Laurel Elementary School

95 Edge Road

School District

Menlo Park City Elementary
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

School Map for Menlo Park City Elementary 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 January 27, 2019

Best I’ve seen. First time in US and first time in public school. Very positively surprised
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2019

We love Laurel! We are still in the thick of our journey here, but since day one, I have found an amazing, supportive community, including all of the other families here. As a single father I had no idea what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised to find nurturing, caring, fun teachers and staff, all with their own individual styles. They were both attentive to my children's needs and their aspirations. My children have thrived socially and academically and have found a place they can call home. I am already feeling sad that our experience at Laurel will be over in just a few years.
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2019

I have 2 children that go to Laurel, and I've been a Laurel parent for 3 years. It's a wonderful school, and I feel grateful my kids get to go there. The principal and all the staff are extremely involved and caring, and they are consistently looking to innovate and improve the educational experience. I really appreciate the focus on project-based learning, and also the emphasis on learning good community values, morals and citizenship. I also love the variety of activities the children have access to - tons of field trips, music, art, language, sciences, plus really interesting after school programs. Laurel really feels like more than a school - it's a community of wonderful parents, teachers and kids. It's one of the biggest benefits of living in Menlo Park.
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2018

We had a sub-par experience. If your child fits right in the middle of what's considered mainstream, they'll likely do fine. Otherwise, you're on your own.The school rests very heavily on the perceived reputation of the district as a whole. Brand new schools and an abundance of devices and use of technology appeals to the Bay Area crowd, and inflates the perception that this is a top district.A small number of teachers are excellent, but the majority are just average. Which is fine, but it has lulled the staff into a false sense of "we're really a top school in a top district" when really, as I've said, it's just average.The administration should get very low marks on dealing with bullying. Instances of both in-person and cyber bullying occurred regularly, and the administration takes a "punish the victim" approach vs effectively dealing with the offenders and holding them and their parents accountable.The administration (and this is probably directed to them at the district level) does not take a supportive role when it comes to helping children who are high functioning but have any of the very common learning disabilities. We often felt that we had to try and convince the administration to help our child and were at odds with them, versus jointly working together to do what's best for our child, not what some administrator has set as targets for the district.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2018

My daughter attended Laurel from Kindergarten through third. The school is fairly small and the atmosphere is personal and supportive. Everyone knows everyone. We loved the school and so did our daughter.
Submitted by parent on March 20, 2018

Many of the reviews are from 4+ years ago, and I'm surprised to see the negativity. Our experience has been extremely positive--and I have an esteemed local private school to compare it to. My 2nd grader attended a progressive private school for K and 1, and while the learning experience was spot-on there, that school had none of the community that Laurel does. My kindergarten son and second-grade daughter have such nice kids in their classes, teachers who care deeply about them, and an overall school environment that is supportive at the same time as it challenges them to be their best selves. The school is integrating Project-Based Learning into all grades, and my kids have gotten a lot out of those experiences. We feel lucky to live in a neighborhood where the kids are encouraged and thriving and encouraged to grow in their character as well as their intellects.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

My daughter is a 3rd grader in this school. She has been here for 4 years (since kindergarden). She was always happy about the school! She never complained and refused to go to school. What an amazing achievement from school staffs! All the kids I knew just love the school so much and they said they are nuts about Laurel. The teachers of each grade we had so far are all nice to the kids. On her 2nd grade, the teacher's mom did volunteer for the whole year! The principle is very responsible, I often see her standing there organizing the parking and car pool. We also received weekly update about school news. School has many kinds of enrichment classes: music, art, science, debate, math. Some of these classes are hold by caring parent volunteers. Their homework load is reasonable, little lighter than other school I know, but kids perform very well. I mostly see 90%+, even 95%+ on the STAR report. I am happy with Laurel, will send my younger boy to Laurel again!
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2014

Our child was in this school from K-3 and we loved every minute of it. We had an outstanding 1st grade teacher, truly awesome. All the other teachers were very good. The 'music lady' is a community treasure. We didn't have any issues with the principal. Parents are very involved and there are opportunities to volunteer even if you work a lot.
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2014

Wow, I'm at my last straw with the principal. I have 2 kids at laurel - one in 3rd who has been there since K and another in K this year. The teachers have all been lovely and the school community is wonderful, but the principal is downright passive aggressive and unwelcoming. I am considering taking my Kindergartener out next year.
Submitted by parent on July 19, 2013

I had a kindergartner and a 2nd grader at Laurel, and we are transferring to a different school because of the principal's lack of leadership. This is really unfortunate because Laurel has some wonderful teachers, a great Art in Action program, and a parent-base that is highly active. Great hot lunch program, library, music, and extracurricular activities, but I can't even begin to express how disappointed I am with the principal.
Submitted by parent on December 30, 2012

We have been very pleased with Laurel. We have children in first grade and kindergarten. The class sizes are small (23 and 20 respectively) and with the early bird/late bird program in kindergarten there are only 10 kids in the classroom when it's time for math and reading. Both my children were reading by December of their kindergarten year after attending only play-based preschools. Teachers and the principal are readily available to discuss any questions/concerns. Bullying is not tolerated and my children feel very safe. The music program is sweet. The Art in Action program is well-done. There's a full-time librarian and this year my kindergartener has come home with 2 new library books each day!
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2012

I thought I would move to MP to have my kids attend a "GOOD" school. Laurel is good, until you have issues/ problems w/ teachers/ principal that thinks she knows what she is doing and DOES NOT. Parents - it's all show off ( high school ) all over again. Not warm and friendly. I give up! I want to move and get my kids out of this school. Too crowded... only goes up to 3rd grade - then the kids switch to another school. Too much headache!
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2011

There are way too many kids here, unfortunately. It's pretty a pretty school at least, but its gotten very crowded. The new principal is an extension of the old principal, which is not good. Very wealthy families attend, and they like to display their wealth...and the feeling is sort of like high school for the moms, all over again. It can get very, very catty and shallow here. Ugh.