Buena Vista Elementary School

1330 Buena Vista Way

Carlsbad, CA 92008

School District

Carlsbad Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Carlsbad 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 August 09, 2024

I recently have my kids joined this school and have had a very positive experience so far. The students are kind and welcoming, which has made it easier to adjust to the new environment. The teachers are not only nice but also very cooperative, always ready to help and support whenever needed. The principal is also very approachable and supportive. Overall, I'm happy with my experience at this school and feel it's a great place for learning and personal growth.
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2018

This is a tough review to write but it’s clear as day. There is very little to no diversity within the eductators and faculty here. I live in Carlsbad and I walk around in diversity everyday. So for me to not see any of it in a elementary school is a bit scary. I learned that these are the things that we have to speak up on as it’s not teaching our children the correct reflection of every day people. This school goes completely against the meaning of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. To make matters worse, without diversity and inclusion you have teachers and faculty that stereo type and can’t level with these kids and their family backround. For example, this year the school had a event for giving away free clothes at target. It was called the assistance league. I am familiar with a few of the parents in my child’s class as it was the children of color that were picked for the free clothing give away. I called the office and asked what prompts a child to be picked and I was told it’s random and that sometimes the teacher will pick a few students. This saddened me because if they wanted to go about this the right way they would have left the line open for communication. Meaning any families or kids that wanted to be apart of this event could sign up to get clothes or sign up to help/ donate. This signups could have also been sent via email for privacy if needed. This just seemed poorly planned and like a teacher saw a kid, assumed the kid needed help, and signed them up. I am appalled that in 2018 we are still in the realm of needed our schools to be educated on diversity. But until the education system here in Carlsbad is on board I plan on speaking up to whomever and whenever I can until our community sees a change.
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2018

TK was amazing with Ms. Sharifi, kindergarten the teacher was gone half the year, first grade had a new teacher who could not control class, this year a teacher who never smiles and is grumpy. Slowly went down hill each year My child loved the school until this year.
Submitted by parent on December 07, 2017

We feel very fortunate to be at this school for our 9yo son. The school does an excellent job of balancing the bureaucracy of public education with letting kids be kids and still learn. After our experiences at 3 other schools in LA, OC and SD we have found the school that works best for us and our son. The other schools had very rigorous instruction which we found was too much for our elementary school son. He is very bright and loves playing with his friends, yet we felt too much pressure too soon was not nurturing a love for learning, reading and exploring. The leadership is the best we have experienced so far in the 4 schools our son attended since he was 3yo at a Montessori - which also had very good leadership. They do an amazing job balancing teaching the kids and involving the parents. Fortunately we live close by and can bike to school daily and our son can walk to friends homes nearby which is also a first for us. We feel at the elementary age there is a lot more to growing up than academics and fortunately our son is experiencing this gift at BV ES.
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2017

Quality education and programs. Small town feeling with great families and great kids.
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2017

Great experiences at this school, both my kids have absolutely loved their teachers and their classes. have made friends easily and enjoyed the curriculum. no complaints at all
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2017

MY 2 sons have been bullied for the past few years, attending the school for a total of 4 years, the Principle, Mrs. Howard, is very disconnected and appears to not care about certain children. My children both have IEP's and we are a low-income family, Mrs. Howard has always made my family feel unwelcome and looked down on. I have enjoyed the teachers at the school, they have been easy to work with. As far as the children go, my children feel very segregated, low-income multi-racial family, they feel picked on, the wealthier white children seem to run the school and Mrs. Howard co-signs. In short, we are changing schools.
Submitted by parent on June 23, 2016

BV is a hidden little gem. My Kids are thriving academically and socially at this school. Because we are smaller than other elementary schools the atmosphere is like a small private school. I love knowing the other families and students. The leadership is focused and produces results. We have Ipads and a comprehensive program for all our students. It has been a great learning tool. Once you visit you will want to be apart of our community.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2015

I second-guess my decision to move into BV's school zone on a fairly regular basis. Like others here, I thought BV's small student body would translate to a safer environment, a better education and a more involved parent community than that of a larger school. This is not the case. What I find most unsettling is the lack of concern for our children's safety... A close second is the lack of enthusiastic, positive leadership. A few of the teachers and support staff (such as aids, etc.), plus Miss Maria at the front desk, are real GEMS who seem to really care and like their jobs! However, the principal and the rest seem bored, burnt-out, and distant----completely uninspired. Curriculum and lesson plans are basic and generic. The school is older, yes, but does have some charming factors. However, it is not well-maintained. And while the imminent threat of closure may be a good excuse not to make "upgrades," it is no excuse for a dirty school. Everywhere you look there is dust, cobwebs, rust, and bird poop--lots of bird poop on the benches where the kids have to wait for lunch recess! Also, there is very little parent involvement. Many comments here elude to the PTA's lack of leadership and charm. Sadly, I have to agree that most (but not all) parents that are "involved" at BV are indeed cliquish, and their children do seem to get center stage. There is a very weird popularity vibe that is probably at least partially responsible for the lack of volunteers, but it can't just be blamed on that alone. And the events that the PTA coordinates and supports are creative and a lot of fun..so some credit is due for that! How many schools have an overnight family camp out!?At this point, I can't decide if I'd be doing my kids a greater disservice by staying here or uprooting them and making them start over. I almost moved them last year but decided to give it another chance. We were fortunate to get two of the better teachers so we stayed... For now I just try to make the most of it and provide for my kids (and others where I can) what the school lacks.
Submitted by parent on September 16, 2014

