Longfellow School

I love this school - the teachers/staff are great and parents are really involved when it comes to a lot of the extra activities such as art and exercise that have been taken away due to budget cuts. Also, there aren't many schools where your child graduates middle school with their high school and college language credits already completed. And this year the 8th graders all took the college level AP exam!! I definitely recommend the school. A far better education than most public schools provide.
--Submitted by a parent

I absolutely love this school. My child is in his 3rd year at Longfellow. I can t believe how much my child has learned in a second language. The school does such a wonderful when coming together for a child. The school works as a team and that is so amazing for the children.
--Submitted by a parent

Also, the PTA is good but I been here 5 years and its time for some new FRESH ideas and events. We do the "same" thing every year and it seems the same people are voted into positions and make the decisions. Any new, different, or a little cutting edge hasnt been accepted. We tried! Sad. One thing for sure, the Red Ribbon Week needs help!! The concept and effort put into giving these kids some REAL life tools to help them when they are encountered or offered drugs, AND THEY WILL BE, is really sad and insignificant. SAD RED RIBBON WEEK PROGRAM.
--Submitted by a parent

I have been a parent at Escuela Longfellow for 8 years and have experienced many ups and downs. I have seen three or four principals come and go, I have watched the state budget cuts take many good teachers and programs. It has been challenging but I am happy with my decision to send my children to this school. My children are bi-literate, and I think in today's world that is extremely important. The school has a diverse population that represents the REAL world! The parents are involved and the PTA/PTO has evolved into a wonderful program with a online newsletter, well designed website and a Google Group parent communication site. I feel that my children have secured a well rounded good education at Longfellow equivalent to a private school (on a California State budget). It takes parent participate and diligence coupled with good teachers and staff for a good education!
--Submitted by a parent

overall, I really like this school. the teachers are great, the new principal is good in keeping discipline and the programs is well structured. this is a magnet school, so, you have to be ready to accept diversity, in its positive and negative aspects. the important thing is that my son loves the school and he is learning a lot
--Submitted by a parent

An honest warning-- be prepared for a tough school environment. The teachers we have encountered have been dedicated, enthusiastic instructors (if not all very experienced.) But the environment of the school does not feel safe to the kids. The new principal discontinued the morning assembly and now it's chaos with students fighting and shoving. Recess is just as bad with very little supervision. The principal has heard parent complaints, acknowledges them and makes excuses. It's January and so far no improvements. This is a school wide problem. We are happy with our child's teacher, core group of friends, the active PTA and excellent cultural activities. If there was another Spanish Immersion school maybe the competition would force the administration to start problem solving to create a safer environment.
--Submitted by a parent

So far into the school year, I have had nothing but inconstancy with their policy and diciplinary actions. The program itself is an excellent concept, its too bad that there aren't enough schools with this curriculum
--Submitted by a parent

We have a child who started Kindergarten at Longfellow in September 2006 and we couldn't be happier. We toured ten elementary schools (including schools in La Jolla) and did lots of research on schools in the district. Longfellow was, by far, our top choice. The Spanish immersion program is unique and effective. The teachers are fantastic. Teaching at an immersion school takes a lot of effort, so the teachers are all very committed and dedicated. (Interestingly, many teachers in San Diego send their children to Longfellow.) Most immersion schools around the country are private schools that cost a great deal of money - we are thrilled to give our child this special educational opportunity with no tuition cost. Longfellow has parents that are very involved as well, in the PTA and the Foundation. Parents help coordinate very special cultural activities such as Dia De Los Muertos and the Art Fair.
--Submitted by a parent

I am very pleased with my families experience at Longfellow. The teachers are well educated and caring. The Principle knows most students by there name. The curriculum is very well thought out and more than adequate for the appropriate grade level. After school activities are interesting and have many students involved. The parents are very involved which helps with the quality of education at Longfellow. There is a strong diverse socioeconomic makeup at the school which I appreciate because it helps students learn about real life through the friendships made at school. The school officials, law enforcement, and parents do there best to make sure that the school campus is safe. Before and after school supervision is visible and parents are informed about what hours are campus 'supervised hours.' Knowing Spanish as a parent is not a requirement, but a English/Spanish dictionary in the house does go a long way.
--Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent bilingual school. The teachers are very dedicated and the children speak fluent spanish.
--Submitted by a parent