Toler Elementary School

My Son was educated in. Toler 10 years ago and he had a great education and today he is excelling in High School. 10 years after I am so happy to have my daughter attending Toler and so happy to have the same teacher who taught my son.. This school has the best teachers who are involved in laying the correct foundation in students. With limited resources due to budget cuts , still they go out of the way to make each students life better.
—Submitted by a parent

Though we were originally hesitant about switching to an unfamiliar school two years ago, we have had only the best experiences with the faculty, the principal, the childcare staff, and other parents. Our son has grown so much as a student because of the attention and care he has received at Toler. He has also been able to be involved in a variety of after-school activities of very high quality. We have learned that the bells and whistles of other schools are not as important as genuine care and good experience to achieve quality.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has been at Toler for three years now and, as a second langage learner, has been greatly helped and encouraged by his teachers. They are devoded and open to dialogue - always- . Thank you Toler teachers and staff, we are lucky to have you in the neighborood!
—Submitted by a parent

I visit a lot of schools & recently visited Toler. I had exactly the opposite impression from the Feb. 5 poster below. To me the students had an unusual amount of energy & enthusiasm, and the teachers were unusually engaged and caring. Some fine things are going on here.

I am sorry to see the post from a parent who feels the teachers at Toler are uncaring and just working for a paycheck. As a member of that group I have not seen this at all. Teachers here put in long hours making sure they have lessons that meet the needs of all their students. Because we are a small school the staff knows the children and can greet them when they see them in the halls. Our school has posted double digit gains on the CST for the past 3 years. Unmotivated, uncaring teachers do not inspire that kind of growth. With the constant budget cuts and reductions, this staff has had to pick up the slack in order to make that growth possible. This involves more teacher time. Would the teachers described in the Feb. 5 posting be adding to their already heavy workload if this description is true? I do hope that this parent will meet with the teacher or principal and discuss their concerns. Our school is a community school - children, parents, neighborhood. Our goal is make sure everyone in that community feels that Toler is the best we all can make it.
—Submitted by a teacher

Earlier this week, I received an email notifying me that a new review had been posted about Toler on Great Schools. I was shocked and disappointed to read the message. I have been a teacher for nearly 30 years and have chosen to stay at Toler the majority of that time. This is a fine school with outstanding teachers, involved families and a capable, supportive principal. If the parent in the previous post communicated concerns (which are not specifically mentioned) to the staff or principal, they would definitely have been addressed. Last year, Toler was awarded the California Distinguished School honor which recognizes the state's most exemplary and inspiring public schools. This was earned by a dedicated group of (mostly) veteran teachers, a strong principal and committed families. I am proud to be part of this superb learning community.
—Submitted by a teacher

The teachers at this school are looking for there final years of a paycheck before retirement. They lack the love and want to teach any student. Do all us parents a favor and retire. The kids deserve better. Good Luck if your in this district cause going against one teacher is like taking on a gang of teachers who blindly follow there principals orders.
—Submitted by a parent

We recently moved from an excellent school out of state. I was worried that our new neighborhood school would not be up to par with what I had experienced prior. But...my kids and I have never been happier with a school. The school is very well staffed, most teachers have been there for decades and some even went to school at Toler themselves. They are all very dedicated to the learning environment and give it their all every day. The extra curricular activities are extensive and well planned. The principal is amazing and gives personal attention to all children and parents. She knows every child's name and most parents. I cannot believe how welcome we felt on out first day of school. She is also very adept at putting the school's money in the right place. There is an extensive, high quality volunteer program. Both of my children are excelling at this school both academically and in extra-curricular activities. I am glad to have discovered this gem and would highly recommend it to anyone as a wonderful neighborhood school with a private feel.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a 5th grader and has attended Toler since Kindergarten. Yesterday my son had his first day in Kindergarten at Toler as well. We are so pleased with this school for it's dedication to the high academic success of all of it's students. My daughter has done very well on California Standardized Assessments and has had wonderful opportunites to grow in leadership and social awareness through this school. The Prime Time program at this site is also excellent. We are very appreciative of the quality teachers, staff and leadership at Toler, and we are so pleased that all three of our children will attain a solid education here.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in 2nd grade and absolutely loves this school. She has learned so much and quick the teachers are very helpful too.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in kindergarten at Toler, and I couldn't be happier. He is writing full paragraphs, and can read books designated for second graders. They also have a lot of scince exposure I wasn't expecting in kindergarten, and he will occasionally have science experiments to do as homework. The icing on the cake is there are only 15 students per class in K-2 thanks to a study Toler is in regarding lowering class sizes. This is the level I would expect in an expensive private school!
—Submitted by a parent

