Cumberland Elementary School

My 2 kids go to this school, and they are very happy with their teachers, friends and environment. My wife and I are happy that they love going to school, have wonderful diverse friends, are learning and are also challenged at times. The silver lining in lower homework load is that it gives more time for other activities. Quite a few PTA run activities - School Garden, Foreign language, Marathon club, Motor Perception, Band, Computer programming, Lego Junior and Senior clubs, Project Cornerstone, Geography club, School Site Council, FAME, Starting Arts, International Night, Kiln/Pottery, Young Rembrandts, Variety Show and much more.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school. PTA is great - After-school programs are great - Academic focus is very good - special mention : math olympiad was a great experience for my child although the teacher could have done better - computer programming class was fun - our child's fifth grade teacher was amazing in his commitment to get students ready for middle school. All-in-all a wonderful school and wish the middle school would be as great.
—Submitted by a parent

This elementary school was an important part of my childhood. I have so many fond memories of the wonderful teachers and how they shaped me as a young child. From my 4th grade teach who would play us classical music and have us listen and the haiku poems that we wrote. To my quirky 6th grade science teacher who always had the joke of the day. And who knew how to make his classroom the best by all the jars of hearts,eyeballs, small baby pigs!! Yes was the best.. I only have great things to say as a former student. I wish all future students the same great opportunity of learning and friendships. I have the same friends from that school to this day.. Learning can be fun with teachers that have a zest and an honest like of children and of what they do. I loved this school and it still rings clearly in my head and heart as a 40 year old adult..

Have 2 kids in this school. Very happy with the school. There are teachers who are excellent and then there are teachers who are average. But the Parent involvement is very good and you can always check with the teacher to see how your kids are doing. The recently started CCPA program (run by parents afterschool) is great to give the cumberland kids a head start in computer programing world. Very satisfied with my kids progress and the awesome parent volunteers.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two kids at this school. Great place. PTA is active. Wiah California wouls get its act together. Parents and school compensate for lack of state funding.
—Submitted by a parent

Ahhh. Brings back good memories, this school. I used to go here when I was little (in Gr.9 now :P, living in Canada). And I can remember every little detail. The waterpark behind my house, the Toys'R'Us nearby, even the Safeway! All I can say is that this school was, and still is (im hoping) the best school ever. My teachers though, were even better! Why, the whole class pitched in and bought me toys and stuff on my last day of school there! Can anybody please tell me if Mrs.Johnson still is the principal there and if Mrs.Bruno, Mrs.Blascke, and Mrs. Karmirantzos still work there?

Cumberland Elementary is a wonderful school. I see my son enjoying school, I am grateful knowing he is content and happy in these begining years of his life..
—Submitted by a parent

The parents and teachers work together very creatively to provide successful educational programs and profitable fundraisers.

My daughter is in kindergarten and she loves going to school and thinks great of her teacher. She says she wishes the school times were longer since it is fun to be at school. The teacher is excellent and the parents in the class are very involved. There are so many extracurricular activities done by parent volunteers every day of the week in the class. I couldn't have picked a better public school for elementary school. I give it a 5 Star.
—Submitted by a parent

The teaching varies with each teacher. There is no GATE program for more gifted kids or kids with higher abilities. Thus those kids get lazy and either forget what they have learned or have maintained the same skills that they had previously. They are definitely not challenged. The math could be improved on. The extra curricular activities are adequate but we could use more Physical Education. Parent Participation is sporadic. Some parents seem to do a lot, whiles others are not at all involved. Overall the school is average. The Principal seems like she is a good leader and there are hopes that the school would improve academically but it is far, far behind the nearby private schools.
—Submitted by a parent

The principal is a strong and caring leader. The PTA is well organized. My kids love their teachers and enjoy 'learning and beyond' at this school!
—Submitted by a parent

The school has an excellent PTA organization which provides great support for school as well as a sense of community (for those who takes the little bit of extra effort to seek it out). It's great to have full day Kindergarten, and to have separate play area for the K'ers. Teacher quality does vary, and curriculum should be more transparent to parents.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm disappointed in this schools ability to deal flexibly with high and low skilled learners. The Sunnyvale School district does not have a GATE program.
—Submitted by a parent

I also find teachers vary with grades, some really care but some teachers have problem keeping control thus kids lose alot of quality teaching. I would like to see more equal art programs, some classes got more some less, ie parent participation. Sports I think P.E. was good but teacher needs to work more with the kids that have problems and less with the kids who already have skills, she needs to be more willing to work with the kids on poor sportsmanship. What extracurricular activities? We definately need more parent involvement, I know some work but they should pick up the slack at activities when they are not at work, ie Walkathon, book fair, etc. It is always the same parents working hard. Also, there are moms that stay home help out at luch to keep an eye on the kids, they need to be SAFE.
—Submitted by a parent

The quality of academic program was reasonable when my child was in 1st grade, but it significantly dropped when she went to 2nd grade. I think it all has to do with the teacher. The availability of music, art and sports is reasonable. I didn't notice a great involvment and participation by parents.
—Submitted by a parent

High quality academics, great library/computer lab and high parent involvement. Music & art program and movement classes are a part of the curriculum.
—Submitted by a parent

Good school but quality of teaching varies widely. Some are excellent and caring. Have heard many good stories from other families and observed some excellent teaching but we did not expereince that. We were very, very disapointed with our child's teacher. Teacher consistantly showed a lack of ability & empathy. Used humilation for classroom management. Principal was unavailable to discuss concerns. Based on our expereince, we would not recomend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Teachers are knowledgable and friendly. Principal shows the leadership and is willing to listen. Parent participation is good but can improve more.
—Submitted by a parent