Ladera Elementary School

Excellent teachers, friendly and helpful staff , open communication, and an abundance of parent involvement!
—Submitted by a parent

We are a small school with an active PTA. Everyone knows everyone and we all look out for each other's kids.
—Submitted by a parent

I love Ladera because it has that sense of family unity. It also teaches all the kids in school about children of special needs without them ever feeling that the kids are different. They are ALL treated with respect and dignity! My oldest daughter grew up with a friend with Autism and they are good friends. It's something my daughter will carry with her for the rest of her life! My daughter learned early in life that all people were the same but some were and will always be special. Ladera elementary will always be the best to me and my family.
—Submitted by a parent

We love Ladera because it's a community where everyone-parents, teachers, staff and students- looks out for one another. That's something worth noting!
—Submitted by a parent

Ladera has an amazing program for kids with autism, it teaches tolerance as well as provides full inclusion when its best for the child. This school along with the choral teacher changed my daughters life.
—Submitted by a parent

My child left another local Thousand Oaks elementary school and we have not looked back. This school is especially welcoming to special needs kids, unlike some other schools within the Conejo District. The regular ed children at this school have been taught patience and understanding of the special needs kids present at this school and the teachers are beyond kind and compassionate. Because we are so happy with this particular school and this district offers 'school choice', we will consider sending our other child here over the other elementary schools within the district. Ladera is a welcoming, kind respectful school to parents and the office staff is top notch. As a proponent of homeschooling, Ladera is so great that we are considering enrollment rather than homeschooling and that says a lot!
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my children attend Ladera Elementary and we love this school. We moved here from another school in Thousand Oaks and we have never looked back. The school is small, and has an intimate feel. The teachers, the office staff, everyone seems to know the kids and cares about them. The school is kept very clean and they seem to update things often. They do have an art program and music, too. My children both love the music teacher. We have not tried the extracurricular activities, but they do offer a couple. I know they had spanish, and wood working, golf and a couple others. There appears to be a lot of parent involvement. You always see parents checking in and out of the office to go into the classes. The PTA seems really active, too. I cant think of anything negative to say at all.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a wonderful school that shows real school pride. It is a California Distinguished School and it shows. Every where you look you see happy teachers and students.
—Submitted by a parent

I wish they had more opportunities for Art and Music and Foreign Language, but overall a great school, small, every body knows everybody!
—Submitted by a parent

My son attends Ladera, has attended other elementary schools due to relocation, and thinks this is the best school, and loves his teacher. The school is safe, clean, and kids are respectful, which is a result of leadership. I noted, when asked to rate the school, that I didn't know about principal leadership, as I have never met the prinicipal, but I think it is safe to assume that there is someone very qualified who is doing a great job given the things mentioned above. Well done!
—Submitted by a parent

I like the fact Ladera is a small school. The principal know every child's name and which class they are in. I find the academics to be challenging just enough and reviewed throughout the school year. The teachers my child has had have been very involved with the children and go above and beyond to reach each of their students.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is top notch. In fact my daughter was in private school through 5th grade and this compares.
—Submitted by a parent

The extra curricular progams at Ladera are great, including a wonderful art program, computer lab, band and chorus. The acedmics are also great, with many diverse talented teachers. However, the current principal has come up with some odd policies, and I feel all these restrictions now placed on these kids are too great. Once they enter into middle school, all of these over zealous yard duties will be gone, leaving the kids to fend for themselves. I feel the children at this school are somewhat babied, yet the outstanding progams the school has to offer far outways the pointless rules.
—Submitted by a former student

Mrs. Cosaro is a tremendous asset to the leadership of Ladera. In the two years she has been at Ladera she has completed amazing things.
—Submitted by a parent

My child started at Ladera last year (2002) and it was a wonderful experience. The teachers, office staff, principal, are wonderful. Every single person we came in contact with at the school was pleasant and helpful. THe PTA is very active and does a lot for the kids. If you are thinking of moving into the area and Ladera would be your neighborhood school, you'll be thrilled.
—Submitted by a parent

The new Principal, Mrs. Cosaro, has done wonders for this school, she is quite an amazing lady.