Joseph Widmer, Jr., Elementary School

751 Stonebridge Lane

School District

Manteca Unified
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:23
Type

public

School Map for Manteca 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 April 23, 2023

This is my sons first year at the school (1st grade) . First few months were ok, at around month 3 my son complained about being bullied on the school bus. I wrote to the school about the incidents- received no reply or confirmation. Shortly after he began getting bullied on campus by a 2nd grader, again no response to my email. Most recently, he came home talking about a conversation he had with classmates, cursing involved and inappropriate things, I AGAIN emailed teacher AND CC'D PRINCIPAL-- NOTHING. I will be clear, when my son was having side conversations or was tardy or ruff housed while playing soccer I got an email. When I write back and ask if they have received any of mine..again silence. I dont know if the teacher(s) are programmed not to reply..it was just super strange. Yard duty is absolutely horrible. The nicest is one is the lady that does the crosswalk in the AM/PM. Seriously thank you for always being so sweet to these kids when you see them! The rest are yelling constantly at the children. The school offers a community food drive - all food is expired. Office staff is completely lost. No one looks like they want to be there..They are there 1000% for the paycheck and not a care of the kids. This school lacks compassion, organization, communication, parent participation and safety for our kids. Every week I brace myself for what I'll hear about next or worse for my sons safety. Year 1 and we're out of there. Enrolled in a new school for the next Fall year
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2023

This had been my experience and opinion: I would rate this school as a zero. I have lived here 15 years and have 5 kids that are currently going through the school. 3 of which attend this institution. Staff with the exception of a handful of teachers; needs to learn extensive communication skills with students, parents and community. This institution sadly lacks something simple as KINDNESS, and being polite. RESPECT, boundaries, communication, amongst other soft skills need to starts with the adults at this school. Admin and staff must set an example at all times and showing support to the kids as well. This school extremely lacks all of the skills that a good school needs. This school is weighted down by the negativity in ever aspect you can think of. We have seen more principals come and go more often than normal, not to mention VPs as well. My kids have been bullied here and trying to be heard and support has been unsuccessful and disheartening. The discipline and problem solving is ineffective to the needs of the students and community. I have been extremely patient as a parent for I as well work in education. I see it from both ends. If there is not proper communication, respect, kindness, understanding etc. How could you expect the education to be good when there is an extremely lack on everything else.
Submitted by other on January 13, 2023

This school is welcoming and diverse. The campus is very nice and there are many great teachers who care for their students.
Submitted by parent on December 02, 2022

This school has totally failed my daughter and I. My daughter attended this school from k through 5th. My daughter was bullied constantly and I would talk to teachers and the principle daily with no results. The last straw was a chair being thrown at my daughter and nothing happening to the student who threw it. They actually took my daughter out of the class room and put her in another class room because she was crying and let the child who threw the chair stay in their class and continue to learn. This is an awful school that has no regard for children being bullied physically, verbally or emotionally.
Submitted by parent on May 27, 2022

This school is ok, some of the teachers here are horrible. They single out students and shame them if they “misbehave” which I use loosely because I’m not even sure why this teacher singled out a student on the last day of school. They won’t fire bad teachers because the principle doesn’t prioritize the children over friendships with teachers, they don’t care if a teacher is inappropriate with a student. They use authoritative old school teaching which is probably why their test scores are so low, if they want higher test scores they should get teachers who have compassion and actually want to be there.
Submitted by parent on May 03, 2022

Joseph Widmer is in a nice neighborhood and is a great school.Just like all schools it has pros and cons. I think as a parent, the more I am involved with my kids and the volunteer at the school, the more I see there is a lot of effort and genuine care for the students on campus. After almost 2 years of kids being home, coming back to school seems to have taken a toll on the students and teachers. Seems like a challenging time for everyone. Overall, I think the teachers are fair and it I am happy with the sports offered, tutoring offered, and all the activities on campus I notice other schools do not have.
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2020

I was looking forward to the ethnic diversity of this school when moving here from south Florida. We have moved multiple times, but when my 7th grader was emotionally upset and not eating or sleeping well after attending this school for 4 months, we chose to switch him to online school. There is no classroom management, students were swearing in class and would regularly pick on my son during recess and lunch time. We met with administration who believed that having a 7th grader write about how this would make him feel if he were in my student's shoes. For a short time, the teachers paid a little more attention to what was happening, and then it went back to the way it was before.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2017

its okay i have one child in k and one in the forth grade the teachers are wonderful but the yard duty teachers are always yelling and abusing their authority and some of the office staff seem like there just there for a pay check the vice principal and principal seem good as far as my dealings with them this school has some very stupid rules
Submitted by parent on December 22, 2016

