Theodore Judah Elementary School

Theodore Judah rocks! This is a neighborhood school that has been 'up-and-coming' for the last few yeers, and now it has arrived. The Art, Science, and Garden programs rock! My kindergartner is lighting up light bulbs and making volcanos. The teachers are great, the pta is strong, and the families are amazing.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers rock! The parents rock! The school feels like a big family-
—Submitted by a parent

What my daughter loves about Theodore Judah Elementary is her wonderful teacher Mr. Bovert. He has the class sing and do many fun activities. He is professional and a model teacher. I am so glad my daugher is enjrolled there.
—Submitted by a parent

Theodore Judah Elementary is a (K-6) neighborhood school located in East Sacramento, nearby McKinley Park. The school s population is about 316 students. We integrate music, art, and science with regular curriculum. We offer after school enrichment classes for a fee. We have START (an after school program) on campus which the city provides at no cost from 2pm to 6pm. They offer one-hour homework study time, teach academic subject matter and organize play activities. Theodore Judah has an outstanding dedicated teaching staff and classified staff, even our custodians are involved. We have a very active Parent Teacher Association (PTA) that put out an excellent Harvest Festival in Oct, at least two Movie Night for the whole neighborhood, Family Dance Night, Science Night, Winter Fest, Jog-A-thon, and in the spring a wonderful Art & Music Festival. Parents are very active and you ll find many of them on campus being docents to the garden or art program. We have Parent Room who are parent assigned to each classroom to help the teacher and the principal communicate to all the parents. The parent beautified the campus and are continues find ways to my our little school the best. Our 2009 API scores are 863 a growth of 29 points! We are doing great! Oh, I almost forgot, we also have a GATE program for the gifted children from 4th to 6th grade and preschool. I have a 4th grader and we love our school. It s the best!
—Submitted by a parent

It is a true neighborhood school! The art, music, science and garden programs truly enrich my son's learning experience. He is thriving!
—Submitted by a parent

My son is performing great and is loving school. Ms. Daswon is phenominal, detailed and dedicated to seeing children excel in kinder so that they can continue success in first grade and beyond. The PTA is awesome and they works overtime to put on plays that the kids help produce and perform in, there is an onsite garden, they also bring in a music and art instructor to expose the children to fine arts. There are two afterschool onsite daycare programs and even the Mad Science program is available. With the recent budget cuts and changes to Title I requirements the funding has dropped dramatically and yet parents work side by side with the principle, teacher and school staff who have a genuine interest in seeing kids achieve success in school; Overall Theodore Judah provides a quaility curriculum that in inclusive of extracuricular activities (such as movie night, harvest festivals, auctions, plays, spring art festivals, dinners, etc.)that most public school just don't or can't provide in the current times.
—Submitted by a parent

The parents and families are involved and helpful in providing extra activities, raising money and building community. I think the art, gardening and music programs are great for my students.
—Submitted by a parent

My nephew goes to Theodore Judah and they have great science/garden, and art/music programs. The kids love it!

This school is absolutely wonderful. We've had one child complete K-6 who still feels so connected to the school. We have another child attending who is thriving and filled with school pride. The PTA and the awesome partent participation have brought on and supplemented several wonderful enrichment programs. Truly a great neighborhood school!
—Submitted by a parent

I love the fact that my son has an awesome teacher Mrs. Wilson. My son is in Special Ed and his teacher is so patient with her students. She treats each and everyone of her students with respect and continues to help them to strive to do better. Just because theses students have a different way learning. She has never once made my son or the other students feel like they could not do what the rest of there peers could do. Since my son has been going to Theodore Judah he continues to amaze me on how well he is progressing and that is all I want for my kids to know they can do it. With teachers like Mrs. Wilson I know my kids can be anything they put there minds to it. She is a sweet, loving, patient, and humble person and my family is blessed to have her as a teacher.
—Submitted by a parent

Terrific set of parent supported enrichment options. The Art Program, Science/Alive and the unbelievable Garden Program. Top notch! Strong community support, strong teachers, strong administration.
—Submitted by a parent

TJ is in a unique status of a school moving forward with support from students, parents and the community. A renewal of education for the right reason,...the students and their future. Top drawer PTA support and involvement is bringing the school back to a top rank elementary school in conjunction with teacher and staff interaction. McKinley Park is a community and Theodore Judah is our school.
—Submitted by a parent

Theodore Judah is great because of its active PTA which contributes to provide such programs as science, art, music, garden, and computers.
—Submitted by a parent

this school is amazing! it is for sure a school on the move. the pta is very active and has worked with the teachers to make some fabulous things happen - music, hands-on science, and in-the-dirt garden time for each class each week! come to our open house on may 27th if you want to see an amazing place where you will want to enroll your kids for sure!
—Submitted by a teacher

We transferred our daughter here after two years at a charter, we are amazed at the progress she has made. Awesome structure, the parent participation makes all of the difference. They have a garden that the children work in, it is a wonderful place for kids.
—Submitted by a parent

I transferred my daughter to this school after a horrible experience at Washington Elementary. She is in a GATE Cluster class. The Principal here is wonderful and does a lot for the children. So far, the staff, parents and students at the school are very friendly. Great school that offers a lot for the students. Also has a very active PTA. I absolutely love this school!!!
—Submitted by a parent

There is a true partnership between teachers, parents and administration at Theodore Judah to provide a well-rounded experience for our students. The school brings traditional academics, art, hands on-science, music, and physical education to every student. It is a true community effort and everyone feels part of the Theodore Judah family. I'm so excited for my son to be part of this fantastic school.
—Submitted by a parent

Theodore Judah has an amazing garden and Science Alive program that has captured the participation and interest of the entire neighborhood including many seniors. The entire community definitely feels that the school welcomes their participation.

Because the parent involvement is incredible. The kids are excited about school, and we have an amazing principal who has improved the quality of the (already great) school by leaps and bounds.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent I am always impressed by the level of dedication the teachers and principal of this school have. Most of the staff has been with the school 10+ years. The principal has proven to be a wonderful asset to this school. Her open-door policy is great for us parents that have questions/comments. The PTA has changed, a new Board and president. Events seem less traditional and very sponsor driven at every event. Some of us think it has lost it's 'home-like' feel. It is not the PTA that makes the school, it is the teachers, students and parents. My child enjoys going to school there. As a parent I am very pleased with the academics.
—Submitted by a parent