Edison Elementary School

2700 Buena Vista Avenue

School District

Alameda Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:21
Type

public

School Map for Alameda 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 August 07, 2024

Edison spends most of their time teaching the kids social issues rather than academics and are often one-sided and biased.Academics are close to non-existent at Edison. Teachers here are not held accountable to teach and the children are not held accountable to learn. There is a nonchalant culture towards academics and preparing the students to be productive individuals in real world. These kids are not competitive with those in other districts. You'll find that when the students leave for other school districts, they are often at least one or two grades behind, at best.
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2024

Both of our kids have gone through Edison. It has a great community and plenty of opportunities to get involved.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2023

Our family is super grateful for Edison. Two of my kids have attended and one is now in middle school. Having worked at schools in East Bay schools myself I appreciate the warmth, consistency, and academics that this school provides. It requires a lot of parents giving a lot of time and money, so if you can help out in any way, that will make your experience better. I hope the school culture continues to grow in its inclusion and cultural humility. In general, I have met a lot of very kind and generous families.
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2022

Teachers and staff do an excellent job of caring for the whole student - they are focused on social emotional learning in addition to academic curriculum. I love being a part of this community.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2018

We are having an excellent experience at Edison, as do most families. The parent leadership and financial donations help accommodate the very low budget the school is given. Diversity is appreciated and applauded.The music, art, library, garden, sustainability, and PE programs are interesting, relevant and always being reinvented. We are undergoing construction that will improve campus safety. The office staff is super warm and friendly. The wonderful school community is why people move to be at Edison. (If you do become an Edison Otter - give back - in time, donations, and by joining the community, this is how you and your kids will gain the most from this school.)
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2018

We have had a fabulous experience at Edison. The new principal, Rob Slauson, is a force of nature - he is passionate about education and character, and is leading his team to excel. Our children have benefited from truly extraordinary teachers. The PTA is incredibly dedicated and provides resources for art, garden education, music, physical education, diversity and inclusion curriculum, and technology. Perhaps most importantly, Edison is a really inclusive and welcoming community. The office staff is wonderful, the teachers are great, and the parents are busy like everyone in the Bay Area, but genuinely love and support not only their children but the entire Edison community. Edison is the heart of our neighborhood and is transforming from a very good neighborhood school into a model of diverse, inclusive, and dedicated education. We feel very lucky to be there.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2016

There are many great things about this school (amazing teachers and parents) but in the recent years it has gone downhill and many people are leaving this school, which is unfortunate. The principal/school leadership is the main reason for the school’s steady decline. She either does not address issues openly or directly, or will ignore things altogether. Most of the time, things are left unresolved or with a less than ideal resolution. Many of us felt that the best way to deal with her is to not deal with her. Most people hope not to have any reason to interact with her. Bullying has become an issue at this school; the “zero tolerance” phrase is just words with no meaning. The bullies are allowed to be bullies. Good teachers have left or have been driven out. This principal also allows staff to bully children on the playground, despite being aware of the staff member and this woman’s objectionable behavior. Other issues have come up where parents have organized and voiced their concerns in force about this principal and her lack of judgment, only to have nothing done. People stay away from direct confrontations with her though, because of the fear of recriminations towards their child. The parents remain dedicated but others have given up and moved on. Edison used to be the school that everyone wanted, sadly, not anymore. Look around before you commit, there are other options. If you ask around, you will find the current principal has a less than stellar reputation in the community.
Submitted by parent on May 28, 2014

I would like to respond to the reviewer who mentions/questions the use of PTA funds for SmartBoards. I am the current Edison PTA president, and have been on the Edison PTA board and involved in the budgeting for years. Most classrooms currently do have SmartBoards through the generosity of parent/community monetary donations. Since SmartBoards are expensive, the cost has been spread out over three years, so Edison PTA can support a variety of beneficial programs simultaneously. The details of that plan and pace have been extensively communicated to the Edison community, via meetings, school email, and the budget feedback and approval process. Nine boards have been purchased and installed to date, in classrooms where the teachers are ready and excited for them. The remaining five or six boards are slated to be purchased and installed in Fall 2014. It's surprising to me that, with the ongoing communication among PTA, parents, teachers and staff, that this reviewer would post a comment on this site, but not inquire with myself or the Edison's principal directly. Glad I at least saw and was able to respond to the comment here! All the best, Jennifer Hastings, Edison PTA president
Submitted by parent on February 12, 2013

