McKinley School

325 South Oak Knoll Avenue

School District

Pasadena Unified
Grade

K-8
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 other on October 04, 2022

As a student, my time at McKinley was a bit short of expectation. It was the first school I attended after moving to the US and I immediately encountered bullying. I was placed in a class with english speaking children and was put behind Duolingo while everyone else did their activities, which made me fall behind. Moving up grades I became more proficient. I wasn’t any trouble, so often times one of my teachers would send me to accompany another student to the bathroom as the instructor was afraid the student would ditch instead. Thinking about it now, it’s a very odd system. I would also often get cussed out by the students even though it was not my fault. I also witnessed foul language being said towards teachers, and a teacher even quit halfway through the year due to the bullying coming from the students. Not a fun school.
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2019

We were impressed with our child's classroom teacher in kindergarten. As time has gone on and with ever-changing leadership, we're losing confidence that the school can serve our family's needs.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2019

We have only been at McKinley for 2 years. So far I have been very pleased with our experience. My son has academic rigor in his classroom and his teachers are very communicative with us. He is learning and growing in class, loves going to school, and is involved in a variety of activities. When I have had a problem or question the teachers and administration has been very helpful. I don feel that there is some problems with organization and communication with parents school wide (notifying of assemblies, activities, etc...) that can be frustrating as a working parent.
Submitted by parent on November 02, 2018

I am a very involved parent who has been involved in supporting parent engagement for years. This is the best school my children have attended so far. Couldn't be happier. They're both thriving.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2018

Our experience is overall satisfactory, the kids learn and are enthusiastic to go to school.
Submitted by parent on June 21, 2017

It is unfortunate that this school is not up to par. If you take the tour, you are totally Misled by all the ooohs and aaaaahs of what they are doing. but its a joke and a lie that if you are one of the unfortunate families that get caught up in it, you will be truly upset and appalled. If only PUSD put more money into their schools and not their pockets, it might have had a chance.
Submitted by other on April 12, 2017

This school is Pasadena's answer to supporting the GATE population in Middle School. With the new Vanguard program our GATE students are finally being served. Huge recogniztion to Dr. Heaton for realizing this constantly underserved population in MS and finally giving them a program that challenges them even more than Private school and Marshall. I would encourage everyone to check out this wonderful program if they have a GATE student. Thank you Dr. Heaton for realizing the GATE students need just as much attention as struggling students. Mckinley is a wonderful place with diversity and challenge!
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2017

The new pilot program is excellent! Finally public schools are catering to GATE students! Uusally schools focus so much of their energy on Special Ed and other programs out of fear of being sued that GATE students are the least serviced since the students are considered to be fine no matter what. I am so happy with the new Vanguard program that the new principal brought to Middle School! It allows my student to challenge himself on a daily basis and really get to know the content knowledge on a deeper level! It puts the responsibility of learning on the student! They are in charge which empowers my student to be in charge of his own grades. While in the past my student has always been an A student so much of that A could be subjective based on the teacher. With this new program, ff he gets a B he earned that B and that is fantastic because he is learning the material in a whole new level. I am so glad that their is a program out their for my student finally that challenges him!
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2017

My child has attend this school for 6 years. They have gone through many Principals. Dr. Heaton in my opinion is by far the worst one of all. His first year as a Principal at the school he was amazing. Since he has become very rude and dismissive, not only to the teachers but to myself as a parent of a straight A student. He really needs to work on his tact and being supportive to his staff and the parents whom are essentially his customers.
Submitted by other on August 15, 2016

It's a great school my boys love McKinley DR.Heaton has done a Great job with this school
Submitted by other on November 18, 2015

McKinley is going through an amazing change. The leadership of Dr. Heaton and his team is outstanding. They truly believe that all children should be taught to become leaders, to honor themselves, first and foremost, to honor their relationships with their peers, their teacher and the staff. You can see it the way the teachers and the staff have rallied as a uniform unit, they continue to develop daily. We researched many schools in the LA area and are very pleased that McKinley is the gem that it is.
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2015

I felt that I needed to post an update to our great experience at McKinley. My son is now in 7th grade and loving it. The new principal, Dr. Heaton is amazing! His dedication, his efforts at making McKinley the best, are all you could hope for. When our son was having problems, Dr. Heaton stepped right in and, although he has about 1300 students, Dr. Heaton makes each child feel special. Music is playing in the morning as the middle-schoolers enter; the atmosphere is wonderful and collaborative. Construction is complete and all the new buildings, and grounds are beautiful. I highly recommend that you consider McKinley as your K-8 school.
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2014

