Harold William Kolb

3150 Palermo Way

School District

Dublin Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:23
Type

public

School Map for Dublin 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 21, 2024

We have attended this school for 2 years. Last year, our teacher Ms Moore was remarkable!! Ms Ng has also been a great resource to our family (last year). However, this year it became painfully clear that there are staff that does not adhere to the principles of equality and respect for diversity. The treatment of students lacks sensitivity towards cultures, races, and individual differences, specifically from certain teachers. I have noticed an environment where some students feel marginalized and unheard, hindering their educational and personal development. I have experienced this as a parent as well. The conduct of the staff towards students is nothing short of appalling. There have been numerous instances of rudeness and inappropriate behavior exhibited by teachers and administrators. Instead of fostering a nurturing and supportive atmosphere, students are subjected to belittlement and disrespect, further eroding their confidence and sense of belonging. My child was told that "Maybe he ( a boy) likes you", when she was being bullied. And when asking for classwork content assistance, due to being out of school, a teacher responded, "I don't know what to tell you. Maybe you shouldn't have went on vacation". Moreso, there seems to be no tolerance or patience with those with disabilities. My experience has been marked by disappointment and frustration, resulting in my child not even wanting to go to school.
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2024

This review is for minority parents - by which I mean non-asian parents. My child attended Kolb a few years ago and I've struggled with my nagging feeling ever since that the school is prejudiced against non-asian kids, but when I saw this site added an equity overview, I decided to share. This is my experience: Me and my husband (white and hispanic) have advanced degrees from elite schools and have been IQ tested in the 99th%. We got excellent grades and test scores. So it surprised me when my child was falling behind at Kolb. I got much more involved in the classroom, observing the classes and homework. My child would just stare at the wall (clearly, to me, bored to tears). When I met the teacher they would say that my child was in the 60th% which was "doing good." I expressed my concern, given my child's potential. The teacher said that just because we were smart did not mean my child was too, and would hyperfocus on things that culturally express intelligence in the asian community: like being neat or high achieving. I began to suspect they meant "doing good for a non-asian kid" and the evidence of, frankly, prejudice kept mounting: - the teachers and students would call my child the wrong name (the name of the other only "white" kid in class, even though they look nothing alike). My child would be disciplined because multiple witnesses had seen my child get physical with someone - something my child has never done or been accused of before or since, but which the one other white kid did. One Mom even asked if me and the only other white mom were sisters (she's a foot taller than me and looks nothing like me). The mom insisted that "we all thought so." I have no problem being in the minority - I'm a woman in a field that is 98% male - but it angered me that my child was limited by it. i finally rearranged my career to take my child out of school and sought out online instruction. My "not necessarily smart too" kid has now been accepted to an ultra-elite middle school - which requires an IQ test of 145+ - and recently scored a 1280/1600 on the SAT at 11 years old - a 99.99th% score for their age - thanks to being taught according to actual ability, not a perception of what kids who look like us are capable of. If you look at the equity overview on this site, you'll see Kolb has _much_ lower test scores and academic progress for non-asian students. Maybe all the non-asian kids are just dumber.. or maybe they are just treated that way, like my child.
Submitted by parent on September 05, 2023

Award winning school with the best teachers and leadership staff.
Submitted by parent on December 17, 2020

My son attended Kolb from K through middle of second grade. First the pros: Very kind and warm staff, great character building curriculum, true caring for the kids. Now the cons: For whatever reason (and I think it isn't Kolb or the teacher's fault - I think it's the obsession in CA with teaching to the annual tests, which are so heavily weighted in how schools and teachers are evaluated), my very, very bright son was not identified or supported at Kolb. After 2.5 years at the school, he was falling behind in every topic, unmotivated, hated learning, hated "drill sheets," and believed himself to not be as smart as his fellow students. His 2nd grade teacher told me he was testing one year behind in reading (aka 1st grade level) when at home he was reading 5th and 6th grade novels out loud to me every night. I decided to take him home and teach him myself (I am a full-time executive, but work remotely). It was a lot of work to balance both jobs, but after 3 months at home, his Iowa Assessment standardized scores (this is one of the few official standardized tests you can administer as a homeschool) went from 62nd percentile in math and 70th percentile in verbal to 95th percentile in both. 6 months later he is testing a full year ahead of his age group and I'm now placing him into John's Hopkins Center for Talented Youth. It makes me sad that no one at Kolb recognized my son's abilities. If I weren't able to notice and advocate for him myself, he might have been treated as a behind-the-curve kid his whole schooling, and worse would have continued to see himself that way, impacting his whole life. I know that class sizes are large and it's hard to know every kid, but it's also a classic pattern of the highly gifted to actually appear to be behind the class, due to extreme boredom with the material. I am surprised that no one at Kolb noticed this, even when I repeatedly explained to his teachers that his performance didn't relate to what I was seeing at home. The moral of the story is that in any school system - and I'm not saying that Kolb is not among the best of these - you have to advocate for your own kid. You can't expect even the best school to actually pay attention and realize what your kid needs, and you outsource that job to them at the peril of your kid's entire future.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2018

