Parkmead Elementary School

LOVE LOVE LOVE this school. To be a member of the Parkmead Community is an honor and a privilege. The children thrive because the community works as a family supporting one another with an emphasis not only on education, but character. I have a son with special needs and I couldn't imagine getting more support than I am receiving right now. Thank you, Parkmead!
--Submitted by a parent

Worst school ever. My child went there and we were so unhappy. She came home from school with nothing to do and said she was higher than the rest of the kids. We transferred her to a private school and she excels there. Thank you Dorris Eaton!
--Submitted by a parent

My son is in the fourth grade and returning to this school. I am so happy that we were able to get him back into this school. The staff and principal are great. My son was out of school for one week because of a misunderstanding in the Mt.Diablo school district. The way they handled his dismissal was unprofessional and traumatizing to my son. Parkmead staff stepped in and made sure he was back in school within days. My son had attended this school last year and I had a great experience with the teacher and staff. There is great communication with the teacher and parents. Resource staff is wonderful with my son. This school is a great example of what parents look for when they are looking for a great school.
--Submitted by a parent

I love Parkmead because the teachers truly care about their students. I also love that there is a lot of parent volunteers!
--Submitted by a parent

This school has 3 'normal' and 2 PALS classes for each year. The PALS classes merge 2 age groups - with half the class moving up to the next class each year. (and with some subjects taught by age) Plus Friday has Multi Age Group classes. This makes PALS a big family with some of the best, socially well adjusted kids that you will ever encounter.
--Submitted by a parent

This is an extremely well-run school - the principal is fabulous and focused on the right issues.
--Submitted by a parent

Comprehensive academic programs at all levels. Music, art and PE stressed equally at all levels. Extracurricular activities about throughout the school year.
--Submitted by a parent

Our son went to Parkmead for one year - third grade. He and we really liked it - he had a great teacher and, in general, it was a good experience. Our only complaints were with the after-school care - it was very unstructured, with little discipline and almost no projects or educational groups. It was almost solely play time - very different from the Indian Valley after-school setup, which combines play with projects and really fun educational/craft opportunities. He attended Parkmead in 2002, so things may have changed for the better in terms of after-school care there.
--Submitted by a parent

Parkmead is located in a great community and parents are generally both involved and happy with the resources and teachers. Class size is limited and teachers are accessible. There is onsite daycare available and the facilities are generally comprehensive. Concerns would include a lack of accountability for the progress of individual students and limited control of what teachers your child has access to. Some of the cirriculum appears geared to the lowest common denominator, which is a concern to us - but not necessarilly one that is easy to find an alternative for. In general, the school appears better than most of its peers.
--Submitted by a parent

After one year at Parkmead Elementary I feel like my first and forth graders are receiving a private school education. The Principal is forward thinking and the teachers are experienced and enthusiastic. We couldn't be happier.
--Submitted by Eva Santelli, a parent