Crest View Elementary School

1897 Sumac Avenue

School District

Boulder Valley Re 2
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Boulder Valley Re 2 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 other on February 07, 2025

This is as bad school. No learning takes place, and is terrible for kids with special needs.
Submitted by parent on January 10, 2025

The new principal lacks leadership and vision, avoiding tough questions from parents and ignoring important data and feedback. While there are some good teachers, they are overwhelmed and under-resourced, struggling with a challenging student population. The principal also refuses to create a separate track for high achievers and the kids are not being adequately prepared for middle school, Overall, this school is heading in the wrong direction.
Submitted by parent on November 03, 2024

I feel very lucky to have two children at Crest View Elementary school. I care deeply that our children receive a top-notch education. I'm a PhD scientist at CU Boulder with a background in both research and science education, and I'm writing this review for those worried that their children will be at a disadvantage if they come to Crest View instead of enrolling in an open-enrollment or private option elsewhere. I have two neurotypical children.Crest View teachers are committed, kind, and work together as a team within and across grades. In 5 years and two children, we've yet to have a teacher that didn't recognize and make accommodations for our children's particular talents, interests, and needs. The school's librarian organizes many opportunities for school-time enrichment where students meet book authors, participate in programs like Classrooms for Climate Action, Reading to End Racism, Battle of the Books, and both annual Boulder Bookstore and Scholastic bookfairs, as well as a student-produced weekly news show “CVTV”. The gym teacher addresses the needs of all students by offering instruction in traditional sports (like basketball, volleyball, badminton, tumbling) as well as non-traditional options Speed Stacking, jump rope, and Bowling. In music, children learn Ukelele, Keyboards and Guitar, as well as the more typical singing and rhythm exercises. The art teacher, a talented artist with murals all over Boulder, offers ceramics, recycled materials sculpture and mask-making and uses inspirational environmental themes throughout her teaching. We have a maker space where CU scientists and others engage whole grades simultaneously in special hands-on activities. Parent-liaisons for classrooms help teachers organize parties, community building events, and volunteers. Parents are welcome in the classroom and help with reading groups, special events, and fieldtrips, but there’s no pressure or judgement if parents can’t volunteer during the school day, either. The culture of the school is really supportive of working families with limited flexibility. With paras, math and literacy interventionists, a full-time counselor, a gifted and talented advisor, English Language Learning specialists, school nurse, many different after-school enrichment and care options, and two of the nicest custodians you could ever hope to meet, the school feels well-resourced and supported in so many dimensions.Don’t miss an opportunity to give Crest View a close look.
Submitted by parent on November 16, 2023

I have a 4th grader and a 1st grader, both who have been at the school since Kindergarten. We've had great experiences for both of them.The teachers have all been amazing. They have decades of experience, with many at Crest View for 10+ years. That is a testament to the great school community! We get weekly updates from teachers, plus ad hoc info whenever we have questions. I've been able to go into the classrooms regularly to volunteer, and observe firsthand how well the teachers and para professionals interact with the kids. There is a large emphasis on social-emotional growth, cultueral diversity and mindfulness threaded throughou.We love the diversity of the school. Our kids have been exposed to a variety of languages and cultures via their classmates, getting one of my kids excited about learning Spanish so he can talk to his classmates in their native language. The school and PTO does a really great trying to support include all families, regardless of economic means or language ability. E.g., they ensure that every kid can get a book at the book fair, provide bags of food for the families that need it, all communications include Spanish, English and sometimes other languages as needed, ensure that events are culturally aware and show off the diversity of the community. While the challenges of serving English learners does pull down test scores, they are a really positive part of the school community.I've been impressed by the school's willingness and ability to differentiate instruction across a wide variety of needs. Especially post-covid, there has been a huge emphasis on helping all the students thrive and close gaps. E.g., extra literacy programs for kids who are at the border of grade level to boost them up, differentiated Math experiences that don't irrevocably track kids, but rather adjust to their needs unit-by-unit with either extra help, or extra challenges. The co-teaching model in Math allows both English learners and all students to get extra support in the classroom, rather than pulling kids out.There is new principal this year who has brought fresh energy and engagement to the community. He has made a huge effort to reach out and engage with parents, listen to their needs, and make them feel welcome in the school.Finally, there is a great community of parents and families. It's great to walk 1 block to the bus stop in the morning, and talk with parents while kids get on the bus with 30 other neighborhood kids.
Submitted by parent on August 07, 2023

