Witter Ranch Elementary School

3790 Poppy Hill Way

School District

Natomas Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:22
Type

public

School Map for Natomas 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 March 19, 2024

My child attends this school and I’m trying to get them out, my child has ASD and a few more diagnosis, she’s extremely vulnerable and the students take advantage of that. She’s relentlessly bullied on an almost daily basis by mostly boys and the school does nothing about it they even go as far as turning it on her, they call in the bullies to talk (only on a couple of instances) and then the bullies lie and they believe them leaving my daughter with no justice, she has almost learned to keep her mouth shut over there. When she told her teacher she responded with “that’s not my job” or “I don’t get payed enough for that” I since moved her to a different teacher. One instance I had to get the police involved for them to even slightly do anything when another female student did something really bad to my daughter. They said there wasn’t enough evidence, so I sent her to school with a phone so if I’m danger she can capture the evidence that she needed, she got the evidence but the principal saw she was recording and made her delete everything. When I confronted the school about her safety and that child They responded with “do you want her to switch schools” I put in the paperwork for a transfer and got nothing back. When my daughter tells somebody about what’s going on they just make the bullies apologize and that’s it. My daughter has gained anxiety and depression from attending this school on top of the other things she has going on. My child is different after coming here. She gets pushed to the floor kicked slapped hit with sticks and called names like ugly and fat and gross, a bully even told her that they are happy that her dad is passed away. They only want you to report bullying online and then they never touch the subject. They have a ZERO bullying policy but they certainly allow it. They want to see a pattern first and there definitely is a pattern and they still do NOTHING. My child is not safe here at this school.
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2022

My kids have been attending this school for the past three years. The teachers, principal and staff are amazing. They really care about their students. My kids love this school and are also excelling. Lots of fundraisers but they are used for worthwhile school events. The school is a very diverse community and diversity is celebrated and welcomed. The only thing for improvement is the pickup and drop off, still lots of speeding vehicles, and there are no parent volunteers to assist kids in crossing the street. But overall we are satisfied with the school.
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2022

I was going to give it one star but there are few caring teachers and staff there (Mrs. Cathy in the office is wonderful)! However, I am so happy my son is moving from this school to Paso Verde, where my daughter attends. They both previously attended Willett Elementary (you can't get any better than WIllett). So I was coming into this school with high expectations and I was deeply disappointed. I keep hearing the school has gone down, well I don't know how it used to be, but there are fights and bulllying all over. It is taken with a grain of salt and never really addressed. The academics are so/so. The drop off and pick off is crazy ridiculous. I'm surprised there haven't been any reports of children getting ran over. No one is out there to monitor where the cars go or the kids walking across the street. This is polar opposite from Paso Verde, where there is a process and staff out there to make sure the children are protected while getting picked up and dropped off.
Submitted by parent on April 08, 2022

Witter is relatively small, but a good school with caring teachers. The community is wonderful and safe.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2020

My daughter and I appreciate this school very much. The Principal and teachers care a lot about the students. Teachers spend a lot of time outside of the classroom to run fundraising events. Equipment such as computers is not lacking. The school feels safe and the students are nurtured.
Submitted by parent on January 13, 2020

I have sent four children to this school and my last one will finish this year. This school has went steadily downhill over time. Several excellent teachers have left and the GATE program was canceled. Physical combat is the norm. The last time that I walked onto campus a kid was throwing another student to the ground and punching him as a small crowd chanted “mini NMS!” This was right in front of me in the middle of the courtyard. Do your child a solid and send them somewhere else.
Submitted by parent on February 15, 2017

My kids had great teachers and received great instruction from k-5th grade. lots of fun events for the whole family. We loved our time at Witter!
Submitted by other on May 03, 2016

My boys attended this school and we had a great experience. The teachers are all very friendly and office staff is pretty nice as well. I think what I liked a lot about the school is the technology that is available to the students. Both my boys became very computer efficient because of the technology that was used by the teachers. The only complaint I would have is that the school is pretty open. Meaning that anyone can get onto campus through various gates which concerns me. But overall, great school.
Submitted by parent on July 09, 2015

