Sierra Elementary School

My daughter went there here enitire 1-6th grade years. She just started middle school. This is great school with wonderful teachers and a great education.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids and I LOVE this school! We moved here from out of state 3 years ago. I have a child in Kinder and another in 3rd grade. The teachers here are awesome! The principal is both kind and professional. There are plenty of opportunities for parents to become involved as well. The teachers really welcome it. I am also a big fan of the IB program and the Spanish programs. Sierra Elementary feels more like a family to me than a school. It's really fantastic!
—Submitted by a parent

with 2 kids attending this school for the past 4 years I can say that this school is an excellent school. I love the IB, Vapa and other programs that other schools cannot afford. I believe the teachers are great, treating the kids fair. i like the push in different areas (AR, AM ...) The teachers involving the kids in different social activities is awsome. And on the con side, the office staff could be a little more friendly. Never had problems, but I got that feeling that if you don't look a certain way they kind of look down on you. I only give 4 stars because they're doing a lot of fundraisings and they're monetary excpectatins are kind of high for our budget. We have 3 kids in school and we only stay in the area for the school. Otherwise we cannot afford to live in this area. I belive overall is a very good school. My kids love it, they love their teachers and they do not want to go to another school. and that is all that matters to me.
—Submitted by a parent

I wasn't referring to your original post regarding being treated like a "second rate citizen". I was responding to someone else and also suggested to that person that she should speak to the principal. I'm sorry your child feels that way because I know that no teacher at Sierra would want that.
—Submitted by a parent

I never said my child was unhappy at Sierra Elementary, nor did I say we felt like "second class citizens". I was simply stating my observation as a parent and what I have seen take place over the last 3 years. My child has accepted the fact that children related to teachers are treated differently. These are her words. She sees what goes on in the classroom and at school functions. I don't feel the need to address this with the principal, I would prefer to keep my child's identity anonymous. It's hard enough just being a kid now a days. I would prefer not to get caught up in school politics. She is here to get an education and make friendships.
—Submitted by a parent

From the first day that I tried to enroll my daughter into this school I received a strong feeling got unwholesomeness. We are a mutli racial family recently down graded from a upper middle income family to a middle income family and we were in my opinion treated as if we were second class citizens. After having a one on one conversation with the principal I was left feeling empty, disgraced and disrespected. She spoke to me as if I were completely an invalid without ever having received my college degree from a highly accredited college. Or even a high school diploma for that matter. I have fought very hard to keep my daughter inspired because I believe in the IB program itself. Yet I do not believe that the office staff was present on the day when the class was taught on hospitality. How every child should be treated equally no matter what their parents financial background is or the color of their skin.
—Submitted by a parent

WOW, I'm surprised to see some of the recent reviews. We've just completed our first year (kindergarten) at Sierra and only have insight as to our current teacher and the small dealings with staff that I've had, but I've been pleased with our experience. Our teacher is WONDERFUL and the office staff/principal have been supportive and helpful. I see children laughing and smiling each day when I drop off/pick up, just as you'd expect to see at any school. Our entire neighborhood sends their children to Sierra and every family has expressed positive experiences at Sierra Elementary. My ONLY complaint, so far, is the junk food that other parents provide as snacks for our class! I'd much rather send a snack myself or see the parents pay closer attention to ingredients lists and remove the high fructose corn syrup/hydrogenated oils/large amounts of sugar. I'm giving the school a 4 star rating because it's our first year and the K students only attend 3 hours a day. I'll write another next year during or after first grade.
—Submitted by a parent

After having a student there for several years and volunteering through the years, I am qualified to say that this school is NOT a good school. The parents are phony, the teachers are lifeless and the kids are in the crossffire. Reading goals are the main focus. When the bell rings and the kids are dismissed there are few smiles and no laughter from the kids, API scores are great, but walk the grounds of the school and you will see children that lack the spark that HAPPY children have.
—Submitted by a parent

The teaching staff and principal are the best ever, the students are wonderful, bright and outstanding and the parents are great contributors in every aspect making Sierra Elementary a wonderful learning environment for its students and for future students to come!!
—Submitted by a parent

This school recently went through their IB inspection and will probably move up next year from a IB candidate school to a full fledged IB school. I am thrilled that my daughter gets to attend one of handful of school in CA offering the IB PYP program.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is fantastic! They are an IB school with a wonderful, caring principal and faculty. A great sense of community and lots of parental involvement.
—Submitted by a parent

Fantastic school, I couldn't ask for better for my daughter. She has attended for six years, and loves it there. The teachers are outstanding, the staff is helpful and they all know the kids. It is very family oriented and open to all. The kids feel at home there, and they make it great for the parents there too! Love it!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

My children love Sierra Elementary, their teachers, classmates, and the schoolyard. When teachers are afforded the opportunity to move-up with their students and/or maintain combined classes, retaining student-teacher relationships, the child-teacher-parent bond and trust is strengthened. A strong trust lends itself to discovery of personal tastes, reinforces the notion of making good choices, and helps build positive learning habits and higher self-esteem. A strong student-teacher bond helps alleviate perceived fears and anxieties. Although learning the nuances and subtle expectations of a new teacher can be a good exercise, it can be a hindrance to a young child who needs nurturing before discipline. Sierra Elementary with its accelerated reading program and adaptive teaching methods brings the positive old fashion school experiences of the mid 20th century right into the Digital Internet Age. The 'Shark Tank' is a great place to learn and grow.
—Submitted by a parent

I think that Sierra has some of the most compassionate teachers around. From the office staff to the teachers, they all work together to ensure that the students follow the disciplines of learning, community and self. I love the AR program as it incents my daughter to read more. The school promotes family involvement with the AR program through using the Family Reading night. I LOVE THIS SCHOOL!
—Submitted by a parent

The principal is really nice, but seems to care too much about the numbers. The reading program 'AR' is shoved down the kids throats. Which doesn't seem to encourage reading instead it encourages them to make their goals (for the numbers and the 'oh so wonderful 'Word O Meter')'. For punishment, children are left out of activities for not making their reading goals. There is no sense of community between the teachers. Parents are only willing to help their teachers which leaves the PTC struggling to meet the demanding needs of the school. There is way too much teaching to the test. The school would funcion better if they would quit worrying about how they look.
—Submitted by a parent

The principal is wonderful and the staff seems very professional and welcoming. Some teachers use a punishment and reward system (ie. pulling cards, tickets etc.) which I find disconerting. (Recommended reading: Punished by Rewards by Alfie Kohn). I also see too much teaching to the test and not enough child centered learning.
—Submitted by a parent

You think this school is great now, (IT IS!)....but it's only going to get better. Check out the program at www.ibp.org.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school with a small town feel. The principle knows the kids by name. Lots of parental involvement. Amazing test scores.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent teachers and beautiful school.
—Submitted by a parent

Absolutely TOP quality California school. We had a special needs child attend this school when Cobblestone elementary refused to include him fully in a kindergarten classroom. He did need some special attention, and Sierra provided this and more. The secretaries were wonderful and friendly, the kindergarten teachers were so kind, the special needs teacher bent over backwards to help our son. My son attended kindergarten only in the 2001-2002 school year. The school building itself is beautiful. If you have a special needs child, Sierra elementary will treat your child with love and respect.
—Submitted by Kris, a parent