Harvest Valley Elementary School

Our child has attended Harvest Valley since 2006 and is going strong. We are in a small, lower income community but I feel the school continues to improve, despite budget woes and cutbacks. If you want improvements - speak up, volunteer, sit in your childs class - do something besides complain! There is always room for improvement but overall, our school is great compared to others. I know and respect most of the staff and feel comfortable that my child is safe at school and is learning everyday.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two boys who attend this school and am very please with the response I get from the principal when ever I have a problem. The teachers are all great both my boys have had different teachers and I never had an issue with any of them. I would really recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been teaching at Harvest for 3 years now and I am blown away by the changes! The school has really turned itself around...and we keep getting better!! Our scores are improving, the children are being challenged and our principal is working hard to develop each staff member professionally. We set goals for our kids and expect nothing less...NO EXCUSES!!
—Submitted by a teacher

This school is one of the best schools!! My daughter is a second grader and has been attending since pre-K. I was actually a student there as well years ago and alot of the same teachers are still there so it is neat to see them teaching my daughter as well. My daughter is advanced in her reading, writing, spelling and math compared to other children in our family that are attendng other schools in the menifee valley school district and My daughter also has learned much more than they have as well. I actually live 25 mins away from the school in Canyon lake and I make the drive daily so my daughter can attend this school instead of Menifee.
—Submitted by a parent

I think that Harvest Valley is a wonderful school. There have been many changes in the last year and a half. My child has met her goal two times and is on the 'I Met My Goal Wall'!
—Submitted by a parent

There is very little academic quality to Harvest Valley. A handful of good teachers cannot and shouldn't have to compensate for and otherwise poorly run school. A new principal has helped this year but the district has no money and shouldn't pretend they can run a school on nothing.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a teacher at Harvest Valley, I understand that things may be mishandled from time to time by the adminstrators, but I do believe that Harvest Valley is a safe place to send your kids. The staff are kind and very helpful when it come to students who are in needs.
—Submitted by a teacher

I have two children at Harvest Valley. They both have been at this school for about two years. I was a little upset when I found that there was no type of art or music classes available for these young minds. Especially since my oldest was very much involded in band at his last school. My oldest child does well in school from what I can see. I really do not get much of an update other than report cards and progress reports.I have not been contacted for meetings. My youngest child has had a problem with adapting to a teacher that screams at the children behind closed doors and makes no attempt to help a child that may seek help in certain subjects. She favors certain children who will be successful. She makes no effort to contact parent for meeting. There is a lck of parent teacher communication. goodluck
—Submitted by a parent

Parents, if you want to make a diffrence at this school you must speak out, you have to make it known that you want more for your children. My child was in kindergarten this year and while I adore his teacher I am skeptical to send him there in 1st grade. Not because I wouldn't adore his 1st grade teacher but that I want more for my kids. This school needs books, computers, activities, and school equipment. We can make a diffrence as parents but we have to take that step and go to the principal, go to the school district. Talk to people that can help instead of thinking there is nothing you can do. This is your school and we can make a difference.
—Submitted by a parent

I do like my son's teacher this year as she takes the time to listen to all of the children and really seems to enjoy Teaching! I also think the after school program is a great ideal and an asset to the community. How are Parents able to support their children if they have to pick up their children at 1:00pm on Wed. No Busses! I am a single Mom and I am surprised at the lack of daycare in the area and bus transportation. I see children walking to and from school along highway. How dangerous is that!
—Submitted by a parent

Yes some changes need to happen. More funding is needed and the District Office needs to oversee these changes. One thing that is lacking IS parent involvement. If some of the parents would get involved and sit in on some of thier childrens classes and see how disruptive the students (their child) can be, they would be amazed. This is disruptive not only to the classroom learning but to ALL the students. Parents also need to be more involved at home with homework and helping with ideas and support of the fund raising ideas.
—Submitted by a parent

Something needs to be done about the pick-up situation after school. The children are not supervised and the cars coming to and from the school are not directed on where to park. The situation is dangerous for the children and other pedestrians who are crossing illegally in front of the school with other small children. Briggs is a major street with too much traffic to be crossing with no supervision! This is a serious situation that needs to be dealt with immediately.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall I think the school is doing a pretty good job considering it's in the middle of nowhere. It really needs more funding and I agree on the field trips, etc. I'm also upset because of their playground equipment. Seems like every school around has newer and safer equipment and our school still has old stuff. Seems like with all of the fundraising there should be more field trips and better playground equipment. If there's anything the parents can do to help please let us know.
—Submitted by a parent