Montague Elementary School

Hi all. A few GREAT WORDS about this school! My son attended Montague this past school year, in second grade. During this past school year, we got to know my son's teacher as well as other members of staff and the principal. Me and my son, realized that we had found the most welcoming school we could have looked for. My son's teacher, Ms Enos is the most educated, dynamic, positive and supporting teacher you could ask for who motivates the children and challenges them every day on an intelectual, personal and spiritual level. She teaches the kids not only the curriculum but also valuable life lessons every single day. The school's principal, Mr Lewis, always found the time to accomodate all our needs. He takes time to personally get involved in everything that happens in the school and does not miss any opportunity to be by the children's side. He supported all my son's academic and personal needs above and beyond. Montague Elemntary is a great school, we loved it and we'll be going there next year! A happy mom of a future 3rd grader :)
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in second grade.It is a great school.The two best teachers in the school are first and second grade teacher.Both of the teachers are amaizing.Our kids are getting the best education from these two teachers.The principal is caring about the kids.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in Mrs. Vo's preschool class & couldn't be happier. Her & Mrs. Jackie are excellent with the children. They have a lot of patience & you can tell they both enjoy working with the kids. My and I look forward to the year ahead.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our first year at this school starting in the second grade. Had attented a number 10 school previously. I have been more than satisfied with her teacher, she gives 110% to her students. She is a caring teacher and goes all out in her class and to me that is more important than a school rated 10. I am not familiar with all of the teachers. The only other teacher that gives alot of herself is the Girl Scout leader who we are in contact with. They both are involved with the events that take place throughout the year. I appreciate the parents that do get involved with the school,especially the lady that helps out the school with their events. Looking forward to next year to become more familiar with the other teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is going on her second year at Montague and loves it. She went to preschool on campus and has really felt at home here. Yes, the campus is large and beautiful and with that, you would think it would be crowded and impersonal. That's not the case here, the staff know the children, the principal knows the children and the families are nice. It surely is more of a working class environment, so parent involvement is still growing. Parent involvement is encouraged, and I hope to see an incline in this area. My son will start kinder here soon and he's thrilled to grow with this school. The evening activities and events are fun and packed with people! The teachers are kind and approachable and seem eager to work at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Montague Elementary School is a diamond in the rough. A beautiful campus, excellent staff, and most importantly..the students are amazing! I am employed by Reading Partners, a non-profit organization geared to provide one-to-one literacy interventions to students k-5. I coordinate the reading center at Montague Elementary and my experience has been rewarding thus far. I am so impressed by the respectful and curious spirits among the children with whom I have the privilege of interacting with each day. Montague Rocks!

Great principal and staff. Small school on a beautiful, large campus. EVeryone knows each other.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our 8th year at Montague. We LOVE it because it is small, the teachers are caring and the principal is fantastic. He truly cares about the kids and puts politics aside. Like the others have said, parent involvement is minimal, but this is the choice of the parents, not due to lack of opportunity. FANTASTIC website, by the way. http://www.Montague.schoolloop.com
—Submitted by Kathryn Limprecht, a parent

This school is okay, definately in need of money for more programs. K teachers are great work was too easy for my child. It wasn't a challenge. Some teachers talk down to children which I didn't like. I love MILK day. I think all schools should have a day where the parents can go and have lunch with their children.
—Submitted by a parent

The school has worked well with my daughter, We are handicapped and I feel very comfortable with the help we have been given this year,please keep up the good work and thank you.
—Submitted by a parent

Montague is a great school the teachers are excellent ! The principal is wonderful witha great -heart. He is all about the kids! I love the positiveness and great details they put into there school and family fun events.
—Submitted by a parent

Nice special education program.
—Submitted by a parent

While I agree parent involvement is not close to where it should be, I can say I understand that Montague Elementary is a school with much pride and dedication towards student learning and academic achievement. It is by far a very very difficult task to run and administer an entire school program and expect the kind of results from wealthier cities such as Los Gatos, Saratoga, and Palo Alto. I firmly beleive that our children's education starts in the home and we as parents should either step up in our involvement to them directly and to the schools they attend or change our addresses if you believe this school is not keeping up with your required academic standards. I can speak from seeing first hand what it takes and the dedication the Principal and the Teachers perform for our kids. I salute them for their tireless work ethic and performance.
—Submitted by R. Castro, a parent

This school is very poor, not due to the teachers and staff, but due to the students who attend can barely speak English. Most of them should be moved out and put into remedial English classes before returning to school and slowing others down.
—Submitted by a parent

I currently have three children. One in middle shcool, one at Montague and one not yet attending school. We moved into this area from another Santa Clara area. I got envolved with the school through the site council. I have found the principal to be very dedicated to the children and their education. My third grade son has acheived more academically this last year at Montague than he has the previous three years at the other elementary school. Keep up the great work Mrs. Pruitt!
—Submitted by a parent

Generally this should be a great school but there are several factors that are bringing it down: 1 The parent participation was bad or non-existent. We attended many events where there were the same 15-20 parents. 2 I think there was a general poverty issue going on. The police took several students out of the school. 3 The Principle believes that parents should not have the right to request a specific teacher i.e. she wants to balance the class with high and low performers. As we stress academics in our family I feel that our children may be getting a negative influence from children who s parents do not share the same sense of value in having their children get good grades. 4- suggested that they begin a class where the parents would be required to spend some hours per week with the class. Not sure what the status of the suggestion is but this was not implemented. 5- API scores have deteriorated. Assumed this has to do with the introduction of public housing in the area.
—Submitted by a parent

We have 3 children in this school (4th, 2nd, and 1st). Based on our kids academic performance this year, we find it good enough but, was way below their average performance when they were in Hayward (Fairview) elementary school. The Montague school standard of teaching was so lax for there were only a few 'more experienced' teachers in this school compared to other schools. People here from the principal, to the teachers, students, and parents were all good and nice but, it wasn't enough to make our children grow in their academics. Our children improved, but not to what we've expected. I think the school should be concerened more on their academic stardard (teaching), than PTA collections and school budget issues.