Cordova Gardens Elementary School

My children have spent a combined total of 11 years attending Cordova Gardens Elementary school. I have found the non credentialed staff to be like a flock of gossiping hens and a total of three credentialed staff to be worthy of their paycheck. They are the lowest performing elementary school in their district and currently have a special needs teacher that says things like "you are a very bad little girl and someone should put you in the corner" to his students. Bullying is not addressed effectively and volunteer staff are basically there to chit chat with one another while your children are learning street life in the bathrooms. Just remember parents, YOU have a choice as to where your child is educated and my children are no longer there.
--Submitted by a parent

The FLES program (Spanish Language immersion) is a positive addition to this campus. The FLES teachers are excellent and the new principal Mr. Tapia is committed to each student's success. He knows each child by name, has high expectations, and encourages family involvement. His warmth, sense of humor, and expectation of excellence sets the tone for the school. My children have been transferred from Cordova Lane to this school due to closure, but we are blessed to have retained Mr. Tapia and the great FLES staff. Hopefully the entire school will benefit from his leadership!
--Submitted by a parent

Look at this schools test ratings and see for yourself why this school is subpar. Some of the teachers there are very good, but I find many who should be working in a back office and away from our children. There need to be many changes at this school for a child to succeed, one of which is happening next year with the demoting of principal Carboni. Let's hope the 2010/11 school year brings some needed changes to help these impressionable children succeed.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is getting to join a special program that will teach her the Spanish Language... it starts in Kindergarten and goes through 5th or 6th grade. It's so nice to start when they are young.
--Submitted by a parent

Cordova Gardens has the best teachers and the friendliest staff!
--Submitted by a parent

Cordova Garedens is a very special school. They are established and have some great extracurricular for families to attend. Teachers go above and beyond to offer before and after school interventions. They also have a fabulous resource teacher who is very knowledgeable. They are one of the few schools which offer sixth grade, which I feel is very important.
--Submitted by a parent

My children and neices and nephews have attended this school for 7 years. I absolutely love the interaction and relationships that are built between the students and teachers. The teachers remain open to suggestions from parents and leave the line of communication open. The PTA is wonderful and there are always activities planned to bring the parents and children together for fun and learning.
--Submitted by a parent

My child has been attending this school for yrs. I have found myself increasingly more disappointed with some of the teachers. If you have a student not focusing in the classroom, do something about it. It's your job. Talk to the parents more regularly without projecting your opinion of the parents. It is about the student not you. Some teachers here show up for work do the bare minimum and leave. They are now walking in front of the school while I am dropping off my child holding signs up that read 'We deserve and demand a fair contract' What is so unfair about your current contract that makes you think you have the right to demand a more fair contract. What happened to the teachers that loved to teach. Where have they all gone?
--Submitted by a parent

Three of my children have attended Cordova Gardens throughout their elementary school years. They had a very positive experience. This school provides quality education, and imparts the sense of a caring community. The teachers are very involved, concerned, and easy to approach. I plan to send my fourth child there as well. My children were well-prepared for middle school, and Cordova Gardens offers the option of either attending sixth grade there or moving on to the middle schools. We have enjoyed many good field trips and activities, though they are reduced now because of state budget concerns.
--Submitted by a parent

Cordova Gardens has a staff of dedicated educators unlike any other I have seen. They get involved with before and after school activities that help promote fun learning. We have regular music and art classes that the children love. The most amazing thing about Cordova Gardens is the parents. Many of the activities that make Cordova Gardens the greatest are done by it's many parent volunteers. Teachers and parents working together for the same goal, the children.
--Submitted by Heather Umiker, a parent