Sanchez Elementary School

655 Sir Galahad Drive

School District

Boulder Valley Re 2
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:10
Type

public

School Map for Boulder Valley Re 2 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 March 04, 2023

My son is a 4th grader at Sanchez Elementary and has attended since kindergarten. Every year his teachers have worked to ensure that students at every level are receiving the attention they need, and in addition to the GT program he is grouped with similarly paced classmates for reading and math groups to make sure they continue to be challenged. It feels as if very person in the building at Sanchez is there because they love what they do, and it feels like a safe and nurturing space. We did have a problem this year with bullying, and the swift action and continued follow up from the teachers, counselors, and principal was reassuring and effective. We live in the north part of Lafayette and were initially confused about our neighborhood school being farther than others closer to our house, but we love that he can ride the bus and has gotten to be friends with so many more kids in our neighborhood.
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2023

My son is in 4th grade at Alicia Sanchez International Elementary. He attended Sanchez for 2 years of preschool and 2 years of kindergarten, and he'll finish elementary school there. He has a diagnosis of delayed development, and he has hearing loss, so he has an IEP and benefits from the help of several specialists. I can't say enough good things about the teachers, administrators, and staff at Sanchez! Every adult in the building is there because they care about the kids. My son is getting an excellent education, both academically and social-emotionally. When he's needed guidance, everyone from the principal to his speech therapist to his special ed teacher to his classroom teacher has been available. As a parent, I've found it very easy to get information from leadership, and there are many opportunities to get involved. Sanchez, which has a high rate of economically disadvantaged families and students for whom English is a second language, earned the 2022 Governor’s Bright Spot Award, and Assistant Principal Becky McKay is the 2021 Colorado Assistant Principal of the Year. Alicia Sanchez International Elementary is the school of my heart.
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2023

My daughter is currently thriving in kindergarten at Sanchez! I absolutely love her teachers and all the support staff. While the kindergarten class sizes are the largest in the school, they're still far below the state and district average - additionally, I love that each classroom has a full-time Para. Not only is my child receiving an excellent general education, but Sanchez students enjoy a number of extracurricular activities including free after-school enrichment classes (different each semester but include creative art, hip hop, cooking, CU partnerships, etc). The diversity among students at the school is fantastic and the administration's celebration of the multicultural student body is wonderful. Sanchez recently won the Governor's Bright Spot Award (only 21 schools in the state were awarded) for student achievement growth. Sanchez currently holds the state's highest rating, performance. We've had a great experience with the principal and vice-principal, Joel and Becky, who have also won statewide awards. We've found them to be really engaged and easily accessible.
Submitted by parent on February 21, 2023

This is our second year attending Sanchez and I can not speak highly enough of the teachers and staff! Everyone we have interacted with - from the classroom teachers, to studio teachers, to support staff, to leadership - have been amazing! Everyone works together to put the needs of the students first and foremost. I have never seen such dedicated teachers. Not only do they focus on teaching our children ABC's and 123's, but they really focus on the WHOLE person. Social and emotional education is a top priority as well. We also love the after school extracurricular programs that are offered to the Sanchez students. Creative play, yoga, soccer, Lego problem solving, hip-hop dance, cooking, etc. We just love this school!
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2019

Our experiences at this school started well and then has gone down hill over the years and have gotten worse.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2017

I have mixed reviews. My 1st grader was struggling with reading and they had an AMAZING reading recovery teacher who helped him make a years worth of progress in just a few months. Lots of staff there are great and really care about the students. But the principal should really be at a wealthy school, she is very condescending and comes across as "better than." This is a low income school and many students struggle with poverty, violence, and health issues. My 5th grader is diagnosed with PTSD and had some pretty major behavior issues a few months into the year. But the school's approach was to exclude him from activities and classes as much as possible, rather than finding ways to help him stay in the classroom. They refused to take my requests into consideration and use the strategies our therapist gave us that would help him. I asked the school on numerous occasions for information to get him adequate care and support from his therapists and the courts (long story). Eventually they'd give the info, but long after I needed it. They simply don't care about "problem" students and only focus on the good kids. If you have kids who struggle to learn in a traditional class setting or have special needs, this is NOT the school for them.
Submitted by other on December 19, 2016

The teachers care so much about students and go above and beyond to help kids and families.
Submitted by other on March 11, 2015

As an involved community member, I have been watching this school improve by leaps and bounds over the years. The staff members are dedicated and have high expertise. The International Baccalaureate program is comprehensive and well-developed. The principal is outstanding. The afterschool program offers lots of support and activities for students to extend their day and experiences. This is a great neighborhood with all the same great programs any neighborhood school has, and more.
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2015

