My son will be going to Kindergarden in September 2009, but need to register in December 2008. Everyone tell me Oakland school is bad, so I am not sure which one I should register my son to. If anyone have experiences in any of the following Elementary School, please let me know what you think of the school.
Cleveland Elementary, Oakland, CA
Glenview Elementary, Oakland, CA
Crocker Highland, Oakland, CA
Hi A.,
Everyone I know who has sent their children to Crocker Highland was happy with it, but this information is at least 10 years old.
Take care,
E.
I don't live in Oakland, but I think the best way for you to determine which school is best for your child is to visit them and talk with the principal/teachers. Some schools have set days for tours while others make them on appointment. That way you can make your own choice. Not all schools are right for all kids and though others opinions might help, they may have a different type of child that needs different things. Never cross a school off based on one persons opinion... they may just have had a bad experience and it might be the perfect school for you and your child. Good luck!
If you already live in Oakland you are not going to have much choice regarding where your child will go- it's determined by the attendance boundaries. You can check the school district website to see what your neighborhood school is.
There is a School Options Program, where you can request another school, but your chances are not very good unless you are assigned to a Project Improvement School. In other words, if your neighborhood school is really bad you get priority. We do happen to live near a project improvement school, Burckhalter, so we thought our chances were pretty good when we put in a request for Kaiser Elementary. Kaiser gets great scores but is located way up in the hills where most of the kids go to private schools. Kaiser draws kids from all over Oakland, but we still didn't get in.
You can check school rankings at Greatschool.net- it's the best resource I've found for comparing test scores. Crocker is more high rated than Cleveland or Glenview but it's hard, very hard to get into unless you live in the neighborhood. You might get in if you live near a project improvement school, AND if you are willing to petition the school district after the year starts for any spot that opens up, AND if you meet the principal AND follow up with phone calls to let them know you're interested. It can be done but it isn't easy.
Cleveland or Glenview would be much, much easier to get into. I visited Glenview during our search. You should visit too to see what you think.
Our son goes to Cleveland Elementary, and though we are only a month into K I think we're going to be happy here. The API score is quite good- 9 out of 10. It's a diverse school- many, if not most of the children speak Cantonese or Chinese at home. Half of the children qualify for free or reduced price lunch. The neighborhood is safe and pleasant, near the lake, and the school has recently undergone a complete renovation. The PTA is growing, and I have found the families to be very friendly. Our son really likes his teachers and so do we.
The reason Crocker is so hard to get into is that it is in an affluent neighborhood. That is the main reason, besides test scores, that it is so competitive. I feel really happy with our son's school assignment- Cleveland is a great school. If you have any questions about the School Options Program or how to work it, send me an e mail privately. I've been through it, and I can help.
heya hun, i went to crocker highlands myself and have always thought of it as a good school - it's in a good neighborhood of oakland, also -
good luck!
smiles,
S.
oh - i just remembered that i went to glenview for a bit, too: i seem to remember that it was more crowded, plus perhaps an older school building?
anyhow, i know i haven't been much help so hopefully you'll get good advice/feedback from others!
