Toro Park Elementary School

22500 Portola Drive

School District

Washington Union Elementary
Grade

K-3
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

public

School Map for Washington Union Elementary 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 25, 2024

We love Toro Park elementary school. The teachers here are amazing. They have OT, soeech therapist, and dedicated teachers to work with children with special needs.
Submitted by parent on November 02, 2023

Do not send your child here they may be bullied by the principal and teacher. This must be the same principal as the previous review. What I thought would be a good opportunity turned out to be an awful mistake to send my child here. Hope its a better experience for other families.
Submitted by parent on August 13, 2022

I was so disappointed in my families experience with this school. Overall, communication is horrendous. No one knows what’s going on until it’s already happened. But my biggest issue is with the principal. She is the most unprofessional person I’ve ever interacted with. Instead of being willing to listen and problem solve, she is adamant she is right and because it’s public school, she has no problem being disrespectful and emotional when faced with questions and concerns.Blue and Tanya in the office are shining lights on campus. They are kind, helpful and genuinely care about families and the kids. I was also extremely dissatisfied with the special services my child received and did not receive any updates all year from that particular department until I specifically requested a summary of the year.As far as the teachers go, i can only speak with those I personally interacted with but as for them - I think they are fine if you have an average child who will never need more than basic emotional or developmental support.
Submitted by parent on August 07, 2022

Have 2 kids in the district, and wouldn't go anywhere else. The scores compete with Carmel and PG. Great staff and principals. My boys have always been well taken care of. One of my sons has special needs: severe ADHD and OT needs. He has gotten great services and teachers who are willing to see him for who he is. Very happy here!
Submitted by parent on February 28, 2022

The teachers and staff are all amazing. They know you and your child by name. There is zero bullying tolerated there and very positive atmosphere. The parents are highly involved and keep parents informed. I am a working mom and have volunteered my time to help in class and field trips and can see how close the children are amongst all age groups and the staff do love the kids. It’s a family. My son is mixed race and am happy to see that their classrooms are diverse with all races, religion and cultures and fully embraced. Education exceeds expectations and scoring high above his academic level in math, science and English and having fun while learning. I am learning daily through him when I’m helping him with his homework. I love Toro Park School, and love to see that they are helping us raise emotionally intelligent and good little human beings.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2021

This is not the school for children who have gone elsewhere. They don't seem to give students who are performers any challenges. They don't have a real cafeteria. They give about 15 minutes of time for the kids to eat by the time they have sat down at the tables. Arrival and dismissal are poorly organized. Drop-off pick-up seems to have no coherent flow. busses in the car area and cars in the bus area. Drivers getting out of cars blocking traffic and double parking school buses.
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2021

I've had two daughters attend Toro Park Elementary. My youngest is still in attendance. My experience with the school includes being present before and during the COVID pandemic. My experience has always been positive even in the hardest of times. The staff and teachers have really gone above and beyond to connect with students. It has been a balancing act of teaching with constantly changing conditions. Leadership from the top down do focus on the best solutions for families. The superintendent, principal, and teachers are personable and responsive. There are many (almost too many) ways for parents to be involved. You can volunteer in the classroom, support WUEF or Parent's Club, help with events or be a part of the art program. Being a volunteer gives you an inside perspective to how the school operates, including it's funding changes and curriculum changes. There is great transparency here. There is also a strong connection to after-school sports and the community at large. If you are new, I recommend jumping in and getting your feet wet by volunteering. Families have known each other for years, which for some might feel cliquish but this is not my experience being brand new. The volunteer community is very welcoming and you quickly get to know everyone and realize we are all just busy families doing our best. Emotional and social development for the kids creates a very positive anti-bullying environment. More than that it encourages acceptance of differences. For example, the kids celebrate when friends get braces and they want to sit with the kid at the peanut-free table. I'm not saying teasing will never happen but kids actively want to identify as the "anti-bully." They also learn the difference between bulling and being a bystander from school assemblies. These occur regularly throughout the school year and are accompanied by parent's nights - where parents can attend and learn about these topics. These are young kids and rules will get broken - this is part of education. What is important to me is that I know this school has support for all situations and all families. There is a school counselor for available for mental health and behavioral issues. IEP's are regularly done for children with special needs. There are pathways for every child to find success. Finally, the school's useful technology keeps parents regularly connected and informed to what's happening inside the classroom and in the district-wide community.
Submitted by parent on June 18, 2015

Clean school, organized teachers, great families who are involved. My daughter's 4th grade teacher was excellent.
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2014

We love everything about this school. The location, teachers, principal, and families. We've had two children in the school and it feels like they are getting a private education. We couldn't be happier.
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2013

The school district is more concern on their reputation then the well being of the students. There is parent involvement, but it is very club like, cliquish, bullying atmosphere, even among the teachers. So it depends on who you know and how much you can donate to the school as to your overall experience. If you are not from this area and are looking to see where to place your children I would look else where, first. Such as Pacific Grove, Santa Cruz, Charter or private. On the topic of bullying, kids will do what they can get away with. If it is acceptable for parents to behave in such away, then those children will follow their example. As for parents we just want the best for our children, unfortunately, it is hard to come by in the area.
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2013

Toro park school is really great.... great teachers and staff, my daughter is also very happy and I can see her improving in her skills day by day.. overall I love this school.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2012

The parents carry this school. The admin does not return calls nor are they aware of many policies that should be common knowledge in their position. When an appointment is scheduled, the principal forgets. she has time to show out of district families around to view the school. I happen to know several families who view it with no intention of attending (just want to compare). Again, the families in general wonderful (well educated and able to supplement their child's/children's education). If you can not afford private school this is a good option because of the families. There is still a big issue with bullies.
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2011

I have two children at Toro Park Elementary and we couldn't be happier with the school, the teachers, and the overall school atmosphere. We live in Toro Park and are very proud to have this school. There is a true feeling of community and the teachers really appear to enjoy their job and their children. I know that sounds like a blanket statement, however we have not yet had any negative experiences after several years. All of our friends feel the same way and our kids are really enjoying school and appear to be learning a lot.
Submitted by parent on August 05, 2011

Great school. Dedicated teachers. Involved families. Beautiful facilities. Art, music, intermural sports...All things that you don't get at public schools anymore.
Submitted by parent on June 28, 2011

As a parent with a child entering kindergarten this year, I relied heavily on the experience of other parents, as well as the statistics from this site before deciding on Toro Park. I was disappointed to learn during orientation that while greatschools lists the average class size as 19, kindergarten classes are expected to have at least 25 children per class this year...and there are no teacher's aides. Parents participate in the classroom, but there is truly no substitute for professional educators being able to spend quality time with a small class of children. I am crossing my fingers that the class size thins out as people make their final placement decisions closer to the start of the year. Also, if the number of children qualifying for reduced lunch fees is calculated into the school's score somehow, this school shows 0%...because there is no cafeteria, so no lunch available for purchase, and therefore there are no lunch fees at all reduced or otherwise! Hopefully that is not artificially inflating their ranking.
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2011

Toro Park is by far the best public school in this area. Their test scores speak for themselves. There are a solid group of parents who are always there helping teachers, students, and other parents as well. The WEUF and Parent's Club are amazing and generate a ton of revenue to keep our popular art/ music/ technology and sports programs up and running. Toro Park is a very safe neighborhood and the school is in the center of it all. There are some amazing teachers which somewhat make up for the not so amazing ones, however, you get this at any school :( Tenure needs to be done away with!! Overall, I would highly recommend Toro Park School!!! I hope it continues to remain the small adorable little neighborhood school that it is today.