Kettering Elementary School

550 Silvera Avenue

School District

Long Beach Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:23
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 February 19, 2025

Kettering Elementary is a small but mighty school that truly feels like a family! With just 1-2 teachers per grade, every child gets the attention and support they need to thrive. The school starts early at 8 AM, but they offer before-school rec aides and free breakfast, which is a huge help for busy families. Dismissal is at 2 PM, but kids can stay until 3 PM, making it a flexible schedule for parents.The sense of community here is incredible—each class has a dedicated room parent to help coordinate between teachers and families, and the PTA is super active in fundraising and organizing fun programs for the students. The principal knows most kids by name or face, creating a warm and welcoming environment. Best of all, the kids love going to school and never want to leave! If you're looking for a close-knit, supportive, and engaging school for your child, Kettering Elementary is a fantastic choice!
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2025

We are in our third year at Kettering; currently our kids are enrolled in K and 2nd grade. We are very happy with the support and communication from our teachers; our daughters are always happy to go to school, and they always tell us they've had a good day and seem engaged in the materials being taught. We also very much appreciate the small school size; it makes it very easy to get to know other families and staff. Additionally, the diversity here is amazing; about 60% of the student body are here via school of choice, so we are very grateful that our children get to interact with kids from all over Long Beach - we are fortunate to attend a school that truly reflects the diversity of the city. Last but not least: despite not being a title I school, Kettering's PTA helps provide and supports multiple activities and events, which enhance student's learning, and also fosters a sense of community for families and students. We couldn't be happier with our decision to attend Kettering Elementary and would highly recommend it.
Submitted by parent on May 03, 2022

My family's experience at Kettering has been a huge gift. My child started Kindergarten in the fall of 2021, and I wasn't sure what to expect. I was more than happy to see that his teacher is caring and that she makes learning really fun. He is highly engaged in academics because of it. The principal is encouraging and upbeat. Her enthusiasm and positivity really reflect on the school. The kids get to do fun activities like Fit Fest (a fundraiser for the school), a carnival, book fairs, a talent show, and various themed days throughout the school year. My child also really loves recess and learns different songs from the playground supervisor who helps the kids line up, play together, and eat lunch together. Each day we are thankful that our child attends this school. We highly recommend it!
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2021

Kettering used to be a very good school, but recent changes in personnel (principal, RSP and teachers) have been degrading the school's overall performance. The new principal (Ms. Peters) is incompetent, inexperienced, boring, unlikable and will not put the students' learning experience first. The teachers are outstanding and very supportive with very few exceptions (3rd grade). If your child is on an IEP, do not expect much from the new RSP teacher - she is inexperienced and careless. Playground and cafeteria staff are excellent and know each student by name. The outstanding speech teacher left, her replacement left, and there is no substitute so far. Again, very poor leadership triggers a very poor learning environment. Note: My original review wasn't published because I named teachers, just like I named the principal, but a principal is considered a public figure, and teachers are not. Visit Great School's Review & Community Guidelines section before you write/submit your review.
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2019

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! The staff truly cares...
Submitted by parent on December 26, 2018

Kettering is a phenomenal little school in a beautiful, peaceful neighborhood. The children are sort of protected from the craziness of the outside world when they are in their safe and peaceful little Kettering bubble.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2018

This is a great school for the diversity students with two or more ethnicity backgrounds. We loved it.
Submitted by parent on February 01, 2017

great school, teachers are dedicated and compassionate the teachers help when you child has a learning problem and the staff and teachers are great with the children and fun fundraiser events for the children
Submitted by other on September 16, 2016

Kettering has been great for us, love the teachers, the staff and of course Mr G. Grace is great, always willing to help and assist in any way.
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2016

My son is in second grade here. Kettering is amazing little school with great staffs, teachers, and principal. The new principal Mr. G is very nice and involved. We really like him. My sons first grade teacher Ms. Cordeiro and second grade teacher Mr. Wille are wonderful wonderful teachers that my son looked up to. He LOVES Mr. Wille and the violin program they have here for second graders. . He is very happy here.
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2016

