Olive Elementary School

620 Olive Avenue

School District

Novato Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

School Map for Novato 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 11, 2023

We are new the school and have very quickly realized what a wonderful place it will be for our children to grow and thrive! It's an excellent school with dedicated and caring teachers and a supportive environment for all! We couldn't be happier with our local public school.
Submitted by parent on October 15, 2020

I am. I happy with Olive. My experience has been so amazing. I really feel that Olive is a hidden gem. This is the best Elementary school in Novato.
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2019

I am very happy with my children’s learning experience at Olive. The teachers are awesome.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2019

Students are happy, engaged, and very supportive of each other. The teachers and staff seem genuinely happy to be at Olive and invested in their students growth. The parent support is strong with a lot of extra events and activities. We love Olive!
Submitted by parent on April 05, 2019

We love Olive! Amazingly creative and insightful teachers who really get to know and care about each student. The PTA is active, engaged, and wonderful. Lots of parent volunteers. Our son is learning so much and growing in maturity and empathy for others—lots of focus on kindness!
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2018

We have been at Olive for four years. It is a wonderful place to learn. My son has thrived at Olive. It's one of the best schools!
Submitted by parent on December 26, 2014

Olive Elementary is led by Principle, Elizabeth Olinyk. Mrs. Olinyk brings amazing and steadfast leadership to the teachers, staff, students and parents. She is experienced, highly professional, yet compassionate and present and aware. She knows the kids by first name and is always available and is seen around the Olive campus. Excellent leadership for an amazing community of dedicated teachers and staff. Olive school itself is comprised of old and dated buildings. There is no doubt that the district needs to start thinking of allocating tax funds to rebuild us a new school sometime in the near future. But the classrooms are big, bright and led by dedicated teachers that are loyal to Olive. It is a great school for my kids and I know they are getting a great education while there. The only thing I would change is the cleanliness. We need more than one janitor to keep up with this spread out campus style. And, I think hand washing routines need to be brought into the classrooms under the teachers responsibility before being sent out to eat snacks and lunch.
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2013

Olive has been through many leadership changes in the last 10 years, however the staff and families have remained committed and enthusiastic about doing what is best for kids. The present leader is continuing this energy. There are changes, however the leadership vision is what is best for kids. Change is hard, but it is okay too. The Olive Community is genuine, full of heart, and passionate about educating kids.
Submitted by parent on October 04, 2013

We have loved this school for our 3 kids for years. This year has changed all of that. We have a new principal, she has made Olive elementary a miserable place. My son who was always a happy boy at school is no longer allowed with his friends at lunch. Several parents, myself included, have brought this up with our new principal. She is unwilling to see any perspective but her own and seems to genuinely not care what the parents or children at her school. I am very bothered by the changes I have seen at his school this year and am warned by the staff that there is more to come. I am thankful that this is our last year at Olive. I know many parents who are upset at this choice for principal. I would give the teachers five stars, but the new principal doesn't deservr the minimum of one.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2012

We have had an absolutely wonderful experience at this school. My daughters love it there. There is a fantastic network of involved parents and approachable teachers.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2011

I have one daughter at Olive and one who is now in middle school who went to Olive. I have been a parent for 7 years at the school. I feel the teachers listen to me, and work hard to help my girls the best students that they can be. Also, they listened when my girls have had problems and tried to find solutions.
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2011

Olive Elementary is a special school full of wonderful kids, dedicated teachers and staff, and energetic generous parents. Both my kids have been challenged there and I only wish it would become a K-8!
Submitted by parent on April 06, 2011

We love Olive School, the teahers, the community are all fabulous. Everyone seems very committed to the school and we have enjoyed being a part of such an enthusiastic school and love going to our neighborhood school rather then getting in the car.
Submitted by parent on April 06, 2011

The Olive Community is wonderful! the teachers love of learning is contagious and the kids are challenged on every level, I never seen such an enthusiastic staff! I have two kids at the school and I feel like they are always having some new experience, getting treated to some special assembly or going on some wonderful field trip! Olive is fabulous!
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2011

We've had nothing but good experiences with Olive School. I have two children attending the school, one for 5 years (since Kindergarten) and one in Kindergarten now. It's a great school with a lot of parent involvement. Kids who come to school prepared to learn will learn. Parents who take the time to visit or volunteer at the school will see lots of exciting learning going on. The teachers are dedicated and work hard to keep all students learning and on task. It's a great community school.
Submitted by parent on February 22, 2011

Kids eat lunch with dirty hands. Nobody does anything about it and when you tell your concerns to the principle she protects herself by blaming you for harassment.
Submitted by parent on February 22, 2011

There is a new principle at this school and all she cares about is keeping her staff happy so the staff would like their new boss. So don't expect anything from this principle because she's not a good organizer.
Submitted by parent on February 22, 2011

Time for educational process is little. Kids don't practice writing enough and as a result your child will hardly be able to write by 7th grade. Even if your child was well prepared before - in this school your child will lose all skills and will be brought down. No matter how hard you work with your kid at home this school will ruin everything, because the most productive time of the day your child will be in this school where learning is not a priority. This school is for kids whose parents don't care about their education and if you want your kid to an elementary education,find a good school.
Submitted by parent on February 22, 2011

Most of the kids in school are out of order, aggressive bullies, even girls and guards invented all kinds of disciplinary methods like after the guard blows the whistle everybody should take a knee. If your child was bullied morally and comes home and complains and you will go to talk to the teacher you will be surprised of the teacher's reaction. Apparently you can't complain because they don't want to deal with bullying and the teacher will invent bad stories about your child to make you believe that you child is the same like others and you have no rights to complain.