Bancroft Elementary School

I feel the classes are over crowded, the office staff is unfriendly and rude, and my experiences with the teachers have not been pleasant. My children have been bullied by students and ignored by teachers. Its not a friendly environment nor is it a positive learning environment. We've not been happy since we started at this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Bancroft used to be a great school, but each yaer it seems that class sizes get larger and larger which leaves no time to the teacher to give more attention to each student. There are great techers in this school, but it would be nice if they had more time to help kids who need it. There are also teachers who I persanally beleive need to go and study more of child psychology.
--Submitted by a parent

We moved here from Kansas City last summer and have had a wonderful experience at Bancroft. My daughter's teacher was new to the school this year as well and was sympathetic to what she might be going through. She really helped her meet new kids and make friends right away. She is very caring and you really get the feeling that she wants to see all of her kids do well - not by lowering her standards, but by having faith that they can rise to any occasion and excel if they try. The other wonderful thing about this school is the musical offered as an after school project for Grades 3-5. The music director, and a few other teachers and parents, volunteer countless hours of time and put on an amazing production that any child that is interested can participate in. It's been such a wonderful experience for us.
--Submitted by a parent

Bancroft is an outstanding school with caring staff, invovled and supportive parents and respectful, wonderful children who come to learn and make friends in an atmosphere that is safe, positive and productive. Leadership is shared and can be found at every level of school life. During 2008 Bancroft was named a Californai Distinguish School. Bancroft student supports are a model for the district and state. This is a 'CAn-Do' school and it is refelcted in every detail. Monthly Life Skills Assemblies are a strong example of the care and time provided to the children asthey come together as a commuity to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments in their lives that make each of nusoutstanding citizens ready to take on the demands of the world today and inthe future.

The environment in this school is not helpful to a child's education and only getting worse in time. The principle is more concerned about her image and runs the school in a rather despotic way. Even the teachers have no say in any of the decision making. My son did not learn anything from some of the programs here and the staff do not want to help with any questions or problems. The office staff are totally unfriendly. If someone wants to succeed this is not the place to start.
--Submitted by a parent

My kindergarten daughter loves her teacher and has fun at school. Classes are interactive and kids are rewarded for behavior (Bancroft Bests).
--Submitted by a parent

Bancroft is a wonderful school full of caring teachers and very supportive and involved families. The school is clean and well maintained, offers affordable hot lunches and lots of extra-curricular activities. Don't waste your money on expensive, over-rated, pretentious private schools. Support your local public schools and get involved in your kids' lives.
--Submitted by a parent

I have 2 kids in this school, one who will start 4th grade in the Fall and another who will start 2nd grade in the Fall. Bancroft is a great school, however there is one serious problem. The kids who live in its attendance area are split into 2 different sets of middle and high schools afteward, depending on where they live. While a big majority of Bancort students do move on to attend Walnut Creek's outstanding Foothill Middle and Northgate High schools after Bancroft, some Bancoft students are assigned to attend Oak Grove Middle and Ygnacio Valley High schools just over the Concord border. Oak Grove and Ygnacio Valley are terrible.
--Submitted by a parent

To the person who said P.E. is not done daily. Go and take a look at children playing ball running around having good old fashioned fun on the playground. My children went there and loved every minute of it. It is also up to the parent to be sure their children get daily exercise after school. A good education and happiness is guaranteed here.
--Submitted by a parent

My stepson went to this school last year and in comparison to the school he goes to now, I feel that Bancroft is over-rated and does not deserve their 10 rating. Their academic program is good, but they are lacking in concern for children's physical health. PE is not done daily, and we wonder why our children are overweight.
--Submitted by a parent