Jackson Elementary School

593 West Woodbury Road

School District

Pasadena Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:22
Type

public

School Map for Pasadena 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 February 23, 2022

Both my kids have attended Jackson for elementary school. They have had some incredible teachers especially Maestra’s Silk, Iida & Barron. School staff are generally amazing - kind, caring and go above and beyond. Principal Exposito is incredibly dedicated and caring. She has the experience as an educator to lead the way and has been an amazing resource in the small number of times a concern has arisen in my kids’ class. We also love the Parks and Recs after school program. Coach Carl has a great rapport with the kids and parents. The Science class with Mr. Newell provides hands on experiences I would have loved when I was in elementary. The garden class gets kids excited about vegetables. It’s been a tough few years with the pandemic, but Jackson staff has risen to the occasion and I’m grateful to have such an incredible option for my kids.
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2017

We've been very happy at the school. Our son is learning another language and English is still something that he picks up from us. My son has enjoyed the school and made wonderful friends.
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2017

Amazing teachers, administration, and parent community! We could not be happier!
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2017

A++ Maestra Alcantar and principle Exposito have jumped through hoops to help us, and it has been a lot extra for them to deal with. But they could. It have been bier or more supportive.
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2017

My daughter is in Kindergarten this year, and it has been really really great. Those scores you see above are because the test is in English, and 88% of this school have English as a second language. Don't let this deter. It's really a great school with a big heart, tons of movement in the right direction and a strong staff.
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2017

My experience has been fantastic, the staff are wonderful and ready to always help.
Submitted by parent on January 10, 2016

We are so happy with Jackson. Our five year old is growing and thriving in the amazing dual language program. The parents and teachers are all so heavily involved and the principal and staff are the leading force behind this schools success. I am so grateful that our child is receiving her education at Jackson.
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2015

Our son is in his second year at Jackson, and our entire family is so pleased with the educational community he is part of here. As a college professor myself with experience teaching in K-12, I have observed phenomenal teaching from my son's Kinder and 1st grade teachers, both of whom are caring, dedicated, and well-trained professionals. These teachers, under the obviously passionate leadership of Principal Exposito, nurture a rich learning environment that serves a wonderfully diverse community. The entire staff (office, health center, library, maintenance) works attentively to support the students and families of the school.There are phenomenal resources available at the school as well, with Dual-Language Immersion and STEM programs, a dedicated Science Lab and Science teacher, a beautiful student-driven community garden, an up-to-date computer lab, and an expansive playground featuring a large field and Peaceful Playgrounds designs all around the blacktop. We are excited for our 4-year-old daughter to begin at Jackson next year and look forward to seeing how this school continues to flourish.
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2015

Our son has been at Jackson Elementary since Kindergarten, and is now in second grade. We were initially only looking for a Spanish Dual Language program, and as we toured the school we realized we would be getting more than that. The school garden was the first thing to win us over, built up and maintained by a team of dedicated parents. The focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math is great in combination with the language skills our son is building up. The school's science lab is also great, run by a teacher who is very popular among the kids. We also love visiting the school library. This school is a great place for our son.
Submitted by parent on September 19, 2015

This is my first year at Jackson. We were so excited to get a spot and it has exceeded our expectations. The teachers, staff and principal are dedicated and there is a great group of parents who are passionate about their children's education. We love the STEM and DLIP.
Submitted by other on September 18, 2015

My son is a 1st grader in the dual language immersion program. We've been so happy with his teachers. They are all passionate and make an effort to better themselves at educators. The Immersion teachers attend conferences on dual language education on their own time. They are language immersion teachers. Not teachers that happen to speak Spanish. The principal is fantastic and there is a large group of dedicated parents that use their time and skills to support the school. No one phones it in around here!
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2015

