Carmel Del Mar Elementary School

My 2 daughters went to CDM K-6 grade and had an amazing experience! The school is very strong with their educational values, the teachers are wonderful and care very much for the children and the entire staff is warm and have a true concern for the families. We made great friends here and the teachers and staff are so appreciative and work so hard everyday to help guide the children in so many ways. I volunteered here endless hours and loved every minute of it. I learned what went on "behind the scenes" and could not believe the phenomenal relationships and care that happens. We moved to another school district 20 miles away and it was like black and white! My children had to be put in higher math classes and need to be given much more challenging work. My daughters cannot believe the difference in the 2 schools. Carmel Del Mar is by far the VERY BEST school any of my four children ever attended. I will always be so thankful for the opportunity we had to have been at this school. Nobody will ever have a better experience with teachers and staff than at CDM!
--Submitted by a parent

I disagree with some of the comments parents made regarding office staff. We always found both administrative staff very helpful and polite to us. We did notice though that they both have way too much on their plates and that their environment can get very stressful especially in the beginning of the school year. Carmel Del Mar has a private school environment: small school in a great community with the phenomenal parent volunteers and high academic expectations. PTA does a great job to promote parent involvement! Teachers and staff are one outstanding group of people who do a wonderful job! Our kids love Carmel Del Mar!
--Submitted by a parent

CDM is a great school. My son loves the 2 years he spent here. Some great dedicated teachers, especially in the ESC area. However, the principal is not very into academics so the bright students may feel bored with the curriculum. A lot of the extracurricular activities has been lost due to the economy. Very enthusiastic and open PTA.
--Submitted by a parent

It's a great school with amazing teachers, and most students are high achieving. Our two children are above-grade level in all areas, and stay stimulated. The secretaries up front are very moody and on their best day are indifferent to parents. The front office staff have been there longer than the principal, so they aren't going anywhere. If enough parents wrote letters to the district office, then they would possibly be moved to another site.
--Submitted by a parent

Overall the school is doing a fine job considering the economic times. The math and science program is great which is due to the ESC programs in place. The office staff is definitely rude. The school has two entrances, and I can hardly remember the prinicpal showing up at the other entrance to meet and greet children and parents. The reading program at the school is excellent. The same people seem to tbe running the PTA. That might have something to do with the economy. Small school environment!
--Submitted by a parent

Agree with your comment. The principal is lack of leadership and sometimes behaves like a bully. The office staff's bad attitude is known among many parents and has never been addressed by the leadership.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with one of the comments here. The office staff are rude and attitude is very unplesent.
--Submitted by a parent

CDM is a really unique school due to the community support factor present. All children are special and important to this school, even those with challenges. All Staff are well qualified and caring. There is a high degree of student turnover within the boundaries, and that encourages everyone to adopt a more flexible manner of operations. This in turn results in a less stressful environment for our children!
--Submitted by a parent

The office staff are very rude and attitude is very unplesent. the principal is extremely dedicated to his time to school. School teacher are average level for their teaching experience, but arts and science teachers are very good in wa
--Submitted by a parent

Small but Great school. My daughter loves to go to school.
--Submitted by a parent