L. P. Collins Elementary School

10300 North Blaney Avenue

School District

Cupertino Union
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

public

School Map for Cupertino Union 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 February 26, 2025

Collins Elementary is an incredible school that provides a nurturing and supportive environment for students. The teachers are dedicated, and the sense of community among families is truly special. The school fosters strong connections between students, parents, and staff, making it a wonderful place for learning and growth.The leadership at Collins has been exceptional. Past and present principals have provided phenomenal guidance, and even retired staff members remain deeply committed to the school. One example is a former principal who continues to return daily to coach basketball, contributing to the school’s long-standing success in the sport. This level of dedication speaks volumes about the staff’s investment in student development, both academically and beyond.In addition to a strong academic foundation, Collins encourages parental involvement through events and volunteer opportunities like Project Cornerstone, helping to build meaningful, lasting connections within the community.Collins Elementary is a place where children thrive, not only in their studies but also in character and confidence. It’s a fantastic choice for any family looking for a well-rounded, supportive, and engaging school experience.
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2023

My kid goes to Collins, and our experience is strikingly similar to many of the reviews here. Don’t get fooled by the API score of this school because it’s not a reflection of the quality of education one gets at this school. Many 4th & 5th grade teachers don’t respect kids or their parents, and are often rude to them. Many of them have been teaching here for many years - very old school, set in their ways. If your kid is not the perfect cookie-cutter kid, they are often ill-equipped to educate them, and quite often they just don’t care. During the last conference, my kid’s teacher snapped at me for politely interrupting when he went on and on without giving a lot of context to what he was talking about. But he did exactly the same when it was my turn a few minutes later. The kid is afraid of asking questions because of this reason. Ms. Johnson seems to genuinely want to help make things better, but she rarely likes to interfere if parents have questions or complaints - so she is ineffective. This is the same pattern in many CUSD schools, not just this one. CUSD schools have not adapted to the new generation of kids and the new trends in education. CUSD schools get way too much credit for being one of the best schools in the state, but it’s clearly not because of the teachers or staff members. As some reviewers mentioned, diversity is very low, but it does reflect the diversity in the City of Cupertino and Sunnyvale. This in itself is not a major issue in our experience because parents are rarely the problem.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2022

This school is really ridiculous. They have teachers who really couldn't care less about the students and are very rude to parents. Total waste of time.
Submitted by parent on October 04, 2017

My son entered kindergarten this fall and we are extremely happy with the school and his teacher. Plenty of support from school staff and school leadership is awesome under Mr Woo
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2017

Very teacher dependent experience. Some teachers are nice, especially lower grades like Kindergarden, but some older grade ones are very rude to parents. Kids are fearful of asking questions in class. No enrichment for advanced kids. On positive side, PTA runs good programs such as music, art, science fair. School participates in interschool sports. School would be much better if teachers are trained communication style and in making classroom environment nurturing.
Submitted by other on October 02, 2016

Most elementary schools on Cupertino are rated 10. This is because parents are so competitive not because curriculum is good. Their curriculums are designed for a specific ethnic group. If your kids are active and not interested in sitting down and doing homework more than an hour, don't try this school. I have no idea what they teach. I think they give homework so that parents can teach their own kids. Remember. the school score your kids AND YOU.
Submitted by parent on November 09, 2015

Our child is in kindergarten at Collins and while the staff is very kind and the PTA very active, we feel like the academic pressure is way too high. Isn't kindergarten supposed to be fun as well as educational? Our child is overwhelmed with pages of homework every night after doing full day kindergarten, there are tears and fights and a hatred for learning where once there was wonder and excitement. This school is breaking my heart.
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2015

An absolute nightmare to try to pick up my child afterschool in the Collins parking lot. If you are not there 20 minutes before school gets out, you cannot even enter the lot. After school gets out, it's another 20 minutes before the cars from Blaney Avenue are allowed to turn into the parking lot. Wear comfortable shows because you will have to park on a neighboring street and walk over to the campus if you want to pick up your child.
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2015

No transportation facility. I have moved from NJ to this area, CUSD put my kid in overflow school which is Collins, i requested many times for any transportation but nothing done, ideally they should take care about transportation which is common in US but this is not the case here. I am struggling to pick and drop my kid here, Instead school should have provided a common school bus which would save lot of gas for everyone and no one would have to stand in the morning traffic for so long.
Submitted by other on September 20, 2014

This school is awesome! I loved 5th grade! The staff is awesome and there are many after school events.
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2014

Although a LOT depends on the child & the particular teacher for each grade level, the overall impact of the school is spectacular. In general, the teachers are extremely responsive & very loving to children. They set the bar reasonably high academically and the students respond to that!! In addition, the Principal, Mr. Woo, is a good combination of warmth & discipline. The office staff is extremely caring. The school can become an extended family for the children if parents are able to participate in the numerous activities that are organized especially keeping in mind the working parents.
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2014

5th grade teachers are worst than any other teachers in this area. Lack of quality teaching and too much home work. Their 5th grade teachers are rude and lack discipline. Principal is totally helpless in controlling the rude behavior of 5th grade teachers. Principal tries to show off too much discipline for students but lacks to implement same for his own teachers. Totally ineffective principal.
Submitted by parent on October 25, 2013

My son enjoys going to school, he learning More. I like the teachers and the whole staff.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2013

My son is new to L.P. Collins starting his first year in Kindergarten and he seems happy with the whole experience thus far. Each day he reports with excitement about his teacher, the classroom style and has even made two new friends that he considers his new "pals". I'm pleased that this has been an easy transition from preschool/daycare for him.
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2013

If your kid is below average than this school cannot turn them around. Most of these students that do well come from familes with higher academic standards than other local public school districts. The students and parents together put in the effort and 20% is from the staff. The housing price is very high and rent is high. There is a higher percentage of the same type that come to this school and that is responsible for the higher API than other public school districts. I am glad I can let others realize it before spending all that money on a house or renting one.
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2013

Truly disappointing school, most of the teachers are cold and use embarrassment as a tool to discipline kids. I've seen teachers scream at kids in front of other parents, the Principal doesn't do anything and has a major attitude problem, he has unnecessary rules in school. The kids are overloaded with homework. The Principal will not take any suggestions and is not flexible enough to listen to parents. The teaching style is one size fits all approach, but if your child needs any individual approach, that kid will go through immense pressure and torture rules in school.
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2013

This school has great test scores, just like the other Cupertino schools. Want to know why? It is because the parents put in so much work at night helping the kids. I am routinely overseeing 2 hours worth of homework every night. In fairness to Collins, I suspect this takes place in every Cupertino school. A couple of teachers have been great, but overall teacher quality in Cupertino is not as high as I thought it would be based on the test scores in the district. Again, it is the parents doing quite a bit of the work.
Submitted by parent on June 28, 2012

OK, This School might be good for parents who wants their kids to be pushed to the limit and have the child dread going to the school, There is no overall development for the kids. Common This is Just Elementary School,Do Not Over Push your kids they might burn out before middle or high school. And By the way I am an asian parent :-)
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2012

This is the best school. I have seen my child developing the best personality traits here. Mr. Wu is the best principal I have ever seen. He is totally dedicated and a great role model. I feel lucky that my child as well as me as a parent had an opportunity to be under his leadership. The teachers are wonderful too and my child loves to go to school every single day.