My child just finished Kindergarten at Witter Ranch. I dont have any real complaints other than the teacher showing favortism and her inability to assist the students who are behind. The speech therapist and learning center teacher are all wonderful. The 4th R after school program, as well as the Firefly after school porgrams are great. My only real complaint is that some of the teachers are status quo.
Submitted by parent on September 12, 2014

This school is great. I'm too familiar with the district cuts and it's essential for parents to be involved for this school to continue to be great. I love Mrs. Calhoun who is great and is teacher of year. I can see why :) I minus one star because the new principal needs to find another school to run. Very insensitive and he comes off very condescending. The plus is the teachers are great and my child is flourishing.
Submitted by parent on August 14, 2014

MY DAUGHTER JUST STARTED 3RD GRADE AND EVERY TEACHER SHA'S HAD HAS BEEN GREAT UNTIL WHAT I HAVE SEEN FROM THIS ONE. THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL SHE LOOKED LIKE SHE ROLLED OUT OF BED AND CAME STRAIGHT TO WORK. NOT A VERY GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION TO MAKE ON YOUR STUDENTS OR THEIR PARENTS ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. THE OLD PRINCIPAL RETIRED (WAY OVERDUE), WHICH IS GREAT BECAUSE JUST LIKE MOST OF THE REVIEWS STATE SHE WAS VERY RUDE AND UNAPPROACHABLE. I AM HOPING THE NEW PRINCIPAL IS BETTER, AND SO FAR HE SEEMS TO BE. I KNOW IT IS ONLY 2 DAYS INTO THE NEW YEAR BUT I WAS ALREADY ABLE TO SPEAK WITH HIM ON THE PHONE AND HE LISTENED TO ALL OF THE CONCERNS I HAD ABOUT THE NEW TEACHER AND GENUINELY SEEMED TO CARE, I NEVER WOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE OLD PRINCIPAL ON THE PHONE. MY DAUGHTER'S K-2ND GRADE TEACHERS WERE ALL EXCELLENT AND I AM HOPING THAT HER NEW 3RD GRADE TEACHER TURNS OUT TO BE BUT BASED ON WHAT I HAVE SEEN THE FIRST 2 DAYS SHE HAS A LONG WAY TO GO. THE FIRST DAY MY DAUGHTER ASKED WHY SHE WAS WEARING PAJAMAS. DAY 2 WAS THE SAME THING WITH A DIFFERENT COLORED T-SHIRT. KIDS NEED A GOOD ENVIRONMENT TO LEARN IN AND THAT STARTS WITH A PROFESSIONAL TEACHER, WHICH I HAVEN'T SEEN SO FAR THIS YEAR.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2014

Teachers are very active in helping the students succeed in anyway they can. Because of shortages of sorts, plenty of things were cut, but they slowly seem to be coming back. Would like to see more parents be involved, feel that would make a big difference.
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2013

Great school, my child was very well prepared for middle school. Kuddos to the wonderful and caring teachers at Witter Ranch.
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2013

This school does not stand beihind the no bullying policy. Nothing is done to the kids that bully other than a slap on the hand. The kids here are just as bad as any inner city public school. The principal is set in her ways and does not have any desire to act on a parent's concern. Removing my children as soon as possible.
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2013

I very much appreciate this school and it's environment. My son is in the 6th grade GATE program Each and every year since kinder we have been very satisfied with the teachers. We have had wonderful teachers and have been satisfied with any items that have been escalated to administration. They appropriately deal with issues and manage the school effectively.
Submitted by parent on July 17, 2013

I love this school. Teachers are well trained and excellent. They do whatever it takes to meet the needs of your child. The teachers collaborate and trade classes to teach a subject . They will trade students for a specific subject as well. They don't teach to the test, but the school's test scores speak for themselves. They teach to the student. If your child is below grade level,proficient or advanced, it doesn't matter, they will meet your child where he or she is at. The office staff is very friendly and helpful. The PTA is active and does a good job raising money. The school gives off the impression that they are always striving to be better. The one issue with this school is traffic congestion. We are thankful for Witter Ranch.
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2013

My son is in 2nd grade here, and he loves it! The teachers are great, and the neighborhood around the school is very safe. I haven't had any problems with the principal at all, and the administration in the office is very helpful. I've called a few times with questions, and they're always warm. If they don't have the answer right away, they'll find it for you. This is a great school.