Monte Gardens Elementary School

3841 Larkspur Drive

School District

Mt. Diablo Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:21
Type

public

School Map for Mt. Diablo 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 May 01, 2023

The main problem with this school seems to be the principal. Since his arrival, he has made many significant changes, some of which have been concerning. Unfortunately, he sometimes ignores emails from parents who are seeking help. It is unclear whether he is too busy to respond or simply unwilling to assist.In addition, during the COVID-19 pandemic, this school was not adequately prepared, and most of the time, children did not learn anything. It was a very challenging time for students and parents alike.Furthermore, I agree with the comment made by Agree Fish about the office staff needing to be more friendly. On a positive note, the teachers are generally very good, although not all of them are equally effective. If you a lucky guy, your child can get very good teacher.
Submitted by parent on December 31, 2022

The Monte Gardens Elementary School (MGES) is the only magnet public school with special programs in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, MDUSD. The long standing reputation of test scores, diversity and parent participation thrive its success. Due to the highly competitive lottery process, only less than 30% of kids want to attend this school is accepted in the MDUSD. For those families who live in the MDUSD territories and care about kid's education, it's a certain consideration to begin your child's education. The lottery registration typically happen in the January of one year before the kid's KG school year. For instance, if your kid plans to start KG in 2025, parent registers the lottery in January, 2024. Check with the admin staff for the lottery registration date. Since the magnet school likewise a public school in the private setting, the MGES focus more on the students' success rather than the customer service in the profit oriented private school. Therefore, parents are recommended to plan 2.5 years before the KG school year. It is always helpful to go in person for getting the lottery information. Admin staffs are very helpful and give you all relevant information. "The return of investment in the early child education is exponential, Jeff Bezos".
Submitted by parent on November 13, 2021

We’ve been in the school for 2 years. The principal is very hands on and engaging. We’ve personally worked with him and appreciate his responsiveness. Through additional funding we’ve had access to Reflex Math online learning which has been amazing. Our child’s grasp on addition has improved immensely over the span of 3 months thanks to the program. We feel extremely lucky to be apart of the school community.
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2021

Office staff is rude and dont treat the parents with respect. Can't say much about the school, I hope it is better than the people in the office!
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2021

Principle and teacher did not take any action against bully , still my daughter get harras from that bully girl .
Submitted by parent on May 03, 2016

Like most things in life...you get out what you put in. Monte Gardens provides not just opportunities for students but for parents to foster a social, supportive, environment from which to develop a life-long love of learning. I suspect many of the comments expressing displeasure originate with individuals who took limited advantage of the numerous opportunities to be involved in fostering and maintaining a healthy, social, academic environment. Although the "opportunities" can seem overwhelming (dare I say burdensome) at times...the fact is the school's success model relies on active engagement from parents. My first examination for the root cause of "issues" that arose with my 3 children who did (or still do) attend Monte Gardens usually began and ended with the mirror.- Proud Parent of 3 Mountain Lions!!!
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2015

It is one of the best schools in Concord, Great teachers, great principal, great kids and strong parent participation, Parents involved in every activities... starting from helping with controlling the traffic during school hours, helping teachers in class and kids homework.
Submitted by parent on December 03, 2014

I don't understand the rant about Monte Gardens and the principal, Mrs. Peters. My daughter has had a wonderful experience at Monte Gardens. They have people there who really care. I for one know how hard Susan Peters has been working to make the school a safe environment. There are programs in place to teach students about treating each other with kindness and using the power that everyone has to speak up for oneself and express their feelings in a positive, not hurtful way. (some parents might learn from this) There are students and families from many different cultures. This makes for a warm and rich community. Carnivals and family nights and teachers who truly care. They work hard to provide a full education for our children. I felt lucky to get into this school. There is a wait list to get in, so how bad could it really be?
Submitted by parent on December 02, 2014

I've been a parent at Monte Gardens for 4 years now. We have some really great teachers at this school and I'm grateful for that - thus, the 3 star rating. Unfortunately, we seem to be losing the great community for which Monte Gardens was built. We have a fairly new principal that is very unapproachable, demeaning, dismissive and does enforce the tenants on which our school is based. As a result we have a group of disenfranchised parents who no longer want to give of their time and resources in support of our school and principal. We have lost many teachers (5 in just the last year) - we were known for having teachers that never leave. We are trying to force parents to volunteer and still cannot get the volunteers - we used to be known for all our volunteers. We can't get enough donations to support field trips, music, and art programs. The general community and environment that made Monte Garden special is at risk and I can only pray that this doesn't continue to affect our children's educations. I think it's time for change in leadership philosophies and to get "back to basics" at Monte Gardens before we become another lower performing school in the Mt. Diablo school district.
Submitted by parent on December 17, 2013

