Bridgeport Elementary School

Initially I loved the school. Now that my children have been attending for a combined 8 years, I am liking it less and less. Yes, the academics are satisfactory, however, there is a problem with finding teachers who actually care about their students as human beings. When I think of a teacher, I picture one who is nurturing, caring, and genuinely enjoys his or her job. A true teacher is one who leads by example, building the children up as opposed to breaking them down and being punitive at every possible turn. A true leader is one who is able to think 'outside the box' to get children to learn; not just regurgitate what their teacher's manual says. The teachers we have dealt with at Bridgeport are seriously lacking in this department. There has been only one we truly loved (for all above stated reasons), but unfortunately he is no longer teaching at Bridgeport. The yard duties are considerably less than satisfactory, as well. Things here are so bad that we are enrolling our child who is currently attending (as well as the youngest) into another school next year. It's very sad to see the direction this school is going. It had such potential for excellence.
—Submitted by a parent

I honestly do not know where all of these positive reviews are coming from! Having two children who attend Bridgeport, I find the disappointment with the staff, teachers and especially the principal, continues to grow each year, so much so, I am now looking into enrolling my children elsewhere. The lack of communication from the school to the parents regarding upcoming school activates is almost non-existent, unless you consider a day or two notice of an event satisfactory. Not only does the school lack communication, they also plan most school events/functions during working hours. I missed my daughter's performance in the school play because it was scheduled for 2:00 p.m. The school has no regard for the parents who must actually work for a living. The staff seems annoyed anytime you ask a question or call in to get information. I have met several times with the principal to discuss some of the above issues, as well as others, it is such a waste of time, talking to her is like talking to a wall, nothing ever changes. Before enrolling your child at Bridgeport, take the time to look at the other schools in the district. Just comparing websites speaks volumes.
—Submitted by a parent

6 months into kindergarten and my daughter is doing great and loves it. Outstanding principal who is involved. I can't speak for the other grades, but K is awesome!!
—Submitted by a parent

Our children attended this school until we relocated to MI. We have missed the academic rigor this school offered as well as the focus on health and wellness and cultural diversity. Our children are in a school district labeled "9" and "10" on this site, with top test scores, yet the close-mindedness and general ignorance of the community reigns supreme. We really miss the healthy mentality of this area and the focus on character building at this school. Finally (unless this has changed) we remember that nutrition was stressed at Bridgeport, and candy/"junk" food was strongly discouraged. Again, in fat-laden MI, anything goes and even the teachers bribe the students with junk!! If you are considering this school/district, go for it. We miss leaving this area every day.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved out of state and can now compare schools...All I can say is there is no perfect school. But Bridgeport has a lot going for the kids: a strong Principal, caring teachers and office staff, great PTA and lots of after school activities. If you are one of the parents who hate the state testing, just know that if your child is not in the "Advanced" level, don't even start dreaming of competitive colleges. Various States purposely lowered their tests/standards so they can get federal funding. Even kids know this. By 5th/grade, they knew that STAR tests are a joke.
—Submitted by a parent

We'll see, so far the teacher is sweet, but super stressed out! My son is scared to have fun because of the rules. The yard duty teacher is a screamer who does not know how to talk to kids.My son is really coloring inside the lines to make due while he is there, yes he is learning but at what cost? Keep pushing those test scores higher and higher and your teachers will start combusting, that stress trickles down into the classroom. I can't really blame the school though, It's the iphone social/cultural phenomena to do better and move faster at the cost of our kids. Parents want this, I am just not convinced I am one of them or if I want my son to be one either. He is doing ok, but fear of 'breaking the rules' as motivation is not a strong indicator that we are building leaders.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers, administrators and the campus are awesome. The teachers are there because they want to be there. They not only meet the requirements but exceeds them. My kids love to go to school because they are having fun learning. They are challenged and taught not only academics but character values. As my daughter's 6th grade teacher said, 'kids learn where they feel accepted and loved.' This is so true about our school and it's staff. My younger daughter's teacher feels 'lucky' to have my daughter in her class....what an awesome attitude! Not many schools can please both parents and the children...but Bridgeport does!
—Submitted by a parent

