Northside Elementary School

860 Cave Valley Road

School District

Black Oak Mine Unified
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

public

School Map for Black Oak Mine 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 March 10, 2021

While this school, as with many, has things to work on, it also has many amazing things going for it. I have to disagree with some of the other comments posted about this school, especially the negative ones about the cotaught class. Studies have actually shown that this type of teaching is actually beneficial of all ages. The 3/4 cotaught class was one of the best experiences at Northside. They did far more field trips and special projects than any other grade level. My child got to hatch chicken eggs, write her own book, do ceramics, participate in the garden program, learn Spanish, go on 6 feild trips (includingan overnightone!), learn weekly social skills lessons... I could go on and on! Luckily for the nay-sayers, this program is no longer in existence at Northside as one of the amazing teachers moved to the junior high. I am so excited that my child will get to experience her again! There is currently a cotaught tk/k class and those teachers are amazing too! All of the teachers put their heart and soul into what they do at this school! Please ask multiple parents about this school before judging it off of this website- where keyboard warriors like to get on soap boxes. Some people are ridiculous!
Submitted by parent on February 21, 2020

When we enrolled are child in kindergarten the school ranked a 9 on this site. In two years it fell to a 4 and now 3 years later it has recovered to a weak 6. If the principal would stop playing favorites and the co-teaching grades stopped. The parents would be much happier and support the school like it did 5-10 years ago. But the change in leadership was a poor choice.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2019

Mixed feelings. We had incredible years with amazing teachers and then the worst year with a co-taught class
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2018

I have 4 children that have been working through the educational system at Northside STEAM School and the Black Oak Unified School District. In each of the last 10 years, I have had at least 1 student attending Northside, and at one point all 4 were in attendance. All started kindergarten at Northside and all are thriving - and for 2 of them, they continued to do so as they transitioned to Jr. High. The teachers and administrators at Northside STEAM School have engendered an environment that has instilled a passion for learning in each one of them. I am convinced they will cherish their experiences at Northside and recall them fondly throughout their lives.
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2018

I have had three children attend Northside going on eight years. I have had to deal with the same issues each year: bullying, poor administration, clicky -small town mindset, and mix of both good and bad teachers. The school board is also very difficult to deal with and do not allow any district transfers.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2015

I have had 2 kids go to this school and have experienced some term-oil over the years, however, as things changed, I can see they are for the better. We moved here from Danville 10 years ago and both children started here from K on up. I love the added music program and love the teacher's willingness to listen to your concerns and make improvements. I feel like the curriculum is well designed and not sure how it would be much different anywhere else. Even after trying a self-study program, it became evident this school is good if not even better than a self-study environment.
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2015

Northside is different, in so many amazing ways. The principle is very involved with students, knows most if not ALL of their names, does yard duty, lunch room duty, has interest in her students academics as well as their social lives. The staff works cohesively with each other and parents. It is truly a positive atmosphere to be in. My children are so happy we moved from another school in the district. The transition was smooth and as painless as possible, thanks to the efforts put forth by the teachers, secretary's, and principle. The school nurse is fantastic, and fantastic at her job. I could go on and on about all the amazing things Northside has to offer, a garden for students to plant and harvest, fresh fruits and veggies from said garden on the lunch menu, fun Friday's, Monday town hall meetings, the Northside song, A.R achievement awards, beautiful location, most importantly, happy, confident, educated students. I have the utmost confidence in Northside to educate and prepare my children for Jr. High.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2015

As a parent in a small community, I have had nothing but a positive experience with Northside since my son began there in TK and now is in the second grade. I have found there to be a lot of individual attention, they think outside the box to help achieve both academic and behavioral goals, have unique programs that I feel living in a small community can only truly provide. It's more like a small family. I do not feel there are "clicks" as previously stated, but I suppose that would be anywhere, as well as both good and bad teachers. Thus far, my son's teachers have all been exactly who he needed and have handled him well...not the easiest when it comes to behavior! Lol. As for parent involvement, I am a single working mom, but still volunteer in the am before work and love that both the staff and students have grown to know me so well... There could be more involved, but again, I think we would find that almost anywhere! My son would be devastated if I withdrew him from his NS Bears! Go Bears!
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2015

