Nordstrom Elementary School

1425 East Dunne Avenue

School District

Morgan Hill Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:26
Type

public

School Map for Morgan Hill 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 October 23, 2022

Great school! They continue to improve the buildings and environment. Kind teachers and we’ll organized
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2022

The principal is amazing: her background allows her to meet the needs of each student where they are at. She also supports mental health of the students and teaches them how to manage anxiety. She supports teachers and parents and really wants the best for the kids. The teachers want to give the kids the best experience but they needs parents' support. The school could use more funding as I think teachers assistants would be helpful. No, the parking is not good however it doesn't hurt to instill being early and walking a little bit in the morning with your kid.
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2020

Teachers & entire staff is very caring about all students.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2019

Amazing teachers and principal along with a great community of parents.
Submitted by parent on August 14, 2019

Our daughter was consistently denied a 504 plan, even though she had documented issues verified by behavioral psychologist, therapist, and occupational therapists. The principal would agree to coordinate on paper, and then pull me aside on campus and tell me that they didn't find it beneficial to do so. The teachers were wonderful and tried to do what they could, but without proper guidance from a 504, her behaviors continued to regress and her grades dropped. Thankfully, we relocated and her new school is very much engaged with keeping her best interests at heart, not the bottom line.
Submitted by other on December 21, 2016

I agree and disagree with some of the comments from prior years. The new principal does not contain one ounce of aloof-ness. She is full of energy and involved. They also recently hired new teachers and the class sizes are now much smaller due to bumping 6th grade to middle school. The home and school club is constantly asking for donations....every week. I don't mind or feel obligated to donate, but donate what I can as this helps fund special projects such as the wonderful music program. They also recently began to offer FREE after school enrichment/activities for working parents that cannot pick up thier child until 6 pm. Its a lottery, so we did not get in. Parking is a complete mess. You will have to park blocks away and risk fending off dangeous speeders crossing streets which often turns into being late regardless if you arrive early. There is only parking on the street and about 6 parking spots for vistors. The earlier you arrive the more congested and time consuming the drop off/carpool lanes would suggest a good 15 minutes from your car to class. School begins at 7:45--'7:45 to 6 pm is a long day for kids needing after care, but the onsite CDC is great and Lorena is awesome. Most parents are involved and friendly. I have not noticed the home school as unfriendly or pretentious, but we are in a household were both parents work and do not have much involvement besides attending activities. Overall academics are the best part of this school. 5 stars for education but I would rate 1 star for parking. Also, my children are not one of the perfect kids mentioned and the teachers constantly work with us proactively on academic and behavioral improvements. Good job Nordstrom! Now get the parking under control. I would say different start times for classes could also help with parking.
Submitted by other on April 10, 2016

Carpool is a mess. When teachers dont follow through they fall back on the statement "the union doesnt require that of me" for simple things like answering emails. The principal is rude. Interrupts and underminds her staff and parents. The staff is stretched way too thin and the schiol does not perform like they could. If you have interest in your childs education, I highly suggest checking out alternative schools, like a Charter school.
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2015

Both of my children have attended Nordstrom since Kindergarten. We absolutely love this school. There is no "in group" as prior posts suggest. I say if you feel on the outside the get involved. I work so I do not have time to join H&SC or volunteer in the class, and yet my family feels every bit a part of this school. I help at other functions and this allows me to get to know the teachers and other parents. However, this is about our kids receiving an education and not a social club. The teachers are amazing. How do we know,,,? Our kids arrive at middle school prepared and they continue to be top performers. I liked our last Principal, and so far am very please with our new one. She had a wonderful positive energy about her. If we want to be surrounded by kids and families that care about their education then this is the school for you!
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2015

Contrary to the last post I read here, I find that my family enjoys our time at Nordstrom. I find the teachers supportive and the families involved. I did not interact with the last principal, but I have met the new principal for the 2015/16 year and she is delightful. Very approachable and excited to be here. My kids look forward to going to school, are happy, enjoy the events, love their teachers, and I believe they are getting the tools they need to be successful in middle school. What more can I ask for? Based on our experiences, I think Nordstrom is worth checking out. And with the changes that they are making, I see it only getting better.
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2015

This school is run by the president of the Home and School Club, not the phantom of arrogance appointed principal, who is NEVER to be seen.The "coffee cup Moms" all fret and fuss about the politics and one upsmanship that permeates this place. Our kids come last. The principal manages through intimidation of her teachers and parents. She is opinionated and vicious if you do not agree with her.A great school is NOT just about API scores. It's not about stacking the deck in the spelling bee by "dumping data" or trying to sculpt the demographics!Find a different school.
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2015

