Alta Vista Elementary School

My son has been aprticipating in the LIFT program and they have been absolutely terrible. He has been in the program for speech defficiency since the age of 3 1/2. Now at 6 years old, he remains in the bottom 1 persecentile ins several of the speech and language catagories. During the IPE meeting, I raised concerns about other behavior patterns that were consistant with those of autism, but they were so busy praising themselves for his "progress", they were annoyed that I voiced these concerns. Despite allerting them to several behavioral patterns, some of which they acknowledged, they did not test him for autism spectrum disorders.
—Submitted by a parent

Our kids have been attending this school for four year and it has always been a great school, with wonderful teachers and innovative programs. Under the leadership of the new Principal Mrs Wilde it is now an outstandingly great school! She is innovating and refining existing programs and bringing out the best in the very experienced teachers who also seem to love the school. Many of the teachers have their children attend the school and some of them their parents taught there! It is a nurturing community and I am so grateful that my children have to opportunity to grow there. Mrs Wilde is very hands on; a real problem solver and deals with conflict in a very thoughtful way.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is great but has had problems keeping the same principal for more than a few years at a time. Apparent rifts between teachers and administrators have been apparent as it spilled out to the parent population. And, while some teachers have taught in this environment for a few years, they cannot be called seasoned. However, the new principal this year appears to be a much needed positive change to the environment and exceptional teachers do exist at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Awesome School!!! Teachers are meant to be teachers guiding kids with respect and care. Principal so approachable and polite and of course with a great mind set on school and students success. The academic part is very good because you can see the extra effort and the personal touch this school has thanks to parents also, which is very important to impact in a positive way all those little ones that one day will be our future. Overall EXCELLENT!!!
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are great! Principal is awesome! Volunteers are the best in helping our children.
—Submitted by a parent

Alta Vista is a wonderful school. The teachers and staff are terrific. I can't say enough positive about the school. Best of all, there's no homework on weekends -- so far at least! Our daughter has blossomed here. I'm very grateful for all the parental support of the school.
—Submitted by a parent

Most of the teachers are highly experienced and motivated to reach their students not only at the academic level but at a personal level as well. Most teachers at Alta Vista are natural 'nourishers', they ACTIVELY LISTEN to their students and provide immediate feedback to them and to parents. Principal Taranto has become the heartbeat of Alta Vista. He has turned Alta Vista into a learning community, he believes that each individual in the school - staff and student - can achieve great things, and he expects no less. Mr. Taranto has an understanding and appreciation of AV school culture, a clear and inspiring vision of where AV is headed, a love of teaching and kids with a concurrent abiltity to relate to them, to teachers ... an ability to make and implement effective dicisions ... with the recognition that neither himself nor anyone else is perfect, and that's OK!!! The office secretary Jo is very knowledgeable, experienced and professional. Chris, the nurse, is very warm with the kids and very flexible helping others.
—Submitted by a parent

The Principal, Teachers, Staff, PTA and Parents are dedicated to the student s education, enrichment and safety on and off campus. Principal Taranto knows the name of every student on campus. The Principal and Teachers often attend extra curricular student activities after school and on weekends. All of the Alta Vista staff really cares about the students. We are blessed with a supportive and nurturing Wildcat family.
—Submitted by a parent

Because they care about our children and we have the best teachers ever! Our principal is the best!
—Submitted by a parent

The school can be great and it can be bad. If you get the new energetic teachers you are getting some of the best in the south bay. But if they are let go then there will be a terrible loss to the school and likely test scores will drop. There seems to be a lot of politics at the school too with us versus them attitudes and cliques of PTA moms who don't let outsiders in. There is also a large focus on fundraising with one every few weeks it seems.
—Submitted by a parent

Parents volunteer and are very participative at the school. The PTA is highly commited and very in touch with what the teachers and students need. The PTA also sponsors many enrichment programs and holds several fund raising events for the school.The teachers are amazing! Ms. Hoyem and Ms. Marsh are incredible! The teachers in the LRC work very hard, as well!Everybody really pulls together!
—Submitted by Beckie, a parent

I love that Alta Vista Elementary encourages parental involvment. Having parents involved in the classroom and with school programs is great for the children's esteem and helps make extra curricular programs possible.
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers and staff! They really encourgage parent participation and they are very communicative about what is happening at school and with your child. They have programs like Hands On Art, movie nights at school, jogathon, fairs, etc...Overall, just a great experience for our family.
—Submitted by a parent

It's always a great day to be a Wildcat! THe principal cares about the education and personal connection with each student, the teacher are outstanding, the parents are super and involved in extra curricular activities. THis school ranks one of highest in the district and supports green education and technology, things that will impact the future.
—Submitted by a parent

An available principal, a challenging curriculum, no-nonsense PTA, parent-supported mini-PE before school 2x/week, friendly secretary and nurse, great teachers... positive all-around.
—Submitted by a parent

Because it has the best teachers and staff!
—Submitted by a parent

Start with the Principal, who is friendly, outgoing and actively engaged in the community. The staff performs at an incredibly high level. Mrs. Marsh and Ms. Farzad are 2 of the best teachers I have ever seen. Strong parent involvement through the PTA and activities such as Hands On Art. AV builds the whole child and does it in a community of learners that is close knit and mutually supportive. The school has the vibe of a community in the 50's. Wholesome and dedicated to the kids.
—Submitted by a parent

Wildcats are the best! The principal, teachers, staff, parents and kids---They all make it a great day to be a Wildcat!
—Submitted by a parent

I think Alta Vista School might rank as a 10 for students who are average or below, or students whose first language is NOT English. But, the best and brightest English speakers are definitely forgotten at this school, as well as in the entire district. Ask them about their GATE (Gifted And Talented Education) Program. It's essentially non-existent. There are some great teachers, though! I think the best I could give this school is an 8 out of 10.
—Submitted by a parent

I've been an involved parent since my oldest started 10 years ago and I still have 4 more years to go. I have to say AV is at all time best. With our Principal, Mr. Taranto, we have a strong leader that will take AV even higher. Since he started, he rolled up his selves and got to work without slowing down. We asked for an old trailer to be removed and the new playground set-up - done! Now he's looking in to adding more. We asked for a room to house a computer lab & technology - done! AV houses a grand computer lab is also providing technology to both students & teachers. We complained about the traffic - done! Not only did he go out on a daily bases to direct traffic but now there is a valet system. We have a beautiful safe campus.
—Submitted by a parent