Sumac Elementary School

6050 N. Calmfield Ave.

School District

Las Virgenes Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
Type

public

School Map for Las Virgenes Unified School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 12, 2018

We love Sumac! The teachers are great, the atmosphere is nice, and the staff is excellent. The campus is closed now, and upgrades have been made. The school has parent meetings to help parents support their kids bilingual education at home, without homework. It’s clean, managed well, and a special little gem of a school that we feel privileged to attend.
Submitted by parent on July 20, 2017

Can't really complain about teachers: they do their best in a crowded classroom where students have differents levels and NEEDS and so the students. Main disappointment : campus is literally opened, not secure so anyone can join during recess or lunch and kids go wherever. I witnessed it more than once. Morning drop-off and dismissals are a joke: lack of organisations( few times there was no adult supervising), parents speeding, passing, picking- up kids before loop and blocking, parking where not authorized.......when they are not showing their finger or giving insults! Moved to another school, don't feel right having my kids here.
Submitted by other on June 07, 2015

We love Sumac. Wanted to thank the teachers for their endless patience, sense of humor, calmness, coolness, and most of of all for their professionalism. Wanted to thank the administration for their openness, willingness to listen and resolve problems, for all the extras Sumac has, and for keeping our school in pristine condition. Thank you everyone, who keeps the school website and class webpages updated. I'm a working parent, having all the current information posted on the Internet means a lot to me! Wanted to thank the district for implementing L-STEAM program at our school, for taking care of every child in the district from kids with special needs to gifted ones through the various programs available, and for all the community involvement. When I see my child reading thick books, that I wouldn't even touch at her age; or when I see how easily she is able to explain the meaning of each chart and table in our utility bills; or when I see how attentively she listens to others, and how well thought her own arguments and ideas are, I'm not only feeling incredibly proud of my little one, I know that she is attending a school that is teaching for life, not for a test score.
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2015

I like this school. The dual language program is excellent. However, the teacher absenteeism is very high. Pretty much all the teachers are out of the classroom for several days out of the year for teacher training, conferences, and meetings. Those who fall ill or take off for personal reasons are gone for much more than that. I have two kids at this school and every year, at least one of them has a teacher gone for more than four weeks, sometimes longer. It is frustrating, however, when the regular teachers are in the classroom the instruction is very good.
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2014

Our son started Kindergarten last September and he loves it. The L-STEM program is great. My son is in the dual language program and is learning Spanish. Aside from the dual language program (which is optional) he has music, computer, science and art class and visits the library once a week. I am impressed with the breadth of the program and have enjoyed meeting and interacting with the parents at the school. It is a very nurturing community.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2013

SUMAC Elementary is Awesome! What I liked most of all when we were visiting and deciding which school for our kindergartner was the parental involvement. I plan to do a lot of it and I'm not the only one. Our little one is learning a lot (she's in the dual language curriculum) and loves every minute of it. The first week she wanted me to stay for a little after dropping her off, now it's, "you can eave now daddy". Some of the parents in her class get together outside of school and do activities like hikes. I think we picked a great school for our little one.
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2013

Sumac L-STEM is a gem in the Conejo Valley! The Dual Language Spanish Immersion program has been wonderful for my family. The PFA is outstanding and sponsors events throughout the year that support both the school and families. The Art/Science program is an amazing specialist program that uses hands on activities to teach students scientific concepts and then ties them into a related art activity. STEM is the future of education and these teachers have embraced it.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2013

My daughter graduated from Sumac three years ago and my son is currently there. My daughter has a learning disability, was struggling in school and it was extremely difficult for her (and mom and dad). Sumac and the staff were amazing with diagnosing her disability and helping her. My son is in the second grade and just scored advanced on his state testing. He was fortunate to be in the Journey's program and received such a great start with an amazing teacher. I highly recommend this wonderful school! If your child can attend this school you are very fortunate. Also, Miss Amy's Cool Club (after school enrichment program) makes a full -time working mom feel no guilt. In fact, if I arrive early to pick him up he wants me to leave so he can stay longer. I
Submitted by parent on January 17, 2013

