Ralph Dunlap Elementary School

Awesome school in a great school district!! Caring , Knowledgeable teachers and lots of parent support!!
--Submitted by a parent

The leadership, an administrator who takes the time to run noon leagues so that the older boys and girls have some healthy competative fun during lunch recess. Teachers who always greet you with a smile even when things are going so weel in education, they always strive to do the best they can for all the students and they spend their own time and money to make sure it all falls together nicel. Staff, office staff, custodial staff, cafeteria staff, and child care program staff, all get to know the kids personally. PTA that works hard to make sure all the traditions at our school continue year in and year out no matter what cut backs the district lays on us. Together these four groups work to make school not only productive, but full of good memories for the students and their families. We have been parents at Dunlap for over 11 years. Dunlap is not just a school, is ia a community!
--Submitted by a parent

Dunlap is a wonderful school! The PTA is great and the principal is very involved. A caring staff and teachers that strife for acedemics. My oldest has attended almost 7 years (incl kinder) I attended Privates schools most my life and this distinguished school met our expectations!
--Submitted by a parent

We're a Parents of 4 Kids.. Our Children Love to go to Ralph Dunlap Elementary School.. We Recommend this School for your Children..
--Submitted by a parent

What an amazing school. We were new to Dunlap last year and I was so impressed with the principal and how involved he is. He knows those kids by their first names, he is out in front of the school greeting them in the morning, and truly cares about the kids, the school and the teachers. The teachers so far have gone out of their way to motivate and meet ech child's different needs. What a challenge that is! The GATE progaram is outstanding for the kids that need the extra curriculum, and the PTA is VERY strong and supportive. I feel very lucky to attend this school. The only improvement I could see is to expand the kindergarten program to an all day program and not half day. I feel they can't learn what they need to learn in only 3 hours.
--Submitted by a parent

Ralph Dunlap was a lovely experience for us. The PTA and principal are committed to making it a wonderful place to learn. The teachers work hard to inspire and support the students. There is strong parent participation and the atmosphere is very warm and inviting. I feel very lucky that our son had the opportunity to go there.
--Submitted by a parent

Dunlap is an excellent school and embodies the image of a safe and charming environment. The major strength of Dunlap is strong academics and parental involvement, it has a strong PTA and the staff are held very accountable. Teacher quality is excellent to average, we've been fortunate to have great ones for our kids. There is a new principal as the old one retired so there is great expectation there as the old one was superb. Facilities could use improvement and the PTA is hard on that. Not much in the way of extracurricular involvement as the Orcutt schools are very limited in sports teams and clubs but Dunlap benefits from very active volunteer leagues in sports, scout units (an excellant Cub Scout Pack), and other activities Dunlap kids are very much involved in. It could use some more work in after school programs.
--Submitted by a parent

The general atmosphere of the school can be felt when the school secretary answers the phone. She begins with, 'Beautiful Dunlap School, this is Barbara, How may I help you?' The sentiment is expressed throughout the campus. A new principal was recently transferred as the other retired. The students were accepting and felt welcomed by him right away. He has a top notch staff who are long time employees at Dunlap. Unfortunately, the newly adopted math and reading series are evidence of the state standards gone amiss but the school cannot be put down for that. They can however, keep in mind that developmentally the children haven't changed regardless of what is in the textbook. There is a very active PTA and they have been a great asset to the school. There is an after school program. It is adequate but could use updating to meet the needs of children facing extremely difficult homework demands. It is left up to the children to decide to do their homework and the staff isn't mindful of the time it takes to complete. Those children leaving at 6:00 will not have time to finish two hours of homework, eat dinner, connect with their parents, and still make it to bed on time. Intervention classes have been set up afterschool and are staffed by well-meaning parents. It would be better to have teachers running them but funding isn't there. At least the school has made an effort to help students who are struggling.
--Submitted by a parent