John Blacow Elementary School

40404 Sundale Drive

School District

Fremont Unified
Grade

TK-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Fremont 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 January 10, 2025

My son was on first grade special ED and our worst fear happened. He was able to get out of the classroom, and was found in a neighborhood nearby due to short staffing. Luckily was found by a good parent who reported to the cops. What's done is done, but we were disappointed with the school's proposal after. We requested for a 1:1 para and for him to have his tracker at all times (Provided by us) to be included in the IEP. The school proposed just "almost like a 1:1" but no specifics, and "will look into" the tracker. No communication or email back from school or Special ED director days after our request or IEP meeting. We refused to send him back at Blacow after no concrete plan in place. Instead they just emailed us an IEP for us to sign. It was very traumatic for us and for our son who still cries and can't understand why he can't go back to school onsite. We felt like we were not supported at all even after the incident.
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2023

My son really enjoyed going to this school. I saw his personality develop and he learnt something new each day.
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2022

Yes this is a great place for kids education.
Submitted by parent on November 22, 2019

Disappointed would not even begin to cover it. I went to this school along with all 4 of my siblings and had a great experience. So for my son to go to the same school as I did, I thought was great. Until we got to experience the worst teachers ever. Aweful and severely disappointed barely cover my feelings about the first grade alone.
Submitted by parent on July 14, 2019

We've loved our time at Blacow. Ratings based on test scores aren't everything!
Submitted by teacher on June 16, 2019

My experience has been truly positive and enjoyed it every minute I was there
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2019

Its a nice school and students get homework every day.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2019

My experience at Blacow has been positive. Each of my son’s teachers over the years has made a positive impact. I appreciate our principal’s level of engagement with the students and his willingness to meet/address any parent concerns. The parent organization has worked hard on engaging families and community unity. All of our students have really enjoyed the year’s activities.
Submitted by parent on October 10, 2018

All four of my children attended Blacow in Kindergarten, but continued at another school for 5 years. We’ve returned to Blacow with a mission to help make it a better school, to foster togetherness, and develop a sense of community with positive learning and support. To those who left negative reviews, please tell us what you are doing to help YOUR community, your children, and their school. It takes a village to raise a child and it also takes the right group of people to make the village great. Blacow now has GREAT teachers, a great group of Boosters, and great after school programs. We are very excited for this school year!
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2018

The issue with this school is the management staff including the principal. If we explain anything to the principal, she eagerly dismissed it. She has not interest in listening to the parents and education wise this school is so bad that it should be closed down.
Submitted by student on January 19, 2017

It is terrible. I never got any homework.
Submitted by parent on July 20, 2015

Is not up to par with other schools and their curiculum. Very disappointing. We will be changing our daughters school to a more proactive one.
Submitted by parent on July 12, 2015

This is such a poor school compared to other elementary schools in Fremont. It basis most on Hispanic needs and teachers are extremely lazy. Terrible, terrible, terrible!
Submitted by teacher on April 28, 2014

The teachers at this school really try to help students succeed. The school uses new and innovative methods to motivate students to master the content.
Submitted by parent on February 14, 2014

I am a former Blacow Elementary student and now parent of 1st and 2nd graders in the Spanish immersion program at Blacow. Blacow Elementary has dedicated, caring and hard-working teachers like Ms. Rivas, Ms. Comendant, Ms. de la Torre, Mr. Colon, Ms. Orantes and Ms. Rodriguez. College entrance requirements ask for a 2nd language and this a great way for your child to start this dual language foundation. I invite you to enroll your children at Blacow Elementary and challenge them to be multi-lingual. Is Spanish Immersion Right for Your Child? Do you have bilingualism, biliteracy, and diversity? Does your child have a strong foundation in English? Does your child need challenges? Do you want your child to have a linguistic edge in tomorrow s market economy? Are you willing to make a long-term commitment to the Immersion Program? http://www.fremont.k12.ca.us/domain/405
Submitted by parent on September 03, 2013

This school has a heart of gold. Down to the office ladies. Some people that work here were former students And have a love for what they do. So far we have had Mrs. Delatorre,Mrs. Manjabosco,Mrs. Comendant and Mrs. Valdivia So far everything has been good. My son is doing really Well.
Submitted by parent on September 01, 2013

I love this school because they do have the immersion program that helps kids achieve and keep the second language which is important for future use. The teachers so far have been great as well.
Submitted by other on March 07, 2013

From a good achieving school .... It has now slipped down to a low performing institution. There is a lack of leadership, and no attempt in bringing this school upto par with others. FUSD needs to focus on the faculty's ability to raise the school standard.
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2011

My child is in Kindergarten and has the best teacher (Mrs. Forbes). The speech therapist is also fantastic. However, the school caters entirely to Spanish speaking families. There are more teachers for the immersion program than for the English resulting in limited options for teachers. The classes are overcrowded creating a difficult learning environment. There is a teachers aid that assists a few times a week testing children rather than assisting in activity. The principal is cold hearted and arrogant and definitely not concerned with providing the students at this school with an optimal education. She is just another penny pincher for the district. Teachers are not provided wit the appropriate tools to teach these kids and the kids are suffeering. My child will not be attending this school next year.