Central Elementary School

525 Middle Road

School District

Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:25
Type

public

School Map for Belmont-Redwood Shores 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 July 06, 2024

We were nervous about sending our first kid to kindergarten, so I asked around about her teacher, Ms Spadia. Every single parent raved about how amazing she was, and it put my mind to rest.My daughter is now going into the third grade and my son is about to enter kindergarten and I can say with confidence that Central is amazing! From the first kindergarten playdate to Halloween parades to the school musical, our daughter had had a wonderful time at Central, and our son will start there next year. The teachers, principal, and parent community are all wonderful. And yes, Ms Spadia is indeed amazing.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2021

We were so sad when our eight years at Central came to an end - it has felt like "home" for our kids, but also for us as parents in the community there. Both our children went through from grade K to 5, and while they had different teaching lineups, overlapped with different principals/leadership teams, and are very different students - they both had an amazing experience. No school is perfect, but Central is an excellent school. Kids at Central are taught from kindergarten on up that they are part of a community of learners, that they are responsible for their actions, that they can develop a growth mindset, that their orientation should be toward learning not "just testing." Central has amazing test scores, including for groups of kids that traditionally do not test as high - one was to gauge the success of a teaching program is not to look at the kids who would do well on academic testing anywhere (which is frankly the majority of the kids at this school) - but to look instead at the kids who don't traditionally score as well. Central's populations of kids at economic disadvantage, learning English, and with various disabilities all perform extremely well compared to the rest of the state and even the district. This is a ringing endorsement of how hard the teachers there work, and how well they understand teaching and learning. We are sad to leave Central, and will miss the friendly and bright campus environment - but we know that our kids are going out into the world of Middle School super well prepared from the years they spent here. Thank you Central!!
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2018

The Kinder program is fantastic! My kids are learning and they are having fun. The teachers really seem to care and provide excellent feedback and provide guidance on areas that students need more help. The Principle is very respected by the parents and students.
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2017

Central is a great school for many reasons, but the primary one is the strong community. Mr. Marchetti sets the tone from the top, and the sense of respect and caring that the teachers have for each other and for their students is an important part of what makes the school such a positive place for children. Despite California's terrible crisis in education funding, the school manages to continue providing art, music, dance, PE, science, and other "extras" that shouldn't have to be extra for our state's public schools but sadly are. Central manages to do all this through additional Ed Foundation funding (thank you SchoolForce!), a really strong PTA, and parent volunteers who help with everything from cutting paper to teaching art to ukulele club to yard duty. Parents put so much into helping make this school strong - combined with top notch teaching (even the "less favorite" teachers on the staff are really quite strong as far as teaching goes) and a leadership team that cares about academic excellence but also social and emotional learning, a hands-on-curriculum, a "tinker" lab starting in kindergarten, and emphasis on real-world skills like communication, comprehension, and problem-solving - we are really so lucky to have a school like Central.
Submitted by parent on November 14, 2017

This is a fantastic school. We are very pleased with the teachers and staff.
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2011

We love this school and the community. There is a very wonderful community of parents who are committed to creating a safe, nurturing, challenging environment for their children. The education is a lovely combination of whole child (with music, dance,and art) and a great academic preparation. The community has really rallied to keep the school top notch through these very challenging economic times from donating money to volunteering time. We are extremely grateful that are children are a part of this school and community.
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2010

As with all organizations, the leader sets the tone and Mrs. McKenzie has certainly cultivated a kind, respectful environment which empowers students, teachers and parents. A gracious, professional leader who remains engaged, involved, accountable and responsive to the needs of the student community and individual students, she has the respect of the teachers who follow her lead in delivering the best education to K-5 students. My boys have thrived there these past 3 and 2 years, respectively. Central is a very special community and we're blessed to be a part of it.
Submitted by parent on October 14, 2010

Great Teachers that really care!
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2010

Fantastic School.. Teachers, faculty and parent involvement are excellent.
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2010

Wonderful group of people, working together to make a great experience for our kids.
Submitted by parent on April 16, 2010

Caring principal, teachers & staff. They really focus all their efforts on what the students really need. They stay late to help and go the extra mile. Even with all the budget cuts, they stay positive and make the best of the situation.
Submitted by parent on April 16, 2010

The outreach to new parents is amazing! Really made us feel welcome even before we were at the school!
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2010

Ensemble of high standards, qualified, dedicated and caring staff, great community
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2010

Great teachers and great parent participation.. We can all make a difference..
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2010

This school has a wonderful environment that caters to all children. The principle and staff are more than extraordinary. My child has thrived there and I am excited for my next child to start kindergarten in this coming fall.
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2010

Central school cares about each and every child. The parents love the school as well as their children.