Our daughter has attended Sanchez since Kindergarten and is now in the 5th grade. Our experience has never been anything but positive. We were welcomed as a family into the school and feel a part of that community. Our daughter has thrived at Sanchez. Our goal was for her to enjoy learning and that has definitely been nurtured by everyone at Sanchez. All my communications with members of the staff (teaching, office, custodial, support, etc) have been positive, informative and helpful. My daughter has been saying since the beginning of this year that she wishes she could stay at Sanchez and maybe they could add the next grades she will need. We know promote this school as often as we can - especially as a neighborhood school. We wish more neighbors would go to Sanchez instead of open enrolling...we also know that we have other great schools in Lafayette. We recommend Sanchez with full support of all they do.
Submitted by parent on December 05, 2014

My son started this year in kindergarten. I couldn't be happier with the school. My son loves his teacher, and all the staff. He is disappointed on weekends and breaks when new can't go. As a parent, I have found all of the staff to be friendly and welcoming. Any time I have had a question or concern it is always immediately answered. There are an abundance of opportunities for parents to be involved. I really like that it is an international baccalaureate, or "IB" school. The curriculum is based on critical thinking and creativity. They want the children to have a comprehensive understanding of ideas instead of memorizing facts and dates. They work hard to build a sense of community and respect. The principal, Dr Candelarie has worked tirelessly to turn the school around. Because of her efforts to improve the school, she won the National Distinguished Principal Award this year. I feel confident that Sanchez Elementary is the right fit for my family and my son.
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2014

This is a great little hidden gem in Lafayette! They are an IB School which teaches your children to be well-rounded global citizens. They have full time art, music and PE teachers! Teachers are amazing and the Principal is amazing! If your child needs help in any way, you can be assured that they will get it at this school. You are doing yourself and your child a disservice if you are only looking at the test scores from the school. I promise. Visit the school, you will be pleasantly surprised!
Submitted by parent on March 21, 2014

This is an excellent school. The teachers and principal are highly knowledgeable and professional, and the overall culture is very positive.
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2014

I enrolled my daughter into Sanchez last year for kindergarten I was very nervous as a new parent, she was never in daycare. I keep the communication open with her teacher, I was even given the opportunity to volunteer in her class room as often as I like. There was a background check that needed to be completed before I was able to volunteer, as it should be. Being able to volunteer in the class made me happy & gave me peace of mind! I have had the opportunity to build a relationship with her teacher & the kids in the class. I attend the monthly PTA meeting that the principal is at too; I can see how hard parents are working to provide their children the best education possible. There are regular IB assembly s open to parents to see the children interact in their school environment, & how the teachers & the principal encourage the children to learn & grow. I am able to communicate via email with her teacher regularly & get replies the same day! There is a homework folder that is sent home each week & I am able to sit down with my daughter each day to go through reading, math, & writing assignments. I have had a wonderful experience & would highly recommend this school!
Submitted by parent on January 21, 2014

Very, very impressed by the efforts of the teachers and school staff. Everyone seems to be willing to go the extra mile for the kids. This school is working very hard to on improving test scores. My son has received a wonderful education over his 5 yrs at this school. Again, I'm elated to see how invested the staff is in this school.
Submitted by parent on January 17, 2014

My daughter been to this school for two years now and the teachers and staffs work well with her. I like that there are weekly homework to help and encourage students to learn. The school teaches several subjects such as English, foreign language, writing, math, music, PE, technology, reading, science, and art. The school always encourage parents to be involve by creating PTA: events, conferences, and activities. The location is also convenience and easy access. Staff always out there before and after school hours to monitor and ensure the safety of students.
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2013

Sanchez International is a wonderful community. The faculty go above and beyond to care and educate each child that enters the doors. I love the monthly IB assemblies, but wish that the families were able to participate in more activities. The after school Dragon programs are amazing and much needed. Also, the school lhas an outstanding Family Outreach program in place for families in need.
Submitted by other on October 25, 2012

Great little elementary school with accomplished staff. Very dedicated principal working miracles in a school without the best resources. Four stars.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2012

My son went to Sanchez for two years in the SPED program with Ms. Lee. He made amazing progress, at his own pace. He was supported by the staff and administration. Staff was always responsive to my calls and emails, from the teachers to the bus drivers. He was treated with great respect and was encouraged to showcase his strengths, not his special needs. I respect the school's diversity and appreciation of other cultures and languages. I was sad to hear that they decreased the staffing of mental health by one, more support is better! Mental health leads to success academically and socially. He and I will never forget his teachers at Sanchez.
Submitted by parent on April 23, 2012

We have had numerous problems with this school. The final was that they WITHDREW my student with no paperwork done and signed by myself or the school district. They then took over an hour to call me after I had dropped my student off at school to let me know that they was no longer attending there and that he was sitting with the school counselor... The vice principal and principal and insulting and rude if you call out a teacher for mistreating a student, the teachers are unwilling to work with a student who is new to the district and unfamiliar with their teaching style. Do not send you children to this school, you will be greatly disappointed.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2011

The teachers at Sanchez are hit and miss. Some are fantastic, others are pathetic. The principle and office staff is the worst. I reported broken glass in the parking lot and it was still there 4 months later. 4 MONTHS! I tried calling the principle about something else, and was told I would be called back, but never was. They took my 1st grader to see a play that was rated pg 13.