Jackson STEM Magnet Elementary; my son is in kindergarten this year with DLIP Teacher Mrs Ruiz. I have been a part of the Jackson community since 2014. I enrolled my son into the DLIP preK program. It was not an easy juggle because it's only 3 hours/day & I work full-time (shared & hired a very reliable nanny/babysitter/driver). I still push for an all day DLIP preK program! I wanted him to get a real sense of being in a DLIP school based program. From Mrs Paik's class, I was able to see a very comfortable environment established from a school that HAD a negative reputation. Yes, I too, saw the API scores and continued my research. I became active quickly, which has a lasting effect on how well your child does in school. This school is very open to parental involvement, I have not witnessed any "clicks", a great supportive staff and the "bar-none" exemplary hard work of Principal Exposito, goes far beyond my expectations. I chose this school for a myriad of reasons: first, I was initially looking for a STEM based/Magnet program. I went to many private & public school tours, but falling short of moving out of the area, I did not find any with both. Then, the thought of DLIP was always on our agenda & for us that was a bonus & when we found Jackson Elem., they had all three! It's interesting when I tell whomever that we attend Jackson: if the recipient knows the history they are pleased that the school has turned around & if not skepticism creeps in because they may have looked at the scores or heard negative comments. I am often asked; are you a native speaker? NO. Then who can help with homework? They have after-care programs w/ hmwrk assistance; Aren't DLIP kids slower than regular English learning kids? Some stats say they appear to be in the beginning but school&parental involvement helps; I read that after 3-5 years DLIP kids begin to absorb information faster (I say do your research & KNOW YOUR CHILD if it makes you question the validity of such a program). Before common core, I admit I drew a line through all of the low API scores and focused on the high API performing schools. BUT, I considered MY child's way of learning (his curiosity for knowledge & languages), which = JACKSON STEM Magnet Elementary! That's my experience, and it's working for my child, which will ALWAYS be our determining factor.
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2015

Jackson is the type of elementary school I have always hoped I would find for my children. Jackson has dedicated, caring staff who go more than the extra mile for students. Ms. Exposito, the principal, is a thoughtful, caring leader. She is amazing with the students and really sets the tone for the school. Her willingness to allow parents and community members to run with their passions and talents has brought about a school garden, thriving parent organizations, and exciting enrichment programs. The same goes for Karla Romero, the school's magnet coordinator. She is incredibly dedicated and capable. The school receptionist, Aracelly, is loved by all the students and parents. Jackson has access to two online blended learning programs, an incredible science lab, a beautiful library, a Healthy Start office with nurse, and so much more. Finally, our school has a diverse group of students from the neighborhood and nearby communities. It really is a special place to be. We drive for 20 minutes every day to be there and we aren't the only ones!
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2015

My son is in the kinder dual immersion program here and we are very happy. The principal and teachers are warm and caring, and the magnet program connects the school with impressive community partners. Parent involvement at Jackson is also impressive.
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2015

My daughter is in kinder in the dual immersion program at Jackson. I have been incredibly happy with the school. The teachers are truly talented and caring. My daughter knew no spanish and is learning so quickly! We also love the science, computer, and gardening classes as well! The principle is very involved, capable and caring. There is also a great group of parents who are dedicated and involved. I was concerned about the low test scores, but it's my understanding that they don't test the kids until third grade so the immersion kids are not reflected in the score because the program is only a few years old. I highly recommend Jackson!
Submitted by parent on December 21, 2014

Jackson Magnet Academy (formerly Jackson Elementary) has become the best school in the PUSD. My daughter is thriving. The school is nurturing and safe. We chose Jackson for the Dual Language Immersion Program and the incredible education enrichment programs. The Pasadena Symphony & Pops has started a Youth Symphony Orchestra at Jackson. JPL, another community partner, supports Jackson's amazing STEM (science, technology, engineering & math) program, the best in the district, which has a wonderful science teacher and a fantastic science classroom. Jackson has a new computer lab, a multipurpose garden with a new weather station, a health center, a mainstream and dual language preschool program, a host of after school clubs, and a wonderful librarian, Ms. Banerdt, who is a geophysicist. She conducts special reading programs and brings in authors of children's books to the school. The My Masterpieces art program combines classroom curriculum and art projects with field trips to museums and cultural centers. We originally were concerned about the school's API, but that is an old score from before the time Jackson became a Magnet Academy. The new Jackson is a phenomenal school.
Submitted by parent on August 21, 2013

We chose this school for the Spanish Immersion curriculum. We also got into Odyssey Charter but we had a feeling this would be a better fit for our daughter and we were right. They have a new science lab. The teachers and employees seem pretty happy. I wish all schools had more funding. They did add a really nice community garden and auditorium but the fencing in the big yard feels a bit cage-like. It could use some Feng Shui for sure but that costs $.