Washington Elementary School

565 Wine Street

School District

West Contra Costa Unified
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:22
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 May 26, 2024

We transferred our two children into Washington to be part of the DLI program. We were allowed to visit the school before committing, and my oldest admitted that this was a better school within only 30 minutes of being on campus. We absolutely love everything that the school does for the students, the PTA is absolutely incredible and super active. Both of our children love it here. Sadly, the new principal is leaving this year, and those are big shoes to fill, but hopefully the next principal will be as proactive and engaged as Mr. Alvarado has been. I wish the academics were more rigorous, however, I do understand the argument for not pushing the academics as high as they could be, as many students would not be able to handle the work load. I do feel like my student has allowed himself to be distracted a bit , but socially and culturally, this school is doing so much that makes me praise this school and recommend it 100%.
Submitted by parent on August 06, 2022

Really disappointing. I knew going in that the school had bad ratings, as learning in a second language always causes a learning curve and can thus drop ratings, but I was not prepared for just how badly run the school would be. The office staff are wonderful, as are the librarian and music teachers, however the Principal is all talk and no action, very friendly but doesn't attempt to improve conditions for the children or teachers, for instance, a kindergarten teacher was pulled away 3 weeks in, right after the first parent/teacher conference, just ripped away, the children were then split up between a seasoned and a brand new teacher from Spain. The children in the teacher with experience at Washington had a very different year then the children in the alternative class, yet both had a lot of struggles. Children were not properly assessed for IEP's for extensive periods of time, including a child with Autism. Due to the poor leadership of the incoming Principal, her lack of fundraising initiatives or attempts to get volunteers or paid helpers for the unmanageable classes (despite parents best efforts to encourage or find ways to assist) the children and teachers suffered, a lot. If it weren't for a few parent volunteers who consistently showed up to help, things would have been much worse. It was very sad, particularly given what it might have been.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2021

Like some other parents with a child in Washington Elementary, I am a bit confused by the low rating. But in the end, it seems to me that the numbers likely represent more about the disparities that exist in society at large and not just issues that may exist at the school. And perhaps even by how these ratings are made. Washington Elementary is dual-immersion: Spanish-English/English-Spanish. In our 2-year experience so far it is clear that at-home learning engagement is very important. But really, that should be the norm regardless. And that would be the first place social disparities may play a role in driving down ones experience there. Without going too deep into things, the city of Richmond at-large has significant income disparities along typical racial lines but also has a working-class white community, that blurs those lines a bit. So while Washington Elementary is located in the small, much more affluent (and white) area of the city, the school does not receive the funding it would need to counter many broader social inequalities that exist. I do not feel the parents in such cases nor the school should shoulder that burden alone and be ranked by those stats. In our experience, Washington Elementary is a safe school, with quality teachers and administrators. The staff seem passionate and committed to creating a positive, progressive, dual-immersion learning experience.
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2020

I'm extremely satisfied with Washington Elementary & more than confused as to why this school on rates 2/10 as of my posting. Bilingual education at a public school price? Safe, quiet neighborhood? Friendly & helpful teachers? Yes please! Honestly baffled why this school isn't at least an 8/10 :)
Submitted by other on June 25, 2019

Very good, I think the school is welcoming and the principal has worked with me to resolve any issues I’ve had. The teachers are helpful and there’s a diverse teaching staff.
Submitted by other on June 18, 2019

School needs real work on curriculum, communication and leadership
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2019

Overall, I have good things to say about this school due to the difference I see in my children. They are doing well at this school and I feel I made the best choice possible.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2018

We started out this school year pleased but it has since gone downhill. Bullying goes ignored, even when constantly brought to their attention. There are lies and gaslighting. So many CDE violations it’s ridiculious and sad.
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2017

Soy una Madre que me involucro en las actividades de la escuela de mis hijos para ayudar al personal docente. Pero me gustaría comentar lo siguiente, la información que veo reflejada, es muy importante para saber los datos que la escuela cuenta, para saber de qué manera ayudar o fortalecer a nuestra escuela. En especial estoy muy orgullosa de que mis Hijos pertenezcan a la Escuela Washington de point Richmond porque ellos están integrados al programa de Doble Inmersión, que ha sido muy gratificante como mi hija de 11 años ya está en el nivel de niño fluente de inglés y español. Sin embargo no veo resultados o Datos de como los niños que pertenecen a este programa son los niños que tienen mayor rendimiento académico, yo lo he visto pero no hay información o datos que reflejen que la mayoría de los niños que pertenecen a este programa están mejor en el rendimiento académico. Estadísticamente cuando un niño está mejor académicamente tiene un futuro universitario. Que como padre es lo que luchamos para que nuestros hijos tengan la oportunidad de tener una educación universitaria, y creo que si de pequeños tiene la habilidad de tener un doble idioma serán niños con una doble arma de aprendizaje. Así que si en mi comunidad Escolar están Bien mis hijos Tendrán un futuro y estarán caminando por la dirección correcta.
Submitted by parent on July 24, 2017

Some teachers are good, others are not. You need to hope the principal likes you enough to place your kid in the more experienced teacher class. Education declines as kids are promoted. So many left early in career because of leadership.
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2017

Good - I believe the before/after-school Y-care program has been essential for working parents as it provides a nurturing and fun environment for the students year-round. Coming from Berkeley Unified School District where Alice Water's The Edible Schoolyard transformed the lunch program sets a high standard for all school lunch programs and outdoor school curriculum. Ideally, the students should have greater access to the Natatorium for swim classes year-round and Miller Knox Regional Park. The Richmond Museum, Golden State Model Railroad Museum, SS Red Oak Victory Ship and Rosie the Riveter Museum are all within walking/biking distance. It would be absolutely fantastic if the campus were to put in a lawn for soccer, football and other outdoor recreational activities.
Submitted by parent on September 12, 2014

Unfortunately, leadership is lacking. Pulled my daughter out after 4th grade and sent her to Olinda.
Submitted by parent on September 08, 2014

Qualified, dedicated, enthusiastic teacher retention is low. No leadership. The afterschool program is disorganized. Bathrooms are unsanitary. Sometimes your child is assigned to a competent teacher and sometimes they are not. My son would have been enrolled in the 6th grade class there this year but the program is compromised after 3rd grade. Too bad. The former principal was a gem.
Submitted by parent on November 09, 2013

Washington seems to have two very different schools on one campus: Dual Immersion (bilingual) and English only. Unfortunately, the English only classes are crowded (33 students to 1 teacher) with no aides and almost no volunteers in upper grades. Teachers deal with broken desks, windows and doors and are often missing state-mandated education materials (including textbooks). My child didn't have all her math books and materials until early December. Many of the teachers are excellent, but outside class the atmosphere is one of constant bullying which is tolerated by the principal. Even students who start physical fights, shout racist and sexist slurs, and throw things at adults are allowed back in school the next day. There's no clear code of conduct for the entire school and teachers are on their own. The free after school program (different from Y-Care) is plagued with the same discipline problems and high staff turnover. There have also been too many intruders on campus, including men who aren't parents or staff. We didn't feel safe there and were very disappointed.
Submitted by parent on August 04, 2013

Washington's dual immersion program is a gem! My son is entering 6th grade this Fall and has been in the program since kindergarten. He has had one terrific teacher after another -- the program attracts not only seasoned professionals who have continued to build their skills as dual immersion educators, but we have also had inspired, energetic Teach for America teachers who have been terrific. This is a great program and school for families who want their children to be bilingual and biliterate.