Dewey Elementary School

3251 Rosecrans Street

School District

San Diego Unified
Grade

K-4
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

School Map for San Diego 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 15, 2020

This school is in a perfect location for military families. It could be a great school, but the principal and PTO are terrible. They don't care about students and won't allow any space for improvements. Its really sad.
Submitted by other on April 25, 2018

As a grandparent to a military family this school is very active in assuring the safety and great education level for every student even when the staff is challenged with many children of a large diversity of backgrounds. School administration is caring and focused on the care of it's student body.
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2018

I strongly disagree with the reviews below. Dewey has been the best school my children have attended and we attend a lot of schools didn't I constant military moves. I love the fact that the school is majority military because my children can relate with their peers. The few women I met that volunteer at the school constantly have brought an art program back that the children love. This is a huge plus because California funding has taken Art out of schools. I helped with a few PTO events and the leaders of the board were very nice and inviting. I was nervous to volunteer as most parents are but they made me feel very welcome. The office staff is exceptional and always helped me with anything I needed right away. The Principal is the sweetest lady I have encountered at any of the schools we have been to. I don't understand why people choice out of the neighborhood. All I can think of is the rumors that I've heard of while living in military housing and theyre completely false. My child loves the science lab and I wish my older children could've experienced this in elementary level. The military liaisons are also very helpful and informative. I recommend Dewey 100% and am sad we have to leave to our next duty station. The staff is A+ and always make you feel like family.
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2018

I'd rather leave my child to learn in a cardboard box on the streets than take her back here. She was getting physically assaulted on a daily basis and I was told they couldn't do anything because she was too scared to give names. They lost my child for HALF AN HOUR and didn't even bother to call me! Just casually mentioned it at pick up as if it should be no big deal. They also lost one of her classmates at the end of the day because they didn't know who they sent her off with. They told me she was behind (which is laughable considering they were still learning to trace letters at the end of the year) yet when I switched schools it comes out that she was actually already meeting end of year standards and they were either too lazy or just didn't care enough to give her academically appropriate materials. You'd be better off leaving your child with a pack of hungry lions. Look into public charters instead! Free and you don't have to do choice.
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2018

GO ANYWHERE ELSE! This school is terrible with their "leadership". But the teachers I interacted with were AMAZING! I feel so bad that they have to work in those utterly disgraceful conditions.
Submitted by parent on November 03, 2017

Terrible. Take your child anywhere but here unless you can get Mrs. Bill or Mrs. Cristal, the only two good teachers at this school in my opinion.
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2017

Don't let the rating fool you. This is a joke of a school. Your children will not get a well rounded education here. In fact, if you move them anywhere else, they will very likely be very much behind on even the basics. They are literally taught to the test. It's English and Math for hours on end. The word lists are very simple and not the least bit challenging. Children are not pushed to their fullest potential here. If you have a gifted child, this school will NOT be a good fit. If you have a child with a learning disability, they will be passed along the grades easily which is a plus for many. They claim that they have all of these extras. But, if you ask the teacher how often they actually get to have these extras, like time in the science lab, more often than not there is an excuse as to why they weren't able to go. The art class is very overhyped. It's run by a parent who literally throws together silly projects for the kids to do last minute. She has her hand in so many pots that she doesn't actually have time to teach like a real art teacher would. History is also pretty non-existent here.Some of the classrooms have children that are known to be violent to the point that the class has an evacuation plan when said child goes off the rails. If a child curses classmates or their teacher, hits and screams they will simply be sent home for the day. But they will be back to do it again the next day.The only upside is that there are a handful of wonderful teachers who are unfortunate enough to have been stuck here by district. The administration is a failure at best. The Principal does nothing. Literally. She can't even make her own decisions. She leaves them to her assistant, who is rude and sits around and gossips with school volunteers about children and their families. The PTO is absolutely the most pathetic parent teacher group I've ever come across. They have no life outside of the school and in turn will openly judge parents for not spending every breathing moment there, even if they do volunteer often. It's never enough. Very unfriendly!!!! They board all scream at one another and throw huge tantrums even when school is in session with children right next door and the Principal does absolutely nothing about it. She's made it very clear that she doesn't care and if any parent or volunteer is unhappy or shocked at how the school is run and the things that go on here, she says they can take it to the Superintendent but since she has close connections that, nothing will be done.Choice your kids out, homeschool them, do anything else. But if you care about your children, you will not send them to this school!
Submitted by parent on August 10, 2017

My daughters (a 3rd grader and one in TK) went to school here and we had a very good experience. I was also skeptical at first because from first glance, the school doesn't look like much because it looks run down in general, and their playground area looks pretty sad. But the teachers that my daughters had were amazing and we were very happy with both of the teachers. I wish my third grader was given more homework and projects (I know...something most of us parents don't want) because I did feel like she wasn't challenged enough. I definitely admire the PTA crew in this school because they seem to work tirelessly to help the children and the school. They were outside everyday after school, selling stuff, and they really try their best to put up events for the kids. We went to movie nights every time they had them and my daughters enjoyed hanging out with their classmates at school while watching a movie and relaxing. My biggest complaint would be that the teacher/student ratio seems pretty high, but in a state that's facing education cuts like crazy, I guess that's expected. The bathrooms also were always disgusting. But, overall, we had a good experience, and I would still recommend this school to others.
Submitted by parent on July 12, 2017

At first I was very skeptical. But my child attended two grades here and I am so glad we gave Dewey a chance. The teachers were amazing, understanding and pushed my child the extra mile when they knew he needed it.
Submitted by principal on May 04, 2016

Thank you to the Art Moms , who have managed to volunteer to implement the Art Attack program for the whole school! The kids love it!
Submitted by parent on September 12, 2014

What can I say about Dewey other than it is convenient if you live in military housing. It is a school for military kids and the school is a high poverty sponsored organization. The teacher are grumpy and sour faced on a daily basis. A smile and friendly hello wouldn't hurt them every so often. I drag me feet wanting to take my kids to this school. If it weren't for the process of an IEP that took two years to sign papers and initiate, I would have used CHOICE and put my children into a better school. They don't honor their IEP obligations and have yet to start as promised and legally signed to do. Dewey is exactly what you would expect it to be.
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2014

We are a military family and have found Dewey to be a fantastic school for our child! Even though there are struggles with funding, they manage to find available resources to improve the quality of education to the students. Our daughter has experienced both 1st and now 2nd grade teachers and they are FANTASTIC!!
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2013

This is the second year our child has attended Dewey Elementary and we have absolutely no complaints! The office staff, teachers, volunteers and leadership at this school are very respectful and pleasant to work with. The parents are also very involved with school activities. Dewey is very family oriented and understanding of the military lifestyle, which is very much appreciated in a military community.
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2013

This school has one major disadvantage. The office staff. They are rude, dismissive, and unfriendly.
Submitted by other on August 06, 2013

Dewey Elementary School is a special place for children to explore, learn and be challenged with the great teachers, administration and parent organization. It is a special place and a great Elementary school.
Submitted by parent on June 09, 2013

No complaints what so ever in regards to the leadership and academic aspect of Dewey. Caring and consistent Teachers as well as a great Principal.
Submitted by parent on November 29, 2012

My daughter's teacher is enthusiastic with making sure that she will have the help she needs while attending Dewey to make sure she doesnt "slip through the cracks" like so many children do. The principal is very caring towards the students. My daughter is always happy about the activity that she has at the school on a daily basis.