We currently have two children attending Northside and we couldn't be happier. There are so many wonderful things about this school that are beneficial for our children, the student Garden for instance, its a hands on learning experience and they have a Harvest Feast at the end of the year where they cook food from the garden for the children, Family Math and Literacy Nights, an Accelerated Readers program. Lunches are hand made by the school, not frozen and microwaved. The school also received a California Distinguished School award for 2013/2014. We live in a small community, which makes its easy to build relationships with other parents and teachers. We've had excellent communication with the teachers our children have had so far. I'm surprised about the negative comments below when this school has so much to offer, the best thing you can do if your having an issue is to address it and/or to get involved to help make changes.
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2015

I absolutely adore Northside!! My young son has attended since Kindergarten and I fully intend to keep him enrolled in the school and district throughout his school years. I love that the school goes above and beyond in creating an amazing learning environment that includes but is not limited to: a school garden and math and literacy nights. The school is situated in a small town which really means huge amounts of community involvement and a strong emphasis on teamwork, volunteerism and, not to be repetitive, community. The school acts as it's own support system that everyone is involved in from students and staff to volunteers and local businesses. There is solidarity in this school and the leadership ensures that the students are given the best opportunities possible and they never, ever stop pushing for even more positive changes. Furthermore, I attended Northside from K-8 long ago and can tell you firsthand that throughout the years the school environment has continued to thrive and still feels like home.
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2015

e moved from Danville, CA (which has a very high great school rating) several years ago and joined the Northside Family in 2009. Our children have benefited greatly from the GATE offerings, garden classes, student clubs and music program. All the children seem so engaged in their unique classroom environments: weekly blue bird walks led by students and rangers, harvest of the month veggie tastings from the Northside Student Farmers, walking Wednesdays, art and the list goes on and on. Compassion is taught and modeled all over campus, from the office staff taking extra time to heal a booboo to teaching personal responsibility for poor decisions. It's not just a school, it's an inclusive extended family.
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2015

My daughter has been going to N.S. for 3 years, i have had nothing but the best experience with the teachers whom are over the top dedicated at heart to their students. I am truly surprised by the negative comments below all though there are always going to be people who will be negative regardless of any circumstance and feel they know all.
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2015

I feel blessed to have my children enrolled at Northside. The teachers, administration and support staff that we have interacted with have been lovely. When we moved to the area we did not plan on enrolling our children at Northside-- we were planning on private school. Years later, I am so glad we are Northside Bears! The cirriculum is challenging yet tailored to students abilities. The parent involvement is very refreshing, there are dozens of parents that devote their time and love to this school. Safety is a priority on campus-- I have the utmost confidence that my kids are safe at school. My favorite part about Northside is that the entire school has embraced our local educational opportunities. The kids work in the school garden, visit our state parks, delve into our rich local history and resources, and develop a love and respect for our community in the process. My little students love their little school and I love sending them there. I am proud to be a part of this scholastic family.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2014

Northside school has some really bad administration and even worse teachers. There is very little parent involvement and the program leaves a lot to be desired. We expected a more positive, balanced experience. The bully behavior in students is reinforced by the staff and administration. If you stand outside the K class at the right (wrong) time you will hear her in there yelling at the kids! It's horrible! No child deserves to be subjected to that kind of behavior.
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2013

We spent too many years dealing with poor teaching (only a FEW good teachers), bullying, poor administration and a terrible school board. We pulled our kids out of this district and it was the best thing we have ever done for our children.
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2013

Northside school has some good teachers and some bad teachers. The good ones are great. The bad ones are very, very bad. Hopefully they will do the community a favor and retire since they don't have their heart in education anymore. We all remember how important having a decent teacher is and how it makes all the difference to the experience of a growing child. Good luck!
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2013

Northside is now a K-6. It has some fantastic veteran teachers and some new ones too! The best part about Northside is the approach to community involvement. They have the Seeds of Change Program which is a school garden with it's own Farmer's Market run by the students! My student has learned so much about science, biology and math just from this experience alone. Addtionally, they have a wonderful parent volunteer group called the Dream Team with two different meeting times to accomodate parents busy schedule. All this and a solid academic approach.
Submitted by parent on June 03, 2011

Northside School is clearly committed to its students and community. The staff has adopted Highly Effective Teaching as a course of study during the summer which means our students learn in ways that are rigorous AND relevant and completley hands on! This year students learned hisotry through their own Renaissance Faire's, Silk Road, California History Museums and more. MIddle schoolers took the challenge of a Ropes Course and fifth and sixth grade students traveled to Muir Woods and Fort Bragg to learn about ecosystems! Great Teachers and a fabulous staff!