I have an incoming 2nd grader and an older child who went through all of K-5 there, and we have had nothing but great experiences. From the minute we walked in, surrounded by all the kids' artwork, pictures, book reviews, etc, I knew we were going to like it there. It's a very kid-focused school and the teachers seem to love what they do and know all of the kids regardless of if they are in their class or not. Some favorite things we love about Crest View: - The parent-teacher org (ROCV) helps parents stay connected and organizes some great parties (fall festival and spring fling!)- The makerspace - a DIY lab for kids to make/create all kinds of creative projects- The creation station - the library and book fair have probably been both of my kids' favorite things at Crest View. Every library day is exciting, and when the book fair comes along it's almost like a holiday to them, they count down the days- Reading groups - I was skeptical with my son as his love for reading developed a little later but it has blossomed and I credit that entirely to his kinder and first grade teachers. They used a phonics system which really hit home with him. He loves reading now and has advanced so much- The cafeteria (hot lunch!) - they both love breakfast and lunch and I like that bvsd gives out calendars with the lunch sched (inc vegetarian options!) - The bus - I highly recommend bvsd transportation if it's available to you, as it was a great way for our kids to make friends of all ages, not just in their grade. The bus is kind of its own ecosystem!
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2023

We considered a charter school for my daughter but decided to try our local school first. We are so happy we did. My daughter's teachers and classmates have been absolutely wonderful, and her academic growth has exceeded our expectations. When we have had questions or concerns teachers and staff have been very responsive and supportive. The school counselor has been there for parental advice when we needed it and taken time to talk and work with our daughter when she needed a bit of social coaching. The parent community at Crest View is also warm, thriving and inclusive. By attending our neighborhood school, we have gotten to know many more of our neighbors and feel much more connected to our area. This was an unexpected benefit that has really been priceless. I highly recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2022

I love this school for many reasons but two that stand out are: 1. My kids are getting a robust academic and social experience from smart, caring, and creative teachers. They love going to school and their teachers are responsive and clearly understand and value my children. My kids rate well on standardized tests, but they aren't bored at school and the What I Need (WIN) program and independent classroom work helps stretch them. 2. For Boulder, the school is very diverse. The kids at Crest View are ethnically diverse, socioeconomically diverse, and diverse in their abilities. I love this and feel like it's giving my kids really useful soft skills and an innate understanding of different perspectives.
Submitted by parent on December 20, 2020

Crest View has never been a good school, let alone great. The administration are asleep at the wheel putting in their time to retirement. Teachers care to the point it looks good but don't have the resources to do the job. They actively keep parents or paraeducators out of the classroom with no rational reason. One can only assume its to avoid someone seeing their inability to manage the large and diverse class sizes.There is very little good about Crest View. Teachers are not technologically savvy, unable to deviate from the antiquated practices of the past. There is one great teacher in the special ed department however is hindered by the administration who are unable to manage children with learning differences. The ability to support children who are underrepresented or needing ESL isn't something they do well either.Use the open enrollment system if you continue to attend public school. There are some great options in BVSD, this isn't one of them.Staff and front office staff in particular are thoughtless, cold and uniformed. Overall the school suffers from a lack of clear communication ,internally and with parents, is ran like a prison and not a place of learning, curiosity and supporting diverse learners or ethnicities. They are just going through the motions and failing if you look behind the scenes.
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2020

