La Patera Elementary School

555 North La Patera Lane

School District

Goleta Union Elementary
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

public

School Map for Goleta Union Elementary 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 15, 2025

Lice running rampant. Regular outbreaks of Norovirus. Rude, pushy and lazy office staff. Dishonest IEP process and awful SST system. If your child is disabled in any way, run. My brother is a teacher in the GUSD system and La Patera is infamous even among their professional peers. Avoid at all costs.
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2018

I rate this school with the highest rating I can give. It is a wonderful place, full of wonderful people - the faculty, office staff, playground attendants, cafeteria employees, custodian, and cross guard woman are all part of the wonderful experience my children had/are having.
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2018

My family (we parents and our children) love La Patera. The principal, the teachers, and the other families who consistently volunteer their time to stay involved and come together make La Patera a wonderful place for our kids. This is such a great family community, and La Patera is an integral part of what makes it so great.
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2018

Our experience at La Patera has been very positive. The teachers are dedicated, competent, engaged and able to address a spectrum of needs in their students. The school community is supportive, enthusiastic and open-minded. I have two children at La Patera, and consistently have been very happy with their academic instruction, character development, and over all growth. I am so thankful for the community of teachers, staff and families that we get to be a part of!
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2018

My children have thrived at La Patera. We have such a wonderful and diverse community of families. The teachers are exceptional. Our class sizes have always been small. Many times when I volunteer in kindergarten, there are 2 other volunteers plus my child's awesome teacher. My children have made a ton of friends and they all have wonderful helpful families. They also enjoy the after school programs and all the enrichment:garden, science, art music, PE, Library. We are at home at La Patera. It really is a special school.
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2018

The teachers and staff are amazing, always supporting unity, character and community.
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2018

Our children have had the best experience. What a wonderful school community with exceptional teachers, leadership and families.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2017

Not only are the parents and families of La Patera welcoming and inclusive but the admin and teachers are equally enthusiastic and invested in the school. The kids always come first. My son loves going to school and we love how much he has grown not only academically but in character. From the specialists that individualize learning to the afterschool program on the campus - we are so happy to apart of the La Patera community.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2017

Amazing. Love the diversity, love the neighborhood, love the staff, love the school. La Patera and virtually every LP family knows what community means and all of us only want what's best for the kids. I get to walk my children to school where I know they feel part of something great. What a great start to a future.
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2016

La Patera is an amazing, wonderful school with a diverse student body that while diverse still has become a close-knit "family" due to the caring community building efforts of our incredible principal, Dr Araiza. He is the hardest working, most hands on principal who knows all the kids and parents personally. The kids are a group of caring, thoughtful young adults who model responsibly and pride in themselves as well as respect and empathy for others. These character traits are taught and nurtured by the principal and the excellent teaching staff.
Submitted by teacher on March 02, 2015

As the proud principal of La Patera, I am very lucky to work with an amazing hard-working staff and dedicated families that expect only the best. Last year we adopted a new mission statement that reads: The La Patera School staff, in partnership with families will provide a diverse education in a safe, supportive environment that promotes self-discipline, motivation and excellence in learning. Our students will be expected to think critically, while interacting in a safe, respectful and responsible manner. This mission statement is our commitment to all of our families. If you would like more information about La Patera, please call us at (805) 681-1280. Thanks.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2015

Amazing new principal! So involved and caring for the students and families. School has just been getting better and better every year!
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2015

La Patera Elementary School is a wonderfully diverse campus, filled with children representing many different ethnic groups Our new Principal, Dr. Araiza has been extremely successful in welcoming families in our school community. I have been a parent at La Patera for over twenty years and I would have to say that the current environment at La Patera is more positive and vibrant than ever! La Patera is our childrens' home away from home.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2015

This school has performed far above my expectations. The teachers really care about the students, both on a personal level and through their education. The parents are highly involved as well. Lastly, I have never experienced a more professional and caring principal. This has been an over all great experience as a first time kindergarten parent. I am very pleased!
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2015

La Patera is a wonderful neighborhood elementary school. They have stellar teachers and great new leadership. There is a great sense of community and warmth on campus. We love La Patera School.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2015

My husband attended La Patera, his uncle and now our children. My children's teachers have been great. They are so hard-working and attentive to the children. Living close by, I have caught a few teachers coming in working on their own time on weekends when taking my kids to the playground. It shows how dedicated they are. The school and PTA also make ongoing efforts to have fun gatherings to bring the school community together. My children are excited about going to La Patera every day and are advancing as they should academically.
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2015

We have two children at the school and they are extremely happy. We love that the children go to a neighborhood school - they can get themselves to and from school and have their friends close to play with out of school. Dr. Araiza, the principal, has made a big difference at the school. He tries to be out in front of the school every morning and afternoon to talk to the parents and children. He has given new energy to the teachers and staff and has put in new policies to target every child's skills. He has an open door policy and is the most patient person. The teachers are dedicated and involved in supporting the community. They have a huge amount of experience and are working hard at integrating the new common core standards at the school. They are skilled at teaching to a broad range of abilities and skills in their classroom. The school offers Science, Computers, Art, Music and PE programs. The Physical Education program in particular is very energetic and a student absolute favorite.
Submitted by parent on August 06, 2014

We have two children at LP and are extremely happy. Our new principal, Dr. Araiza, has brought a fresh change to the school which seems to have spread to the students, staff and families. Families watch out for each other. The students are positive (except for a few, which happens everywhere...) and friendly. The staff seems to enjoy their jobs and are approachable. Teachers are helpful in making suggestions of things parents can do at home to help their children thrive. There is a lot of family involvement and appreciated. It has the comfy feel of a small town school where everyone knows each other. Love it!
Submitted by parent on November 24, 2013

Both of my kids completed all their years of primary school at La Patera. Excellent teachers and an ideal neighborhood school. Much of the reason behind the lower test scores can be attributed to the fact that kids are bussed in from old town Goleta, and most of them are learning English as a second language. The creates a fair representation of our community, and the teachers excel in keeping all kids challenged!
Submitted by parent on May 27, 2011

I have had 3 kids at La Patera and have found it to be an outstanding school. I cannot speak to other comments below, but as parents we are very involved and present and have seen a staff and principal that are amazingly dedicated and responsive. Great school!