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

Teachers who know next to nothing but there curricula can be found here. There's a library, and an instrumental music option for 5th graders. Vocal music library and P.E. Are taught once a week be other teachers. Staff isn't aware of bullying. Disgusting bathrooms. No GATE Funding, w/ the exception of 3-4 day pullout program and 6-8 hours worth of after-school clubs, such as; drawing with chalk. Despite the ratings, this school is nowhere near proficient. I highly disapprove of this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Outstanding institution of elementary education. A top notch staff (teachers are dedicated professionals) coupled with outstanding parent support, give the students a top-notch education.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school! My child had the best experience at the kindergartena nd 1st grade level. Lots of parent-teacher communication.
—Submitted by a parent

Bancroft Elementary is an excellent school. This teachers are truely engaged with the students and look to the individual students needs. The PTA continually raises money to provide the programs that the State is no longer offering to public schools. My child had a formal Art class and Spanish class plus P.E.
—Submitted by a parent

I was pretty unhappy with Bancroft. I found the teachers to be really overly obsessed with 'meeting the standards'. The administrative staff in the office were very rigid and unfriendly, and the school was just not a very happy place.
—Submitted by a parent

My two children (3rd and 5th graders) joined Bancroft in November 2004. The warm welcome helped them adapt instantly. Teachers are dedicated and parents are very involved in school activities. The Parent group publishes a newsletter and classes sponsor charitable activities. My kids were native French speakers, but with encouragement, they made rapid progress in English. They did wonderful projects such as creating a magazine or making a book, (writing and illustrating a story and making the binding). A school production of 'Annie' was of impressive quality. All students wishing to participate in the production were given a part. The school fundraiser auctioned off private activities with teachers such as sleepovers and outings. My children were not involved in sports so I can't comment. A non-affiliated daycare center, next to the school, is good and affordable. My kids walked to school every day. School lunches aren't great, but they are very cheap.
—Submitted by a parent

We have had great experiences with Bancroft. Unfortunately we would not have a good public middle school after.
—Submitted by a parent

A lovely little school tucked away. Very nice teachers with a small town atmosphere. My son attended K and 1st and he thoroughly enjoyed it. It mostly had to do with a well balanced ethnic and socioeconomic mix. A very good school.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school. Do a wonderful job of keeping parents in tune with school activities. Parents at this school are very involved and it shows.
—Submitted by a parent

A relatively small school with great parent involvement. We've been there two years and have been very impressed.
—Submitted by a parent