Miller Elementary School

My children, I have four, have been attending this school for three years and since we are stationed here again, will be continuing for another three years. We have had the opportunity to send them to other schools, as this is a choice district, but liked this school so much that we opted to keep them at Miller. I have heard that the upper levels aren't the best though, we'll see. I see the administration walking the campus daily. Several reasons we have enjoyed this school, other than the great teachers my kids have had, are the extra programs they have designed for kids of deployed parents and after schools tutoring. Parents, you need to understand that this is a year round school, ie a month off for winter break, spring break and summer break. Also, if your child needs to miss a couple days of school due to your spouses deployment, etc., the school offers a contract for your child to make up the work missed on those days. This school is VERY understanding about military life, "short term" single parenthood, its quirks and ever changing lifestyle. The PTA is always looking for help, they are always doing fun things for the kids, ie weekly, monthly, and quarterly.
—Submitted by a parent

When judging this school based on Community Rating, keep in mind that our community changes at least every three years. The majority of the children who attend Miller Elementary live in Murphy Canyon Military Housing. My son is in second grade this year and I am very pleased with his performance. When he began, he could barely read the directions on his homework assignments. His teacher assured me that she would not let him fail. She has kept his interest and he has improved in every subject. He scored 30% at the beginning of the year; by midway, he scored 60%; he finished 2nd grade at 90%! It is very exciting to see this kind of progress. Remind yourself how difficult it would be if you were a child moving from one school to another; constantly realigning yourself with new standards and expectations; simutaneously struggling to fit in and learn at the same time. The best thing you can do for your child is show up at school and remind him/her that you are interested in what he/she is doing. Teachers need as much support as they can get and your child needs you even more than that! Miller is a very good school overall.
—Submitted by a parent

Most children in the school come from military families and the staff does a great job giving support and understanding to the children especially when a parent is deployed. I had 3 children attend, and only 1 bad teacher, all of the others were fantistic. However, in any school there will be great teachers and then the ones who shouldn't be teaching. Don't be fooled by the test scores, I believe that the test scores reflect the high amount of transition of students here.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had my daughter in this school for only a month she's in kinder and It sucks!!!!!! I see the principle around but she never smiles or says hi,goodmorning, nothing...my daughters teacher does not believe in giving kindergartners homework at allll...my daugher has only brought home twice sometihng they have worked on in the classroom..she can never tell me what she learned that day..only thing I have noticed she has learned in the month that she has been at this school is how to swing and ask for money...I have worksheets I have her do at home because of the lack of learing at this school..do not put your child in this school!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Being new to the san diego area i was glad we lived close to a school that was just around the corner that i thought was a decent neighborhood. I was wrong, my kids went from being star students at the other school in a different state to below average according to the states regulations..?? What? The teachers are teaching the kids wrong things from history, they cannot control the kids in the classrooms, or organized in school preformances. I am glad we are moving and hopfully the new school will not call my kids below average because there last school they had all A's and B's. I dont like the grading system, and the nice way they say our kids are stupid. Very disappointed in the whole school system in san diego.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent who has 2 children at Miller and 1 that has graduated from here I must say that for the most part I have been happy with Miller. The PTA puts in a ton of their own time and regularly tries to involve parents. The teachers (the majority of them) are wonderful. The new principal and vice principal seem to be doing a good job. The principal and vice principal that were previous to this were great. I did hear it was not so great before they took over. The office staff often has new people and it is often difficult to communicate with them. Make a friend in the office staff- it will help you in the long run.
—Submitted by a parent

Terrible school, all I have to say. Terrible school.
—Submitted by a teacher

I enrolled my son in K this year, he had a very hard time adjusting to school, and his teacher and guidance counselor were on top of it and excellent! I love his teacher, and the school as a whole. I am very sad we are leaving.
—Submitted by a parent

This site says that the avg. class size is 17 for this school. Not true, my son had 35 class mates last year and this year 33. The teacher is so frustated with so many kids. I took my kids out of this school.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a bad school. If it wasnt for a few good teachers I would have lost it. My kids used to attend and I am very glad that I have moved and that they no longer go to this school. Dont go there and if you do. keep and eye on your kids. Volunteer as much as you can and ask your kids question. Make sure you always know what is going on.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my son's first year at this school and I'm quite dissapointed. The students in his class are highly disrespectful to their teacher. He's become frustrated with the situation and doesn't feel comfortable at all. He is also more advanced in math from his last school. One other thing is that their isn't much parent involvement. The reviews on this site reflect this. And I notice the only 'praises' are coming from parents of kindergartener students. I am looking for another school for next year.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has subpar standards for the children (except the GATE and Seminar classes), very low parent envolvement, but does try it's hardest to accomidate the needs of the students with it's resources. The K class has no aides and my 4th grader has 33 kids in her class but they do have instrumental music & PE. Unfortunatly, I'm looking for another school for next year.
—Submitted by a parent

I am new to the school this year. I have a 5 and a 10 yr old attending and I just love this school. I feel that it is the best that they have attended.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent as well as a teacher here in the county. This school is below minimum expectations. If you can possible choose another school.
—Submitted by a parent

My oldest daughter attended Miller for kinder and she had the best teacher Mrs. Liddell and then my son started a year later and had the same teacher, now my youngest daughter will start in the fall and have Mrs. Liddell too. My son now who is in the 1st grade has Mrs. Gaines and She is Wonderful! The entire Kinder teachers are great and so are the 1st grade teachers! But the Office staff and the Lunch staff really needs to work on their attitudes. Every time I have to deal with either staff it is very hard!
—Submitted by tina, a parent

I love miller, their teachers make the whole difference,it's a great school.I cant wait for my second son to start kinder next year.
—Submitted by Yolanda, a parent

I am very pleased with this school. My son's 1st grade teacher has a great love for reading and works with the children to encourage them in all subjects. There seems to be a good amount of parent support. The administration, teachers and staff are very understanding of the needs of the military family.
—Submitted by Felicia, a parent

I love this school and I am very happy with my son's progress in Kindergarden. The school is also very supportive of children whose parents are in the Military. The Deployment groups for the kids are great and are really helping my son through a difficult time with his Dad leaving. It's a shame I haven't seen more positive reviews this year as the school seems to be nothing like the reviews from 3-4 years ago.
—Submitted by Jenifer, a parent

My son started Kindergarten this year and I just love his teacher Miss Karolyi. Have only seen the principal once or twice she seems nice. All and all it is a good school. Ms. Karolyi rocks!
—Submitted by a parent

Great School if given to an opportunity to go to this school, i say that you should choose this one. my child has had great sucess there. i love it. -Involved parent
—Submitted by a parent