Being a parent of one child, a 3rd grader, I cannot express enough how happy we are that we belong to this school. From Kindergarten to now 3rd grade all of my daughter's experiences have been wonderful. Extremely kind, thoughtful and dedicated teachers. Staff that are nice to be around. An administration that is determined and hard working. We love everything about Bridgeport, from the beautiful grounds, the staff & teachers, the location and the other families that belong to the school as well. It has to be the best elementary school in the area. Hands down!
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers, staff, everyone is there making a difference in our children's lives. Love them!
—Submitted by a parent

We have the best PTA. We have the best administration staff from our principal to office staff. Everybody work together nicely to make sure students succeed.
—Submitted by a parent

This school was a great school because the teachers were kind, and we were able to learn a lot from them.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have been attending Bridgeport for 5 years now. We've had issues and bumps in the road, but overall, the quality of the staff and the effort they put forth for each child is far and above any school I've visited before (I am a 'retired' elementary school teacher). The principal has been receptive to my needs, the staff is intelligent and well-educated, and I feel my children are safe and academically challenged.
—Submitted by a parent

My wife and I moved here last year with our two boys. We were living in North Glendale, CA and our oldest started attending Bridgeport Elementary as a 4th grader. It became apparent to my wife and I that this school had a different mindset when it came to homework and education. It took our son about two weeks to adjust to the new tougher curriculum standards. But this is what we wanted and expected when it came to a school educating our children. We are now living in Valencia, CA for almost two years and our expectation have been fulfilled when it came to Bridgeport Elementary. This school just got its Distinguished School title! I would highly recommend this school to anyone wanting to place their children in the public school system without worrying if the school is meeting all it educational standards! The parents at this school are very involved with the school educators and generous when participating in school activities.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the school you've been looking to send your children. There isn't one staff member, whether it be the principal or the custodians, who aren't involved in the success of your child. The teachers are phenomenal. Resource teachers are incredible. The workload is tough, and kids are pushed to succeed, but nothing that is overwhelming for them or you as a parent. The PTA is strong and active and provides so many events and enrichment classes that I guarantee you'll be surprised. There is a genuine atmosphere of comraderie. The school is clean, the classrooms are pristine, the library is stocked, the playground is huge. This school provides education similar to the private school our boys attended prior to moving to Valencia. The only negative I can provide is that both boys wish the lunch food was better...but they're picky eaters anyway!
—Submitted by a parent

There is a huge amount of parent involvement and many extracurricular activities, whether it is the family fun nights, after school activites, or to the online school news broadcast. The facilitys are amazing, that which you would not expect from a public school. Thank You Mrs Bender and staff for making our childrens life so enriched.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school. Lots of activities for the whole family, in addition to arts, music and PE. Lots of ways to get parents involved. Kids can get involved in after school programs, plus the school orchestra, morning broadcast, Girl /Boy Scouts, art contest and Toastmaster. As in other schools, you get lucky if you get an awesome teacher. Too bad if you get a mediocre one.
—Submitted by a parent

Tough to get in now... But clearly this is the best overall elementary school in Valencia! We searched long and hard to find a place like this. Friendly, aesthetically beautiful campus, great library, high tech computer lab, huge playground. Classrooms are immaculate! Tons of extracurricular activities, parent involvement, and positive reinforcement for the kids! I volunteer 4 hours a week here, and I know from experience that these are dedicated staff members. The principal is awesome... And the api scores speak for themselves! the kids, parents and staff are the creme de la creme. The neighborhood is spectaacular and very safe...High end... Million dollar+ homes, but not snooty. Can't say enough.. My daughter loves it here!
—Submitted by a parent

Bridgeport is a great school with a focus on the kids. The principal is a student advocate and puts high priority on special needs children which includes an excellent day class program. She wants the kids to succeed. The test scores prove this out. She does all this in the face of extraordinary overcrowding which is transparent in the quality of teaching at the school.
—Submitted by a parent

Nice teachers with active PTA participation. A little too new to review other parts of school but various activities abound with encouraging faculty members.
—Submitted by a parent

Bridgeport is a beautiful new school with committed, dedicated families. The teachers are first-rate, but the school needs more enrichment programs to bring it up to the level it aspires to. The closeness of the Bridgeport community will help the school to become the wonderful learning environment it has all the potential to be.
—Submitted by a parent