White Oaks Elementary School

We love this school! White Oaks offers caring, involved teachers. The principal and her staff work well as a team and are very supportive of their students. The person who left the comment saying this school is overrun with stay home moms who interup the classroom seems quite bitter. I am so grateful to all the moms and dads who volunteer their time to make this school an even better place for our children. With budget cuts and larger classroom sizes throughout CA, parent involvement gives teachers more time to teach rather than police the students.
—Submitted by a parent

If you have ever seen inspired teaching and solid curriculum, you know that, aside from some of the younger grade teachers, White Oaks does not have it. I continually wonder, "where is the beef?". There is very little substance to the curriculum. In the lower grades, there is almost no math whatsoever. Writing consists of journal writing with little to no help with organization, grammar, or conventions. And I actually had a teacher tell me that she could not teach science and social studies during the same time period! While there is some project-based learning, there is very little of it and the projects are not carefully chosen. The administration is unresponsive to concerns. White Oaks obtains decent tests scores because the parents take on the job of educating their children. I do not know of any child who did not take some form of math instruction outside of school. My children learned that they would learn little at White Oaks.
—Submitted by a parent

Interesting... My son has had nothing but great experiences at the school. Yes, parents are on campus, but as a working mom, I have appreciated the photos some of the moms have provided me (via snapfish) of classroom events that I am not able to attend. Additionally, I don't see parents in the classroom as a reflection of my teacher's ineffectiveness. Given the cuts education has experienced over the last 9 years, I applaud the fact that the school has capable teachers who can effectively utilize the support parents want to offer. As far as the principal is concerned, her communication works for me. When I'm not on campus I read the weekly online newsletter and stay informed that way. When I have been able to attend a few school meetings this year I've appreciated her updates with regards to the school's math pilot and the staff's PLC work. I know my child's teacher has spoken very highly of the work she and her colleagues have done in math this year so it would seem that something is in place with regards to professional development! It's unfortunate that those last two respondents took the time to taint the great things happening at our school!
—Submitted by a parent

I can't agree more. We've had older siblings come through this school and over the past couple of years - the quality has dropped markedly. The new principal is problematic where she fails to push the teaching staff for excellence. She seems incapable of creating a strategy that allows for teacher growth and excellence. Luckily, our youngest is moving on next year. As for the reviewer who stated that there are too many parents in the classroom, its a joke. Sometimes there are 2 or 3 parents in the class at any given time. You wonder why the teacher needs so much help.
—Submitted by a parent

The school supposedly has good ratings and scores. Our experience leads us to question the quality and objectivity of these past reviews. The teachers seem disorganized. The Principal is obtuse and she does not communicate well. Our son was doing very well at a private Palo Alto elementary, when we moved him into Whiteoak, he foundered in the unstructured massively disorganized chaos. We've asked to meet with the teachers and principal and the outcome of these meetings has always been "he's exactly where he should be". Overall, the school is over run by stay at home moms with nothing to do but to disrupt the classroom. The teachers depend on this extra help so they do even less work teaching. Very dis-satisfied with this school. We're thinking of stopping all SCEF donations (for what?) and putting him in St. Charles.
—Submitted by a parent

Poor leadership from the principal and over- involved, hovering parents on this old and cramped campus.
—Submitted by a parent

crowded campus and very homogenous. don't get the love for this school.
—Submitted by a parent

White Oaks Elementary School is a wonderful school in a great neighborhood and community. My 1st child attended the White Oaks and now my 2nd child is enrolled there, as well. Great school.
—Submitted by a parent

I love White Oaks because my niece loves to learn, read and study and is excelling academically.
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers and staff! I love the families and kids who are part of this community.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent curriculum & teachers. Community feel. Long standing traditions. Involved parents.
—Submitted by a parent

My grand daughter loves this school!

excellent academics. superb parental/community involvement. passionate teachers. innovative programs (cultural arts day where each year a new country is selected -- since my son has been doing there they've done africa, greece, and this year is china).
—Submitted by a parent

Lots of attention is paid to making all students feel like part of the community. All-school celebrations and big/little kid buddies bring kids from upper and lower grades together.
—Submitted by a parent

Gifted and involved teachers and administaors. Teachers will and able to remain late to help with sports, learning, relationships, building and all involvements of children.
—Submitted by a parent

wonderful teachers, great sense of community and a real 'old school' feel. children here truly believe thatt 'learning is fun!'
—Submitted by a parent

multi-aged classrooms, small campus, engaged parents, seasoned staff, job sharing, school song
—Submitted by a parent

WO has the most wonderful teachers and programs which enable my children to have the best learning environment I could hope for.
—Submitted by a parent

We have a terrific community of concerned and involved parents that work closely with school staff to ensure a safe & enriching environment for all of the students.
—Submitted by a parent

White Oaks creates a fabulous lenvironment for the kids to learn, with wonderful and caring teachers/staff, a huge community of very close-knit parent volunteers, a superbly run after-school program that's on-site, and a learning environment that's second to none.
—Submitted by a parent