Brewer Island Elementary School

1151 Polynesia Drive

School District

San Mateo-Foster City
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
Type

public

School Map for San Mateo-Foster City 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 September 11, 2021

There are good teachers, but there are also bad teacher who are not qualified as educators. When our children couldn't properly participate in the class play because they couldn't speak English, she excluded them from the play. From the start, she didn't even give my child a role. Later, she gave my kids a small role, but when they couldn't communicate with their friends because they didn't know English, she said that they interfere with practice, so she excluded them again after only two days.I am still upset at the thought that my children must have been hurt by watching other children's plays on the day of the play presentation. I think a good educator should lead everyone to participate in class activities. Our children were not given consideration or guidance to participate, and were discriminated against and excluded. I am not good at English either, so I am even more angry and sorry for my kids because I couldn't even complain to the teacher at that time.
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2020

The school atmosphere is going downhill these years and it’s the worst under the new principal onboard August 2019. I hope the school can reflect what it’s missing. Hi 5 to some of the greatest teachers though, I hope good teachers stay.
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2020

No longer a loving school anymore. The school is cute but unfortunately it’s losing its shine.
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2019

A good school. Was better before. My son loved this school. His teacher was great and my son liked it a lot and learnt well.
Submitted by parent on July 17, 2019

While I think there are some really good teachers who really do their best, I think they are being dragged down by their underproductive counterparts. I heard we are getting another a new principal next school year. And hope it is one ready to roll their sleeves up and make some marked changes on this campus.
Submitted by other on October 24, 2017

This school is an embarrassment. When I went, around 2010, the school was terrible on all fronts. They did nothing to stop the constant bullying I faced, provided me zero academic support despite my process order, and was just a terrible school. Some kids might have had a great experience here, but I know I didn't and I know a lot of other students that faced the same struggles I did with the school. All I can say is that I have this school to thank for the worst year of my entire life.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2017

All teachers are passionate and curriculum is strong. However, the school is experiencing downward spiral since Mr. Cosmos left. Current Assistant Principal is inexperienced, disinterested and incapable to handle even small problems of the school. Their affiliated after-school program with Newton is sub-par and poorly structured, especially for the lower-graders. Parents should reset expectation when sending kids to Newton. Lets hope School District can find someone who can commit to the Principal role long term, and next year Principal can offer more options to the parents for either after-school or enrichment programs besides Newton.
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2016

My child was part of the school from 3rd to 5th grade.The 3rd grade teacher was disinterested and did not want to reach, the 4th grade teacher superb and the 5th grade teacher was just about ok. One thing that stood out in 5th grade was the constant giving of gifts and gift cards to the teacher by a small group of PTA type class parents. Did this influence and bias the teacher for special treatment, awards and opportunities for those parents children ? Hard to say but the perception was out there. I was dissapointed to see this in a otherwise decent school. So in hindsight a good (not great) school. But inconsistent teacher quality.
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2014

They ask too much in terms of $$ and volunteering. No wonder, the school mascot is BILL. Instead of organizing all these non-stop fundraising events, book fairs, distributing discount cards some very active people should go and volunteer. They send lists with names of who joined PTA and who didn't forcing both parents from family to become PTA members. Teachers are very good though.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2014

BIES is the best! The teachers are great role models and guides. Most students come from educated households. We love the year round schedule!!
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2014

We have been at this school since 2007 and have been happy with the teachers we have had and the amount of involvement parents have in the BIES community. I give the principal 3 stars because it is a new principal this year and it is too early to tell what his impact will be.
Submitted by parent on July 12, 2013

Another incident, our child has a bloody nose when we picked him/her up after school one day, we went back to the classroom hoping to grep a tissue, saw the teacher and she told us to go to the office and immediately closed the classroom door (classes were over!)!!!
Submitted by parent on December 14, 2012

The teachers at BIES are competent and all loving their students. Teachers getting up early and staying late show they are passionate at teaching. I'll express all my appreciation to the teachers who continue to motivate the kids academically and reinforce their lifeskills which are equally important to make them continue to succeed in life (this lifeskill can't be taught at Kumon). I feel lucky to have my kid raise at Brewer Island and kids learn what's perseverance; and we love the classroom activities and writer workshop taught in class. This is an awesome school!
Submitted by parent on November 14, 2012

RE: "It's very sad how..." Your suggestion that teachers and principal "cover up accountability" To the teacher who got offended >> if you're from Brewer Island your attitude represents what the parent is insinuating. Getting up early and going to work is no criteria of being good or bad. My personal opinion is that the quality of teachers that i have had experience with wasn't up to the 10/10 rating given by this site. Perhaps there are better teachers. don't know? The principle looks like she's got a good head on her shoulders though. 2 stars for teacher rating 4 stars for Principal 4 stars for Parent involvement I know most of parent have their kids enrolled in outside classes like Kumon etc etc. Their performance probably inflates the achievements by the teachers. However, its just my opinion. I would have to agree with the DMV comment (chuckle chuckle). Looks like if you're breathing you can get a job here and probably have no fear of getting fired what so ever...
Submitted by other on July 06, 2012

This was a great school and I learned a lot from it. The only problem were the other students and my PE teacher. He bullied the kids who weren't athletic like me.
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2012

The front office staff... feels like they are DMV employees....I don't think the receptionist EVER smiles....it's the strangest ambiance ever