Sunol Glen Elementary School

My children have been attending Sunol Glen School for 11 years and I have been very happy with both the academic and social aspects of their education here. The school's not perfect, and the transition in administration has had bumps in the road, but the students are well-rounded and happy, the teachers excellent, and the environment safe and friendly. Two of my children have gone on to high school and have proven to be well prepared academically and, though the switch to larger class sizes and a huge student population was jolting, they benefited from maturity and confidence gained in the stable environment of Sunol Glen School. We are lucky to have stumbled upon this tiny, great school!
—Submitted by a parent

I attended Sunol Glen Elementary in 1974, my kindergarten year. My teacher, Mrs. Fries, is in my memory as my favorite teacher ever. She was kindhearted, gentle, encouraging... and she taught me how to tie my shoes. This is a huge milestone for a 5-year-old child :) I love Sunol Glen and have very fond memories. It's the best school I ever attended!

Wonderful school! We love it.... the staff and Principal are incredible! They really care for each and every child. I definitely recommend Sunol Glen School! High academics, great programs and wonderful students and parents.
—Submitted by a parent

I would have given the school a higer score as there are many good teachers, and one who is one of the best teachers I have ever met (hisname is Mr. Ferrera) he is the most engaging speaker I have met in years and as such has no problem grabbing and keeping the children's attention. He is a teacher who can be and is firm when the need araises, and yet will listen to what the children have to say. The school is a wonderful small school and as such does not have the issues that a larger middle school has. (Sex, drugs, and gangs are not to be found) Too bad the principle is so unfair in how she treats the children. If you have a lot of money to give the school or you teach there your child is treated fairly. If not, when your child has a problem it is always their word against the others and nothing ever happens. Also as for the math program, well in 2011 and 2012 out of 25 children each year only about 4 got it and they were the four who could learn it on their own and this year they are sending them home with a dvd to learn the math on their own and going over home work in class. Yep thats right the teacher does not teach them math they learn at home with their parents?
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at this school for 8 years. As an educator, I know the amazing, well-rounded education my children are receiving on a daily basis. The students are thriving in this safe, well balanced environment. I am very active in the classrooms on a weekly basis and I am constantly impressed by the high quality of their education. The students still experience very low class sizes in the k-3 grades. All students have at least one period a week of Music and Art with credentialed teachers. We have an incredible interactive Math program, ST Math, in the computer lab for k-5th grades. It makes me sad to see reviews that don't focus on the whole picture, rather on the one thing that made them mad. If I had to do it all over, i would choice Sunol glen without hesitation.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at this school for six years. The entire time I have made and effort in many different ways to change the schools policy on junk food at school. The snack shack is disgusting - filled with candy and sugar filled sports drinks. The school community club and classroom parents bring in endless amounts of sugar for every event. The walk a thon this year was as usual filled with sugar aprrox = 250 grams of sugar per student. My daughters halloween party this year was another example of the amount of sugar the kids are allowed at this school. The kids in her 5th grade class were offered krispy creme donut and a cupcake along with an entire sandwhich bag of candy to take home. I can go on and on with example just like this in the preschool as well. My sons preschool parties always consisted of 4-5 sugar treats in one sitting. I am done with this school for the very reason that they are blind to the sugar junk food problem. We have had some serious and very concerning experiences with two of the teachers at this school as well. I tried and tried and tried and im exhausted. The community club president said to me " kids associate treats with having fun".... How is that ok????
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent of three students at Sunol Glen, I am pleased with the continual quest for greatness in all grade levels. The K-3 multi-age classrooms are wonderful, and I have seen tremendous growth as two of my children have progressed through this program. I am extremely pleased with the increased focus on the middle school program as well, with additional elective options being offered and the math and science departments strengthened. The collaboration among teachers is great, and there is a very positive feel and attitude on campus. The increase in API this past year is a reflection of that great teamwork and focus on providing our children a top-notch public education
—Submitted by a parent

Sunol Glen is a small, semi-rural, single school district. Though it's very close to huge, impersonal juggernaut USDs it the exact opposite. It is a wonderful school, just ask the current teachers and students! The dead wood is gone. Today, the teachers and administration are engaged, progressive and responsive to parents. They really care about students. The district has a strong Principal who's also the Superintendent. She won Superintendent of the year in Alameda Co. Sunol Glen still offers art, music and Green Team, in addition to the regular 3Rs, and great test scores on top of the family atmosphere. The school is full. What does that tell you?
—Submitted by a parent

