Longfellow Elementary School

3800 Olive Avenue

School District

Long Beach Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:27
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 April 25, 2024

Everything was great until the schoolyear started in 2022. Parents, such as myself did not need to worry about what was being taught in school under the prior principal's leadership. It was this time when gender ideology was being pushed even towards the kindergarten level having story time books that are not age-appropriate, implementing gender-neutral bathrooms, regular parent workshops that involve the LGBTQ speakers, while prohibiting Christian or other religious studies - all under the guise of "diversity, equity, inclusivity, mental health", and that it was not a personal choice by the principal, but rather the whole of the school district. It would then be later on found out, that other school districts are not pushing the same principles at this age level, and was driven by whoever the school principal is. We are OK with the kids making their choice with however they want to be, but not at this young age - let them figure out on their own as they grow older. I would still recommend the school, but hoping they do not prioritize other communities in the spirit of the false inclusivity.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2023

As a family with Judeo-Christian values we do not feel seen or heard at this school. We expressed our concern with concepts being taught and were met with hostility and negativity. The new principal has implemented gender ideology and LGBT topics and when we asked to be notified before hand so we could determine if the topics were age appropriate for our child he denied our request. Parents have a right to decide what is and is not appropriate for their children. As a result I do not feel safe sending my child to this school because they will not let us know when these topics will be taught or are integrated into an assembly.
Submitted by parent on January 20, 2023

If your child struggles at all academically, you’ll get no help at Longfellow. The teachers and counselor are dedicated and do as much as they can, but the class sizes are huge and the support is just not there. You can have a kiddo who’s far below grade level and still be told no supports or interventions are available. Resources here are only for the lowest of the low performers. So kids who want to learn but aren’t naturally good at school just fall through the cracks. Not sure what’s happening with all of the Title I and other dollars being pumped into this school? It’s really unfortunate.
Submitted by parent on June 30, 2022

My kiddos attend Longfellow starting in Kindergarten and went all the way through 5th Grade. I can’t possibly say enough about the school as a whole, the teachers individually (special education included), the awesome staff and the absolutely amazing PTA. This school has one of the best PTA’s I have ever seen. They offer so many extras for the children and the school. When budgets in the district didn’t allow for a full time music program, the PTA stepped up and raised funds to keep the music teacher around so the children would have a musical performance for every grade. They have fun family events like a harvest festival in November, multiple family outdoor movie nights, Meet the Masters & Reflections (art programs) and even a talent show and running club. Every teacher I worked with during our time there treated me like I was a member of my children’s learning team. We worked together and became the strongest voice for my kiddos. Thanks to them and all of the hard work, my kids were able to leave, even after almost three semesters of distance learning and move on to middle school with the ability to earn high honor + roll both semesters their first year.
Submitted by parent on January 02, 2020

Excellent all around. Great academics including teachers, staff and administrators.
Submitted by other on August 12, 2018

My granddaughter was a GATE kid at this school from 1st grade thru 5th. She was only beat up twice and nothing happened to the boys who did. Both were bused in from the inner city however because of redistricting this school will naturally draw from some pretty rough areas in the future. The classwork and teacher involvement for GATE was pretty good until 5th grade. Then it was a big nothing. Pretty much the same as 4th. No math improvement and if you did more and more complex things on your own the teacher marked you down. Reading was OK. Most GATE kids ended 5th grade reading at the California 8th grade level which means they were pretty much at their age level. California requirements are so low that even a dunce can read at grade level. The counselor was not very good. Pleasant enough but way too overreactive. The principal seems to be a good man. Caring and attentive. I think Mr. Sigure is a real asset and a credit to the Long Beach School system. I marked this school up because of the first, third and fourth grade GATE teachers and Mr. Duran. We have always had one foot out the door ready for home school if the programs were that bad. 5th grade we supplemented a lot at home. Came within 4 days of walking. Glad it is over. I should say my son went to this school in the 80's and wife in the 60’s. It was far far far better in the 60’s than 80’s and infinitely better in the 80’s than now. Back then it mostly drew local kids though. The transport of inner city kids has really hurt any student who wants to achieve. They take so much time and energy and tend to create dangerous environments naturally. I understand that isn't fair to some, but it doesn't take many to counter the good ones.
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2018

Overall, this school provides an adequate education, with plenty of room for improvement in areas such as parent communication, student social development and the arts.
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2018

10 out of 10. A great school with great teachers.
Submitted by other on January 29, 2016

Great principal, teachers and staff. PTA is amazing. Most parents I have met are kind and involved. We love it!
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2015

My son was having an issue with another student. I chose to involve the school in an effort to address everyone's best interest. Once in the office, I was greeted by Ms.Tammy who ensured that my concerns were addressed. The Principal Ms. Murrin, happened to hear me explain what had been happening and promptly took the initiative to address the issue and take the time to explain options for my son and actually look into the matter herself. The Teaching staff and PTA are utterly amazing. My son attends Kindergarten and every teacher is patient, and truly invested in each students learning process. I may be biased (since she is my sons teacher), but Ms Mora is the most kind hearted, easygoing, patient and understanding teacher. She truly made my sons transition into elementary school a great experience. It's nice to feel comfortable leaving your children with someone other than immediate family members and feel confident that they are still loved,respected and cared for in your absence. This school is outstanding!
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2014

