Willow Glen Elementary School

WGE is a wonderful neighborhood school with 2 excellent educational stands, each with devoted, active parents: traditional English instruction and two way bilingual immersion in Spanish. The school has an exceptional number of before-school and after-school programs, like band, dance, musical theater, and TV production. The very active PTA supports additional classroom instructional time in hands-on science projects, computer instruction, art and music.
--Submitted by a parent

My son is in the TWBI kinder class 2011. We adore the teachers, principal and other staff like Coach Danny. The parent involvement in the school is out of this world. There are a group of dedicated parents who are at the school putting in as many hours as they would be with a full time job. The fundraising is awesome, the PTA works very hard to ensure that this school has all the resources to teach the kids the best. Schmal Science, Coach Danny, Choir, Opera, Music, Computer Lab, Math and Art Docents for each class room with access to an abundance of materials. You could not find a better and more community oriented school. WGE is really like a extended family.
--Submitted by a parent

WGE still has a fabulous English only program too! I can't say enough great things about this school. The Parent involvement is amazing. The principal, teachers and support staff really cares. Other schools are cutting programs, but the PTA at WG makes sure we still have sports, band, choir, art, science, character building and more. Check out wgepta.org to see all that's happening!
--Submitted by a parent

Willow Glen Elementary has an extremely caring staff. The teachers are very engaged, enthusiastic and spend individual time with the students. I love the community and parent involvement. The PTA funds a lot of programs like Art, Science and Music.
--Submitted by a parent

I have a son and a daughter at Willow Glen Elementary. I have been very happy with my children's teachers over the past 4 years. The staff are committed to the kids and work extremely hard. My kids have a had a great year despite the increase in class size in the lower grades. I have seen the biggest growth in terms of parent involvement and creativity this year. This was a year where many things changed. We enhanced our Music Program this year and added a New Band Program. In addition, we have a new principal and new incentive programs for all children. We have a wonderful student council group and Recycling Program- The Green Team. This school is embraced by the community. We had the most successful fundraising year yet despite the difficult economic times. That says a lot about the strong commitment! The New PTA website is
--Submitted by a parent

I have two boys here and there are things we like and things we don't like. There is a core group of parents who are very involved and make great contributions. The school recently started a music program which is exciting. The physical facilities were recently renovated and a new building installed too. At the same time, we are concerned about the school's low API scores. There are challenges with 'running in place' trying to help a seemingly relatively high transient population of ethnic kids who come to the school and then leave before they master English only to leave the next generation of kids to be taught English and score low on standardized tests. It's tough for kids who are talented and looking for academic, social, and related challenges. We continually weigh options of seeking alternatives vs continuing here. At the moment, we are staying and contributing!
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter started K last year in the TWBI program. We are an English only household! Now in 1st grade she is reading and writing in Spanish and LOVING it. Says she wants to be a Spanish teacher when she grows up. We are so impressed with the program. And, I am so excited that our daughter will be bilingual. I believe it improves her ability to learn in general, gives her confidence and opens the doors to a bigger and more open-minded world!
--Submitted by a parent

This is a great school with an amazing sense of community. Bilingual Immersion Program increases academic success, self-esteem and confidence for the future global citizens of our world.

My two children attend Willow Glen Elementary. Both boys are enrolled in the the TWBI (Two Way Bilingual Immersion) program. My eldest son was speaking Spanish fluently by the end of Kindergarten and his younger brother is following suit. Now, half way through first grade, he is reading, writing and speaking fluently in both languages (English and Spanish). I am thrilled beyond every expectation, especially since we are an English only household. I recommend the program and school to anyone.
--Submitted by a parent

Both my son and daughter go to Willow Glen Elementary and we remain very pleased with the school. Two years ago the school launched a two way, Spanish bilingual immersion program (1/2 kids come from homes where Spanish is the first language & 1/2 from homes where English is the first language). My daughter is in the kindergarten program and it is fabulous. One of the Immersion teachers was named California's Teacher of the Year for two way immersion. San Jose Unified pioneered what has become the national model for teaching Spanish and English over a decade ago and they continue to expand it as it is very successful. One of the things that motivated us to do the program was that by fourth or fifth grade all the tests indicate she will be at or above grade level academically with other similar kids, PLUS SHE'LL KNOW SPANISH & ENGLISH.
--Submitted by a parent