We spent the first four years of elementary at Crest View, but the time came to make a switch to private. I disagree with comments that the school is not warm and friendly. I always felt welcomed. Also, staff and faculty do seem to stay there for many years. There are many positive things about Crest View: the diversity (one of the most diverse in Boulder); the teacher experience level; the school community and more. However, the 25:1 ratio makes it very difficult for kids to get enough attention when needed. There typically are not aids or assistant teachers. Parent involvement in the classroom is very high, but parents often don't know how to help kids. Honestly, the district needs to redraw school boundaries to take the burden off CV. Ultimately, if your child is at the top of the class or bottom of the class, he or she will get more attention. But those in the middle can get lost in the shuffle. Our son is really creative and curious, but lost that spark at school. In his new environment, we're seeing a new love for learning. But we were sad to leave our "home" school where he had many friends from our neighborhood (one of the main reasons we went to our neighborhood school). Some kids thrive here, but others fall through the cracks. Sometimes you just don’t what kind of kid you have until you try it.
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2020

Poor! Never felt welcomed or able to be involved. Front desk staff and front office is not welcoming. Staff and teachers seem overwhelmed, don't communicate well and do not handle criticism or anything that isn't "their way" well. They lack tools, team and motivation. The operational model is protocol over common sense.
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2019

Both my kids went to Crest View and we were very pleased with the quality of teachers and their different ways of teaching. Each day, they were excited to go to school and learn. When they entered middle school, they were completely ready to handle the challenges of multiple teachers, homework, etc. After talking with different parents whose kids attended different schools, this was not always the case. We are grateful for Crest View and their dedication to their students.
Submitted by parent on December 03, 2018

We are pleased with the teachers. We wish the front office staff was more welcoming and kind. Waking into the school feels uncomfortable and unfriendly. The school seems lacks a community feel and friendliness.
Submitted by parent on September 03, 2018

I look at our time fondly but with limited support in classrooms, ineffective leadership and a negative experience that wasn’t handled well I’d say it wasn’t the best experience. Honestly, almost all of the teachers are absolutely amazing so if your child goes here and is an average child you should have a wonderful experience.
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2017

Neutral experience so far. New to the district. Not impressed with the lack of communication between parent and admin.
Submitted by teacher on December 20, 2015

Crest View has a staff that is willing to go the extra mile. The staff is very creative and invested in the school. The school is very diverse and this is a great asset. This is a wonderful school with high standards. Bullying is not tolerated.
Submitted by other on December 10, 2015

This school is your typical cookie cutter large elementary school with absolutely no commitment to academic challenge or emotional support for its students. Teachers are either burned out, or frankly not interested in getting to know their students. Class sizes are too high and the admin leadership is lacking and seems overwhelmed with the daily challenges of the school. Bullying is frequent and only dealt with if a parent is able to advocate for their child. The only good news: There is open enrollment in Boulder- use it to find a better school!
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2013

Crest View Elementary is a great community. The teachers are very caring and loving and the principle knows each and every of the 500+ kids in the school and makes a point of ensuring their experience is a good one. The parents of Crest View are very involved and are continually trying to support and provide services to each of its students. Sadly the school was just annihilated by the floods that just hit Boulder. As the school is ranch style and each classroom has outdoor entry, the flood waters persisted throughout the school, leaving a considerable clean up. The school was already facing considerable budget cutbacks. Now the school is closed until the complete the clean-up and sadly its unknown when it will reopen. The kids are in camps but need to get back to learning from their great teachers. This fund could help pay for some of the loss and get this great school back online.
Submitted by parent on February 12, 2011

We have loved Crest View! My children have had excellent teachers and overall a wonderful experience.
Submitted by parent on February 12, 2011

We researched quite a bit before deciding to stay at our neighborhood school. Crest View doesn't have as high of test scores as other schools in Boulder, but the diversity in the school is wonderful. My kids have wonderful friends in the neighborhood, have fantastic teachers, and deal well with bullying.