I have transferred my child into Sumac just this year and am elated over her improved performance both academically and emotionally. She is allowed to progress at her own pace and not held back when she needs an extra challenge. Her teachers are outstanding and patient and are as concerned with her social development as with academics. This is truly a whole-child approach to teaching and it makes all the difference in the world. The principal, Carol Martino, is a phenomenal educator as well who is genuinely interested in the success of each child and is always accessible to parents and students. She is a wealth of ideas and has the knowledge and experience to put them into action. The office staff is amazing as well and makes it a point to quickly get to know everyone well. Safety was also a prime concern as my child has severe food allergies. This school has proven to me that she is 100% safe and everyone looks out for the students at all times. The campus is clean, safe and beautiful with a warm atmosphere. I feel lucky to have found this gem of a school and look forward to seeing what new magic these educators dreams up next!
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2013

My son transferred to this school in 3rd grade and has been there for a couple years. At first he needed a lot of support to get him on track, now thanks to their collective efforts he's doing really well. You want an amazing principal who knows every child (very well I might add), supportive administrative staff, and excellent teachers...put them here! They truly care and really educate your child and not just teach them to memorize. Not to mention the wonderful families that attend. My son is very happy and very cared for, and I'm will always be grateful.
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2011

My daughter attended 2nd grade this year at Sumac and I couldn't be happier. She has thrived. The teachers and principal seem to really care about the kids progress. They take the time to get to know the kids each individually and seem to adjust approach depending on needs. I have been very impressed and look forward to 3 more years at this school.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2011

I appreciate how all students are valued and are able to learn in a nurturing, yet supportive environment. The curriculum keeps students engaged and challenged, but not to the point of frustration.
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2011

Both of our kids attend Sumac and we have really enjoyed the experience. The school has strong parent participation, a terrific staff of teachers and amazing enrichment programs like music and PE. We are also very enthused about the technology focus that the school has adopted.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2011

Our children are in 1st and 3rd grades and we are in our second year at Sumac. We could not be happier with the staff, teachers, and principal. This is the most racially/ethnically diverse school in the area and the parents and the whole school embraces multiculturalism. Our children participate in their top-notched strings program and chorus. My son plays the violin wonderfully and the music director, Peggy McClintick is phenomenal. She has the 1st year and advanced year violinists perform in the annual Lindero Canyon Middle School's Fiddlefest. This experience is first rate for our young performers. Also, the principal, staff, and a core group of parents are forward thinkers. They are about to launch an exciting program that enhances global literacy through a language immersion program in Spanish and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) that is fully integrated. Wow!!! This is exciting. If we were looking to send our child to a top notched public school in the area that embraces diversity on many fronts and embraces 21st century learning to produce competent global citizens, I would choose Sumac hands down.
Submitted by parent on November 11, 2010

My child is in 5th grade and we are at our 6th year at Sumac. I couldn't be happier with the teachers or the curriculum. There is a music teacher, strings program and the finest PE teacher I have ever met. The principal is installing some very forward thinking programs in the near future including a STEM program and full immersion Spanish program for families who want to participate. These new programs sound so exciting I wish I had another child to send through. As for the comment below about security that is ridiculous. In the first place their child was under the supervision of the YMCA - an after school program - not Sumac. In the second place there is not one school in the district that is completely locked. In fact I have personally been on 7 of the 8 elementary campuses and Sumac is by far the most difficult to get into and the most gated. I have been a substitute in the district and if I were able to choose among all the elementary schools regardless of where I lived I would definitely choose Sumac.
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2010

Our 6 year old wandered 1/2 mile off the campus while under the supervision of the on-property YMCA that is contracted by the district! The school fails to lock the campus to prevent random people from entering the campus or kids from wandering off. This happened after we raised security concerns with the principal. Her response...they haven't had a problem in 25 years...WHAT?!? Does she watch the news? She told us that if parents saw someone they didn't know on property, they'd ask the person who they are. I said that I was new and that I've been on and off the property without kids - nobody had ever asked me...and added that any of the adults wandering the campus at the time could be up to no good. The superintendent basically said that he doesn't want to take responsibility for security b/c they'd be liable if something
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2010

My 5th grade spent 6 years at Sumac. A wonderful family like atmosphere at Sumac. The staff, teachers, principal and parents really care about the well being of the children. The parents at Sumac real and dedicated to providing all the kids with the best opportunities. The teachers have been caring and challenging. The principal has a vision for Sumac which has provided PE twice a week , a strings program, many great ideas. Our family loved Sumac!
Submitted by parent on July 15, 2007

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