Sequoia Elementary School

277 Boyd Road

School District

Mt. Diablo Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:23
Type

public

School Map for Mt. Diablo 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 September 18, 2023

Sequoia is a 2023 California Distinguished school and an International Baccalaureate school. The principal is organized, intelligent, easy going, and such an ally to parents. We have loved all our teachers. Front desk is organized.Our kids love music class, garden lab, STEAM lab, the nest (an indoor recess area with quiet activities for kids who are sensory overloaded.) Excellent parent involvement with lots of $ raised for many “extras.”
Submitted by parent on September 24, 2022

Love all people who work there! They all are kind & nice.
Submitted by parent on August 19, 2022

We're starting our third year here and we've been impressed with the efforts to give the children what they need to excel — even through the very awkward era of the pandemic. In fact, when it first hit, we were at another school that did not make the remote adjustment well or quickly compared to Sequoia. The teachers have been great and our daughter has thrived. We're grateful that we got a spot here.
Submitted by parent on April 27, 2022

This is our second year at this school and we are very underwhelmed. We heard such great things about this school and there are some awesome things, but it seems it's missing the whole child and too focused on FUNDRAISING to be honest. lol. There is a fundraiser literally every month (not an exaggeration) plus a yearly gala where they raise thousands of dollars. What makes this so frustrating is that on top of the school constantly asking for money, the teachers are also constantly asking for supplies. CONSTANTLY. There is a complete lack of recognition for the environment which is also dumbfounding at such an esteemed school. Some of their fundraisers consist of tons of plastic waste and all the classroom parties still allow paper and plastic utensils and plates and table cloths, it's terrifying. My kids are happy with their friends and the campus seems friendly, but overall just not a modern school. More of an old school strictly academic and mega fundraising school that still requires A LOT of attention from parents.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2019

We have had a wonderful experience at Sequoia. We are wrapping up 8 years and we couldn't be more pleased. We are so grateful for our Sequoia community.
Submitted by other on April 10, 2014

I love this school they have great teachers and faculty, and the students are very nice I am extremely sad to leave.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2013

I have a second grader that transferred in first grade to Sequoia. It wasn't an easy transition for him but the principal and staff helped my son feel like he belonged. They were caring, and loving to my son. They took the time to help, I didn't feel alone. The teachers are awesome and friendly. As well as yard duties, cafeteria staff and janitor. The parent participation is fantastic. Sequoia is our 2nd home, anyone who has a child at this school is very lucky!!
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2013

Our experience with Sequoia has been very positive. The Principal communicates regularly on important issues and upcoming events. He strives to make the school the best it can be academically, in addition to making the school atmosphere a nice place to learn for the students. I feel what makes this school special is the incredible amount of parent involvement!! Only down side is the office staff...not exactly warm and fuzzy. Overall, we are very grateful to be at this school.
Submitted by other on February 14, 2013

This school is not perfect, including every other one you could think of. There is always some kind of flaw. I want this school to be absolutely perfect, and we're try to improve it the best we can. For me, this school is a perfect one. I wish I could advise them, but as an attending student at Sequoia, I find it is really hard to do so. Please, please give advice on how they can make it better instead of saying that we have too much to fix. (I work very hard to get those good test scores, but the way.) Get this school working better than it ever has before!
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2012

So blessed to have my son (second grader) in Sequoia. If my son is happy, we are happy & that's what matters over everything!
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2012

If this school is so great, why is there 2 third grade teachers in program improvement? They need to go. They are pulling down this pristine school. Parents complain almost every day about them and nothing is done. And this has been going on for years. Once this school gets rid of them, the test scores can continue to climb. If the principal is so great, let's see him finally get rid of the baggage who has plagued the school for too long.
Submitted by teacher on February 22, 2012

I agree with parts of the last 2 posts. There is huge parent involvement, but what comes with that are parents who think they run the show, not the teachers or administration. I also believe there is way too much efforts being placed on the kids to "test" well and not enough efforts to challenge the kids to be critical thinkers and well rounded human beings. Yes, the test scores are the highest in the district, but at what cost? There has to be a better balance, and unfortunately it isn't here. There are many who come here thinking it is a great school, and leave after just a partial year (or a single year) because their kids can't keep up with the frequency of tests and the demands of achieving perfection.
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2012

I am not sure what to think of this school. There is a major power play going on between teachers, principal (new) and parents. No one is working in unison. Everyone appears to be working for themselves, which is sad because a school of this caliber should be so much more. There seems to be an exaggerated empasis on api scores. My children transferred this year from another district school and the atmosphere is completely different (and not in a good way). Everyone is about one upping the other--no community to speak of. Almost the feeling you would expect in a more affluent community. So sad. I'll take the lower performing school with heart and soul any day.