wasn't for Ms. Padilla's initiative to make great changes for the Center, we would not have this celebration of a new and improved Parent center. So in behalf of the parents, THANK YOU MS. PADILLA for all that you do for the parents and our school!
—Submitted by a parent

I am so happy to found a school where my two sons enjoy immensely! The staff are all so friendly and supportive to our needs. I also enjoyed being part of the Parent center event in particular their Olympics and Teacher Appreciation week. I was blown away by the hard work parents put in to appreciate the teachers which they so well deserved. Ms. Padilla is such a joy to work with during the event. She is so creative and helpful! The Principal and faculty has shown great support to all the parents here and I am happy with what Ranchito has to offer. Thank you everyone!
—Submitted by a parent

Hello. My name is Zeke Zendejas and I am the Store Director of the Food4Less in Panorama City. I would like to tell all teachers and parents of this great school about our Community Rewards program. This program is designed to give back to the non-profit organizations in the community. It can help your school raise hundreds of dollars quarterly. Please visit Food4Less.com and go to Community Rewards for all the details. Feel free to call me @ (818) 830-7085 or stop by the store for more details.

I attended Ranchito in the 60's and have nothing but positive memories. My class remains close even after more than 40-years! Several of the teachers I had were among the best I had in my 20-year academic career.

This is my first year here at Ranchito and I must say that the staff and Principal are all wonderful! They all made me and my child feel very safe and welcome . I would also like to give my sincere thanks to Ms. Padilla who I think is the most wonderful person I know. She is very sweet, helpful and very supportive when I needed her help. She makes the Parent Center a welcome place to every parent I know. Thank you Ranchito staff for your support and guidance.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter started at Ranchito in 2008 when she attended the Pre-K program. I do need to thank Ranchito Elementary's principal, teachers and parents for providing the guidence, care and high performance to their students. Thank you!
—Submitted by a parent

This is my first year working at Ranchito and I absolutely love it! There is a real sense of caring for the students as well as the staff. Thank you to Ranchito for making me feel so welcome!
—Submitted by a teacher

I have to disagree with the point of view of other parents. I think the parent center is a great resources and that the personnel that supports it is great. You have to realize that she can only dedicated a certain amount of time. She can't always get to everything. She is a great person and is very helpful. If it was not for her we would not have a parent center. Be greatful and instead of critizing ask if she needs any help because she can be overwhelm.
—Submitted by a parent

I was reading a review. I too have concerns about the way parents from other cultures are treated. Not by the school, but by the parent who suppose to support us. I was upset that when i ask for help, she does not give her time to help. She always say she will get back to me and never does. She always look mad and at a workshop she spoke to us parents in a rude way. I do not think she should be in school if she does not act professional or is helping parents.What is her job if not to help us?
—Submitted by a parent

I think Ranchito and the staff are great. My concern is with the Parent Center. I have been hearing that when we have a center there will be more workshops and opportunities for parents to be involved with school. Well, myself and other parents think that the Center Director should be true to their word and start doing something for the parents and what they need.The very few workshops we have heard about were not even worth the time according to parents. We hardly see her around school interacting with other parents but isn't that her job? An where is the translation for Spanish speaking parents? Some do not feel welcome at all, and what is the purpose of having a center if we can't use it?
—Submitted by a parent

This is my first time to visit this site. I am happy that there is a place where parents can actually view more about the school and its community. I am shock however that a parent would call these parent volunteers 'Free Workers'. Shame on her/him. Does she not see how caring these parents are to just take time off their schedule whether home or work, just to show support not only to the school but their child as well. These parents are definitely deserve to be complimented and not insulted. I like ranchito and it's community. I like what the school has to offer and give my child. The Principal and staff are supportive and the parents are just fabulous! Kudos to Ranchito and it's parents!
—Submitted by a parent

The school has great teachers, yard supervision, and aide's but what a horrible principal!!! I am one of the many who has problems with him. He is not so much concerned with providing a good learning and healthy environment for the children and his faculty as he is staying out of trouble with the district (complaints about him from his employees) and keeping a good rapport with the parents so they keep volunteering because they're FREE workers.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm not sure if it's the school necessarily, or just a wonderful teacher that we were lucky enough to have educating our son. He is in a Special Day Class due to behavior problems, and his 4th and 5th grade teacher (same both years) has made amazing progress with and for him. Our son has prospered and done better than ever before. With regard to the Administrative side of the school, we have noticed some nice changes since the new principal arrived this year.
—Submitted by a parent

I love what they have done for the kids, especially my daughter.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel that the principal should have a parent rating of their child's teacher after every school year. This way the pricipal could see how the relationship between teacher and parent has been going for the school year. Then maybe she can learn that there maybe a considerable amount of parents who has issues with their child's teacher (or not) and could talk with both teacher/parent. It seems that everytime I wanted to see the principal or make an appointment, there is a conflict of schedules. As far as the teacher is concern, I could never get any time with her. Parent rating on teachers should be imperative when it comes to their child's education.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a veteran parent of Ranchito Elementary School. I had children who attended this school since 1990 and still do up to this date. I praise very much the outstanding support of the teachers and staff. Ranchito has flourished so much and of course part of it is due to the parent volunteers who took time out to help the school community. I am positive that this school will continue its excellent service to the children and that the opportunities offered to them will continue to be gratifying. Thank you teachers, staff and parents for making our children's future at Ranchito Elem. 'Rewarding!'
—Submitted by Alma Padilla, a parent

Overall this is a great school with involved teachers and a great commnunity of kids. Although, there seems to be a high turnover for teacher for some reaon. The parents are involved, but not as much as I have experienced at other schools. Access to art, music and technology is readily available.
—Submitted by a teacher

We are actively involved in the school because of our 5 year old attending kindergarten. The school has just announced that it is going from a half day for the kndergarten to a full day kindergarten. I am unsure if the teachers and the school are fully prepared for this change.
—Submitted by Dennis Kilbourn, a parent