I have to laugh at the parent who feels that Monte Gardens and Susan Peters is "bad, bad, bad" for Spanish families. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!! Susan Peters bends over backwards for Spanish families. After all, the school gets more $ because of all the Spanish Speaking children. It's DISGUSTING! In her monthly recorded phone message, she makes sure to encourage ALL parents, including English speaking, to come to the ELAC (English Learner Advisory Committee) meetings, however, she has NEVER sent out a recorded message about the lice outbreaks. It took a very brave parent to advise me of the lice outbreak that occurred in the school. I am only giving (1) star because I do like the teachers.
Submitted by parent on December 16, 2013

I have had children in many different schools over the years, but have never seen a school that has such a horrible environment. Monte Gardens feels more like a prison than a school. Holiday & birthdays are NOT celebrated nor are they allowed to dress up for Halloween. Parents are told at orientation to STAY OUT of the hallways and away from the classrooms. Monte Gardens teachers BENCH students for not doing their homework or not returning Monday Mail folders!!! Even 6 year olds are benched. Parents are lectured if they are caught hanging around near the school because as Peters stated, 'the school needs to be quiet for academic focus???' The drop off lane is like a front line in a war zone with rigid rules and yelling pta. High academic standards, are used as the justification for the horrible environment and why the parents are kept at arms length from their children's education, but the reality is the curriculum is average. Peter's herself is like an army sergeant with a very CHILLY attitude and a hostile combative approach with parents. If you come to her with an issue, you are lectured to comply with school policy & rules or threatened with removal.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2013

I have a daughter now in her 5th year at MG. Since we are surrounded by underperforming schools I can't help but wonder why the district doesn't implement additional schools to follow the MG program. I am convinced the higher scores are a combination of parental involvement, great teachers and a more demanding cirriculum.
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2013

Dedicated teachers that really care about their students. I have a daughter that went through and is now at Sequoia Middle and a son who is currently in third grade. Parent involvement is mandatory and one of the reasons why MG is so successful. Keep up the great work!!
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2013

Great Teachers. Lot of parents participation. Excellent principal who is always looking for ways to improve students academically. Good atmosphere for kids. It is amazing how they have been able to maintain such a high start school test rating in spite of having kids from different background from all over the surrounding area attending the school. Kudos to the Teachers and staff...
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2013

Bad, bad for Spanish familys. The Principal doesn't have knowledge and rime to learn more abouth others cultures.
Submitted by parent on July 24, 2012

Great School... lots of parent involvement which makes this school special... Teachers are dedicated and the principal is leading them in the right direction. They are adding a new computer lab which should help the kids going forward. I am confidant that they will maintain this high standard in coming years...
Submitted by parent on September 01, 2011

The best thing about this school is the level of parental involvement; if it wasn't for the parent volunteers, there would be no PE or motor skills programs, and no help for the teachers. The teachers my son was lucky enough to get were great. Unfortunately, the new principal did a lousy job dealing with a teacher who was unable to meet the demands of her job (she basically left it up to the other teachers and parent volunteers all year to make up for this teacher's inadequacies, then fired the teacher 2 weeks before the end of the school year). Furthermore, the principal was not even-handed in dealing out discipline, and when she called me to discuss my child's behavior, she was very condescending. Even when the school was being threatened with closure, she did not support the parent club's efforts to keep it open.
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2011

This school is awesome. If you are lucky enough in these times to have your kid here, you are blessed. Big time parent participation. Schools should model themselves after this one..
Submitted by parent on January 12, 2011

We love Monte Gardens! The program, the staff, parents and kids make it what it is today! We moved right behind this school to attend Monte Gardens. We CHOOSE this to be our home neighborhood school as this this is what is home to us and so many others. Test scores are not everything but they don't lie either...Monte Gardens API is 918 and ranks 4th out of all elementary schools in concord. I couldn't be happier and hopes this school remains open for our children's sake!