McKinely is gem in the rough, it's teachers are invested so much they have their own kids at this school. My son has THRIVED at the school despite my initial trepidation because of the run down exterior (note, they are currently going to a major upgrade and the school is going to be beautiful!). My son, with the help of his teachers and us at home has surpassed all expectations of his grade level. What is a shame is that Pasadena's resources (I mean major tax revenue), the school does not receive much in funding. With that said, the PTA does an excellent job in keeping programs alive at McKinley: Arts, Science, Phsical Education - they are to be commended for their hard work. Also, parent involvement is evident at every event and that has a great impact on the childrens school pride. I would recommend McKinely to anyone looking for a school that lives in the Old Town/Business District part of Pasadena. In addition to the school, the Y offers a fantastic before/after school program I would strongly recommend to anyone in need of care. GO TIGERS!
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2014

My son is in transitional kindergarten at McKinley. We have been very impressed with his teacher and with the school so far. My son's class is very diverse, both ethnically and socioeconomically. They've taken some really great field trips (Huntington Gardens; Vroman's Bookstore). They place a lot of emphasis on making healthy choices (no candy allowed at school for the kindergartners). All of the other parents with whom I've spoken are also very impressed with the school and the teachers, but unfortunately, because of the poor reputation of Pasadena public schools, all of those parents are planning to either (1) switch to private school; (2) open enroll to other schools with higher ratings; or (3) move to South Pasadena. This is part of the problem with Pasadena public schools. If you like the school and are impressed with the teachers, keep your child there! The school needs the funding, for one thing. The ratings and reviews will never get better if people keep pulling their kids out based on an outdated reputation, and the cycle will just continue. And the private schools will just keep getting richer and richer . . .
Submitted by parent on December 19, 2013

McKinley is in a great neighborhood and it's wonderful that it's going thru some construction to make it look better, but it's been our experience the last few years that all they care about is numbers. My child had a horrible teacher last year and despite making complaints it was never addressed and this year almost the same with promises unfulfilled. Meanwhile my child was disciplined for their lack of support.They would rather get rid of a problem or challenge then help or support you. It's great that there is a lot of parent involvement, but that hasn't helped my child or many others who need better teachers. Most of it was to raise money for performing arts. There are a few teachers who seem to care overall, but the rest do as little as possible. I know of at least 10 parents who just this year transferred their children out of this school. I thought the new principal would make a difference, but other than talking a lot and being charming, there has been no change, maybe it has something to do with his kids being there. He's great for the teachers, backing them up even when they fail miserably. Very dissatisfied with this school. We won't be back for 2014/2015.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2013

We have been there last year, the food at school is nasty. My kids had been happy with school lunch before we move here but then we have to cook for them. Few day ago I see it look better, maybe the new principle come so he made a new development, I hope so. Will see if new principle can make progress.
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2013

I have never in my previous years attending school as a student and at my daughter's previous school, observed sooo many PARENTS present and accompanying their kids to and school every day!!! The PARENT participation at McKinley is off the charts and it makes such a difference for the kids, their learning and their teachers. I have volunteered with so many awesome hard -working parents who give their time and sweat endlessly without complaint for the love of the children....MY CHILD HAS SOARED WITHIN THIS ENVIRONMENT!!!! Thank you McKinley Parents!!
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2013

Best of pasadena, Teachers are the best ...not just as teachers but also as perentas friends... Also they love to stay in touch with parents...Through out...phone calls ...Through out E-mails...Through out...School letters...and notes...they involve parents in all possible School activities...etc...They help the kids that are...behind in grades...to improve them...in all ways possible...they invite parents to School meetings...They have a new principal...he is very nice...with everybody...( Dr. Albert ). They are very Charismatic...Having my kids go to Mckinley it is been a great experience...and it it is for my kids...the best years of they lives. and I have three of my kids there...ages ( 6, 9, and 11 )...1st Grader / 4th Grader and 7th Grader...Thank you ..very much.
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2013

McKinley is an amazing place to learn...yes we are in the middle of construction...yes it is very large...and yes you can find a million other problems with it and any other school if that is what you want to focus on. The teachers are the best teachers I have met and I was a teacher. They truly care about the students and their academic achievement and they are invested in the success of the school. Art lines the walls and dramatic plays are always in production, something that is too quickly slipping from our curriculums. When the renovations are complete, McKinley will truly hit the next level in their success story and I will be even more thrilled to tell the world that YES...YOU CAN SEND YOUR CHILD TO PUBLIC SCHOOL IN PASADENA and YES...MCKINLEY IS THE BEST CHOICE!
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2013

McKinley is rocking my previously private schooled kid's world. Great neighborhood feel. The teachers are amazing. The renovations on the inside are incredible and the outside 30 Million dollar project is coming along. The parents are incredible and if you're looking for warmth with strong academics, this is the place.