Emma C. Smith Elementary School

391 Ontario Drive

School District

Livermore Valley Joint Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:23
Type

public

School Map for Livermore Valley Joint 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 November 03, 2022

My daughter recently graduated from Smith (she went from Kindergarten all the way to 5th grade) and in hindsight, this was an excellent school. The pandemic time was tough due to virtual setup but that was a state-wide problem. All teachers we had were great and my daughter made a lot of friends despite being on the more introverted side. The atmosphere was just very positive and I appreciated that!! I would also advise others not to worry about the score of 7/10 that is noted on the website. We moved out of state and my son is now going to a school rated 10/10 and Smith was superior, both academically and socially.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2021

Good environment for kids to learn. Great teachers with exceptional skills. Power of PAW Cards to build better human.
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2019

2018-2019 school year has improved beyond measure after our new principal arrived. The teaching staff, students, and teachers are more connected and communication is streamlined and clear across the board. Children are happier and have a principal they know, adore and respect. Values focused on through the Choose Live Initiative really resonate with the kids. And most importantly, we have teachers who care and want their pupils to be and do their own best. Having a new principal who engages the children is a huge improvement! The PTA is exceptional! Bravo, Smith Community!
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2018

My kids have had an excellent experience at Smith. I am pleased with the academics (and my standards are high), and my kids have really enjoyed their experience (for the most part). I'd say Smith is a great school overall.
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2015

The teachers and administration are dedicated to the success and well being of all students. Couldn't be happier with our elementary school experience.
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2015

The teachers, principal and parent volunteers are all amazing at Smith. Nothing but good things to say!
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2015

We love Smith school! My daughter start from 2nd grade at Smith and she is in 4th grade now and my son is in 1st grade. I really appreciate all the hard work from teachers and office and yard duties. Thanks Smith :)
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2015

I hear that the new science teacher for the 2nd thru 4th graders does not explain things and expects the kids to know things that she has not taught. children leave the class in tears. It is very sad as the other science teacher has primed the children to love science in 1st grade. I have never heard so many parents indicate that their child hates science or does not want to go to school because it is a science day. Shame on Smith for allowing this to continue after numerous complaints. This school has turned into quite the standard for mediocrity. I feel like just getting through the day is the goal of the school and developing the students to be high achievers is not their ultimate goal. I am very sad about this, and there is nothing I can do to help them change.
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2014

Why doesn't the principal interact with the children? We came from private school back east and the principal knew all the children. It was like a family.
Submitted by parent on May 08, 2014

Great school! Only complaint I have and I have heard from other parents is that the principal is not very active with the kids. I have never seen her come out in the morning or after school to see the kids. No involvement.
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2013

I absolutely love this school! The teachers and staff are all VERY caring and compassionate towards the children. All the programs the school offers children are amazing. The only reason I did not give it a 5 star rating is because of the current principal. Getting her to follow through with a problem is like pulling teeth. She seems more concerned with all her meetings than getting to know the children. Like I said before, I love, love, love this school, and the only thing I would change would be the principal.
Submitted by parent on October 28, 2012

Hard working and caring teachers and staff. New principal to the school is student centered and supports programs. The PTO continues to work hard at providing extra activities and strong support for programs. The new "goal-setting conferences" were interesting and somewhat useful. Still don't know if we'll miss participating in the Report Card Conferences. School needs more quality and interesting activities for advanced/GATE students.
Submitted by parent on March 23, 2012

I am so impressed with this school! There are lots of extra-curricular activities for students. The principal, teachers, aides, duties really work as a team to ensure students receive a good education as well enforcing rules, guidance, etc. There is a strong anti-bullying policy enforced. Parents are active in volunteering. The campus is gated and has beautiful grounds. As a parent and teacher, I am so happy my children are attending this school.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2012

Love Smith School! From the tremendous parent involvement to the amazing teachers, I can't imagine a better school for my 2 kids. The State has put a lot of pressure on schools and kids have to learn more at an earlier age these days. If a child is struggling, I have witnessed teachers partnering with the parents to help even devoting their own time after school if necessary. I was surprised at some of the comments by previous reviewers, but at Smith, parents are seen as partners in the academic process. We have great community and parental support as well from all socio-economic classes, which is necessary with shrinking budgets and increasing pressure to achieve. "It takes a village" as they say and that is what you get at Smith. Caring faculty, a principal that knows most kids by name and a group of parents that feel committed to making our school an amazing place to be.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2012

Smith 10 years ago (Mr. Vernoy as principal) did not have snobs and cliques. We have noticed this changed through the years as we had our oldest who attended Smith and youngest is currently attending. Although, we ignore these snobs and cliques. We care about our kids education and success. Smith is a great school and teachers are very helpful. Great fundraising activities, social events and programs available for the kids. Wonderful PTA members. Mrs. Nathanson really cares about our the kids and the school.
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2010

Not sure where that last reviewer is coming from. I have never encountered any rude staff or teachers. Kids who struggle are given help. If your child isn't being helped, then find out why not, rather than say the whole school is against you. The community around Smith has several neighborhoods of various socio-economic backgrounds, from apartment living to people renting smaller homes, to owners of modest to elaborate homes. All of us contribute to the school whether in time or money...I know people in all of the various neighborhoods who help out, and are friendly with each other. There are certainly a few snobs and cliques, but I suspect you would encounter that almost anywhere. The majority of us care about the kids.
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2010

Teachers are not interested in teaching children that may struggle with some subjects. Office staff are often rude to parents. The community surrounding the school is snotty and many parents are rude to families they see as being 'inferior' and of 'lower class' than they are. Facilities are nice, but can't make up for the fact that teachers and staff don't communicate with parents, and the snobbery of the surrounding community is sometimes unbearable.
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2010

Emma Smith goes above and beyond to provide my child an excellent education. The teachers, principal, office team and parent volunteers work cohesively to intelligently provide programs that will have the most impact on our children's learning. Without these extra programs, Smith would still be a good school...but the programs are what make it a great school! Go Cougars!
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2010

It is the best community for people from all backgrounds. We have parents working harder than ever to make ends meet, where the state keeps cutting. As one parent said, 'Our children are only as strong as those they swim with' as she marches off to start a Latino out reach program. The teachers and administration are always working above and beyond to make our school the best place for the children who attend.