Don Benito Fundamental School

3700 Denair Street

School District

Pasadena Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:21
Type

public

School Map for Pasadena 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 January 28, 2025

My kids have an amazing community of friends and teachers that they love at this school. The large campus with outdoor space for each class gives kids chances to have various experiences in different learning environments which keeps them engaged. The new principal is energetic and the children feel happy and confident about going to school. When kids are at a school like this, it makes learning a positive experience and they love going to school. I was looking for an elementary school which was open, welcoming, and socio-economically diverse when we choose Don Benito.
Submitted by parent on November 12, 2024

Two of my kids attended Don Benito and we have had a very good experience here. The kids love their large campus, surrounded by nature with beautiful Mountain Views. The teachers and staff are absolutely fantastic, they are super involved and have been showing up for the kids through everything, including during the pandemic. Don benito is very unique as it is very diverse with students and families who make up a very strong community. The parents and guardians show up to volunteer, to support one another and we have gained friendship for life! Thank you Don Benito for all the years of fun, safe and happy learning. Looking forward to seeing many more kiddos come out of this school.
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2024

Our 2nd year at Don Benito; my kid attended for TK and kindergarten, and we love it!This is an amazing school, especially if your kid is gifted or special needs! They actually DO differentiated learning that caters lessons to each child's level and needs (versus just talking about differentiated learning, like other schools!). My kindergartener is very ahead in math, so they're doing 1:1 multiplication and division lessons with him! They also find him more advanced reading in topics he likes. Teachers are amazing; experienced, kind, and still passionate and enthusiastic about their job. My kid LOVES school. I see him run in, and the teacher opens her arms and gives him a big bear hug. Teachers genuinely love the kids!Parents are super-involved in this school, so there's always volunteers for everything. I think you can also see the parent involvement in the student's behavior. My kid comes home with far less 'bad behaviors' learned from peers. I think this is also one of the only PUSD schools that has an on-site psychologist and full-time librarian. I also like that TK and Kinder have their own playground and eating area, so they can play without the bigger kids potentially playing too roughStaff and principle give parents lots of power (I had the option to have my kid skip grades, they let me choose), and respond compassionately and professionally when you need something. Front desk staff is always helpful and responsive! The school feels safe, security is respected. Its hidden in the hills on a quiet street.
Submitted by parent on September 08, 2024

My son came out of there not knowing how to think critically and makes it tough.
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2023

My daughters have had incredible teachers every year helping them excel in math, STEM, and reading above grade level.
Submitted by parent on November 13, 2023

Great school! Really diverse and teachers are amazing!
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2023

Our family couldn't be happier with Don Benito. The teachers are all very experienced, supportive, and committed to excellence in themselves and their students. In addition, the level of parental and community engagement at their various events (annual autumn fair, stargazing nights, outdoor movie nights, etc) really makes this school special. There's an openness and curiosity that encourages involvement, and the PTA is organized (hallelujah!), effective, and well-run. Apart from it needing some upgrades, it's a wonderful school in a wonderful neighborhood.
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2023

Don Benito has the most engaged PTA in the district. I love that many of the teachers have been at Don Benito for years. There have been a few principals in the past few years and the new principal John Maynard has demonstrated a commitment to being Don Benito’s leader long term. He is responsive to parents and infuses positive school spirit in students.
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2023

Don Benito is by far the best elementary in pusd. My child has been there since kindergarten and EVERY teacher we have had has been amazing. Her math skills have improved as well as her reading. The teachers are committed to reaching each child and ensuring growth as a class. Assessments are done throughout the year to gage where the students are at. Not only that but they are truly a community that comes together and provide a number of fun events for the kids both fun and educational. We are not just a school but a tight knit community that support one another.
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2023

We are in our 7th year of Don Benito and I can't say enough amazing things! We have a new principal who came from Elliot and he is outside every morning and every afternoon, greeting parents, engaging students and is bringing such good energy to the school. My younger son is in 2nd grade and and my older son just promoted to 6th grade honors program at Marshall. We heard Honors at Marshall was tough but my son is doing great, and that is a testament to the education he received at Don Benito. The teachers are stellar, and the community is like family, not to mention how safe it feels tucked away in a quiet neighborhood. Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat!
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2023