Not what I expected for a kindergarten. ... hours are weird... Good if your a stay at home parent. Very clique with parents there. Hours are written in sand.... The office sends home flyers with hours that are different from the teachers. Facts- 3 hrs of school...Either 8 -11 / 10 - 1 pm No hot lunch Day care is 250.00 for mornings or 450.00 for mornings & afternoons As of this post they are still working on an emergency plan and an incident with a teacher I cannot comment as yet. The day care is actually really good...If I had a choice I'd prefer my kid stay there all day. I didn't think these non 5 star post were justified....But 3 weeks in and it became clear.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

This is a great smaller school with nice kids and friendly and helpful Parent's. My son goes to the pre-school here and it has been a terrific experience for him, Miss Stacie, Miss Lynn, & Miss Michelle Rock!! Yes, three teachers in this fee based program! It is a program for special needs with typical peers. Excellent program!
Submitted by parent on January 05, 2014

My daughter's first year at Buena Vista has been more than we could ask for. At first she didn't want to go to a new school, but she absolutely adores her teacher and has met some great friends. The parents I've met are very nice and I have made some friends myself :). There has been some really fun family events such as the campout and a Holiday fun night with Santa. My daughter has bragged about some cool assemblies, and she loves her art, PE, computer, and music classes. There is some fundraising, but I believe that's the case for all schools these days due to the State cutbacks. I haven't spent nearly as much as I have at the previous school and everything has felt low pressure and optional.
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2013

We left after one year. Boring program, lots of meaningless worksheets. No modifications for an advanced student. Lack of parental involvement, aloof principal. I felt no connection to this school, and neither did my child. We started a new school this year and we are much happier. I would view the 5-star reviews skeptically. It's not a bad school, but nothing special is happening here to make this a 5-star school. No, it's not like a private school just because its small. I was fooled by that one.
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2013

Thankfully our transfer request was approved and I used greatschools to help me find a better one to send my kid to. Readong other reviews I see the ones that are longer and less stars are the ones that sound more like real Buena vista when the short all star reviews sound like the principal talking at an assembly for reals. Two years here was enough. I think people who live in this area think they're better than they are. Some houses are millions in the area and those kids dont go here get real. I agree with the next review that I have to teach alot at home because the teacher doesn't. They have a lot of squirels, possums, gophers and bugs, my son was so upset when he saw a dead gopher. There are a lot of gopher holes to trip in on the playground.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2013

We are starting our 3rd year at BV next week. The school is so-so. The school pulls students from two very different socioeconomic neighborhoods, a middle class area east of the I-5 and poorer area west of the I-5. The school gets high test scores, but it's due to the teachers pushing, pushing, and pushing. Notice I didn't say teaching. My son was doing 45 minutes of homework every day after school in 1st grade. I dread what it will be this year. I truly believe most of his learning is done at home with me instead of in the classroom. Expect to be hit up for donations for the never ending fund raisers. Last week, 2 weeks before school starts, I got the first email of the year, and not to disappoint, 90% of it was about fund raisers. For the person who commented: "...those acting like they had money didn't show it off by donating to the school like real affluent people do." Wow! I wonder how much they pay in taxes every year. This is not an "affluent" neighborhood, it's middle class. The school hasn't been updated/remodeled in many years due to the desire of the school district to close the school. I'm sure they will make another attempt in a couple of years.
Submitted by parent on August 21, 2013

I question these 5-star reviews. I paid attention as a parent and the hype doesn't match the reality. The neighborhoods feeding into the school are beach/ghetto at best. The effect is devastating to the make-up of the school. Unfortunately, some of the self-important psychopath parents take the entitled attitude too far. Best evident in the multiple-failed PTA leaders who really didn't come through unless their own child was the star of the particular event. Sense of service was completely lacking and those acting like they had money didn't show it off by donating to the school like real affluent people do. The facilities are sub par as the school, built in the early 1960s, lacks modern touches in architecture. Technology in the classrooms is aged (4+ years is OLD) except for a small cache of iPads before their theft. Lack of leadership, teacher instability, lack of focus and lack of parental involvement may all be guilty parties to this lack of success. Being that it is very small (280-ish students) and a great deal of the kids are in lunch programs, don't speak English at home, etc... A lot of class time is wasted on the low-performers and behaviorally-challenged.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2013

Buena Vista Elementary, located in Carlsbad California is a small school filled with wonderful teachers, kind hearted staff, friendly parents and best of all, amazing students who are playful, well mannered, thoughtful, and smart! And thanks to the teachers, I see students at Buena Vista Elementary growing and learning in an amazingly school spirited, safe environment. Go Dolphins!!!
Submitted by parent on April 23, 2013

2nd year for my 2 daughters. The improvement in both of them, from reading, math and general overall ability is night and day from their old school in NorCal. A massive improvement.
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2013

Great school and great teachers! I am amazed by how much my child has learned at this school. All the children seem to be having fun while learning. My child is excited to go to school everyday.
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2013

Great school...smallest in the district, much like a private school. Awesome teachers and staff. PTA is very involved in fund raisers and events. Locked gates, very secure.