American Elementary School

800 Verdugo Lane

School District

Rosedale Union Elementary
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

public

School Map for Rosedale Union 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 May 09, 2022

Good school and teachers. Safe and healthy environment for kids.
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2022

This school is amazing. The staff and teachers are extremely friendly and helpful. They’ve gone above and beyond to help my autistic child succeed. I highly recommend this school!
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2020

Respectful & caring interaction among faculty & staff, and naturally extended to students & parents/guardians is indicative of the devotion that is palpable at American. The campus security utilized to ensure student welfare is brilliant and a clear indication of the value & appreciation that is placed on the children. If a student is willing and given persistent support from home, he/she will graduate from American having not just learned curriculum but also cultivated integrity and a good work ethic.
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2016

Thank you Mrs. Taylor for being a great chess coach for our kids. All the time and effort you invest in them is really appreciated!
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2015

I am very surprised by the number of negative reviews listed on this page. American Elementary is a terrific school with great staff and administration. Child and parent participation is heavily encouraged and part of the daily life at American. Teachers make themselves available and are willing to put in the time to work with your child. Class sizes tend to be small (20-25) and does not seem overly focused on standardized testing. When I compare my child's experience with coworkers or friends who are not within the American boundaries I typically do not hear the same positive experiences. It seems some of the older reviewers may be one or two individuals who posted numerous negative reviews in an effort to reduce the overall rating. I understand that everyone experiences will not be positive, but for the most part American is top notch.
Submitted by other on February 03, 2015

I wish all schools were as outstanding as this one. All students are supported and respected. The family is valued and parents are encouraged to be involved in their child's classroom. The curriculum is integrated and balanced with literature and informational text and students read and write in every subject, including math. There is a wonderful leadership program for the student body as well as extracurricular activities such as Chess Club, school band, and sports. I am sorry such negative experiences occurred with some of the other comments here. Those are surely not typical of those who know American Elementary School.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2014

We LOVE American!!! This is a fantastic school! Both my children, have had wonderful teachers each year. Teachers that truly care and go the extra mile for their students! I'm blown away by the negative comments that I have read. These comments must be made by parents who spend little to no time at the school actually getting to know the staff. Children are rewarded for reaching goals set in multiply subjects as well as attendance. These assemblies are held EVERY quarter. Along with rewarding academics, they are rewarded for behavior with fun Fridays and Mustang days. So to the person saying their are no rewards?? Not sure what school you are speaking of. Our PTC is one of the best!! They spend so much time doing lots of extras for the kids... Donuts with Dad, Muffins with mom, grandparents day ice cream social, the carnival, father/daughter dance and the list goes on and on. This school cares for the kids, they are number one! That's how it should be!!
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2014

I love this school! Teachers are nice and knowledgeable, and make every effort for the children's success. The principal is very involved, something not every school can be proud of! The staff is amazing! For 6 years my children had never been bullied, and I am surprised that other parents complain about it. I have two completely different boys, one requires more attention, the other one is totally independent, but they both have academic success. I am also surprised by the parents' complain about quality of teaching. My advice is if the child struggles at school, it is also the parents' responsibility to help put that child back on track. It is not only the school to be blamed for the failure. Especially, with the upcoming Common Core changes-parents ' involvement is necessary! I am pretty sure the new standards are challenging for any school in USA, since it is a national academic change.
Submitted by parent on June 29, 2014

This school is exceptional. The teachers work exceptionally hard and the principal goes out of his way to make everyone a part of what goes on there, exemplified by the fact that he knows the names of practically all students. Comments written below by some individuals regarding the principal are completely foreign to me and to my friends who have had kids there for up to seven years. The focus of this school is on students and student learning. The Rosedale Union School District is the third highest scoring district in Kern County, and American Elementary has been the highest scoring school in that district for the past seven years. It has ranked in the top ten of all Kern County schools for the past seven years as well. Every teacher my child has had has gone out of his/her way to provide support and I simply can't say enough great things about each of them.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2014

My child went here and while their are some amazing teachers here their are also some really bad teachers and the principal will always side with teachers and talks down to parents. If u have a a student won't be a problem but if you don't meet the cookie cut student they suffer :( I'm sad to say my son school failed him stay out of this if you can
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2013

