Collins Elementary School

1224 Pinole Valley Road

School District

West Contra Costa Unified
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

School Map for West Contra Costa 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 February 01, 2024

I moved from Alameda Island to Pinole in 2020, and per my former address, Collins was the elementary school assigned to my then-8-year-old child.I highly recommend you keep your kids away from this school because the principal has been at the school for 9 years, from her unethical ways to the unqualified teachers and staff taking care of the kids, this school does nothing academically for any kid, Classes are combined 6/5 4/3 because they have too many kids and teachers always quit. My child experience the worst serious you can think of; and if you don't believe me the school district has records worth of years for you to confirm on your own. Child safety & academics is not a priority at this school. they also lack many other essential needs that a normal school offers.
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2021

We love Collins school and the amazing teachers and staff. We transferred from a private school in a neighboring city and I only wish I would have done it sooner. Collins is a school that celebrates community, kindness and diversity. Through the pandemic I have watched my daughters teachers become animated actors making sure all children are present attentive and following along. The amazing teachers at Collins have stretched their limits to create engaging exciting virtual spaces to learn and grow. I initially worried about the impact distanced learning would have on my now first grader when we transitioned to distance learned in her kindergarten year but I am grateful to say those worries quickly disappeared. It wasn't perfect but the staff listened and has made us feel like we are in this together. My daughter is reading well above grade level grade thanks to the personalized recommendations from her amazing teacher. She is thriving thanks to Collins.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2019

We have been at Collins for 7 years and it is a great community school. The staff and administrators are motivated and approachable. Both of my kids have had a successful start to education, learning the fundamentals of academics and achieving high test scores.
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2019

No issues here at Collins! The staff is great, my son is very happy and is learning quickly. Look - let me tell you something. "Greatschools.com" is not a reliable source of information. In fact, I think this website does exactly what it's trying not to do - promote segregation and privilege. I would highly recommend NOT judging this school by using this idiotic website.
Submitted by parent on December 15, 2018

I'm disappointed with the administrators at this school, specifically the principal Ms. Pinney. I would like to say that my children have had some very wonderful, supportive teachers here... and have academically flourished under the guidance of those teachers. However, the social dynamics of the classrooms and the school makes it hard for students to concentrate on learning due to the many distractions happening. Instead of having any real effective techniques at supporting students on this important social-emotional level, teachers and administrators resort to the status quo punishment of detention. My children have come home every week with stories of how this or that child has gotten detention for acting out in class, only to engage in the same behavior the very next day. Bullying at this school happens often, and administrators are not effectively dealing with these social issues which will only become exacerbated as the children get older. Other schools have programs such as restorative justice and peer-counseling as well as methods to incorporate social-emotional learning into the curriculum, and more effective consequences than detention which has proven to have little influence.I feel that if the teachers were more supported to deal with the social dynamics of their classrooms, supported by the admin, then they could focus on teaching and learning.
Submitted by other on February 07, 2018

Ms. Pinney, the current principal, is not supportive of her teachers. She takes things that happen to her due to her lack of experience personal, and then she tries to pass the blame on to the staff. She has no filter, and many times says things that are inappropriate. If she does not like a teacher, she will harass them and make the situation and the class an uncomfortable place to be, even at the students' expense. Not a happy place to be.
Submitted by parent on February 01, 2018

My son is learning to read and write quickly and is doing very well at math. This school is great at preparing my son for High School. Highly recommended. I think the 1-star reviews are old...and don't apply any more.
Submitted by student on August 01, 2017

I was a student at Collins elem. from grades k-6 I do not know any other school ethic or anything of that matter but I do know that Collins staff was amazing the discipline is terrible with some teachers and others discipline the students way to much the school treats all special need children better than regular children the children are either perfectly behaved or have no manners and discipline doesn't effect them. I would recommend the school if your child is comfortable in the environment and can stand up for themselves but if your very protective of the child and they can't depend themselves very well it's definitely not a good thing for them. I personally wouldn't trade my experience. My teachers were amazing especially my 6th grade teacher the sweetest lady ever. I learned many things there but if you grew up in the area that feel is EXACTLY what the school is. The staff is great but some teachers are AFRAID of the students and desciplining them.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2016

Great school, wonderful instruction. Teachers are highly competent and the school is very safe. Highly recommended!
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2013

I have two children at Collins and have been very pleased. The test scores have steadily increased for the past few years with this year's scores making Collins the highest scoring elementary school in Pinole. The PTA provides lots of fun events for the kids and supplements many of the school's needs. The school is very old but has a lot of character. Proud to have my children at this school.
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2013

This is a wonderful school. The PTA has some of the most dedicated, loving, concerned parents that I have ever met. They work really hard to raise money for the classrooms and they provide several family events a year for everyone to have fun. Most of the teachers are wonderful. The scores have risen every year for the past 4 years. Unfortunately, the district seems to have forgotten poor Collins. The building is starting to fall apart and they can't seem to get any relief. We are excited to meet a new principal in the fall.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2013

This school has NO security whatsoever!! the front double doors are wide open and always unlocked. There needs to be some kind of intercom system installed to protect the children and teachers that go there. The campus is wide open and ungated so anyone can get in through any entrance...front, back, side. as for the school, there are good and bad teachers. Unfortunately this school failed to get my son the help that he deserved. What is No Child Left Behind anyways? The parents on the PTA board are a mess. They try to draw you in by gossiping about the teachers and other students....
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2013

I went to enroll my son in kindergarten here, and while i was enrolling him the yard teach came in and said there is a man on the basket ball feild and is refusing too leave.. well as im handing them my papers for my son everyone was like what ever (about the man) i was thinking do i really want to put my son here and have to worry that nobody did anything about it nope we will be moving to livermore where the schools are much better rather struggle and have my son in a good school thenm have to worry about strange men on school grounds during school...hope you dont put ur kid here...
Submitted by other on April 25, 2013

I went to this school for more than 5 years, and I thoroughly enjoyed the time. The teachers gave work that I could both apply and enjoy myself with. Although the school is deteriorating, the staff take what they have and make the best of it. They worked on both my strong and weak points and my testing scores are high above average.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2012

Collins is the worst school to put your child in. My child came to Collins in the 5th grade. The staff there are nice, but I'm not sending my child to a school to only be around nice staff. My child came from advanced placement at a school with an API score of 860. Her math ratings in math on state testing was 600 out of 600 and reading 416 out of 600. Collins have been unable to accommodate her intellectual ability. My child have not only been bored, but I have noticed a change in her behavior do to the lack of mental stimulation. Her vocabulary has changed significantly. She isn't interested in continuing GATE because all they do is give extra homework. I could go on, but I would like to end with a suggestion... If you are looking for a school that have staff especially a principal that have knowledge about the students, a passion for the students success and that's willing to do research to get answers to unanswered questions. Choose another school!
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2011

The schools boiler has failed over several years. The teachers have asked parents to bring portable heaters to their child's classroom on several occasions. This is the status-quo of our elected officials. The entire school facility is old and deteriorating. The teachers are great. The leadership is failing this school. With the hope from comments from you, perhaps this school will get the attention it deserves. Remember to vote.
Submitted by teacher on April 27, 2010

This school has some of the best teachers and some of the worst. It is undergoing a transition from a traditional school to a more collaborative model. There are many wonderful families and a rich variety of cultures represented. There are also many families who are overwhelmed and who require considerable support. This is not a Title 1 School so there isn't funding for up to date training or adequate support for teachers. This creates a lot stress for the community. The Pinole Creek flows right behind the school and there are some spectacular coast live oaks.
Submitted by student on June 07, 2007

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