Harry Dewey Fundamental Elementary School

7025 Falcon Road

School District

San Juan Unified
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

public

School Map for San Juan 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 November 28, 2023

Both of my children attended Dewey and I cannot say good enough things about this school. If you want to participate in the school community whether it's volunteering in class, on campus, or with your child's teacher, you just need to reach out. Dewey has a wonderful community and pushes kids to strive for a better school experience. This is a choice school, so there are more expectations from students as well as their parents. My only wish is that it went through the 8th grade.
Submitted by parent on February 05, 2023

The school is actually great! Office staff is very friendly and helpful. One of the teachers definitely lacks clear communication and also fails to document student academic progress. More then three times we had a mix up with either homework , progess reports and proper student placement.
Submitted by other on September 09, 2018

Excellent! I am very happy with the education that my child is receiving in the second grade. My child is always excited to go into room 6 each morning.
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2016

I would have given an "average" grade for academics and "good" for opportunities such as field trips (of which there are a good number), but the overall experience at this facility leaves such a bad taste in our mouths that I can only give two stars. The parent-based culture at this school is entirely out of control. There is a group of moms that basically run the entire school (some of whom work there or volunteer all day and/or are friends with staff), often cajoling the teachers into doing what they want and socially engineering classroom/extracurricular activities to benefit their children at the expense of others, as well as working to exclude and snub parents that they don't deem as "worthy". The older teachers are retiring or just plain giving up at an alarming rate, leaving a younger set of common core cheerleaders who are at the mercy of the parental sorority, though those teachers are too often willing participants in the meddling. The office is entirely aware of all of this and does little about it because it benefits their children personally. As some other reviews state, we have definitely seen a downhill slide in the place since we started and rather than fret about it anymore we will be transferring out soon. I'm sure it's a great place if you're part of the "in crowd" but for a school that continually preaches such messages as anti-bullying, inclusion and parental involvement it's amazing how much exclusion and bullying is done....by the adults.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2016

Between the start of both of my kids experience from kindergarten through about mid second grade was great. After that, it's been going downhill. The last two years with my oldest have been quite an eye opener. Kids definitely fall through the cracks as far as the learning process goes-overwhelmed teachers, and the principal doesn't seem to follow through or take action with incidents and/or consequences per the "Bully Matrix" as stated on the school or districts website.
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2015

I feel like the teachers look right through the students that struggle. My child is in the resource program and this is the third year, while the resource teachers are concerned and very helpful the classroom teachers are not.
Submitted by parent on May 13, 2015

My son is an ADHD student and he was treated poorly throughout his time at this school. While the academics are okay, the school preaches character education and yet does not treat their students with respect unless they are well behaved kids without the issues my son has. He was bullied and nothing was done about it. The parents volunteering as lunch duties to monitor the playground have no idea how to handle conflict with students either. They favor their own children and kids they know well and disregard others. This school does not teach students conflict resolution. Instead, it teaches students that when they have problems, if they aren't a favorite of the adults in the school, they don't matter. Sad.
Submitted by parent on December 07, 2014

As a former student volunteer and now parent it's plain to see how the class of teachers has plummeted. A good chunk of capable teachers left Dewey, retired or left this earth entirely and left not so capable teachers. The administration is better than it was.
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2014

I believe that the school should and must be more accommodating to the needs of the special need students. To hear that this is not happening breaks my heart. We all must do our part to be there for them and the school has a most important role in this. As far as the playground being rough, this must stop! I have one child at Dewey and another that has gone on to the IB programs. The foundation at Dewey must always be the child first and foremost.
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2014

My son has ADHD, and was labeled/ostracized at two other elementary schools. Harry Dewey, in contrast, includes and celebrates every child. He loves going to school now, and has made a circle of friends. His teacher finds creative ways to showcase students' strengths and autonomy, while still incorporating required curriculum. I couldn't be more pleased with Harry Dewey, and the changes I have seen in my son- perfect attendance, homework completion, excellent report cards, joy & confidence. Many thanks to you, Harry Dewey & Christine Teachout.
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2013

I have complained that my daughter's teacher put her hands on her and I don't feel like anything has been resolved. This teacher has worked at Dewey for many years, probably longer than most there. My daughter is afraid to go to school, I don't blame her at all. These are little kids and they don't need their teachers grabbing at them or anything of the sort. I hope these mean teachers will retire, quit, or get fired. The office staff seem over worked and can be pretty short but I feel it's because they have too much work. The principal is ok although I haven't really seen much action.
Submitted by parent on December 03, 2013

