R. Roger Rowe Elementary School

We had an incredible experience at this school and are very familiar with staff and administrative personnel. My shy, incredibly bright and backwards socially son blossomed here. His talents were recognized and rewarded, his intellect stimulated with Mr. Warmer's awesome physics, the math program was superb, we were given advanced placement, the writing program helped him to learn to expand his writing and gain immeasurable skill in composition, the fun educational activities like the greek olympiad, egypt studies, American Indian studies, Colonial days, etc. made learning fun. On the other side, I love that the school has a real coach and full gym for sports and athletic activities. I saw my son make friends, establish good relationships with peers and teacher alike to become a well-adjusted, secure individual. This school offers what other schools can not. It has programs which enrich and teach, fantastic facilities, and a great administration that cares about the students.
--Submitted by a parent

We have had a terrible experience with this school. There is bullying on the playground and the school does not know how to deal with children who are bright and require additional academic challenges. I believe this is in large part due to the leadership that the school has right now. I hope they will find some better leadership, they have so many resources, they should bring in the best and the brightest, not the mediocre. If you are thinking of moving here for the school, think again, there are better options right around the corner.
--Submitted by a parent

We have 4 children and all have attended/graduate from this school. This is an amazing school and I was shocked not to see 5 stars by its name. Then I noticed there are 2 reviews from 2006/7 that are totally NOT reflective of the school as it exists today. Longtime Admin/Teachers and fresh new faculty make it a point to get to know every student/family. Many faculty members are also school parents. Differentiated learning is offered at both the advanced and remedial levels. Education Foundation, led by parent volunteers supplements the District budget with close to $1mm each year-this school is unlike any other public school in the county and rivals or beats other private school options.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is largely successful based on the demographic and the willingness of the community to invest additional resources into smaller class size etc. They have an amazing facility - the new school is state of the art. The teachers are very nice and kind. We have noticed that the administration is much more focused on fundraising for the Foundation and are concerned that this distraction to the mission will not be good for the students in the long run. We also have found in our time there that they do "teach to the test" so to speak, and this is a change from the years when Rowe was leading the school. That said, its a great environment and probably one of the best choices, both public and private, in the San Diego area.
--Submitted by a parent

With our four children, we have been in several private and public schools in different states. Hands down, R. Roger Rowe is the best at having high expectations for everyone and pushing everyone towards excellence. They also believe, in the best of ways, that education is a partnership between the school admin, the teachers, the parents, and the child.
--Submitted by a parent

Love this school! Kids leave here with a great attitude and really prepared for high school. Students from this school have great study skills, advanced curriculum which rivals high school science and english. While they have to work hard here, this training makes them high achievers and good students. Kids have great friends and are very confident, able to converse with ease with teachers, peers and other adults. The superintendent is connected to the students and highly involved in the school. There are some really great teachers who inspire students to learn and now with a new school being built and a state of the art performing art center it will be incredible. All this in a K-8.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is moving in a very positive direction with lots of thought toward preparing children to learn in an ever changing world. We are fortunate to have a school that is looking to teach children to think critically and to love to learn. Getting beyond the judging of a school by test scores alone is a huge step and one to be applauded.
--Submitted by a parent

Wonderful School! Small classes, lots of parent involvement, high performing students who are nice, good families, great teaching staff who are stuck with the old ways, innovative staff/curriculum/administration, a great place to see kid's grow up in a safe environment. District is small so everyone knows eachother and is involved in school.
--Submitted by a parent

Great School! Lots of parental involvement, community awareness program, character development, community programs on top of innovative academics. Students have lots of opportunites to learn, excel and grow with small class sizes and enrichment, literacy, Columbia Univ. writing, advanced math, music, art, language, science, drama, robotics, rocketry, sports, band, chorus, imovies, computer graphic design, etc. Small class sizes, incredible parent-adminstration partnering, community and strong parent involvement make for nice kids and a nice school.
--Submitted by a parent

Rowe School is wonderful. My kids love this school. They have lots of friends and lots of activities, as well as, a great academics program. We have found many great friendships as well and are happy that we can be part of a school with small class sizes, such wonderful parent involvement, and an inclusive community program--a 'caring community' focus. Both the teachers and the administration listen to parent concerns and because there are only 750 students total at both campuses, the staff know my children by name.
--Submitted by a parent