This was a wonderful school that has a new principal and it turn into a horrible place as of now looking for a new school desperately.
—Submitted by a parent

Best teachers/best principal/many volunteers Great programs/Challenge children and are always getting the children to strive for excellence/classwork is taught in enjoyable ways so the child is not bored or overwhelmed .Simply put a perfect school .My child left there ready for Middle School.
—Submitted by a parent

I have three sons who attended Toler and they were very successful. The principal, teachers, staff, and parent volunteers are absolutely fabulous. I couldn't have asked for a more supportive environment for my children to to be educated. The campus is really lovely and all of the buildings are in great shape. My husband and I love attending all of the great programs and family fun nights. Our youngest child will be attending kidnergarten at Toler in the Fall. We know that she will be receiving a fantastic education at this school.
—Submitted by Christina, a parent

I have a first grader attending Toler Elementary and a child that just graduated from Toler. I couldn't have chosen a better school. All the teachers and staff are highly motivated to help anyway they can and the principal is incredible! Toler also has many voluteers which are made up of parents, retired teachers, and even an ex- principal. People always want to come back to Toler Elementary because of the great atmosphere and caring staff. My sixth grader loved it, my first grader loves it and I love it and absolutaly recommend Toler Elementary school to anyone wanting the best for their child.
—Submitted by Annalisa, a parent

This is the first year of school of my children. My son was in kindergarden and my daugther was on 4th grade. I'm very proud of them because on this school they have a high level than before. The Toler school is great. The children have the oportunity to express their own way to learn and go foward.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my son's first year at Toler and I'm very pleassed to have him here. Toler is a school were kids are always first and they get the attention that they need. Toler is a school that lets kids be and express them selfs by showing the right way to do.
—Submitted by a parent

My grandson has been attending Toler for four years now and we're very impressed with the challenging curriculum and dedicated teaching staff. A visit to the school is always a treat because there's always a school event coming up and students are encouraged to participate in as many activities as they have interests. Having helped out during holiday parties, field trips, etc,I can honestly say that alot of the parents participate as much as they can and are always encouraged to visit the campus. I'm also impressed by the level of caring and concern of the administrative staff and principal. Since the school is one of the last small neighborhood schools left in san diego, the staff and faculty seem to be on a first-name basis with every child and display a high-level of support and caring.
—Submitted by charlene shurtleff, a parent

My two boys attend Toler, our neighborhood school. It is our first year and we have been extremely pleased. My other child attends an expensive, private school and the teaching at Toler has been every bit as impressive as the private school. My children have received an abundance of individual attention from there kindergarten teacher and have excelled at Toler (they are reading at a second grade level). They have also experienced learning outside the classroom with 3 field trips this year: The Old Globe, the Zoo, and a farm. It is a small school with an intimate atmosphere, yet has a very large and spacious campus overlooking the bay. About two-thirds of the students come from the neighborhood or choice in; one-third ride the bus. Toler has a great new principal this year and a brand new media center. I would recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent of a son who graduated from Toler and a daughter currently attending kindergarten there, I feel very lucky to have Toler Elementary as our neighborhood school. A dedicated and energetic principal and teaching staff communicate well with parents and make learning fun for kids. My children and I have been and continue to be very happy at Toler.
—Submitted by a parent