Wren Avenue Elementary School

3339 Wren Avenue

School District

Mt. Diablo Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
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 other on August 03, 2020

Essentially this is a really great elementary school. Not huge, so it can give quality experiences to pupils.
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2017

My son has attended Wren since 1st grade, is now in 4th. He has had amazing teachers each year and enjoys going to school. The administration is very good, staff is friendly. The low test scores are not indicative of how well this school does; scores had been suspended for the past couple years because of the switch to Common Core. Also, this school has about a 45% ESL population, which tends to lower scores. But a school is more than test scores. It's community and educators who seem to genuinely love to teach our children.
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2016

I would like to share my experience as a parent new to the neighborhood and new to the school scene. My son entered Kindergarten in September 2015. He was 5.5 years old, so average age (not too young, not too old). He was ready for a new challenge. To start at the beginning, we put our name on the list to get into Monte Gardens, having heard this is the BEST school in the area. We did not get in, and for that reason we had no choice but to attend Wren Avenue Elementary. I say it like that was a bad thing... to be honest, we were super scared, all of our neighbors told us to transfer to Sequoia Elementary in Pleasant Hill, or go to private school. I am a FIRM believer in attending school where you can afford to live. So I started at the beginning, called the school to register and get more information. In an effort to be 100% honest and tell the whole story, I will tell you that at first, the staff that picked up the phone was super rude, not helpful, gruff, grumpy and I literally almost cried thinking I had to send my child to this place. I requested a meeting with the principal (left like 3 voicemails which were never answered), and finally we connected by email. I missed our scheduled meeting (oops!) and was never able to connect with her again until school started. After the initial registration process, closer to school starting, I went into the school to meet the staff in-person. I think that the people picking up the phone during the registration process must have been temporary helpers or something, because none of the front staff is rude at all, instead they are sweet and kind and helpful. The new office secretary is a bit lost still, but she is nice and I think she will come up to speed. The other office support staff are really awesome, friendly and can get you to the right place. That being said, they do have a real problem with communication... because they can't send any printed materials, they rely on peachjar electronic newsletters. This is fine, but sometimes things get lost or overlooked. As to my son's teacher, she is a saint in my opinion. There are 30 children in her class (15 in the morning and 15 in the afternoon) and she somehow doesn't go insane. She's patient with my son and has helped him learn to focus and follow instructions (he continues to struggle in this area).
Submitted by parent on August 19, 2015

I have nothing but good things to say about this school. I was let too sure about it going in because of the rating. My son has went to kindergarten there and got the most amazing teacher who you could tell loved her job and kids. Last year before he started Wren Ave we put him on a transfer to another school. Thinking with the rating it wasn't a good school. We ended up having to go through a bunch of stuff to get him back in Wren: We got him back in and the office stuff was very nice. Even with my calling them all the time. The parents my son goes to school with our helpful and kind. If you need a car pool, or even just someone to help you out with giving a ride one day, I can always find someone willing to help. They have community events called called days were we go to places like The Jungle and raise money for the school. So far I have loved my experience here.
Submitted by parent on August 05, 2015

I love this school and the experience my children have there. My children have thrived. The teachers are caring and smart and really support the students. The principal is great and goes above and beyond to help students and families. All the staff there are kind and seem to have fun working together and with the students. Good things have been happening here. It is a positive environment.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2015

Well not the best school my daughter is in kindergarten transfer from other school about a month ago, so far i don't see anything better than the other school.. The otehr school gave the kindergarten kids books to take home Monday-FRiday. Homework package for the whoke month of course any small things like write your address " not to mention allll the papers she brought home that she had done at school! This school seems to be much slower. I haven't seem the principal at all its like she doesn't get involved with the students :( we'll give it a few more months to see how it goes.
Submitted by other on December 13, 2014

correction to previous review of 12-13-14 my grandson was in the Kindergarten class not first grade, my mistake.
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2014

My this is our third year as a Wren family. Each year that goes by shows improvement and a more positive environment for our daughtes. Anti-bullying assemblies are helping the students greatly in their social relationships. Last year, the school started reading and math rotation so that the children can get more one-on-one help with subjects that is geared toward their level of learning during certain parts of the day. TEACHERS here are Wren's biggest strength as they are wonderfully passionate and have so much to offer their students! While our test scores are on the rise with positive teaching strategies, the teachers continue to incorporate art and hands on learning in their curriculum which has proven to be wonderful for both my independent learner and my child with exceptional needs. PTA plans many fun family nights which is wonderful for helping the children build a sense of community within their school. One thing we need more of is parent volunteers during school hours and for PAT so please come join us :)
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2013

Wren is a great school! My daughter's experience there this year has been wonderful. Honestly, I was worried at the beginning of the year... I had low expectations - now that its the end of the year, I'm sad my daughter wont be able to continue there, as we are moving over summer. Be involved, there are TONS of opportunities for parents. The principal is hands on - which I really like. The teachers send home newsletters monthly to let parents know EXACTLY whats going on in class, and whats expected. There are a lot of ESL kids here that struggle, and the school does everything they can to see that every child gets what they need. Some people complain about it but its they way of the world - get used to it - stay involved and communicate. Go Vikings! We'll miss you, Wren!