Pearl Zanker Elementary School

1585 Fallen Leaf Drive

School District

Milpitas Unified
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:25
Type

public

School Map for Milpitas 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 August 11, 2024

Teachers are very good and take care of students very well.
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2024

Zanker has element where my kids are learning and enjoying their learning at same time. They love going to school as school has create so safe and amazing environment for them to encourage.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2024

Both my Kids either went or have been going to pearl zanker elementary school. I am quite happy and satisfied with the quality of education and care provided by the school. My child has thrived in the supportive and inclusive environment, and I have seen significant growth in their academic confidence and social skills.The teachers are knowledgeable, dedicated, and genuinely invested in each student's success. The curriculum is well-rounded and challenging, with a great balance of academics, arts, and extracurricular activities.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2022

We love zanker! Teachers are really friendly and my kids love the school
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2021

I am loving Zanker school, we moved from another school district and i can see the difference. Teacher's attention to the kid is great and amazing staff. They are doing so great in managing the school specially this is first year post covid. Highly recommend.
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2019

Excellent! I feel well connected with the teachers, administrators, staff, and PTA. They are very invested and bonded to the children and families. They have been empathetic, flexible and open to customizing great solutions to individual challenges my own family has brought in. My child loves Zanker and speaks highly of everything from classmates to staff to sports and activities. I am pleased to see how enthusiastic my child is with regards to participating. I have also felt very welcome and appreciated to volunteer in my own capacity I feel a sense of school pride rekindling my own fond memories of being a student in public school.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2018

We're in our second year at Zanker and love it. Our children (a kinder and a second grader) are thriving, and the teachers are caring, patient, and genuinely seem to love their students. The office staff and administrators are fantastic. We hope to spend many years at Zanker.
Submitted by other on June 01, 2016

My son was going to 3rd grade but teacher was not that much cooperative. If we asked about his progress, we used to got a good feed back.But when it was end of year,teacher send horrible report card.It was really embarrassing us...Whenever we asked about my son improvement. ..teacher appreciate my son...but what is this!!!!!! Some teachers are so good and some are still needs to learn...Please appoint some responsible teachers.
Submitted by parent on May 28, 2015

My kids go to zanker and they love it!! it is a pretty safe school. The only comment I have is that since the new Principal was brought it there were many changes that were not for the benefit of the children. First, it used ro be there was a daily flag ceremony where all children sing together while they are at their lines before going to the classroom. Mrs Doi the former principal would lead this and make announcements as to who are the bday celebrants and student of the week. She also had students from a class perform a planned activity such as present information on a certain college or university which makes the children think and learn about these schools at an early age. I thought this was fun, benefitted the children and allowed the parents to know what is going on in the school on a daily basis. But this was gone as soon as the new principal took over. Instead she uses this time to be a parking monitor and tell parents that they are parked at the wrong spot! Really!! You need a degree for this???? And we are paying taxes for this?? What a good use of your expertise and time! So now the children just goes straight to class once the bell rings. Second, friday fun is gone. The principals involvement in activities for the children is minimal if not non existent! I used to hear the principals name from my son all the time. Like, mrs doi has a pizza party for us or mrs doi this! But now, none of that! Third, the drug program for sixth graders is gone! This is such an important aspect and it being gone is truly unacceptable!! Why do you think the nation has many criminals and treatment rehabs are popping all over the place it is because of addiction! Teaching children at such early age about this is crucial in their abilities to be successful and that being taken out says a lot about the principal's principle in caring for our kids! Fourth, she is definitely an absentee principal. Never have I seen her in most of the events nor see her roaming around the school grounds. She doesnt also give eye contact nor say Hi to the children or the parents. She is tucked away in her office or behind the desk in the front office. One time we were late for class and instead of greeting she just looked and made a face like why are these children late?!! If this principal continues to make changes such as these, then the school will go down the drain. Sad
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2015