I love teaching at Sunol. I feel supported by both the parents and the rest of the staff. I have nothing but good things to say about working at Sunol. The teachers work very very hard to make each day interesting and educational for the kids. And the collegial feel is such a nice thing to be greeted with each morning. I get smiles and kind words from everyone. I can sincerely say that I love to go to work each day. I don't know many people who can say that. But it is because of the close, friendly atmosphere at Sunol. I highly recommend this school to anyone who is interested in small class sizes and art and music programs. Plus-- if you come here to see our school, you will fall in love with it. It looks like a little 1950s school out in the country. It is such a sweet place. Charming and lovely and like nowhere I have ever been before.
—Submitted by a teacher

I have two children who attend this school and I absolutely LOVE it (and so do they). The collaboration between the principal, staff, teachers, parents and students is amazing and allows for a wide variety of activities in a small school environment. The school provides a whole-child education that includes art, music, and science. I couldn't be happier!
—Submitted by a parent

Sunol Glen is a gem! The parent involvement is incredible and couples with wonderful teachers and administrators to make for a wonderfully nurturing environment.
—Submitted by a parent

What a great school. The students work hard, but are well rounded. It is nice to see teachers who are happy and care deeply about the students. They take extra steps to update their curriculum with new processes that make the standards fun! They are always looking for upgraded ways that keep the children excited and involved with their learning. The well roundedness of the curriculum is wonderful- art, music, science, PE and the 4 R's. Nice to see nothing is spared. Parents volunteers as well, are welcomed and a fantastic asset to the teaching process.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been very pleased with Sunol thus far (kids are in third grade and middle school). The K-3 program is outstanding and the teachers really do try to cater to the children's needs and do some very innovative projects that make learning fun. What I really love is the well-rounded education they receive here, from art and music to gardening to speaking at assemblies (even young children get a chance to do this). The majority of the families sought out this school, so you tend to get very motivated parents. We also like the small town feel - Sunol is a special place - where else does the fire department lead the way for the annual Halloween parade? I feel we are avoiding some of the drama that comes with a larger public middle school. We are also pleased with the MS teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

This has been the best school year yet. Our dedicated principal has bravely weeded out the teaching staff and hired some real gems. The school continues to support the whole-child by having band and art as part of it's cirriculum. The academic cirriculum is challenging but not stressful. We love Sunol Glen.
—Submitted by a parent

New leadership, along with the retirement of some very tired 'chair throwing' teachers has turned this sleepy little school into an emerging powerhouse. Look out Piedmont! Our district API is right behind you, and we have not had to sacrifice that small-school, extended family feeling. Rural 4-H kids and computer kids all come together to make this a very special school. So glad we found it!
—Submitted by a parent

If this is such a perfect school then why are four more teachers leaving this year????? Don't even try to convince me that it is for better wages. The Super is very difficult! Come on people open your eyes- Stop being intimidated.
—Submitted by a teacher

If you're interested in a private school feel with a public school price then Sunol Glen Elementary is for you! This school is unique because only 20 or so families with school aged kids actually live in the district. So the school exists because dedicated, motivated and enthusiastic parents choose to bring their kids to the school! 3 main reasons families choose to transfer to Sunol Glen are: #1 the leadership the principal/superintendent has provided to turn this school around in the last couple of years; #2 the outstanding teachers the school recruits; #3 the ability to make a difference in our children's lives. If you want to join a large group of transfer parents, teachers and a principal that are committed to making a positive impact in the lives of kids and students -- then Sunol Glen is for you!
—Submitted by a parent

Great Elementary program but the Middle School section does not prepare it's students for the reality of High School. All "extra" programs are for a fee. The principal firmly beleives in guilty until proven innocent, especially if the family is not finacially supporting the school through their many "fundraisers".
—Submitted by a parent

small school with an interdistrict transfer rate of 80% Our local children are being lost in the crowd as the school caters to the transfers. Am moving my last child out of this school.
—Submitted by a parent

1. Our school has the most excellent teachers I have ever met. 2. the academic programs are very challenging. 3. I wish the school went all the way to 12th grade!
—Submitted by a parent