Bixby Elementary School

5251 East Stearns Street

School District

Long Beach Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:25
Type

public

School Map for Long Beach 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 December 05, 2024

Bixby is a good school with high PTA involvement, but I do have one complaint. The principal apparently started something called ball passes which is when you have to earn a voucher to be allowed to play with a ball during lunch, and this card is apparently only allowed to use once and have to give back after using it.
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2024

We're still fairly new - my child is going through his second year at the school, so I'll be updating this as I spend more time at the school.Here are some things that I love about the school:The principal, administrative staff, and teachers are extremely supportive given the circumstances/resources they have. The school (PTA especially) makes diversity and inclusion a top priority - I have witnessed this personally as I've briefly served on the PTA. The school is constantly evolving and changing. From my understanding, the dual immersion program at the school is fairly new and every year they are making progress towards better serving their students. The principal and staff know students by name and staff is always present during school start/dismissal. The school has good safety protocol and my child has never experienced any bullying.Some things that can be a little challenging:Communication about events could be a little better, but I do feel is improving. That being said, there are online platforms and announcement bulletins that make the communications process easier.
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2021

Overall negative experience. No diversity and the principal Mr.Platis made sure he showed us, he didn’t want it any different! Ended up removing my kid to another school nearby.
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2020

Excellent. I moved to this neighborhood so that my child could have access to a bilingual/bicultural program, but I’m pleased with other aspects of the school. There is an active PTA, there are plenty of fun activities for students, and the office staff is kind and welcoming.
Submitted by parent on March 27, 2019

We have been so pleased with Bixby. Our kids are well-cared for, safe, and are provided with a rich learning environment every day. I can't say enough good things about Bixby and its students and staff!
Submitted by parent on February 17, 2019

This is my child's first year and so far it has been great. I have found both teachers and staff very responsive. Mr Platis takes the time to get to know students and interact with them. I can tell he cares about the students as I witnessed him respectfully but assertively tell a parent to slow down as there were children walking in the parking area.
Submitted by principal on November 12, 2018

Dear reviewer who posted on October 29, 2018. Thank you for taking the time to share your opinion. Our teachers and staff members work very hard, and I am very proud of the measurable -- both climate and culture, as well as academic -- results we continue to achieve. While I am admittedly biased in my love for the students, families and staff at our school, I share the following data so that others may develop an informed opinion of Florence Bixby Elementary School:*We are a 9 out of 10 in English Language Arts and Math (as measured by the State of CA's official CORE Report), up from 6 out of 10 four years ago;*91.3% (out of 104 family responses) "Agreed"/"Strongly Agreed" that our school provides their child/ren with high quality instruction, according to our most recent survey this year*98.1% (out of 104 family responses) "Agreed"/"Strongly Agreed" that the principal treats them with respect, according to our most recent survey this year*98.1% (out of 104 family responses) "Agreed"/"Strongly Agreed" that the principal treats them with respect, according to our most recent survey this year*95.2% (out of 104 family responses) "Agreed"/"Strongly Agreed" that teachers treat them with respect, according to our most recent survey this year*90% (out of 104 family responses) "Agreed"/"Strongly Agreed" that our school takes their concerns seriously, according to our most recent survey this year*92.3% (out of 104 family responses) "Agreed"/"Strongly Agreed" that our school responds to their needs in a timely manner, according to our most recent survey this year*91.6% (out of 189 student responses from grades 3-5) "Agreed"/"Strongly Agreed" that grown-ups at the school treat them with respect, according to our most recent survey this yearAgain, to the person who posted on Oct. 29, I sincerely welcome a conversation with you regarding your concerns. I shared in my first post as principal at Bixby 4 years ago that my door is open, my phone is available, & I answer my email promptly (splatis@lbschools.net) - this still holds true. While we have made tremendous academic and culture/climate gains over the past 4 years and we are in the upper percentiles -- as evidenced by District assessments, State assessments, and on-going survey data -- there is always room for growth. Respectfully, --Sam Platis, Proud Principal, Florence Bixby Elementary School.
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2018

Don't make the mistake of sending your child here, go to Prisk or Tincher!
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2018

Bixby should be rated as a 10 school and this site needs to update the data
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2018

I am pleased with this school year at Bixby and give my overall year a high rating. Mrs. Parker is our first grade teacher and has brought my son up from the low academic level he was at. Our experience has been a life changing one here at Bixby.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2015

It's a fine school, if your child doesn't have any learning issues, or social problems. Some staff members get it, and make simple accommodations to help the child, but most won't. Feeble communication, no follow through, giving up on a child, not following the IEP, and allowing bullying while providing lip service is rampant at Bixby. If you have a fully included child with special needs, you will be sending your child to hell everyday, not to school.
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2014

Hello school. Please tell me why 4 days onto school the kindergarten watched a movie?
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2014

Most of the staff members are ok, if not pretty good. We've had one stinker per kid. Things should be good this year, but the new principal! Oh My Gosh! Yeah, we want to put our kids in a different school. Its only been 3 days and, already, she ignores what you say, talks down to you, and acted like you offended her when you talk about problems about the school. We were just telling about what its like at the school, not offending her personally, She doesn't even know what the school is like. She just started. She didn't listen to anything, and just kept trying to find ways to make us feel stupid for bringing stuff up, not to talk about our real problems, or anything. It was so weird. We Googled her, and read her reviews from her past teachers that she was in charge of. It seems like they (the teachers) were treated like us. Like they didn't feel safe talking to her, she wasn't fair about discipline, and you can't trust her. We also felt like she was distracted (like thinking about something else) while we were talking to her. Pretty weird. We don't know what we want to do. The teachers are good, but if she isn't going to be fair, or blabs about what we talk about, then its not ok.
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2014

Bixby is an amazing school. My son has learned so much! He is currently in the PALS program and I couldn't be happier. Communication is amazing among parents, teachers and all staff. They have an abundance of after school clubs that students can choose from. As with any school, be involved. Your school is what you make of it. Mrs. Jones sadly is leaving this year to pursue another career path and I can only hope that the new principal is just as amazing as she was.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

Okay, where do I start -- With the caring teachers? The spirited staff? The awesome groundskeepers? The great students? The involved and active volunteer parents?? It's all added up to an absolutely fantastic school experience for my kids. Through the challenges of budget, staff and curriculum changes, everyone has still managed to remember the importance of teamwork. Great!
Submitted by parent on August 13, 2013

Bixby rocks! Every year we have been here it seems as though the parents get more and more involved and really pull the school community together.
Submitted by other on August 08, 2013

Bixby School is a special place that not only values student achievement but is a true community of students, parents, teachers, and classified staff, working together to address the needs of every child.
Submitted by parent on August 08, 2013

I love the small community is Bixby Elementary. The teachers and staff are excellent. We have a great PTA with involved parents.
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2013

Make sure you are VERY selective on who your 5th grade teacher is. We got one this year and he can't control his classroom. The classroom smells and my daughter tells me she hates it. This review is based on one teacher. I wish I changed my daughters school but she has been there since K. Very disappointed.
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2012

After our home school was closed our son was sent to Bixby. It has been a great experience, the community feel of this school made us feel welcome. The teachers my son has had (Stamper) and now has (Wilkerson) are excellent. The WRAP program is excellent, my son doesn't mind having to go and that takes away some of my guilt that he is at school from 8 to 5:15.