Carlton Hills Elementary School

My son started at Carlton Hills for kindergarten last year, and is doing great. Many of the reviews that are negative are from parents whose children are doing poorly in school. As a parent, if my child were struggling in a course, I would pay for tutors in that subject. Many parents assume that their responsibility lies only within making sure they are at school. The truth is that parents need to be just as active in their children's education if they want them to succeed. Yes, tutors may cost money, but when you have kids, you know they are going to cost money, and as a parent if you are not going to give them ALL the tools necessary to be successful, you are doing a disservice to your kids. Schools provide the foundation for education, parents must supplement that on their own for children to truly gain the most out of their education. Several observations: the parents that maintain constant communication with teachers have more successful children, the parents that are involved in classroom and school activities have more successful children, parents that give their children the tools to be successful will have the most successful children.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter will be going to high school next year so I had to write and say we have always loved Carlton Hills, We have heard about bullies at other schools close to us and we are very happy that our daughter has never had to deal with anything like that. I fully recommend Carlton Hills.
—Submitted by Yvonne Lawrence, a parent

This school is the best school I have ever encountered! I came to California in the 2nd grade and attended a San Diego Unified School District school. I have seen the big difference in this school district compared wtih SDUSD, this district is the best. This school, which my children attend (the older one now in high school) has the most amazing teachers. If it wasn't for the dedication to the kids demonstrated daily by the principal, vice principal, teachers and resourse specialists, my autistic child would not be earning a 3.33 gpa in high school, with no modifications. The staff here really care about the kids, and it shows in the excitement both of my children exhibit about going to school. My kids are devastated if they can't go to school...
—Submitted by a parent

I don't know what the other student is talking about with Mrs. Bertrand. She was the most amazing teacher. She teaches with humor and makes learning so much fun. I can still sing the Preamble! Even though there have been so many budget cuts, she still stays late after school for any student who needs it. She also spends her time and money to be in charge of ASB. She went to many of our sporting events at West Hills after we graduated from Carlton Hills and she always made us feel special. Maybe the other student wasn't doing his/her work, because Mrs. Bertrand does have high expectations because she knows we can do it and she doesn't accept excuses. I have had many teachers in my junior high, high school, and college years and I can honestly say that Mrs. Bertrand was my favorite teacher of all time. She is one of the reasons Carlton Hills is such an amazing school!

I am a student that has moved on into highschool now and i have to agree with the upset parents. I struggled alot in Jr. High not only because i was having family problems but also because I have a learning disabilty I personaly though Mrs. Bertrand was a horrible teacher and i think Mrs. Barker needs to work harder one on one with her students when they need help after school. When i first started 7th grade Mrs. Harris was my home room teacher and she was amazing she helped me one on one after school and she would stay there with me even when it was 5:30pm if I wasnt done I was very dissapointed that they let such a wonderful teacher go...DISSAPOINTING!

I have a ten year old who has attended this school since kindergarden. I feel we have the best school possible for him. Every year he has had wonderful teachers. He loves to learn and has excelled in every subject (because of the wonderful teachers). I love that the school is K-8 yet is still small school. It reminds me of the private school I attended as a child where everyone gets to know each other. I have another child getting ready to start school and am excited to go through his school years with him attending Carlton Hills.
—Submitted by a parent

It's interesting how the negative comments involve the jr high teachers. Most children at this age are experiencing a huge transition to life and can be very unmotivated. Personally involved, I know the biggest problem is with homework completion. With lack of parental supervision and lack of educational values, students can get away with no interest in their studies. When teaching 4 different classes (not just 4 different subjects) the environment is more challenging. I feel the jr. high teachers are organized and every 3 weeks a form of communication on student progress is given to parents. Within the last few years test scores have increased and are similar to "higher performing" schools if not surpassing. If the teachers were blaming students and not giving quality instruction, how could students perform so well on new concepts? Think about it! Great school and hardworking teachers under such harsh economic budget

