Howard Pence Elementary School

877 Via Tonga Court

School District

South Bay Union
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:22
Type

public

School Map for South Bay Union 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 April 30, 2023

I love this school, I went to this school and is amazing.Staff are nice, teachers are there for students education.
Submitted by parent on December 03, 2015

Two of my kids have gone to Howard Pence so far, one for half a year of kinder and the other for half a year of kinder, 3rd grade and 4th grade.Positives: Mr. Daily is a great principal. He treats the kids with respect and disciplines fairly and kindly when necessary. Mrs. Gilbert-Magana had a positive teaching philosophy for my third grader. I appreciate that breakfast is served in the classroom, as this saves time and stress in the morning.Negatives: Uniforms are an unnecessary expense for some families and a distraction if kids aren't allowed to be comfortable in their own clothes. As much as bullying is talked about nowadays, I have found that not much is done to address incidents unless the parents make a stink about it.My biggest criticism concerns kindergarten classroom management techniques. Too much emphasis is made on correcting developmentally appropriate behaviors, such as goofing around or chatting too much with their classmates (remember these are 5 year olds), which I've observed to have a demoralizing effect on kids. The color code system also promotes a kind of herd mentality among peers. If you get a green card or better, you're part of a special club. Get yellow or red and you get made fun of. It's concerning that this method must ultimately be employed by teachers to keep the kids on track or test scores might slip.I ended up pulling my kindergartner from Pence due to unaddressed bullying and a teacher whose classroom management techniques I disagreed with.School should be more than test scores. It should be a place that encourages a love of learning, a safe place of loving encouragement and a no judgement whatsoever. Until that happens, our schools will continue to fail.
Submitted by other on November 18, 2015

Excellent school and excellent teachers my daughter's feel very safe in this school and happy and they have learned a lot in here mrs. Arancibia is an excellent teacher and mrs. Hernandez from first grade . Mr. Daily is an excellent principal...
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2013

My son is in 2nd grade and thanks to the teachers pushing my son to challenge himself with new things everyday he is an advanced student. He finished 1sr grade at a 3rd grade reading level. Mr. Daily is awesome he knows every student & is a motivator. Mrs. Arancibia to me is the best 1st grade teacher.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2013

Pence is not the school of choice. My three children attend this school and they all complain about the staff, the food, and their classmate. There is lack of respect. They spend on remodeling the school but not on education and making children feel comfortable. Their after school program also on the low end. The staff are kids taking care of kids.
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2011

teachers forget the reason why they majored in this field of liberal studies, which means the art of education, Educating the future generation of tomorrow , which is our kids. My son went to this school for almost three years , Kinder garden with Ms. Kinner was great, to bad she retired. She was an excellent teacher. For first grade he was also with another teacher that retired. Mr. Vaca, another great teacher who gave my son an award for student of the year. Then he started second grade with two female teachers sharing the class. Both where ready for retirement, or at least they taught like they should have been. They we terrible with kids. Lots of intimidation went on by them both. I too an a liberal studies majorlist, with a B.A. degree and I tell you, I would never apply to teach for a school who only sees there job as another pay check. They should never forget the reason why they decided to be teachers. To be prepare the future, our kids future as well as our own for when we retire.
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2010

so far I like what I see. My daughter just started kinder and I think her teacher Miss. A is great!!
Submitted by parent on July 27, 2009

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Submitted by student on October 14, 2008

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Submitted by student on September 28, 2007

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