Olinda Elementary School

5855 Olinda Rd.

School District

West Contra Costa Unified
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:21
Type

public

School Map for West Contra Costa 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 January 01, 2024

I have two children in this school. Just like most places we have had our ups and downs. I have to say that overall I am satisfied with the school. The principal Miss Randhawa has done a great job in addressing issues with the resources made available to her. She is strict but fair. She is highly involved and quite frankly one of the most seen principles, boots on the ground approach. The Staff does a great job in supporting day to day operations. The teachers are responsive with parents and work hard with us to help our children reach the end goal. I feel like they have treated us more like a team mate in our children's educational goals and have done an amazing job tag teaming it with us.This is not the highlight of the school in my opinion. The highlight is the community. Staff, teachers, students, parents we are all very community orientated and you can see a high participation from all fronts because of that. This is what I love most about the school it's engaging. Looking forward to the upcoming years.
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2022

This school is under distress. We moved here to attend an “8”, it’s gone downhill fast. Inadequate staff = large classes (ie. 31 in a small mobile unit), inadequate subs, yard staff and volunteers. The staff is stressed, and the Principal does not support them—it’s an environment where staff and students are afraid to speak up because they will be yelled at and punished. Poorly managed drop-off/pick up with a tiny pull though = near misses. The site is barely maintained with glaring safety issues like exposed wires, broken floor tiles, no shade, no AC. One class clocked 99 degrees! The staff, god bless them, do their best, but there are not enough fingers to olig the holes in the dam.
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2015

This is my 8th year at Olinda. I can't even start thanking all the great teachers and staff we have at this great school. My son graduated and now my daughter is in 4th grade. We will always miss all the great teachers who retired and gave our children their best. Ms. Heckman, Ms. Price, Mr. Kresch and the great Mr. Ryder. You are and will be missed. The teachers who moved on to be great leaders in other schools, Ms. Velez and Ms. Heydary. Thank you for all you did for our children! We'll miss you but we will be seeing you soon we hope. Our big welcome to our new teachers, we hope we can create a great relationship like we had with our former teachers! Welcome to the Olinda Family...
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2014

Both my children attended Olinda Elementary school. At the time, I had many concerns, complaints, etc. But now they are both college students at an Ivy League college. Looking back, I see it was a wonderful school! The only thing missing were some trees to provide shade during lunch and breaks.
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2013

We are new to the school this year with a child in kindergarten and first grade. Our children love their teachers! Although it is early in the year we are happy so far with the teachers. Our concerns include: lack of arts and music; way too much homework (12 pages in one week); and lack of inclusiveness for diverse families. When we approached the teacher regarding inclusiveness she was receptive and immediately made some changes. There is a very active welcoming parent community. We are happy to have a quality school within walking distance.
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2013

After years of rumors surrounding a possible closure, Olinda has achieved "Distinguished School" status, which confirms what so many Olinda families have known all along; we have an amazing community that provides an excellent environment for students to start out their educational journey.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2013

Olinda Elementary is a good school. My son is in the 1st grate. His new teacher is well organized and caring. The after school program is improving. There are art, music, dance, science and chess for his grade and the fees are reasonalbe---thanks for the parents' involvment.
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2013

My child was in Mrs. Barrios' transitional kindergarten class and she was the very best teacher any of my children had!! She really is a loving concerned teacher. Olinda is very lucky to have her. The principal loves the children and does not let the parents push her around. Thank you Olinda for taking care of our children!
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2013

This is a great school with great teachers. We moved in the area when my daughter was in 2nd grade and now she is finishing her 4th grade. During these 3 years, Olinda exceeds my expectations in all areas. Teachers care about their students and students love coming to the class everyday. We are hoping that it will continue to be the exceptional school that it is and always will be. Thanks so much to Mrs. Velez, Mr. Royce, and Mrs. Haydari
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2012

Olinda Elementary is a gem in the school district. Thanks to the City of Richmond who had the foresight and commitment to keep such a great institution open, Olinda is around to be recognized as a Ca. Distinguished school this year (and I bet for many years to come). My daughter has had many amazing teachers - not all the time, but enough to make a difference. The new principal seems very experienced and focused, and I'm excited to see how well the school would do under her leadership.
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2012

Olinda is a 2012 California Distinguished. The community involvement, parent participation, great leadership, and outstanding teachers ensure an outstanding education for our children. Congratulations to all!
Submitted by parent on March 07, 2012

Great school my son goes there and he is happy, teacher are great and parents envolment in school is also grat
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2012

School needs to post not only positive but negative reviews. Someone is deleting all negative reviews. This school needs to get its act together and stop making itself look perfect. It isd nowhere near that. There are many schools in this district that quietly do what they are supposed to do...and they do it legally...STOP deleting negative reviews. That certainly tells parents something about your lack of honesty and other essential values teachers should have. Shame on you.
Submitted by parent on June 26, 2004

Overall Olinda is good school, but lacking in parent involvement. The student body is diverse and from varied ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. The principal from 03-04 has helped improve the school in many directions. The teachers are dedicated and experienced. Overall I am glad my child was a student there.