Park Elementary School

I have never encountered a principal as involved with the students, their well being, the parent relationships that have been built not only during the easy times, but an honorable man who takes time to find a solution at the most difficult times. Mr. Bob Abaya is a true leader that long after he's gone into retirement, years to come I'm hoping! The impact he's made will be still felt with the children he's worked with, the staff he's cultivated and the parents he's never stop listening to. Outstanding on going education with Reading Partners, speech, counseling and such. Excellent teachers, office employees, parent volunteers, and a top notch P.E. Teacher, Mr. Charlie. He really gets out there and motivates the kids!
--Submitted by a parent

put it this way-very very few who like near the school send their kids there. You be the judge@!
--Submitted by a parent

My son started going to Park School for 2nd grade, school year 2010-2011. I can say that he has learned so much. They have a pretty well balanced program, highly qualified Teachers, friendly PTA Officers/members and a very dedicated Principal.
--Submitted by a parent

"Our lives, hopes and dreams depend on our ability to be heard." (James Bernard Shaw) This quote says it all and you won't find a more proactive faculty and administration than at this school. I recently emailed the principal about a concern I had and I received a reply within the hour. He suggested that my child could come and talk to him directly anytime if this concern presented itself again and said he would look into it immediately. No school is perfect so it's very reassuring that the principal is so responsive and genuinely cares about his students. This school offers a challenging curriculum that hold the students to a high standard. I am astounded at the mathematics curriculum in particular. My child is not just memorizing facts, he truly understand the broader concepts. The Univ. of Chicago s Everyday Mathematics program they use is outstanding. My only reservation about the school is parent involvement. It seems to me that 20 percent of the parents do 80 percent of the "work." All parents sign a pledge that they will contribute but there is no accountability. As a parent I think they can and should ask more of us.
--Submitted by a parent

Park Elementary Magnet School is a hidden gem in the middle of San Mateo Park. The quality of the learning is not well measured by the latest test scores. We could of sent our daughter to a private school, but we could not have given our daughter a better education. The teachers and principal are dedicated and connected to the students and parents. The science and math program is well designed and implemented. The extra curricular activities engage the parents and families. The teachers encourage and appreciate parent involvement. Watch the test scores rise over the next 5 years!!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

I hope other parents look beyond the number attached to the school. I'm a teacher and, from volunteering in the classroom, I know Principal Abaya has assembled a very very good group of teachers. My children are getting a great education at Park and come home excited to tell me all that they learned. Thumbs up!
--Submitted by a parent

We live in San Mateo Park and started at Park Elementary this year. We love it! The Great Schools score is surprising, but irrelevant because my daughter is learning so much here, and not just academically. She loves school since she started Kindergarten - she wants to go on weekends too! Which shows that Park teachers are doing something wonderful to instill such a love and excitement for learning. The other parents are friendly, involved and very approachable. The teachers are patient, kind and really know the materials (unlike a few other schools we toured last year). There is just a very enthusiastic and fun vibe about the whole place. We look forward to sending our other children here as well!
--Submitted by a parent

Park School is an amazing place for our daughters to be - wonderful, multi-cultural environment, where our children are excelling in not just Math and Science but in all disciplines.
--Submitted by a parent

I would like to echo Kelly Kenny's previous comments, as well as to note that I so appreciate the way that parents are welcome in the classroom, whether it be to volunteer or simply observe. The fact that our excellent teachers encourage and celebrate! parent involvement makes it clear to Park School students that an entire community supports their learning and growth.
--Submitted by a parent

The best school and in a park-like setting!
--Submitted by a parent