Our kids have been going to Don Benito since 2019 and we are so happy with the teachers and community here. I was so worried about starting the school because our kids had to be transferred in due to our moving into the area in October, so the kids would be the new kids. All of the students were so welcoming to our kids - my oldest is in 8th grade and she still talks about how much she loved moving to Don Benito and how it was actually fun being new. They have an active and engaged PTA that presents so many wonderful supplemental programs like special assemblies, movie nights, an annual science night, and art projects.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2023

Such a truly beautiful, safe community tucked away in the foothills, unequivocally transforms my family every day they attend, with the lovely staff and teachers affluent. One of my three children, in fact, wants to become a teacher after experiencing Don Benito‘s teachers. So thankful during a pandemic, to have this crew— as they buckled down and suddenly changed things up, to make everything work for everyone, and being that we were all learning how to homeschool, we got to see the more personal side of the teachers, whom I would call some of my favorite people to this very day. Including, providing a community resource manager, who has genuinely verified the well-being of the school’s families throughout the past three years of immense change and crisis and acquired/gave out many donations and scholarships. We appreciate being a part of the DB community, and will do what it takes to give back!
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2022

We’ve been part of the Don Benito school and community for seven years. Our youngest is currently in third grade. Living in Upper Hastings Ranch, it has been great to support our home school. The partnerships we have had with teachers, administration, principals in service of our children’s education have been strong. The diversity of the school across multiple spectrums has been one the most important reasons we continue to stay. Across a range of ethnicities, social-economic backgrounds, and cultures, this community comes together. We builds networks, partnerships and friendships that all stem from the education and development of our children. I have and will continue to recommend Don Benito as a school to attend!
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2022

We adore Don Benito! The parent community is beyond fantastic. They plan so many wonderful events for the students- carnival, outdoor movie nights, assemblies during school- and they add so much to the experience. The teachers are incredible, too. Almost all of them have been at DB for over 15 years and to have that kind of consistency in a public school is incredible. Our new principal has done fabulous things for the school and we love her leadership. We also really appreciate that Don Benito is in a residential community. It is extremely safe compared to other local public schools and the location in the mountains is just beautiful.
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2022

My kids have thrived at Don Benito. Teachers are caring and passionate, admin is open and honest, the parent community is welcoming and supportive.
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2022

There is a real sense of community at this school that I'm so happy to be a part of. The teachers and staff are working together with the parents makes this place unique. Coming out of the pandemic they are working on bullying and getting back to normal. I love this place and so does my kiddo.
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2022

We love this school! The teachers are wonderful and many have been at the school for a long time, and the principal, Dr Bugarin, is great (much better than the previous principal). My children have thrived here, even during the pandemic, and we are enjoying getting back to normal with lots of parent involvement, fun events, and field trips this year.
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2022

Staff is super supportive and attentive to children.
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2022

I have had nothing but great things to say about Don Benito. I have 2 kids attending, and both of them have had great education, created unforgettable memories and friendships. I believe that parents and teachers/staff have great communication and partnership here, we make each other GREAT. I have enjoyed participating volunteer activities such as scholastic book fair/ outdoor movie nights/ jog-a-thon/ art fair/ back to school dances/ autumn festival/ the list goes on…! My kids are treated with respect and care, they have Dom Benito Bobcat pride, and so do we as parents! Thankful for this school and everyone who makes it so wonderful. Sincerely, A happy mom of two.
Submitted by teacher on April 03, 2022

Don Benito is my home. I don’t want to teach anywhere else and I love the little ones. We have high expectations, high performance, and we love learning - kids and adults alike! We have fun and gleam with pride in our accomplishments! A parent said to me, “I feel like we are getting a private school experience!” All I could do was smile and agree because we really work hard to do our very best for every child!