We love this school! Our children have been attending for 6 years. We have been active in the community of the school and appreciate the personal attention our family always receives when we go into the office. The teachers are attentive and open to suggestions. The principal is open and willing to listen and help when we need it. I've never had less then wonderful interactions with the office staff. We love this school and couldn't be happier!
Submitted by parent on October 13, 2013

I have three children that attend this school and I could not be happier with the way the teacher's interact with my children. The homework assignments go hand in way with the day's lesson plan and each assignment is geared to helping the children grow. This school does not do "busy" work. The principal is amazing, friendly, and AVAILABLE to parents. My children are lucky to be in this school and proud to be Dewey Tigers!
Submitted by parent on March 06, 2013

Dewey is awesome! My kids have always loved their teachers, I love that! I've been happy with the school for the most part. The parent participation is wonderful, the new principal is super, the teachers and staff are amazing! I do, however, agree with several of the other parents here. The office lady is extremely short and rude. I know I can't mention names, and I hate to even say this but I am very put off by her. Parents have to sign in and sign out in the office anytime we go on campus, which means dealing with the office staff. One of my kids has complained about her as well. I understand she has alot on her plate, but kindness goes a long way, rudeness does not. I want my kids to feel comfortable going into the office if they need to, one of my kids does not want to for any reason. Dewey is a wonderful place for kids, I just wish they'd address this issue.
Submitted by principal on January 25, 2013

Harry Dewey Fundamental Elementary operates under a very special mission statement that staff, parents, and community members worked together on in the Spring of 2012. It reads: Valuing community and academic excellence, the mission of Harry Dewey Fundamental Elementary School is to inspire and educate each child to be a vibrant part of a community of life-long learners who embrace stewardship of their world, and develop creative problem-solving skills and confidence through a focus on the whole child mind, body, heart that includes innovative instruction, strong character development and essential family participation in a safe, supportive environment. We promise to live by this creed and do everything in our power to make sure we focus on the whole child - mind, body, heart at all times. Should you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're happy to work with you.
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2013

My daughter is having such a hard time in this school. The first two weeks she was physically assaulted by a group of kids at least three times. When I went to the office to get answers, I was brushed off. They told me I need to contact her teacher and schedule an appointment to discuss the matter with her. Lately she has been coming home crying several days a week because now girls in her classroom are picking on her and chasing her around campus. She asked her teacher if she could go into another room where they send students to work by themselves, the teacher said no. She asked the teacher if she could go sit and work in the office, she said no. She asked the teacher if she could call me, she said no. I said, "well, what did your teacher say or do?". And apparently all the teacher said was "Awwww, I'm sorry", then stuck her in the corner! Said or did nothing to the girls picking on her. The school has placed a big banner out in front of the school about not tolerating, and encourages all to report bullying . But it doesn't seem like they have the interest in doing anything about stopping it! Plus the parking lot during pickup is enough to make you go CRAZY! It's RIDICULOUS!
Submitted by parent on October 31, 2012

i think office ladys should be nicer too people but i like the school mostly and my kids like there teachers and have many friends but sometimes too much homework but its ok i dont mind helping my kids i like the principle and teachers i just dont realy like office lady but its ok
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2012

I disagree with the last comment posted. This school loves children and is passionate about educating kids. The staff and principal are caring and always willing to work with families to ensure kids receive a great education. They do it in a caring environment that is approachable and open.
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2012

Our daughter just completed kindergarten at Dewey and my wife, daughter and I could not be more pleased with the school and teachers. We are proud to be a part of the Dewey family.
Submitted by parent on March 27, 2012

Today I attended Dewey for Kindergarden visitation. I am going to appeal the open enrollment results and open enroll my son in Dewey. I am very upset that my son did not get in Cowan, as they reduced the number of K classrooms from 3 to 2 for 2012-2013 (parents voted on that so they can keep the school small). Fundamental education is important to me, therefore I was interested in visiting Dewey. The three K teachers that I met were wonderful. The office staff was very helpful , and answered all of my questions - I spoke with two ladies there. The campus looks old, indeed, but that is not really a factor that will affect our children's education. I can not say anything about the parents, though, as I did not meet any. Even though I will have to drive further, I hope my son makes it into Dewey.