Noddin Elementary School

Excellent public school all round, probably one of the best around. Even though my son has left Noddin, Noddin has been and will always be his #1 school. That says a lot, doesn't it?
—Submitted by a parent

Very strong overall. Very high API scores and yet an extremely diverse school population, with all income levels and a more or less even balance of US and Asian and Mexican, Persian and European immigrant families. Some of the principal's detractors here don't recognize that to get such results in this kind of social milieu, a school principal has to be strong and at times single-minded, without accommodating every parent's wishes. There are things we'd like to see more of, but we're realistic about the state of California public school budgets and about the limits of what's possible with such a wildly diverse school population, but it's preferable to a homogenous, upper middle-class bubble environment. Our kids will be well-prepared for any social environment they encounter, and their basic educational skills are rock-solid. Kudos to Noddin's leadership and teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

Noddin is an excellent school. My son has been attending this school since the 2nd grade. The teachers and the principal are very dedicated to bring out the best in the students. I would highly recommend this school to any prospective parents.
—Submitted by a parent

Noddin is very good elementary school and has been exceeding expectations year over year. I am simply amazed to see the kind of parents involvement, school has. It is like small community supported by dedicated teachers and parents. Principal is really great at her work and continues to raise bar and challenge. She is very convincing and know what's best for kids, which is her highest priority. It is her leadership and something new she initiated 2 years back, which has paid of as steep jump (38 points) in API which is unheard of, for a school which is already in 900 range.
—Submitted by a parent

Noddin is an outstanding school. The principal has very high standards, and is constantly challenging the teachers and students to do their very best. What I admire about the principal is that she is so passionate about the students , and wants them to have not only the very best education possible, but life experiences as well. I have read some of the criticisms of the principal, which I totally disagree with. I find her compassionate, approachable and a person who is never satisfied with things the way they are. She encourages students, teachers and parents to think "outside the box". Noddin has achieved very high test scores well over 900 consistently for the past few years. This year they scored 941!
—Submitted by a parent

I have known the Principal since 1979 when she was an elementary school teacher in Salinas. What amazed me was how the students loved her and were so excited to learn. I have never known another teacher who could motivate the students so well. Judging by other reviews saying how excited the Noddin children are to learn, the principal has bought that passion with her and instilled it throughout the school.

Noddin is an excellent elementary school. What makes it so are the teachers, who are all very dedicated and capable. I have had three children who have gone there, and they all have enjoyed all of thier teachers. The only drawback is the tyrant of a principal they currently have. She treats parents with little to no respect and is frequently very offensive. If you can steer clear of her, though, the shool is outstanding.
—Submitted by a parent

Very good and getting better. The principal is extremely dedicated and is known for pioneering intelligent approaches that are resisted by most schools in the area, such as putting the kids into different levels for reading class. In addition there's been a big influx of well-educated families into the neighborhood. Combine these forces with dedicated, hardworking teachers and you can see why the API scores have risen above 900 and are expected to keep rising.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school, its my daughters first year at Noddin and she loves it, the teacher's are great and the principal is really involved with both teachers and kids.
—Submitted by a parent

Always looking to improve in all areas of students education and environment
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children at Noddin (3rd and 5th grade) and Noddin is the only school that they have attended. My two older children (20 and 19) went to 3 different elementary schools each in two different states. No school that my older children attented even come close to the excellence at Noddin. teachers
—Submitted by a parent

Below review, page two. The teachers at Noddin are the people who make the biggest difference. Special Kudos to Mrs. Tully (the best ever), Mrs. Reinke, Miss Boring, Mrs. Felice and Mrs. Bartz. If you live in this neighborhood, you are doing you kids a great disservice if they don't attend Noddin.
—Submitted by a parent

I just finished a rating of Noddin School, and I think my head took a break. There are two errors in my response: (1) I am not the parent, I am the grandparent of my Noddin child. The teacher who I praised was not Mrs. Senini (although she too is excellent), it was Ms. Jane Reinke. Can this be corrected - please! My grandson entered 3rd grade barely able to read at 1st grade level, and at school year end he was reading 3rd grade level and loving it. No one can ask any more of a teacher.
—Submitted by a parent

I transferred my children in the 2nd and 4th grade to Noddin. It is our neighborhood school and has always done well by state and federal standards. But, I was more concerned with the social and emotional well being of my children. So I was concerned that a school with 630 students would be too overwhelming and that my children would be lost in the crowd. It turns out the small school we were at they were lost. At Noddin both of them have thrived. The teachers here are very impressive, tenured, passionate, understanding, patient, and parents themselves. I can't believe I deprived my children of this wonderful school for the last 4 years. And the community is fantastic too!
—Submitted by Marlo, a parent

The current principal leaves alot to be desired!
—Submitted by a parent

Really nothing
—Submitted by a parent

School has good academics and parent involvement is wonderful. Extacurriculars such as after-school science programs, languages, etc have disappeared. Music is largely contained to chorus.
—Submitted by a parent

Home and School club activities are great. As with all of the schools in this small district, teaching quality is very high...why waste money on private school when you have such great public schools in your neighborhood?
—Submitted by a parent

This school has no peer in the public school system. By far the best elementary school I've ever had the privilege to experience. On a scale of 1 to 10, this school is a 25!!!
—Submitted by tracy meyer, a parent

We have been part of this school for 2 years and this year I have not been as impressed with the cirriculm. I feel like they are not challenging the students to their full potential and the classrooms are so crowded with kids that it is interferring with the learning enviroment. However, the school has many involved parents and offers afterschool activities for a small fee. I feel like the school is not providing a solid foundation for the higher grade education and we will most likely not be returning next year!
—Submitted by a parent