Longfellow Elementary School

My child just finished 5th grade at Longfellow. It is a small school with too much to offer but they need to be more organized and more supportive with the dual language education. Some teachers are outstanding!!! It is so sad to see some of them leaving Longfellow. Mr U is the best principal they can get. I am very thankful for all of those teachers who help my child during the past years Specially! Sra. Mendoza, Sra. Olguin, Sra. Marcano, Sra. Arzate, Sra. Acabal, Sra, Chavez, Coach B & Sr. Reyes. The Dual Language is something from the past. The FIne Arts Program is nothing anymore except for Sra. Sandoval, she is the only who believes on it. The office is a disaster with the two new ladies who work there.
—Submitted by a parent

As a mother/grandma and being part of the Longfellow Family for the past 15 years plus being part of the community, I will not blame the teachers either the past administrators, I will blame APS about their point of view about a dual language program. The big mistake they did was moving from a 90/10 to a 50/50 program I can understand their point of view but they never explained to the community. It is so sad seing the APS wants to remove not only an excellent program but also with all the budget cuts we are losing more and more teachers plus a great Fine Arts Program. This is not the only dual language school that is suffering. We pulled out our grandaughter from LFES two years ago and take her to Coronado and it was worst over there. My son decided to enroll her back to LFES. The main problem comes from the district not for the teachers. They are excellent and know very well about dual language but with all the new reading/math program and poor support from APS at least they are doing the best they can to offer an excellent quality of education on each grade level. In the past we had few teachers very upset creating a bad environment but they already left.
—Submitted by a parent

Having Mr. U as a principal is making a big different. He was my children principal and now with my grandkids as well. Every day not only the staff, parents & principal are working very hard to offer an outstanding and unique dual language program. I am very impressed about how well they have been doing this school year. Sincerely, The Grannie
—Submitted by a parent

My child has been at Longfellow since preschool and is now going to middle school and over the years the school programs have gone down a lot. My child has had some good teachers some not so good. The dual language program is the worst ive ever seen! Years ago Longfellow was the top school to go to but ever since the change is numerous principals and the language program I have seen many students transfer out. My child is struggling with school and the language program i feel catered to students already speaking spanish.
—Submitted by a parent

Low teacher quality, not a good enough dual language program, will be pulling my children at the end of the school year. I fear all the good, strong dual language staff is gone...somewhere else.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a wonderful school. The staff cares about all students. This year they offered many after school enrichment opportunities for free, including sewing club, tennis club, puppet club, math club, basketball, soccer, family literacy nights, extended learning (tutoring) plus drama/art/music/library/PE and 50/50 spanish immersion program.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been part of the Longfellow family for 4years now, the teachers are wonderful and caring always willing to go, go the extra mile.
—Submitted by a parent

My child went to this school since we are in the district. The supposed Arts program is no good, the teachers do not have any background or creativity, I do not know what previous parent bloating about. They have a 50/50 program (Spanish/engligh), for the federal funding $ ,however their setting kids for failure since in reality NM is still English speaking in working world,
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school both my children are enrolled. Their teachers challenge them to think in a critical and creative way, they learn art, music and theater. The parent body is very involved and the teachers genuinely care about their students' achievement.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended Lonfellow beginning in kindergarden and he is now in the 3rd grade. He went into longfellow not knowing any Spanish and now he speaks, understand, reads and writes in Spanish. He is also equal in English. I love the fact that our Longfellow children are able to have class performances this is something that is lost in the regular schools. Longfellow is a dual language school that focuses on Spanish and Spanish traditions, but they are very diverse when it comes to other cultures as well. I am very pround of Longfellow and my sons progress. On another note I will have to agree with the other parents, the office staff could be a little nicer. They tend to be very rude and not willing to help.
—Submitted by a parent

Front Office Staff very rude & ignore parents. Bullying not handled aggressively or by APS policy by counselor or teachers. Principal rarely seen in school. Require parent volunteers, but atmosphere hostile towards parents presence in school building. Over the top security since new principal. High Principal turnover at this school. PTO/staff conflicts over years. Consistently very, very unclean cafeteria & bathroom facilities.
—Submitted by a parent

Longfellow is an amazing school! The dual language and fine arts program is really unique here, I feel truly privileged to be sending my child there. The teachers are just amazing!
—Submitted by a parent

We switched our child to Longfellow in 3d grade after a less than satisfactory experience at [another school]. Longfellow is a wonderful elementary school which I think works well due to the teachers' dedication and the required parental involvement. This is truely a 'dual language' experience for all (children, teachers and parents) and the school does not just pay lip service to the dual language concept. We enjoy the plays the children do in each grade and how hard the teachers work with the students to perfect their performance for the plays. We feel very fortunate to have our child in Longfellow Elementary School.
—Submitted by victoria, a parent

I believe in this program however my son was put in a class that had nothing but sub's. When I asked him to be placed in a class with a real teacher I was denied. And because of this he fell behind because they were not teaching what was need. They also pushed them to the next level with out offering extra help to get him up to speed. I was let down by this. And was forced to take my son out of the school so that he can feel good about himself and want to like and learn in school. NOW this yr. I am having to do the work that was supposed to have been done in kindergarten. He now has to do two yr.s of learning in one. If you decide to go to Longfellow make sure your child starts early & with same& real teacher.
—Submitted by a parent