Buena Terra Elementary School

8299 Holder Street

School District

Centralia Elementary
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:25
Type

public

School Map for Centralia 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 other on February 26, 2024

The school is great but the Principal is very unprofessional and can be rude.
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2023

Buena Terra is such an amazing school!!! My son has been attending since he was in Kindergarten (now 4th grade). BT has always gone above and beyond, not only for its students, teachers and staff on campus, but also for the community. Everything from the academic curriculum to social events and fundraisers, Buena Terra has always been engaging. I'm so proud to be a parent of a BT eagle!! My other children attend different schools in the district (on waiting list for Buena Terra) and though the other schools are also good, they do not compare to Buena Terra. Their staff truly does hold a love and compassion for the students AND their families! Thank you Buena Terra!!!!
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2018

Our family has had a wonderful 7 years at Buena Terra. From the teachers to the principal to the students to the parents, everyone works together. The result is a school that provides a great education, access to technology, fun family events, and a supportive community.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2016

There are some amazing teachers at Buena Terra. The current principal is excellent. I'm so glad my kids have been able to get such a great elementary education there!
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2015

The teachers, staff, and principal are involved and great. There are opportunities for all kids to learn at their own pace and encouraged to exceed district benchmarks. The PTA is very active and have many events throughout the year. I wish more parents would join and volunteer because there are a few people who do a lot! Overall, Buena Terra is a great school in a great community. With options of private school and others, we are happy with the choice to have our daughters attend Buena Terra.
Submitted by parent on July 07, 2015

The school offered many family events that gave us the opportunity to get to know the other families our son will be in school with for the next 12 years. The teachers were dedicated and put a lot of work into making the year successful. My son has excelled in kindergarten and I look forward to him entering first grade.
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2015

Even at a preschool level and having an IEP, my daughter received masterful and nurturing instruction from Mrs. Arnold. Her vocabulary exploded, upon building a relationship with Mrs. Arnold, and her assistants. Mrs. Arnold challenged my daughter, but used a respectful nudge to help her in reading, writing, and math skills. She already knows how to write her entire name, does basic adding and subtracting, she can read plenty of sight words. She is constantly trying to write sentences at home! Her imagination and attention to journal drawings is evidence of what her classroom teacher challenges her with. My daughter took a kindergarten readiness screening exam and she passed all the questions with flying colors! The SST meetings made such a huge impact in my daughter's early school experience and she will be well-equipped for the demands of kindergarten and first grade. We are so grateful such a supportive Principal and the Student Success Team, and for helping my daughter meet all of her IEP goals, and exit out of the program! My daughter is so enthusiastic about coming to Buena Terra ready to learn!
Submitted by parent on February 15, 2015

We are new to Buena Terra and we love it! The administration is wonderful, office staff is so friendly and the teacher is fantastic. Mrs. Kojima is an absolute gem. Intelligent, caring and friendly. I feel totally confident in the way she teaches and cares for my daughter. This school should have a 10.
Submitted by parent on October 11, 2014

My kids started at Buena Terra in 3rd grade, its a wonderful school then the 1 school prior. Awesome staff and principle!!! Mr. Cole was an awesome principle he was always involved with the children all the activities. My kids and i were terribly sadened Mr. Cole was retiring..Mr. Nguyen the new principle has also shown excellent involvement with the children and my kids have had nothing but greatness to say. Id like to say your 6th grade teacher staff awesome teachers they surely make 6th grade science camp alot easier for us parents who kids rarely spend time away from home. Our office ladies wonderful as well a pleasure to have caring and interacting with on a daily basis. The speech teachers as well all are awesome, very kind and sweet. My son had the pleasure of being with the speech therapist for almost 3 yrs she very encouraging and patient she helped my son overcome his complex he had from his speech. Overall my experience with all the staff teachers and principals has been amazing couldnt be happier that my kids are Buena Terra Eagles!!! Thank you for all the love,support, hard work and dedication you show to our children.
Submitted by parent on August 08, 2013

Buena Terra Elementry is one of the best in Buena Park. My son started here in Kinder and is now in the 2nd. In 1st he had Mrs. Moeller, One of the sweetest, kind hearted, Patient people I have met.
Submitted by parent on April 05, 2013

this school is wonderful place .my daughter started kindergarten last year,she so happy with her school nd teachers.alwaz excited to go to school.teachers are very helpful ,kind nd so gud not enough words to say.communication is so gud.my daughter learns a lot in a year.im so thankful to the teachers miss.S nd miss.N.We r so happy we send our daughter to this school
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2012

My kids have had amazing teachers so far. The principal is so involved and really cares for the students. Buena Terra has a huge amount of parent volunteers. When we moved I chose to keep my kids at Buena Terra instead of moving them to the school labeled as the best in the district because of all the teachers and parents.
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2011

I agree with the previous review. Some front-office members did appear and sound rude from time to time. However, one member improved in attitude and professionalism, whereas the other still sounds vulgar. If it were not for the principal, teachers, assistants, etc., I would have given this school one star. Perhaps it is a cultural difference or differences in socioeconomic status. Some rudeness can be attributed to a lack of education and a lack of up-to-par upbringing in professionalism.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2011

Buena Terra School is such a wonderful place. Each day the principal beings school with a group flag ceremony and announcements. There is a community feeling throughout the school and many parents are involved. I enjoy working in Kindergarten. The teachers always have projects for me to help with. My son is learning so much. Every week he advances in both reading and math. There are many fun activities such as father and son night and a talent show. Thank you Buena Terra!
Submitted by parent on January 12, 2011

Our family is new to Buena Terra elementary school this year. I am very pleased with the Kindergarten team who works with our daughter. They are very kind, energetic, and focused. My daughter and her classmates cheer when they see their teachers come out to greet them. There is a strong academic focus on learning to read and learning math concepts. She is reading, writing, and knows how to add and subtract already. We are so pleased we decided to choose Buena Terra for our daughter's Kindergarten placement. Thank you Mrs. S and Ms. N
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2010

All of my children have gone to this school. My last son Logan is special needs, the teachers at Buena Terra and the staff have welcomed Logan into a mainstream classroom at my suggestion and have made a huge difference in Logans life. Logan will now go on to Jr High with lifelong friends and school peers he might have not have even met. Logan continues to grow and excel wi8th amazing support from his school.
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2010

The new school year has brought a new principal as well as a new office staff. They are kind and welcoming. The school had a rough year in 2008-2009, but so far 2009-2010 has been much better.
Submitted by parent on October 19, 2008

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Submitted by parent on May 05, 2008

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Submitted by parent on August 28, 2007

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