My sons first year kindergarten 2015 at Joseph Widmer was great. The next year the 1st grade instructor decided because she stated he was being disruptive the 1st week of school to place my son in a isolated desk by himself with his back to the other students . He was assigned this seating arrangement and the remaining students were placed in groups at circle table allowing them to socialize and learn from each other . We where not notified about this and only became aware of the situation due to my wife coming to a teacher/parent conference and noticing our sons name and only his name on a desk up at the front of the class. I'm not sure how long this teacher intended on keeping my son isolated from the other class but it had been two weeks at the time we became aware. The class duration is 6 hours and my son is 6 years old. I can't describe in detail how angry I was to find out my son was placed in this arrangement for 6 hours a day for a minimum of 2 weeks. I contacted the teacher and made it clear I wanted my son removed from that desk by himself. I then notified the Vice Principal and then the teacher did so but reluctantly stating in a sarcastic tone " we shall see if it works". I wonder if I wouldn't have seen this how long would she have segregated my son from the entire class. No parent should have to worry if their child is being mistreated by a TEACHER especially at 6 years old. After this incident I have had several bad encounters with the same teacher. The 2nd week of school I asked the teacher how was my son doing she couldn't say anything positive with the exception that he had potential. The progress report that was sent 12/19/16 was almost exactly the same. I have asked to have my son removed from this teachers class as of 12/20/2016. If this doesn't work I will be removing my son from this school entirely.
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2015

One of the worst schools my children have attended. We are an army family and have traveled all over the U.S. so we know our schools. For one, yard duty are always rude. I always see them yelling and are less than professional when on traffic duty. My children's are always tellinge stories about how they are always yelling and not helpful in school grounds. They get soccer ball taken away for weeks/months at a time even if bigger grades are the ones who kicked ball on roof. They started playing with Pokemon cards and within a week they had that privilege taken away. My son was not able to wear his captain America shoes after wearing them for months at school because they were red and blue (captain America colors) with captain America logo and character on shoes. I mean, if he went months wearing them at school with no gang problems I'm sure nothing is going to happen. No organized sports during school or after. Teachers talk about personal lives including being married multiple times and what tatoos they have and how they have kids with different me (this is what my 6th grade daughter comes home and tells me) not impressed one bit. I can't wait to be assigned to next duty station
Submitted by parent on December 04, 2014

They do very little for the kids aside from being in the class. No after school programs. No sports. Very weak music program. No performing arts. Student performances (plays, holiday programs, etc.) are not well organized or don't happen at all. One educational field trip a year. MUSD has the strangest break times. They give a 1 week off in October, I think it should be the week of Thanksgiving. Spring break is also different time from most other CA school districts. The neighborhood is safe though. Community is nice and friendly. Just wish the school was better.
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2014

This school doesn't spend any money on the children ! The principal should be more involved in school activities. They take it so lightly its not even funny. I am really disappointed in this school.. But a true fact is that a bright child could do great in this school. the school enviorment is horrible..... over all if your looking for a recomandation then I suggest do not enroll your child in this school
Submitted by other on May 08, 2014

I am a student at this school currently I am a 7th grader and I have been going here since kindergarten and every since 1rst grade I hated this school but the only reason why I'm staying here is Becuse my mom like the RSP here that I need but it took 4 years for her to get me in that program and the office did nothing about it at all and the yard dudys are the worst they yell at everyone for everything of u wore shorts that are a centimeter to short up to the office and they don't help you at what u need help with I can barley spell Becuse of them at I am horable at math I can't wait to graduate and get out of this junk felid they call a school oh and u have to seat at assigned tables at lunch how stupid
Submitted by other on April 09, 2014

Such a bad school. Many of the classes that we took were too easy for us. I got transfered from my other school at the beginning of the school year and I did not like the experience of it at all. Actually, I'm pretty glad I'm moving now but anyways -bad school DO NOT enroll your kids into that school.
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2013

The school is great my kids are enjoying and learning . school teachers and staff is are really helpfull and they work really hard .
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2012

This is by far one of the worst schools my child has ever attended. The environment isn't one that's very child friendly at all. The principal and vice principal don't give you the time of day as a parent. Too much drama in the special day class my son attended- I would never recommend this school to my worst enemy.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2012

The best thing about this school is that our children do not attend it anymore......so glad to get them out of such a negative enviornment. Very unsupportive staff and principal.