Almond Elementary School

550 Almond Avenue

School District

Los Altos Elementary
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

public

School Map for Los Altos Elementary 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 May 30, 2021

Very good Principle. Dedicated teachers. Strong parent-student community.
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2019

Great. My children love going to school. As a family, we have made life long friends while my children are supported on their individual educational paths. I think the school does a great job keeping the learning appropriate for the age to ensure the school is a fun experience during these young years.
Submitted by parent on December 19, 2018

This school has an been an unwelcoming headache. Don’t go here if both parents work as they still operate as if they expect at least one parent to be available 100% of the time.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2018

Amazing and satisfied. A great community. Tireless teachers who enjoy stretching their kids. Fabulous parent volunteers.
Submitted by parent on August 03, 2018

We could not ask for a better experience. Committed and supportive staff who genuinely care for the children. Strong community and more diversity than other LASD schools. Strong and committed PTA provides teacher training, school supplies, computers, etc. Los Altos School District continues to innovate and develop the curriculum. Some parents are uncomfortable with this and prefer more homework, math worksheets, etc. Most of those parents have moved on to middle school or to Bullis Charter, and the current parents seem open to innovation and progress in curriculum and teaching styles. We are looking forward to many great years at Almond!
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2018

Absolutely horrible experience here. The parents are bullying the administrators and the curriculum stinks. Very little homework and I worry about what (if anything) my children are learning here?
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2017

I agree that the principal comes off as a bully and a total micromanager not only to parents but to teachers. The overly fake and in your face style is intimidating and scary. She speaks as if she is trying to be helpful but interactions with her feel invasive and insulting. I also observed that parents who have the luxury of volunteering frequently get the best teachers. It is obvious. Parents who cannot volunteer get their kids placed with the least desirable teachers.
Submitted by parent on June 30, 2017

The principle is horrible. She is a bully and treat students with disabilities horribly!
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2017

Our son is in 2nd grade at Almond and we absolutely *love* it. Wonderful, caring principal, teachers and staff, and our son is getting a first-rate education. One highlight is the fantastic STEM program which emphasizes computer programming and robotics starting at a young age.
Submitted by other on April 06, 2017

About 80% of teachers who were here before the new/current principal came in 2013 have all "left." Some asked to be transferred out to another school in the district. Some were forced into early retirement ... Many teachers are new hires to the district, and some are rather inexperienced compared to teachers in other LASD schools. Big question why the district is not investigating such a rate of turnover.The school has a "rotation" system for some subjects. For reading, students from K to Grade 2 are grouped together. This system does not achieve much group because the benefits of a "Montessori-like" system works only for children aged 5 and below. A great mistake, pedagogically and psychologically.In recent years, there have been more students from outside of the US, and these students do not know much English. There's very little support for these students. I know of 2 Chinese students whose parents are visiting scholars at Stanford so they are here for just about a period of 2 years. The teachers simply left them to sit blankly in class, not being able to do any work; not even Math because they cannot understand what the word problems are asking for. Teachers simply do not want or perhaps do not care to help these new students.
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2016

They rely too heavily on parents volunteers. As more families become 2 income families, this becomes a problem. They are good at stimulating the lowest performers but they let the brightest sit around in boredom. My child has been here 5 years and they keep telling me it will get better, but it hasn't. They do not believe in recognizing achievement. They got rid of the 1 student government position that uses math - the treasurer and instead have 2 social chairs.Their communications system is top down rather than a community/forum.For lunch, they do not recycle. They do not compost. They have an unhealthy food vendor.
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2014

I have 2 kids at Almond and this is our 6th year at the school. We absolutely love the strong sense of community, the strong academic curriculum but most of all, we have the most amazing Principal. She is a true leader who inspires her staff and the entire community to want to be their best and she is a wonderful role model for our children. She teaches and models life skills like compassion, perseverence and bravery. We are very proud to call Almond our school!
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2014

The parents who just posted before, can you please elabrate what you mean by saying "a small group of people can have so much power and see only their own interests."
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2014

Hello Great schools, I already send a review, I might like to be more specific and extend. The school needs to change. It has been sad not too se a democratic type of education. I would like to re-write my post. Could I have the previous one that I sent? Thanks
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2012

Teachers are so good my daughter was in tears when she graduated. Great music and theater program as well as strong academics. Parents are involved as their time permits and have a very strong sense of community. School is very diverse and students are given the opportunity to excel.
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2011

My children and I love this school. Overall, we have had wonderful and caring teachers. They work hard to help our children learn.