I so glad to see Zanker catching up with the times. There seems to be a shift from the tired traditional ways of teaching toward more innovation, technology and creativity. There still remains some teachers that need to retire but it is very exciting to see Zanker aligned with the community it serves. The Common Core seems very intimidating and difficult. I just hope my child's teachers can help me help him along the way.
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2015

Ms Lee, the new principal, should get on-the-job training somewhere else. I don't quite understand how the district can send someone so unqualified to Zanker. What used to be a good school is not really bad. I cannot wait for the end of this school year to pull my kids out. Now, the old good teachers are either not motivated or planning to or already moved out. Did you guys meet any of the new teachers? Most of the new ones are rude probably thanks to the new culture of Ms Lee. Most of the good programs (setup by the good old principal) are now changed and gone. Principal is rude, culture is rude, new teachers looks like high school kids. So Sad.
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2014

We were very excited about this school when we first moved here, as all indications pointed toward it being excellent. However, we have been sorely disappointed with the promised differentiation and the lack of academic challenge.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2014

Both my kids go to Zanker and they absolutely love it. I love Mrs Kim. She is funny, great teacher and challenges each student in their own way. Ms. Cohen is also very nice to students. I can not comment on the principal as a parent. I wish though there was more opportunity to participate as a parent in extra curricular activities. The school needs to invest in that. But overall I would give 4.5 starts to the experience.
Submitted by teacher on April 15, 2014

Zanker school is circling the drain... so sad they've brought over sub-par staff (principal, teachers) from Russell.
Submitted by parent on March 31, 2014

Excellent teachers like Ms. Cohen and a great principal Ms. Lee. I don't understand the negative reviews.
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2013

I miss Mrs. Doi!! I agree that I have to give the new principal a chance but dont like the changes. I do however love all the teachers Mrs Ballenger, Mrs, Spanegal and Mrs Cheung are all awesome. I havent had experience with the other teachers but am sure also have great teaching skills and ethics. 3 star because I would like to see more parent involvement and extra curricular activities ( I know sadly due to budget cuts) I also see many parents smoking while walking to school and that does not set good examples to other children. 3 star because I wish friday fun still existed :(
Submitted by parent on October 03, 2013

The school was great before Miss doi retired. Everything was organized and it was about our children . The new principal is rude and wears inappropriate clothing she has no experience and no business at all working in this school. I wound'nt be supprise if parents are going to start pulling their kids out of this school and staff and teachers are going to quit cause of her. Mr. Superintendent if you care about our kids not just saving money and kissing someone's you know what, get rid of her and find someone more qualified to do the job. Be more understanding on what our school needs and don't be selfish. A lot of things was change, that's ok. Make sure our kids are happy. I wouldn't donate my time and money to this principal at all. Parents has the power to get her fired stick together call the district make a complaint or file a petition to get her out of our school. We where 9.5 ratings before, now 7.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2013

Can not agree more with the most recent negative reviews about Zanker elementary and the new principle . As a parent, I am also very disappointed this year with the new principle came to Zanker. Still hard to understand and get used to her style. Also feel she may not have enough experience for the young kids education and can not see her passion either on how to make Zanker better. Do miss the former principle Mrs. Doi and she really cared about the kids from her heart and has done an excellent job to keep good communication with parents as well.
Submitted by teacher on September 20, 2013

Pearl Zanker used to have a wonderful principal who really cared for staff & students. This year we got a new young principal who is trying to move up the latter & to look good infront of the superintendent which she is friends with. She is not working for the children but for herself. She also has no experience with young children at all, (that's why she needs help from a retired principal from Curtner Elementary. She is not a good influence on the children with the way she dresses & her 10inch high heals . This is a elementry school not a fashion show . Please if anyone has complaints go to the school board, & write petitions.
Submitted by other on September 20, 2013

I am really concerned for Zanker School. The new principal is making the school a very bad environment. She is very immature, money hungry & heartless. Parents please do not donate money to the school so she can use it for herself. I know some parents are upset with the staff but the principal is making them do things they do not want to do. If parents care for their children you should complain to Milpitas school district. Remember is school staff isn't happy the children aren't happy .