Berenda Elementary School

26820 Club Drive

School District

Madera Unified
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:25
Type

public

School Map for Madera 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 March 03, 2024

I would not recommend this school. My kids attended this school for 1 year and i had to withdraw them. Drugs, bulling and the vice principle and principle don't do anything. My kid was being targeted and we end up finding out he was acting out because the whole year he was getting bullied verbally and physcially and getting threats he would be shot. On top of that the classes are overfulled. All my kids had 30-35 students per teacher. They don't listen to their students concerns.
Submitted by parent on December 19, 2023

Was great. Until they brought jn a vice who takes her issues with parents out on the students, and who's first thought for punishment was to publicly shame a child.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2016

This school is great. The staff is very friendly, the teachers are excellent and very nice , and the school is in a great neighborhood !
Submitted by other on May 22, 2015

First and foremost the new principal at this school is unbelievably pompous. When I went to him with a minor problem my son was having at school with one of his subjects, he proceeded to tell me that his psychology knowledge tells him that the problems my son is having is because my work schedule. That he has known my son's teacher as a friend for years and that she couldn't possibly be the problem. The following day, I received a very pointed note on my son's homework, basically letting me know that's its my fault he's doing bad in this subject. So, my husband went to school for a second time that week, to let the principal know he didn't appreciate the retaliation be provided by my son's teacher because we went around her to get to the bottom of the problem. Since that week my son has come home at least once a week sad or mad because of the way he was treated in class. This included one day where she pointed out in front of the whole class that he should be using the restroom at break so as to not have stomach issues in class, instead of pulling him aside and asking in private if he needed an extra break. Expect to be just another dollar if you attend this school.
Submitted by other on May 22, 2015

Berenda School used to be a great school. When I attended school there it was a small country school. now its over packed with students, the teachers are over worked and it shows in the declining performance in my child's grades and interest in school. The parents who drop there kids off in the morning are uninterested in the safety of other children, they bully there way in as close to the school as possible to drop off there kids, then they bully there way out as if they have some kind of emergency. The teachers aren't bad but how can 1 teacher give enough attention to each student when there are 32-38 children in each class. Last year we met some parents that were bringing there kids from Fresno to attend school at Berenda. I feel that this is very unfair considering that I live 1500 ft from the school. The new principle at Berenda seems to be a nice guy, however I suspect that he has a go along to get along ideology and is practiced at placating the parents then doing nothing to solve any issues. He has a lot of excuses ready for any confrontation. overall I am disappointed in the performance of the staff and the people who have little care for the safety of the children. Its a madhouse in the mornings, the GREEDY parents who are to LAZY to park and walk there child in to school are the worst thing. They have there own agenda and don't care about anyone else. Berenda is not the great small country school anymore, its a hassle, and I'm done with it, my children will be attending a real school from now on....
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2012

I am extremely satisfied with every teacher that my children have had throughout the years. I would recommend this small country school to anyone.