John Swett Elementary School

4955 Alhambra Valley Road

School District

Martinez Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

public

School Map for Martinez 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 May 28, 2019

We have had good teachers and great teachers at this school, but not a single bad teacher. The principle comes to every PTA meeting where he reports on what is going on in the school, honestly gives information to the parents and will answer hard questions truthfully and is straightforward. The superintendent has also come to multiple PTA meetings each year to give progress reports and to answer questions about the district and specially our school.
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2018

My 4th grader is new this year and absolutely loves attending school everyday, and I mean every single day, because she has incredible teachers, a principal and admin. who care and provide great guidance and leadership. This makes all the difference. Their effective, cheerful and positive leadership styles in and out of the classroom, their strategies to engage all their students' academic learning in a fun, interactive and engaging way, their caring and thoughtful approach in helping every kid. Even the most reserved ones become motivated to participate in their safe and supportive environment; while all learn teamwork, leadership, and are gaining character life building skills as a result of this modeling from the leaders at this school. We absolutely appreciate JSE! It is a gem of a school!
Submitted by parent on October 10, 2016

My daughter goes to this school. Her teachers so far have been wonderful. I love the fact that teachers use Remind and Twitter. It makes me feel involved even if I am at work all day long and makes for more involved conversations with my daughter. Teachers are very responsive when you have questions. I really like this school a lot.
Submitted by parent on March 04, 2016

This school has truly never impressed me. I moved here just to make sure my daughter attended it and why? The office admin is never friendly, the teachers are rude to the families that are not on their "level" so to speak, and the new principle is so lost its unbelievable! Kids are bullied daily. It's to the point my 4th grader is asking me to send her someone else next year!!!!! So much for a top rated school!!!
Submitted by parent on October 04, 2014

John Swett Elementary is an amazing school. We moved into this area to be able to have our children attend here. It disheartens me to read the terrible reviews from others here. If these parents are so unhappy, then why don't they ask for a transfer. There are plenty schools who have room in our area. Every principal and staff have their own style. They are not going to make everyone happy all of the time. The entire staff at JSE is involved and do a great job. As a matter of fact, we probably have more children transfer into our school than any other in our district! So if our school is so bad, why would there be so many wanting to attend here? The more you get involved in the your child's education the more successful they will be. Instead of spending your time writing on posts like this about the negative; spend your time volunteering and/or spending time with the people you complain about. They might not be so bad. Give them a chance! This is just very sad to see this. If you grown ups act like this, I sure hope my kids aren't friends with your kids. What are you teaching them??
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2014

The school has some truly wonderful and dedicated teachers, which is its main redeeming quality. Since the new principal started, field trips have been stopped and hands-on learning has been replaced with iPads, apps and headphones. The kids rarely seem to engage in collaborative work and exciting learning opportunities are rare. You only have to look at the projects funded on Donors Choose which are mostly for iPads, document cameras and other expensive technology which does little to excite or enthuse the kids and really serves to make the teachers' lives easier. Instead of donating to my own child's school, this year I chose to donate to other schools who were raising money for owl pellet dissections and other hands-on experiences. I just wish my child had the same opportunities at this school.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2014

This school has a flag that says "Distinguished School", however it is a "Detention Center" They are not allowed to play or laugh before school....instead must walk on the blacktop in circles. The teachers walk with their heads down..not making eye contact with anyone, the past principal had a forced retirement, the new principal is very unethical. The only reason he received Principal of year was because he purchased his title. He does not even go by his real name which is --Adam Repicky. When people realize who he is--they know the leadership is full of arrogance and anything that is about "HIM". Teachers are always yelling at the students with the loud speakers, the secretary is FULL of gossip. Though she has been very sad since the new principal has been there--now 2 years. His presence greatly affects the school and community--in a bad way. He yells at parents in front of their children, singles out parents he does not know just to harass. He is known by the men as "Napoleon"-- The bald man with the short man syndrome. He has dozens of documented complaints at the district . Instructors at other schools also do not like being around him .
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2014

Regarding the most recent"DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL" comment. I think this comment is all really about a person that likes to gossip and pick at the lowest points of people that really have the hardest jobs around. If you don't like this school stop complaining and ask the school district for an inter transfer request. That way it will also help with one less car in the way for pickup too.
Submitted by parent on May 08, 2014

After waiting hours for registration at the district office, a deceitful note arrives telling me I have to attend registration at the school. It was just a fundraiser, sign up for boy scouts (no girl scouts), join the band, if you are old enough and then give us $100 cause you want to. I lost hours and hard earned accruals to be away from work. If I had that kind of money laying around, my kids wouldn't go to public school. School starts, I find out that my daughter isn't even in a kindergarten classroom and as such has to leave the room completely to use the bathroom. So now she is in trouble all the time for getting distracted on her way back. Her poor teacher started the year with nothing but smart board... no circle time rug, no pictures, nothing with any color or of interest to most small children. She is left alone in a classroom of 28 kindergartners and doesn't even have an aid. This leaves kids who don't fit the mold left out in the cold. School fundraisers provide nothing to the class. There is a constant stream of we need this, fund that. No real resources have been provided. My daughter wouldn't do worse without the smart board. How about paints instead?
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2014

I have my two kids going to this school. 13/14 is their first year and very happy of the educational progress they are making. I like the school follow up system to get parents involved in their children education. I am so pleased with the home work and other school activities review sent home every Thursday. That really helped me stay connected with the school. The teacher are so great that I receive an update on upcoming projects or school activities. Keep it up Road Runners!!
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2013

My son just finished his first year at John Swett, and we've been very happy with the experience thus far. A huge positive at this school is the measure of parent participation across all grade levels. Lots and lots of involvement. The district has seen scores rise even during the recession, and the community just re-funded a parcel tax for the schools, which is helpful. A negative for our experience was class size... 27 kids in a Kindergarten class! Way too many kids. We were lucky that there were 1-2 parent helpers there every day, though, so you get the sense that the community is doing the best it can with what it's got. Test scores are rising, but more importantly the kids seem happy and judging by the interesting home-crafted projects and such streaming onto campus throughout the year, they're having fun, too.
Submitted by parent on July 29, 2011

This is a school that has it all: education, teachers, caring community, parents who care not only for their kids but for all the kids, a principal and staff that genuinely loves and cares for every student and parent at JSE and their stats on tests scores speak for themselves. This school is a team and this team wants success for everybody in the team no matter what and as a mom of a JSE student I am so proud to call JSE home for my son. The best education in town.