I have a daughter in 2nd grade at Kettering and I absolutely love it there. Her teacher, Mrs. Spencer is an absolute angel and is very friendly and well versed in teaching. So far this year, my daughter has done a school enrichment project every month, and has daily homework in math, spelling, and reading. The second graders are also taking free violin lessons and have a cool computer lab that they use weekly. Mr. Gutierrez, the school principal, is very professional and friendly and he always keeps us parents involved and updated on what is going on. The PTA is very involved and has raised thousands of dollars on school enrichment projects. The school is in a quiet safe neighborhood, and I just couldn't ask for a better school. We are very happy here!!
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2015

Kettering has the best teachers! They are amazing! They are all classically trained. My child has excelled at Kettering!
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2014

I don't know why I have waited 6 years to post a review about Kettering. My best guess is that I've been so happy with the school that it hasn't crossed my mind to give a review. Today, I am looking for reviews on Middle Schools for my daughter and I thought it would be so helpful to those who wanted a review of Kettering, so her goes. My daughter has attended Kettering for all 6 years and I am writing this review with tears in my eyes because I am so sad to leave. This is the kindest, gentlest, safest, most compassionate little school I know of. My philosophy is that my children are going to get a good education at a number of schools, but what might hinder their great school experience is the environment in which they learn. From Grace the secretary, to Mrs. Snow the lunch lady to Mrs. Anderson the Principal, to all the wonderful teachers, you don't find any better. My daughter has had Mrs. Burner, Ms. Mitchell, Mrs. Cousino, Mrs. Dahl and Mrs. Luzod. She has thrived and excelled in this gentle, caring, nurturing environment. You would be a fool not to choose Kettering to send your child if you have the chance. Good by Kettering, we will miss you!!!
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2014

I have 2 kids in this school and I just love it here. The teachers are just amazing! They work hard, so hard for our kids and I can't imagine being in any other school. The kindergarten teachers set the foundation for learning and listening. It is not an easy job getting 25 5 year olds to listen and learn 100 sight words in 2 months time. I also thought that maybe the kinder teacher was a little distant in the beginning to my child. What was actually happening was that she was observing my child and noticed that she had a learning disability that went undiagnosed through all her years of preschool. We were able to begin treatment and therapy immediately and now she's thriving! Only an experienced, dedicated teacher would have noticed it so early on and she did. Also ,the after school activities are endless from piano, science club, art, basketball, skateboard you name it they have it. From PTA and other staff, this school is great and has it all :)
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2014

Both my daughters attend Kettering. Community is a great one. Lots of amazing activities and programs. PTA / parents very active and involved. Sad to hear that the reviewer before me is unhappy with our kinder staff. I love our teacher and both girls have been in her classroom. She is very involved and concerned with the getting the kids ready and at the learning level they need to achieve. If you are approachable, she is approachable. She's not warm and fuzzy but she's a great teacher and I guarantee that your child likes her even if you do not. The entire staff is wonderful with the exception of one of the current 3rd grade teachers. Not a fan of the current principal at all. I still highly recommend this school and am very fortunate to have found this gem in Long Beach.
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2013

not happy with this school only because of the kindergarten staff so far...i have heard the rest of the teachers are great but unfortunately, not having a great experience with the kindergarten teacher...very unapprocahable, doest ever smile, makes you feel uncomfortable when talking to her, very disciplined with the kids..not nurturing or warm...very cold personality...looking for other schools now because of the experience with this teacher. :( otherwise pta is great and other staff seem good! but not much of a playground for the children to climb and be involved in other activities.
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2013

This is a fantastic school with great teachers in all grades. Parents are involved and the students are engaged. We have 2 kids that have gone through the school and could not be happier with their experience.
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2011

After starting Kindergarten at a popular charter school fall of 2010 and having a less than positive experience, we switched our son to Kettering, our home school. Best decision we could make. He, as well as my husband and I, instantly loved the school. We were welcomed warmly by other students, families, teachers, principal and all support staff. He is now in 1st grade and we have a new principal who is terrific, as was the former. Both Kinder and 1st grade teachers are super. We feel very lucky to be part of this amazing school!