La Jolla Elementary School

1111 Marine St.

La Jolla, CA 92037

School District

San Diego Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

School Map for San Diego 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 October 05, 2020

Bad, I'm planning to Choice out for the next school year. This school is very strange if you're not "in" then you get treated poorly.
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2018

My two kids attended LJES so I was involved at the school for 10 years .... It was a great experience for the entire family. Principal Donna Tripi has built an outstanding team of teachers, and the parent community has stepped in to fill gaps in public funding.
Submitted by parent on April 23, 2017

Great school, great teachers, strong sense of community !
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2016

Love everything about this school. Terrific parent involvement is why this schools is tops. The children have so many projects, I'm always excited to see what's next in store.
Submitted by parent on September 19, 2014

This is my son's 3rd year at LJES and he's now on 5th grade. It started really good on 3rd and 4th grade and went down hill. The homework that my son brings home is not even a page. Sometime just only 2 problems to solve and then he is done in 5 minutes top. Talk to the principal, impossible. I'm looking for another school so I can transfer him so he doesn't get behind and pe prepared for middle school. I want the best education for my son. Is that too much to ask?
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2014

The best thing about La Jolla Elementary is the sense of community. There are so many wonderful families and parents that volunteer. The School Site Governance has a good vision for the direction of the school and focuses on ways to make the students healthy, active, and engaged. My son likes to participate in the before school Run Club. The principal, Ms. Tripi, can be hard to reach but that is because she is busy being an instructional leader. She knows each of the students by name!
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2014

I have 2 children who have gone thru La Jolla Elementary; my youngest is about to graduate 5th grade this week. Our time at LJES has been a fantastic experience. I know many judge schools by test scores (which by the way are great) but I judge a school on a more personal level. My children have excelled both academically and socially. The school is driven by its Principal Ms. Trippi, who deeply cares about every student in her school. She is at the school 24/7 and beyond that she attends every event the school supports. No school can ever ask for a more dedicated leader. What makes LJES such an outstanding school is its staff. To the teachers, it is not just a job, it is their passion. We have been very happy with the education and environment our children have had for the past 9 years. The teachers and staff really care, LJES is a family. Lastly, Family is a key; the parental involvement is what makes this school a Village . From poetry readings to concerts to events at the school the parents are there every step of the way. Our family wants to thank everyone, Principal, Teachers, Staff and Parents on 9 fantastic years; we will deeply miss our Village!
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2014

A quick note on PE safety at this school. Our son in fifth grade two weeks ago broke his leg due to the PE teacher having the students play soccer without shin guards. In league play within La Jolla and the county, no coach would have a child play or do drills without shin guards. The school was cavalier about the injury and the accident is a sad symbol as our son graduates LJES in the face of a long hot summer while wearing a cast up to his thigh. The school is fine for over-achieving students and Gate Seminar children. The school is discernibly deficient and inconsistent with regard to children challenged by dyslexia, audio processing issues, and other common learning disorders. LJES pays highest attention to test scores and state rankings rather than community obligation to all children irrespective of their talents and aptitude. Our children had the benefit of the Gate Seminar program and the missing benefit of dyslexia strategies. Perhaps it is the school district too caught in this dysfunctional dynamic. Poway schools, by comparison, are looking finer than this.
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2014

The Principal has been at this school too long and needs to be transferred to another school. There are too many conflicting relationships and exclusions if you're outside her circle. This is a Public school that needs to function as one. The Foundation Fundraising needs to be audited on a regular basis. Checks and balances are missing. Monetary gifts to teachers, access to parents vacation homes, parents inappropriately hired to substitute teach - all need to be reviewed by the District. Quid pro quo thrives here.
Submitted by parent on October 19, 2013

If you complain about a teacher or close friend of the Principle you will be retaliated against and not a single parent can or will risk helping you for fear their child will be hurt in some way. Beware.
Submitted by parent on December 30, 2012

I have had two children go through La Jolla Elementary and have been very pleased. Both of my children seemed to thrive at the school and have done well academically in Middle School. I really liked the focus on visual and performing arts in the daily curriculum and after school science program. I also like the way most parents were involved at the school and in the classroom.
Submitted by parent on November 27, 2012

Great school. Wish the Principal would reply to our request to meet. We've met with the teacher. My impression is they would rather not deal with the parents... We've put three children through the school over the last 15 years. This is the first time we have asked Ms. Tripi for a brief meeting after meeting with the teach with some concerns about our child. She does not even reply or delegate someone to reply, or even bother to have some automated response stating she'd love to reply but is just too busy.. just something. It's not rocket science. Maybe she could use the hour a day she directs traffic and do actual principal work.
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2011

The principal is amazing. She has high standards for all kids -- which is demonstrated in the test scores. The person who complained about her use of the bullhorn clearly hasn't been at the school long -- and doesn't really know that much about what goes on there. The principal needs the bullhorn at pickup, when hundreds of parents are trying to pick up their kid at the same time. As another reviewer said, there is so much noise the kids wouldn't be able to hear their name if she didn't use the bullhorn. Pickup is stressful because the school has so many students -- and because some parents illegally park, do U-turns directly in front of the school, and disregard the safety of all children except their own. As for the comment about the principal's attitude toward other races, again, this reviewer doesn't know the principal or the school, because that is not true.
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2011

The reason the principal has a bull horn is that she is responsible for the safety of hundreds of children. There is a tremendous amount of noise during pick up and this is the only way for her to get everyone's attention. I have worked the pick up, and the current system is by far the best for the safety of all the children. As far as the attitude towards other races, I am completely blown away by this comment. What we love about this school is the feeling of community, and this feeling comes directly from Ms. Tripi! She cares about every child in that school, her passion is the driving force behind the success of La Jolla Elementary. It sounds like you are new to the school since you have a kindergartener. Please volunteer and get involved with the parents and teachers. I am sure you will then realize what a specail place our school is.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2011

I find it funny that a parent claims to be turned away from a school where by law, they have to take all children that live IN THE DISTRICT. I am certain that if any child was turned away, it is because so many residents who pay taxes to attend LJES see it as an outstanding education and community and CHOOSE to send their children to the school because it is their LEGAL right. Both LJES and Donna Trippi are amazing. I pinch myself everyday for the opportunity to send my child to a school with such an incredible community and outstanding parent involvement. This is NOT a private school. If you are looking for 15 kids in a class, minimal diversity in socio-economics, art every day, gardening, catered lunches and the ability to be a non-participating parent, then LJES is not the right place for you...spend the $10,000+ at a private school and get the same eductaion...but don't come with negativity, complain and not offer your help. LJES strives to be a positive community where the childrens' best interests come first, not the parents' social networking and absent behavior. LJES...I love it. I treasure it, and I am thankful for it.