I was disappointed to see the negative reviews for American. My Husband and I LOVE this school! We love that it has shorter days. It's not the teachers job to teach my child everything. The teacher's we have come across are great! The principle and teachers are doing a great job! The parent involvement is wonderful! I love seeing all the mom/dads around campus and in the classrooms! We are blessed to have our children at this school!!
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2013

Great school!! My daughter has been going to this school since Kinder and is now is 5th grade..I couldn't be more happier with the education she has received here. I have read some of the reviews and WOW! Doesn't sound like the school my daughter goes to.. I have been to a handful of awards assembly's since my daughter has been in Kinder they have one at the end of every quarter, that is unless your child isn't being recognized that quarter.. And they have a big Honor Roll banquet at the end of the year... I, myself am not a "rich", "stay at home" parents.. My husband and I both work full-time, our daughter is still Involved in the activities at school and other extra cuticular activities outside of school and still manages to always have her homework done and excel in school..I admit I may not do as much as one parent said " rich-stay at home" moms may do but the education, drive and push these teachers give to these students is excellent and your right they do expect nothing but the best from these students, which is what I expect from my daughter...!
Submitted by other on September 04, 2013

I am confused about these reviews since I focus on state testing scores...It appears they are doing well in that area considering one opinion was that they had minimum passing requirements (I think that's the state and not the school that has low requirements) Can some one give more commentary on the curriculum and prep for testing?
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2013

American Elementary School has not cut the instructional day and some of the comments below are flat out unjustified! Do your research people. If you really looked at their academic day you would realize that it is only shorter by about 30 minutes, when compared to other local school schedules, and that time has been taken from recesses, not instructional time, which by the way exceeds state requirements. Bet you didn't know that! Now, I know for some this is absolutely "horrifying," students need time to play and socialize, but these same people gripe about the lack of supervision. American has thoughtfully reduced the amount of time spent on name calling, hands-on behaviors, teasing, inappropriate conversation, and so on, that children are provided with and subjected to each day with excessive amounts of recess, and I appreciate that. If your child is only getting a 10 minute recess and a 40 minute lunch, guess what?, that's all their teacher is getting too. Anybody think about that? American does an amazing job at providing children with supervised, well thought out, physical activity each week. An extra half hour of recess each day is not on my priority list as a parent.
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2013

This school gives the bare minimum to advance your child to the next grade. I had worked with my son before hand getting him prepared for the school year. He learned more from me at home than in the classroom. We also had no programs to attend or participate in. Thanks American for the lack of pictures and memories for a milestone in my child's life.
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2013

I was extremely disappointed in the lack of support from the staff. My child was being bullied and when brought to thier attention they ignored and denied it. The playground is poorly supervised. There is no discipline for bad behavior. My son was robbed of joy for the school year.
Submitted by parent on July 30, 2013

I was completely satisfied with the school and staff. My son struggles and when I had concerns we ha a meeting and discussed options and steps to improve the experience for him. The staff is wonderful!!!! The school and staff has been a huge blessing to our family. I love how involved principal Bray is with students, teachers, and daily activities.
Submitted by parent on July 07, 2013

This school is geared towards rich families with stay at home moms or nannys. With the short school day, it is expected that the family does the teaching of all subjects and children attend school just for testing. The staff is mostly kindhearted, but due to the leadership they are 100% focused on money and not on the kids' welfare. As a long time supporter of public schools, this school changed my perspective and is making me consider home schooling or private school.
Submitted by parent on July 07, 2013

This school is barely a daycare for children. They have cut the school day so even 5th graders attend 8am-1:30pm. The kids focus on state testing only. My child failed every subject and was promoted to the next grade because she did ok enough on the state test. So now she is in over her head and they are blaming it on poor parenting and her being lazy. We have tutors and she does 3+hrs of homework a night. They refuse to have her tested for possible learning problems because they wont be reimbursed. I cannot say enough abuot how poorly this school is run. Children come last.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2013

This school does not reward children who excel. There was not one award assembly or program given all year! The principle is very cold and pompus. Instead of investing the money raised on activities for the children it is used for smart boards. Why spend the money there when there is so little to offer the children?