Sandpiper Elementary School

Pretty good. Strong PTA. PTA seems to be driven by "select few" families. Environment is clean. Professional staff.
--Submitted by a parent

With high test scores and an API of more than 900, I am worried that our students are performing too high. Do you think I am kidding? High test scores and a highly stressful academic environment go hand=-in-hand. We don't want our kids throwing themselves on the train tracks like five Palo Alto students did these last 8 months, do we? Be happy. Take your children for weekend car trips. Enjoy family life.
--Submitted by a parent

The staff and parents are amazing here. My two daughters are thriving.
--Submitted by a parent

Sandpiper teachers are excellent, (especially my daughter's second grade teacher!)..some better and more committed to challenging the kids than the others. I would prefer though that the teachers not always cater to the lowest common denominator and try to break kids into groups, such that they are challenged and do better in the company of their peers. I would also like to echo another parent's sentiments..in this they lack a good enrichment program like spelling bee, mathletics, drama or choir club. This would not only be a great way for PTA or school force to raise money in this time of recession, but would also make our kids smarter and well-rounded in preparation for middle school.
--Submitted by a parent

Sandpiper is a great school with a very involved PTA. Since parents here couch kids out of school extensively, for your kid to keep up you need to do the same, or you will be left out!
--Submitted by a parent

This is our 7th year at Sandpiper and we have seen it go through many changes over the years. Some were hard, such as the growth and transition of three Principals, but others have been very positive. Test scores continue to be impressive despite funding woes. The Principal is progressive and encourages new programs and technology use. The teachers are a bit set in their ways, but an influx of new teachers has brought some innovation. And the PTA is a well oiled machine. Not everything is roses but overall it's been a great experience and our kids left/will leave well prepared for Ralston.
--Submitted by a parent

Sandpiper remains an excellent school dispite some of the recent changes. I agree that the overcrowding has had a negative impact on the school. Parent involvement and community/school culture has suffered due to this situation. The once warm atmosphere, where the principal and school secretary knew all of the children's names, has been replaced by new staff who may be efficient, but lack the personal skills and warmth that are so necessary in an elementary school setting. Some of the sweet traditions that my oldest child enjoyed at this school (and endeared it to our family) have gone by the wayside. Test scores do not tell the whole story.
--Submitted by a parent

We moved here in the spring and my daughter starts third grade here towards the end of the school year. The teacher went above and beyond to create a welcome environment for my child. The academic standards are very good. We came from another 'API 10' school in another district and the pace and workload there didn't even compare to the expectations here. The only criticism I have is the lack of extracurriculars. It would be nice to have a drama club or perhaps a choir.
--Submitted by a parent

The school is well maintained but severly over crowded. We are new to the school and have encountered an odd mix of situations. The test scores are so high because some sections of the community hire after hours tutoring ect. It is a close nit community but is very seperated by its differences, such as nationality ect. Some of the parents told me that they are citizens of America but they do not consider themselves American. Other groups are very affluent and have a big voice in the community. I long for a school that leaves all that behind and binds with true respect and sense of belonging together. I have encounter mediocre teachers that feel they are the 'cats meow' when actually the scores are due to children being driven to excess by parents, tutoring and teachers teaching to the API test.
--Submitted by a parent

As 7th year parents at Sandpiper, we can attest to the fact that this school keeps getting better and better! Our daughter (3rd grade) is privileged to have a fantastic teacher who teaches with spirit, warmth and creativity and recognizes many times a day that each child is special. In the midst of the state budget crisis and the cuts that our district, and all others across the state, are dealing with, we must remember that Sandpiper has an phenomenal, top-notch staff and a parent community who would stop at nothing to ensure Sandpiper remains a superior school. Our children have and are still an receiving an excellent, well-rounded education here.
--Submitted by a parent