Jefferson Elementary School

600 Harkness Lane

School District

Redondo Beach Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:21
Type

public

School Map for Redondo Beach 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 28, 2022

Wonderful community! We have loved our kindergarten experience. Our daughter has learned so much in school academically and socially and motivated to go to school everyday. I like the assessments and personal feedback we get as well. The after school program is great too with a large playground and space for the kids to be kids.
Submitted by parent on August 21, 2019

School staff, students and parents were very welcoming to our family when enrolling to this school. Our family has never felt so welcomed and my kids love the school's positive environment . Thank You Jefferson!!
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2017

You are fortunate if your children will be going to Jefferson. My daughter has had six excellent teachers in a row, although some of that may be luck. But over all, most of the teachers are excellent, engaged, and caring for their students. In the lower grades, I felt there was too much homework with not enough emphasis on quality over quantity. My understanding is that the lower grades have virtually eliminated homework. I believe kids should learn discipline and a positive work ethic early, so there should be a balance in giving quality homework appropriate for grade level. Although there were some challenges when moving to a common core curriculum, on the whole the school has successfully achieved this. My daughter has exceeded standards on the new state tests for two years in a row, so I believe the school is properly preparing students. While I agree that the GATE offerings are limited, I appreciate that teachers volunteer their time to prepare for and teach enrichment classes. As a working mom, I wish I had more time to volunteer, but I appreciate that so many parents are involved in PTA and donate their time. The PTA and RBEF sponsor many enrichment activities like Hands on Art, gardening and nutrition lessons, and field trips. We feel very fortunate that our daughter has received an excellent foundation for her education at Jefferson!
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2015

The school has a new principal in Sept 2015. Maybe things will get better, who knows, but so far I’ve been at a complete loss as to why this school is considered a top school. At birthday parties parents describe the kindergarten experience as “nothing but a coloring project.” The academic program is not challenging enough. The high frequency word list should be published in comic books, and when one compares the common core requirements to what is actually taught it is frightening. If students earn top grades, they are due to parent support and parents teaching their kids at home. Parents consistently talk in the parking lot about all the effort they put in to teach their children additional things that should be taught by the school teachers. The reason cited by teachers for the lack of challenge is that children need emotional and social development at the early stage, etc. and that one should worry later about academics. They are drinking their own kool aid. There are several programs out there that challenge children at an early age and there is no conflict between being academically advanced and being at the typical stage as far as emotional/social development goes. I am not satisfied with the school. It’s the parents who make everything happen here. I will not be surprised at all if the school’s rating system will fall once common core is fully implemented. The teachers are taking 2 years to transition and when the kids will face the new requirements and will be held to higher standards everyone will be in for a surprise. If someone has average expectations, then the school is just fine. If you want to be in the top 10% in the long term, and want your kid to be able to attend a top college, go somewhere else if you can. I can't imagine what is an average or bad public school if Jefferson is a top school. This is very scary to me so far.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2014

This is a wonderful school with mostly great teachers and a very responsive principal. It also has GATE and Robotics programs. However, the GATE program leaves a lot to be desired, as they are short, 6-week classes that seem more like summer camp than a real GATE class. Jefferson could really distinguish itself by having actual academic GATE classes. Also, there are a a few "bad seed" teachers that need to go away, particularly in third grade. These are poison apples who do nothing but forward their lazy agendas and don't teach any math or science. The principal does not seem to be doing anything about this even though parents have complained. Overall, this is still a top notch school with a strong (though exclusive) PTA and a great reputation. It just renewed its distinguished school status in 2014 - yay!
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2011

Great teachers. Down-to-earth parents. Top-notch education with gifted program and resources for those who need help. We've been there many years and love it!!! It's the parents, kids and teachers who really make it great!
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2011

This is a great school, the teachers and principal really care about the students, parent involvement is very high, great educational programs.
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2010

Jefferson has some of the most involved parents I've ever encountered. We truly come together as a community to support our kids and teachers, especially when budgets get cut - we pull together to try and make the school experience the best possible for everyone involved. I'm so happy we 'lucked' into this school - it's make all the difference in both of my sons' lives.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2010

I love this school. The parents are extremely involved, the principle is outstanding and my daughter's teacher was phenomenal. There more volunteers for my daughters class than hours to volunteer, plus the running club, Hands-On Art and Living Well programs were all staffed by deeply committeed volunteers who did an outstanding job. The principal leads by example and never asks anyone to do anything she won't do herself (she even leads morning exercises and was bagging groceries or cleaning up after fund raisers). My daughters teacher was amazing, truly one of the best teachers I have ever encountered.
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2008

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Submitted by parent on May 28, 2008

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Submitted by parent on February 21, 2008

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