Excellent Teachers, including the best Third Grade teacher in the entire county, excellent administration, active PTA that helps the school even with infrastructure goals, handling the current budget cutbacks without impacting the core: teaching students. The students are excellent, eager, and energegetic towards their studies.
—Submitted by a parent

ok, honestly, all of these people that say that this school is bad and the teachers there are horrible, they're really not. the teachers there are totally awesome, and as for some of the teachers calling kids lazy, it's mainly because it's true. i was there for 7th grade, and most of the jr. high [including me at times] gets very lazy with our schoolwork. so don't go dissing the teachers when really, it's probably your own kids'[s] fault[s], ok? and as for the school itself and all of the budget cuts, every single one of them is usually necessary to keep the school open. and it's not just carlton hills, either. it's also carlton oaks, rio seco, and all the other schools in the santee school district. plus, the jr. high teachers are awesome. my favorite was mr. stanley. so just think about that!
—Submitted by a student

If I could do it again, my children would attend Carlton Oaks or Rio Seco. Many Jr. High teachers are dis-organized, abrupt, and rude. Take a look in their rooms. The only decent thing about this school is the office personnel. Karen runs the entire office/school, recognizes the parents & students by name, is friendly, knowledgeable, kind and caring. Carlton Hills needs to be re-evaluated.
—Submitted by a parent

Their cafeteria food needs a complete make-over. Other then that this school is great!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended Sycamore Cyn thru 6th grade & then had to transition to another school. We were a bit nervous sending her to Hills at first, but I have seen very positive changes over the past 2 years after naming a new principal & having some of Sycamore's best teachers go over to join the Junior High team. She is very happy there and excelling in all categories. This is the first time in a long time that nearly the entire class from Sycamore went to Hills. Yes, we miss the strong parental involvement and small environment but the change has been good.
—Submitted by a parent

After attending this school as a child I was excited to send my kids there now after my two sons went through 7th and 8th I will not send my daughter there. The only decent junior high teacher is Mr. Stanley the rest where disappointing. When my child struggled in a subject these teachers just did not care we would call meeting after meeting to help ours sons do better the teacher first hardly knew what student I was talking about and then only wanted to blame them as 'lazy' kids and be done with it we had our sons tutored elsewhere to make up for there lack of teaching. Please reserach this school throughly! Thank You
—Submitted by a parent

Great School! Very family oriented.
—Submitted by a parent

My point of view for Carlton Hills School is not positive. My son has attended this school since kindergarden the teachers and principals were excellent educators, until The school system began cutting back on funds. As of 2003 Carlton Hills has become a mad house, there are not enough teachers to accomodate students with learning disabilities, these students are tagged by the 'teachers & staff' as 'bad' students. There is very minimal education for students with disabilities. Even though the parents assist in every way possible the student looses out of a fair education, because they are 'lazy', when in fact they have a leraning disability. The staff is worried about the policy and procedures to maintain a 'well' school, that they hinder the students from actually receiving any extra help in their studies. I will sure be very happy when my son graduates this year.
—Submitted by Maria Delgado, a parent

My children have attended this school for the past 6 years and they have grown to love the teachers who have always been supportive of their academic needs.
—Submitted by a parent

We love this school! Supportive atmosphere for children growth.
—Submitted by a parent

I think it's an awesome school. So far I have absolutely loved my sons teachers, especially the one he has now in 2nd grade. I'm very sad that we have to leave her and the school. It will be hard to find a school as good. Hopefully there is one where we move.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have been attending Carlton hills for up to 7 years now and the teachers have been exceptionally great. Although we still need playground equipment desperately and every year it seems un-imaginable that it will ever happen. Overall the school is great. Unfortunately with all of the budget cuts the children suffer. For the most part for a small town school we seem to have a lot of supportive parents. Hopefully we will get some more government funding to improve our school for all. ---- Gail M. Thurlow
—Submitted by a parent