Matthew Turner Elementary School

540 Rose Drive

School District

Benicia Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:22
Type

public

School Map for Benicia 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 June 04, 2024

I have two kids who attend this school and it’s been a wonderful experience. The academic support is stellar, the focus on kindness and inclusion is exemplary, and the staff is so supportive. Additionally, children with IEPs actually get the support they need. Wonderful principal - someone we will never forget for his support, kindness, and positivity. Great teachers and great school!
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2024

Don’t believe the hype about the public schools in Benicia. Moved here specifically in this neighborhood for this school and am very disappointed. Your child will fit in if they are compliant and do as they are told. Those in special education are patronizing and tone deaf. We are now in private school and stuck in this town.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2024

This is a fantastic school. My daughter looks forward to going to school everyday. The school has an incredible staff, beautiful facilities and amazing teachers.
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2021

I have 3 children and they’ve all attended Matthew Turner. We have been blown away by the quality and care we’ve received from their teachers. I’m very impressed how they’ve handled the distant learning and transition back to campus. Even if something comes up I’ve felt the staff and teachers are accessible and willing to work with our family to continue moving the right direction.
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2021

This school has been terrible. You either get a good teacher or you get horrible one, there is no in between. In second and third grade my daughter had horrible teachers and was so far behind, yet no one said anything. I contacted the principal and he would just say “but your daughter is a leader, that’s all that matters”. Excuse me?! He wasn’t helpful at all. We moved here specifically to go to this school. What a waste of time and money. We now go to private school. We would never go back here.
Submitted by parent on February 14, 2021

I have to say I was excited when we first came here. My son transfer to hear from Mary farmer and I thought it would be a great new transition with lots of support to help my son be successful. I can say that they tried for the first month and after that suspended my son on an almost every other day basis. Mind you my son's 5 years old at this time. It honestly blows my mind that anyone could suspend a child out of school at 5 years old but needless to say they did. We went to distance learning where he's been doing well given the circumstances. I went to his annual IEP meeting and they suggested that he be put into a non-public school that is an hour away from my home so he would be in school effectively from 6:00 in the morning until 4:00 at night in Elmira California. He would be the only kindergartener in the entire School. His classroom would comprise of a sixth grader fifth graders fourth graders a couple third graders and himself seven kids total. Everyone there has completely given up on him. Completely. The "behaviors" they see at school I do not see in any other setting, not home, not swim lessons, not kumon, nor preschool or sports. I am a single parent and my son is Hispanic. I just want to add that kids are smart, they know when they are being talked down to, treated differently etc. It's just sad.
Submitted by parent on August 10, 2018

My experience at this school has always been great. As a general rule, I tend to not give perfect scores because there is ALWAYS room for improvement somewhere. However, in my opinion, MTE comes quite close.
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2018

I came into Matthew Turner with very little knowledge about the school or staff having just moved to Benicia the summer before school started. I am continually impressed by the dedication of the staff and I mean ALL staff! Teachers, Principal, Daycare even the janitor, they all CARE and take their jobs seriously. The parents at this school are very involved and help to support and create a wonderful educational environment for all of our children.
Submitted by parent on October 03, 2017

Very positive experience with style of teaching and development opportunities for the students
Submitted by parent on December 17, 2016

When parents speak of the "high level of academics" that this school has, that is quite laughable. My child stopped receiving homework after 1st grade. My child earns top marks on all his "benchmark" testing that is performed once a year. Other than that, there is NO testing to gauge where they are for the rest of the school year. They had one principal who was half way decent and when she retired, they acquired another who was absolutely atrocious and then she scampered out of there as soon as she found a higher up position within the public school system in Benicia. Multiple parents have complained about the useless staff. There are only a handful of great teachers left since some of them jumped ship since Beatson came on board as the principal a few years ago.
Submitted by other on November 27, 2016

This is my 8th year as a Matthew Turner parent and I have nothing but good things to say about this school. The teachers and staff are caring and compassionate. I am very happy with Matthew Turner.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2014

I have one child at Matthew Turner now and another one who graduated from the same school who is now in middle school. The teachers and school staff are absolutely wonderful. Curriculum is top notch, as evidenced by my middle schooler who is not only breezing through middle school but constantly on honor roll. Personally, I have no problems with the strict attendance, test scores, and lots of parent involvement, etc. All of these things help them get ready for their next stage in life. Early foundation is key. If you don't want your child to excel academically and socially, then this school is not for you. Bravo to Matthew Turner!
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2012

Excellent school. I moved to Benicia for the schools two years ago and I am very pleased with that choice. A bit about my situation...I have two daughters attending this school. Neither of my kids attended preschool so I was a little concerned about their transition, particularly when the Kindergarten days were extended. I found the teachers were committed to exposing kids to the educational experience and exciting them about learning. I would say both my kids have different strengths and weaknesses but teachers (and my wife and I) worked with them and it paid off. Parent involvement both at school and at home is higher than I anticipated. Expect to be strongly encouraged to volunteer if your child attends MT. I admit, sometimes I joke with other parents that 'I don't remember it being that way when I was a kid' but honestly times have changed and I am over it. Although volunteering is an investment and it's not always easy it results in a strong sense of community here and a lot of that is due to the parental involvement. Parents recognize my kids and we recognize theirs, etc. Last I checked I thought that was a good thing and usually really good things cost a bit.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2012

Parents and teachers are very engaged to the benefit of the students. Due to this year's change in principals, I have to rate four starts until the new leadership is established. Past leadership has balanced school funds with curriculum and parental involvement.
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2011

This school could not be better! Great teachers, great principal. 99.9% of the parents are involved in the extra activities, and a majority of the parents and students come to the extra event held after school or on the weekends. My daughter has learned far more than others her age that are at different schools. If it weren't for this schools performance our only other option would be private school. I would not feel comfortable sending my daughter to any other school in the bay area, and know that she would get the best education possible. Thank you to the staff and other involved parents at this school.
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2011

I have not been happy with this school. Am looking at other options. Teachers are great but to much emphasis on test scores which creates competitive environment in children.