The overall rating of this school is misleading. Most of the higher ratings are posted in 2011 and prior. More resent ratings add up to 2 out of 5 stars at best. As a parent of a kinder here at Nordstrom I can sincerely say that even 2 out of 5 stars is much too generous for this school. Unfortunately, the handful of kind and nurturing teachers can not carry the crushing inadequacy of the rest. I must, however, render a 5 star rating in the funds seeking category! They are not much interested in educating and nurturing children, but they have perfected the system of hand picking parents with big wallets, along with their already tech savvy children. That is certainly a much easier way for a preferred school to maintain their high scores. What a sham!
Submitted by parent on November 23, 2014

Not about your kids here! This is political soup! The principal is a self righteous and aloof person with her eye on promotion to the district. the president of the Home and School Club runs this place! You are in or you're OUT at this place! AVOID!
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2014

My daughter has been Nordstrom now for 2 years. We have really enjoyed both her teachers. They have pushed her in all the right ways to achieve her potential. I've never encountered a staff person that was not helpful with my needs. There is physical education, a multi-purpose room that is used as a cafeteria, a library, and a computer lab. There are also great after school activities and the CDC on site is great. Not every school is going to fit for every child or parent, but saying that the entire school and all the teachers and administration are weak is not a fair assessment.
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2013

I have to agree with the parent who stated that Nordstrom is great for "flawless" children, but the "flawed" children need not apply. I have had the same experience in dealing with this school. My observation is that if they want the children to be perfect, the administration and staff should be perfect as well. Sadly, this is not the case. Though much of the staff and the principal are mediocre at best, some of these teachers seem to have elevated themselves in their minds, and behave as if they are professors, tenured and published, working at an Ivy League University. The current Principal behaves as if she is the Dean of said University. It is off-putting as a parent to deal with this kind of mindset. The Principal and her teachers need to get a grip and realize they are nothing more than what and who they are, employees of Morgan Hill School District working in a little elementary school in Cowtown Morgan Hill.
Submitted by parent on November 16, 2013

As a parent with a special needs child, I've worked with both the Special Day Class teacher and the Resource teacher. The SDC class teacher is wonderful. The Resource teacher is difficult to work with and resorts to underhanded tactics to keep her position within the school. I would not recommend this school to a parent who has a resource student.
Submitted by parent on July 25, 2013

This school is not about the kids, it's about the socialite parents! The principal is out of touch and aloof! The teachers are all burned out! No PE, no cafeteria , a poor library and NO PLACE TO EVEN SIT AND EAT! Don't do it !
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2013

I'm so sorry to read that one parent had such a bad experience with a certain teacher. After reading their 3 negative reviews, I can see that they are very upset. However, with my experience at Nordstrom school with all the teachers and parents that I've met so far, I must say that I am very impressed and pleased with what I see. The teachers are great and very caring and kind. They challenge each child to their need and ability. (If you don't think they are being challenged, then ask the teacher to do more) Communication is key and I have seen the teachers to be very receptive. I am also very pleased with the huge amount of parent involvement. Teachers are very appreciative and welcoming for parents volunteers. There is something for everyone...all you need to do is ask.
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2012

I am the parent of a kinder student and am extremely impressed thus far with what is happening in my childs kinder classroom and with the school in general. I am impressed with the speed at which my child is learning and he lives going to school. His teacher is terrific-firm but caring. The teachers are dedicated to helping their students learn and succeed. Patent involvement is huge at this school which is amazing and rare. This is a fantastic public school!!
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2012

This school is Okay at best as far as academics are concerned.The union protects bad teachers that have seniority. If your excuse for yelling at an 8 year old, making them cry and trying to break their spirit is that your "Italian" and "that's just how Italians talk," then you have no business teaching! And then to meet with the principal who apparently can do nothing about it!!! There are no consequences for the teachers who are vicious to students.I have had three children attend this school through the last ten years and we've had our ups and downs with the teachers. Some have been great, others should not be teaching! I think that if my 2cnd grader has more homework than my child in high school, theirs a problem! I understand their are quotas teachers need to meet but some of them should really reevaluate why they they became teachers in the first place! To make a positive impact in a students life or a negative one! There does seem to be a lot of bullying (from teachers, as well as students) and stuck up kids here, and the parents also have their cliques. But their have been some kind parents who seem genuine. Money talks around here so if you have it, your in!