Cragmont Elementary School

830 Regal Road

School District

Berkeley Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

public

School Map for Berkeley 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 December 19, 2019

Nine out of ten. The school was built In 1999 with seismic Proofing also Ng with great surveillance cameras and security. The PTA is absolutely wonderful and we as parents have been participating and engaged. Parents are educated and great to hang out with. The teaching skills are very acceptable. I really like the melting pot of the students along with the teachers.
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2019

I have seen my children go through elementary school, in addition to my nieces and nephews, and this by far the worst school that any of them have attended. In every aspect, Cragmont falls behind. The larger problem is the lottery system, but the school does nothing to work with what they are given. They need to start aiming higher and provide an education more tailored to students with different abilities. They need to have a more hardline approach to bullying. It is pervasive, though the school will never disclose that to anyone. The schools first priority seems to be to just avoid hurting anyone's feelings. If you have a choice, do not send your children to Cragmont.
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2016

All public schools have their limitations, but given the financial and legislative restraints, Cragmont does an excellent job. Yes, the common core math is repetitive and rudimentary, but the school doesn't have the funding for differentiated learning.So, that said, here is the wonderful: we have twins in kindergarten. Principal Fortich is warm, communicative, and welcoming. She seems to know everything about everyone at the school and cares deeply about our children as people and as learners.Our kindergarten teacher is exceptional. She knows how to foster confidence and excitement about learning. Our children adore her and feel extremely safe in her classroom.The PTA funds art, science, gardening, singing, and dance classes during the school day. We see our kids using the social emotional learning tools that are part of the curriculum in their daily lives.Is it perfect? Far from it, but on the whole, we are very, very impressed.
Submitted by parent on March 06, 2016

Kindergarten is a total loss for our child. He's bored, he's showing less creativity than he did before school, and he doesn't like to go. It's probably ok for kids who struggle to read, but that's the only emphasis: reading and math. Constant worksheets. Repetitive homework packages every week. If you can afford an alternative, don't hesitate. BUSD isn't geared toward kids who are prepared and love to learn.
Submitted by parent on September 08, 2014

I have been a parent at Cragmont for several years. I agree with a previous reviewer that the school office administrator is rude, passive aggressive and flat our unfriendly the majority of the time. It is very unfortunate that parents feel intimidated and uncomfortable communication anything through this employee. I will never understand why it's tolerated. There are many great teachers at Cragmont, a strong PTA, and good enrichment (although we just lost our art room). However, if there is a problem with a teacher, I feel the parent input is undervalued and it is very difficult to affect any change.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2014

I wanted to share some more recent experiences with Cragmont, as many of these reviews are dated. I have two children at Cragmont and am very satisfied with the academics as well as the enrichment. There is a small but very dedicated core PTA there and parental involvment is increasing with each year I have been there. Due to the strong and effective PTA, there is a wide array of enrichment. Dance, art, theater, MOSAIC, PE, music and garden. The most important thing I have experienced is that the vast majority of the kids here are kind, unspoiled, and used to living in a diverse environment. This attitude of caring and kindness is fostered by a great teaching staff. Cragmont is a gem if you are lucky enough to get in.
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2012

Cragmont Elementary has been a very good school in most aspects. The issue that we have is that the office administrator is an obstructionist, petty, not even handed, and feared by many parents. We had to take our child out of school for a week of vacation last year. Our child performs at a very high level (GATE program, etc) and this vacation was educational. The admin refused to give us an independent study packet and threatened that we'd likely receive two truancy letters (we received one). Later in the year, we found out that two other families took their children out of school for longer vacations and they were given independent study packets, and never received truancy letters!? Both of these families are friendly with the admin. Although our child is not often absent, this year, the admin has asked for doctor's notes. We feel like we are being harassed (legal counsel?)! Other parents fear the admin because she imposes trivial rules, and behaves like a petty bureaucrat instead of acting as a facilitator. Although we are quite active in the school, we certainly won't miss this aspect of an otherwise great school. The admin has really colored our years spent here.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2011

The principal's dishonesty and lack of clarity in communications with parents and other community members trickles down through teachers and staff. Teachers are for the most part very good, but lack of oversight has brought the teaching quality way down over the past few years. Students are experiencing much more bullying and lack of respect from both fellow students and, surprisingly, staff members. We couldn't keep our children there, for both our sanity and their well-being, and were fortunate to be able to transfer both to another school at the same time.