My first and fourth grade daughters are new to Edison this year after transferring from a local charter school. I am so impressed by the school! I We had 100% parent participation at back to school night and the PTA is well-funded and well-run. Both of my daughters have excellent teachers - and both teachers fall on the more traditional side of the teaching spectrum. I thought that this would be difficult for the girls, because the charter school was "project-based", but what I discovered is that the rigor of the program keeps both girls engaged and happy. I really like the new principal - and that is despite the fact that we have been called in to meet with her to deal with a behavioral problem or two. She really has the children's welfare at heart. I really have no complaints.
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2012

Having sent two children to Edison I feel like I feel confiednt in speaking to its strengths and weaknesses. Edison is a very good school with some very dedicated teachers. My child had one teacher in particular who was sooo great. Ms. Boese, a third grade teacher, took what felt like a personal interest in making sure our son succeeded. The school also has a very dedicated group of parents and an active and well funded PTA that contributes significant financial and human resources to the school. Less great is the relatively new principal there. She is now in her 2nd year and many find her to be aloof, condescending and inflexible. The previous principal was more available, more interested in listening to parents and much faster to get things done. Some of the teachers also need to go. I'm sure this isn't specific to Edison, but there are some long-tenured teachers there who appear to be coasting and much less interested in adapting to help the students. They basically have a "sink or swim" attitude toward kids who don't respond to the teach methods they've used for the past 100 years.
Submitted by parent on September 05, 2012

We are new to the school this year so I can't give it a real rating but I have to say, no matter what, people will have complaints as they do below and some folks will be super excited. Really, it is about your involvement in the school and your childs life. Previously, our child was in the most diverse situation possible and we were of the minority (only white child) and we had a fantastic teacher. We supplemented supplies where needed and made the best of it. We chose to move to a more community and family based area. Edison seems to have it all and there are still complaining parents. Make the best of your situation for your family and especially your child. If you want tons of diversity, then do your research and fine a school with it- if you find too much diversity gives lower test scores, then deal with it. I am horrified that people are constantly complaining about the teachers- they are doing our world a service and we are constantly ridiculing them for what they aren't doing. Start getting involved and enjoy your kids journey. Make it a happy place and embrace the community! So far I see involved parents and excited teachers and faculty!
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2012

Teachers don't have the heart to teach, like the old days. They teach the children the rights well before they make sure the children undersatnd their duty toward their families, themselves and the community. That makes it really difficult to teach the children later on. It is a white school and there are 3 male teachers only.
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2012

One thing I loved about Edison was that it was walking or biking distance. The neighborhood is wonderful and many families who live in the area also send their kids to Edison. The school consistently earns great test scores, but I believe this has more to do with the neighborhood's socioeconomics than with any particular teaching or school site leadership magic. The school is woefully lacking in diversity in student population, among the teacher ranks and even in school celebrations. The PTA is very active -- which is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it's great that it raises so much money to supplement the curriculum and classroom activities. But, on the other hand, the September 2010 poster was right on with the "Stepford Wife" comment. I was active in the PTA, but it felt very much like a cabal -- very, very closed to new families.
Submitted by parent on September 16, 2011

Edison is a wonderful school and a center for activity in the neighborhood. There is a sizable amount of parent participation in supplementing the curriculum, from PTA sponsored events and activities (fall carnival, multicultural potluck...) to the art docent and garden docent programs to extra monitors at recess. I have trouble understanding the 9/20/10 reviewer's interpretation of the school... I have two kids there and our teachers have been hard working and devoted to the students. As for the parents, the majority of those I know balance work and some degree of volunteering (moms included... I am really baffled by the "stepford wives" remark...?) I should add, some parents may not be able to volunteer at all and that is ok too. There is definitely a feeling about the school and surrounding neighborhood that we all watch out for each other's children... everyone has the kids' education and well-being as a top priority and it just doesn't get any better than that. Edison is a true neighborhood school and the glue that binds our community together.
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2011

My family sure has had a different experience than the 9/20/10 reviewer. Edison has been a terrific place for our kids, with outstanding teachers, a dedicated principal, a welcoming environment as a new family, an accepting student culture and lots of parent involvement. Hard to ask for more than that.
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2010

Great school for stepford wives. Not great for regular people. I know of two families in the neighborhood who pulled their kids from Edison because of bullying. The PTA is a gaggle of stuck-up stay-at-home moms. The teachers were just okay. The principal should be fired and the office lady is a tyrant. When we moved to a less "excellent" school across town, we were pleasantly surprised at the excellent teachers we found. Our kids were so much happier. Sure, they're not all white, like Edison, and there's a lot of esl bringing the test scores down, but my kids are getting exposed to more multiculturalism and less materialism. Edison has a lot to learn.
Submitted by student on May 14, 2009

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Submitted by parent on November 29, 2007

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Submitted by parent on June 17, 2007

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