Paloma Elementary School

I felt compelled to respond to the last reviewer. There are some things I don t think some parents understand. In our state there is zero money for the schools. Schools fundraise so that the students can have those wonderful extra programs and activities such as art programs and dances. At Paloma we have a group proactive parents who work hard to keep these programs and run the activities. It wouldn't be a small group of people doing so if more parents were involved and helped. I am new to the school and have always found everyone to be warm, friendly and welcoming. I love my Child s teacher and I think the principal really cares for the students. I think more parents need to be proactive in their children s education and if you don t like something then join the PTA and/or go to meetings. Make your voice heard. It easy to do nothing and complain. Overall, my child is very happy at Paloma and I think it is a positive learning environment with wonderful teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

Laser beam focus on test scores. If your student is at grade level they will get very little attention because all they care about is bringing up the lower students. Sadly the best teachers left in the most recent round of layoffs. Principal came about 4 yrs ago and one by one took away all the enriching programs and activities to focus more on testing. A lot of fundraising which happens all the time and is run by a small group of women who can be clique-y. The new "Sixth Grade Academy" is concerning because those students might be very behind when they get to middle school. The information being taught there does not seem to be at the same level of what students get at the regular middle school. Also if you have an advanced student they will not get pre-algebra in 6th grade like they will at the middle school, which sets them off to be behind by a year for math and science in high school because they will be missing pre-reqs. Overall feeling of school is very closed off and unfriendly. Staff morale seems low.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an updated review from a previous one I made in 2011. I wanted to make another review because since the incident that took place in 2011, my daughter has done very well and she loves her new teacher and Paloma. Unfortunately, because of that incident I don't spend much time at the school- I honestly don't like running into the principal or the teacher. However, this is something I have to deal with and does not reflect the performance of the school or the majority of it's staff. I'm happy that my daughter is happy and that's all I care about.
—Submitted by a parent

Paloma Elementary not only earned the prestigious title of "California Distinguished School" last year, but they also piloted the brand new 6th grade Academy this year. They are a school that never rests on its laurels and I appreciate the willingness to always go above and beyond. I give them an enthusiastic thumbs-up and a score of 5 stars!
—Submitted by a parent

Love this school just worried about the over crowding. More children will make it harder for the teacher to give any one on one. So you better be ready to work with your children after school. So they don't forget what they have learned for the day. Teachers are great and staff too! If you have the time Volunteer. Also funds are low so we as parents need to buy supplies for the school.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm very dissapointed with the school. We moved here this summer and our daughter is having many problems. The concerning thing is that instead of helping my daughter to adjust, they are telling me about my parenting. Where are we, Stepford?
—Submitted by a parent

We've been in Temecula for about a year and a half. We started mid-term, and everything started out great... but my child was very unhappy after just a few weeks. I became aware very quickly of cliques even amongst the youngest children. The new principal was great at working with the kids, but the last teacher was just terrible. They don't do much for gifted kids as far as I can tell... I had to fight hard just to get my kid work hard enough to keep things interesting. So much of it was too easy, and the teacher couldn't care less about the kids as long as the shut up and followed the crowd. Some of the parents were great- but most won't even look your way if you're new. For "The Best School in the District", they're more focused on PTA numbers and fundraisers than they are on making sure the kids are happy and challenged, not teased or bullied. We will probably home-school if the next teacher is anything like we just went through this past year.
—Submitted by a parent

Paloma Elementary has the best teachers and principal who really care about the children and their education!!
—Submitted by a parent

Homeschool is obviously always an option for any parent; however, after homeschooling my own child I quickly realized that in no way could I even attempt to bring the same breadth to learning that Paloma does on a daily basis. I could provide the essential elements but not the extras that they provide (from computer lab to art lessons to weekly flag salutes to field trips to resources in the classroom etc...) I would recommend that you integrate yourself to the school perhaps by volunteering to bring your own 'personal wow!' to the school. Every parent has something to offer! They used to have a saying: 'If it is to be, it is up to me!' I take that to heart!
—Submitted by a parent

After 2 years of my daughter attending Paloma (starting at K), I am not particularly impressed. Nothing terrible, it's just OK - that's all. Actually, after my experience with Paloma and the entrenched bureaucracy, I'm starting to understand why people Home School their children.
—Submitted by a parent

My student transferred midyear and every effort was made to make him welcomed.Tteachers are really happy here. My student is excited to go to school and did not want the year to end. Teachers put much effort into bringing hands-on learning. (Growing chicks, making volcanoes, making fossils) The principal just left this year and she was amazing! The atmosphere here is 'learning is fun!'. Front office is pretty friendly. The academics could be more challenging. Expectations are not very high. Since moving here... school is too easy for our student. Our previous school district had 'High Expectations;High Acheivement'. They ability group students for all Math learning which allows teachers to really make progress. Excellent! We are so happy. Teachers are free to try new things.Students behavior is very friendly/kind but a bit rough w/bad language and subjects they discuss.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel this school is completely academically oriented, and am really surprised that anyone would think otherwise. My middle daughter is not as fast at math as the other two, and she is constantly being pushed and pulled and helped by her teacher to get her better at math. Yes, we do touch math. I was taught touch math, and while my other two never needed it, my middle daughter did, and the teachers have been great at keeping her up in math. The other two were both very good at math, and given harder work to do to keep them chalenged. This is a great school!
—Submitted by Sara Janecek, a parent

The atmosphere and educational environment is top notch. I'm a little shocked about the touch point math comment. Everyone learns differently and while touch math might not be best for all it is just a strategy. I still use touch math as an adult. I wonder if they teach touch math at private schools as well?

I have read the other reviews and I am shocked that nobody else has expressed concern. Granted they are patriotic, however, they fall short when it comes to academics. They teach 'touch point math' which they will tell you is a teaching method and not a curriculum. We have spent many hours undoing this 'teaching method'. More than half of the students in my childs class were going to Kumon learning center for math tutoring. Don't even try to talk to the staff (especially the principal) about this, they are very defensive about it. I guess I would be to if I were continuing to use something that did not work, yet insist that it did. Very dissapointed with the arrogant attitude from the some of the staff. I cannot recomend this school. Our child will be attending a private school next year.
—Submitted by a parent

Teachers really care about the students School still says pledge with 'one nation under God' and with no apologies. Alot of Christian staff.
—Submitted by a parent

The Paloma community of parents and teachers work togther to the benefit of the students. I have never worked for a school that was as supportive of all students - the teaching and admin staff are amazing!
—Submitted by a teacher

Given the choice of where to teach, I have chosen Paloma for 11 years. All 3 of my children have also attended this incredible school. If I could only use one word to describe this place of learning it would be 'family.' We treat each other as family members and love and nourish all of the children that attend our school. I am just as proud of the academics for every teacher strives to give his or her personal best. This is a 'gem of a school' in a gem called Temecula!
—Submitted by a teacher

Excellent school....I cannot tell you how happy I am that my children go to Paloma Elemntary...I have never seen such parental involvement and dedication. I cannot praise this school enough.
—Submitted by Jay Stahl, a parent

I have never seen such parent involvement like I have at Paloma Elementary .. it was wonderful. I also felt my children were very safe there, which is a great feeling when they're away from me.
—Submitted by a parent

We love this school! The number of students is recently reduced because of two new schools opening in the area this year. Parents are very involved.
—Submitted by a parent