University Park Elementary School

I have 2 children at U.P. and am extremely disappointed in the lack of parental involvement. It does hinder the kind of activities that will be offered. The teachers we have had so far are wonderful. Very willing to help when asked. I wish notices for special events would get sent home sooner. A lot of times the notices come home the same night of the event.
--Submitted by a parent

Very good school among the best in the area. Needs more shaded areas. My daughter is getting sun burnt. shaded lunch tables is not a bad idea. Still uses some old classrooms. But most of the kids are in the new classroom type.
--Submitted by Kelly Alvarez, a parent

My son was in the 1st and 2nd Grade. The 2nd Grade teacher was excellent. School does not have extra-curricular activities.
--Submitted by a parent

University Park has a great staff and excellent academic program. When my daughter was in first grade I wanted her to repeat 1st grade,she was not reading well and not comprehending what she had already learned. She has an October birthday, youngest in her class and always forgot what she had learned prior. With the help of Pat Willingham (Principal)and Mrs. Budenholzer we designed a program to assist my children over the summer. Thank you for your hard work and recommending to not retain her. It paid off, I worked with my daughter all summer long. When school started, she was reading at grade level and retained everything she had learned. My son was also behind grade level with reading and was placed in a reading program. Yeah! Now he has excelled and gained confidence in reading. Now my children are starting 3rd & 4th in the 2005/2006 year. Thank you.
--Submitted by a parent

The school has wonderful teachers and staff which make it a place I feel good about sending my children every morning, but despite the great efforts of all the teachers, this school is lacking so many things, now. There are no longer programs geared toward the gifted students, which could challenge them adequately, nor is there a music program any longer, which is unfortunate...I know the teachers and staff are doing the best they can, but I'm getting very discouraged with the way the educational system is heading in the state of CA.
--Submitted by a parent

I have been very happy with UP. The teachers are outstanding and for the most part, the behavior from the studnts at the school is excellent. I love the staff and have felt very comfortable approaching the teachers with concerns about my child.
--Submitted by a parent

My third grade daughter loves this school. She has had excellent teachers every single year. I am very happy with the way my daughter has been schooled. Her teachers have always kept me on top of what is going on and they welcome parent participation as much as possible. My 4 year old will be attending University Park as well.
--Submitted by Laura Aguilera, a parent

University Park Elementary School has shown us a mixed bag. Some of the teachers have been outstanding. Yet others, very average(appear to be awaiting retirement). The campus is in poor condition and portables are used in place of solid classrooms. The inside of the portables, however, are mostly organized and kept clean. The 'Multi-purpose room' is out-dated and inadequate. I recommend replacing it with a new facility. Extracurricular activities are far and in between. Budgets are tight and few programs are funded. I recommend ralleys each Monday morning to form relationships with the students and parents, such as the ones held at Monte Vista School in Monterey. The school is safety orientated and teachers are on the lookout. However, Salinas Police School Resource Officers are never on campus and show no interest in the school. My children have no idea who they even are. The principle appears to balance- caring and on top of the students. She is a shining star on a big-mac budget value menu budget. Imagine if the funded her school properly!
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter had four excellent teachers at this school over the course of four years. They valued her strengths and intelligently helped her with her weaknesses.