Excellent. They not only focus on academics but on character traits as well which is awesome! They are dead against bullying which is what all parents need. Teachers are very dedicated and friendly.
Submitted by parent on November 23, 2017

A great learning experience for my kid at the school. He is really happy and looks forward to going to school every day.
Submitted by parent on November 14, 2017

Very rude staff some staff. Anyone on the office dealing with parents should watch out. Teachers always want more money. We are al underpaid. They will not meet with you so they hold signs to get more money. It takes away from classroom instruction. Many saltine is are $90,000+. Parent involvement is low because staff person in charge is rude; I’ve seen her bully parents and teachers. Instruction is great, as long as your child can keep up and perform. My first and third grader do well because of this instruction. I feel very intimidated interacting with some of the teachers and many staff. There are some great teachers (Mrs Seto!)
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2017

We moved to Dublin from a highly ranked public school system in the Midwest. I am so impressed by the quality and enthusiasm of the teachers and administrators at Kolb. Our kids are definitely getting a world class public school education.
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2015

I'm thankful for wonderfully supportive School in our Dublin School district, state, and even around the world! I love interacting with everyone, both in person and online! Especially since Iam in the PFC board.I'm thankful for the hardworking students who love being challenged. Thank you to the students for making this school a success and thank you to parents and teacher as well.
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2014

Its only been five months But I am not pleased. 2nd grade is a breeze ... no challenges and very minimal homework. I hope academics do become serious in 3rd grade !! Not very happy :(
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2014

This school has become the one of Distinguished California schools within 3 yrs of its start which is an amazing victory. All this could not have been possible without the wonderful students, caring teachers & responsible staff & cooperative parents. Way to go Kolb, you made DUSD proud already.
Submitted by parent on December 26, 2013

kolb elementary. This is our first year here. We lucked out and have an excellent caring teacher, Ms. Lewis. Parent involvement could be better. Would like to see more extracurricular activities.
Submitted by parent on October 03, 2013

We moved to Dublin this year. The school seems to be perfectionist. I love the way Principal and Vice principal are out in the mornings and afternoon to welcome the kids along with traffic issues. In any of the school and parents forum.......principal is all detailed and open to suggestions.My son's teacher is so good that my son was saying the other day that " now I love do my homework...she gives a lot of challenging work". I simply like it. Everything is so streamlined.
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2013

My kid attended Kindergraten here and I am very happy with his growth and learning. Looking forward to similar response in 1st grade.
Submitted by parent on April 26, 2013

*High academic performance by students *Diversity not very balanced *Lacks community presence - At City of Dublin parade for Kolb less than 25 students showed *Principal is uninvolved - she never came to City of Dublin parade Kolb and only 1 or 2 teachers came. *NO differentiated spelling/vocab curriculumn - ALL students have the same vocab. My child in second grade is learning easier words than she did in 1st grade at another school. *School work is too easy in second grade then all of sudden in 5th grade, the work becomes MUCH more complex and students are loaded with one project after another on top of homework everyday. *The lack of a sense of community; lack of community involvement; the principal and teachers unwillingness create a strong sense of identify and community around the school or the lack of attachment; and academically, the lack of differentiated course structures for each grade is very disappointing!!!
Submitted by parent on March 26, 2013

Excellent school ! The Principal and Teachers are dedicated to making this the best school in the area. I see their sense of purpose and urgency. Parents do have to get involved with the kids' homework though. As it should be, the academics are robust, homework is challenging. My kids are very happy there.
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2013

Growing school that is quickly becoming populated due to new development. Excellent teachers and principal. Supplemental educational programs in line with school district supported.