I agree with the earlier comments. I don't know what the school was like prior to 2010, but when my children (one child was there for 1st and 2nd, and the other one was in kinder). My husband and I were not impressed at all! There are some teachers who really care about the children and teaching, while others "seemed" to care less. One teacher was a total screamer and would scream on a regular basis at the children (even in front of parents). My 2nd grader's teacher (gave my daughter a negative comment on her report card). When asked why this wasn't addressed earlier (by a phone call, a note, or in the weekly progress reports...or better yet, to me personally, since I volunteered in her class on a regular basis and inquired regularly about academics and behavior). I was told, "I'm sorry, I just used to dealing with parents who aren't involved." Which was not true of our family...I spent my lunch hours and days off volunteering. The principal never seemed to be aware or equipped with the skills to address any issue. We purchased our home in this neighborhood because Longfellow had such a great reputation. We still love our neighborhood but had to part ways with the school.
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2014

Longfellow's test scores have gone down every year since they absorbed students from less well-off areas. Why? I personally believe it is because the teachers don't really teach. They don't have clear objectives that are based on standards with support from curriculum, don't model, or provide guided practice in new skills. They do their own thing, and the principal is very passive, so there is little accountability. Homework does not match what is taught in class, many teachers don't even use the appropriate curriculum materials. Students who have parents who are able to work with their children to take up the slack of poor teaching practices (or pay for tutors) do well, students who need extra help and good teaching to succeed don't fare as well. A very average educational experience as a whole. I based my review on my opinion of what I saw first-hand. I volunteer often in the school and classrooms of my child (2nd grade). One of my child's teachers was great, the other two not so much. The office staff is also invariably rude, sometimes embarrassingly so. My own child does well, but only because I ask my teacher friends for support. The volunteers are great, as is the PTA.
Submitted by parent on April 23, 2013

Longfellow is a disgrace to the teaching community. I do agree with a earlier reviewer it all depends on the teacher but since the principal has changed and the teaching and accountability has gone down. If you are new and thinking of attending Longfellow Run and Hide. Choose another school. The PTA & Foundation are a close net group that controls the principal and the union and close to retiring teachers don't care about anything but the pay check. There are teachers who would send 90% of there class to summer school if they had summer school. Oh and by the way if you need a good tutor you can hire the children of the teachers who don't want to teach. I moved from the area to South OC just to get my kids into a good school and district. There are great elementary schools in LBUSD this just isn't one. They teach to the state test that is why there scores are so high and they cater to the people who scream the loudest and who are only using the school as a babysitter.
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2013

I have 2 kids in Longfellow that came from a Montessori school. My daughter got into the GATE program in 3rd grade and has had wonderful teachers throughout. My son came into the school in 2nd grade in November when my husband lost his job and we could no longer afford the Montessori. He had a rough transition and was bored at first but managed to get through to third grade where he was clustered into the GATE class. From there he blossomed and has been fine ever since. The teachers are caring and knowledgeable, the music program is good, parent participation is high, and the PTA is great. The first principal we had was wonderful, and the second was good. Overall it's a great school.
Submitted by parent on December 14, 2012

This is the most amazing school ever! I am a teacher myself and have subbed at many schools in LBUSD as well as LAUSD. Longfellow has amazing teachers, the PTA is extrememly active and the office staff, cafeteria staff, janitorial staff lovingly care for the school and the kids. I moved to this neighborhood so my kids could attend this school and i have never had any regrets.
Submitted by parent on November 01, 2012

I am disgusted with Longfellow. My son was in Kindergarten and learned nothing. We had to hire teachers from another district to get him up to speed before entering 1st grade. The teaching staff is old and waiting to retire to collect there pensions. I was proactive and transferred both my children to a different district as the the LBUSD and staff at Longfellow were not interested in anything I had to say. I was a big supporter of the school but when they started to transfer the good teachers and leave the the teachers that don't care about anything but eating, hair brushing, blaming others and trying to get parents to hire there children to tutor. Not all things are bad there the Counselor is incredible. The other thing to remember when going there they teach to the test not overall education, so the first half of the year is all about the STAR test and how to score on it. I am so glad I am in another school all I can say is WOW what a difference in the quality of the teaching and expectations of the kids much higher. If you want to check out another district that really cares go south.
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2012

Longfellow is a great school. My daughter was relocated there last year when Burroughs Elementary shut down. In the year that she's attended Longfellow, she has absolutely excelled. It has been great. Mr. Sarabia is one of many wonderful teachers at Longfellow. The library, science lab, computer lab, etc., are all top-notch. Much of the school's strength comes from involvement from parents, through PTA and the Longfellow Legacy Foundation.