Farnham Charter School

15711 Woodard Road

School District

Cambrian
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:24
Type

charter

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 November 04, 2023

This school is not the same post pandemic. Families are welcoming and seem to be even more helpful than administration. There is little hands on learning. Lots of worksheets! Lots of behavioral issues that seem to be an issue for a safe and healthy learning environment. Kids at all levels, but the teaching is to the median. If you aren't getting concepts than you will struggle, if you are ahead of the curve you will be bored. I would not recommend this school. Many new teachers and a lack of vision and goals from the leader of school. Also, extremely clicky staff!
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2023

This school is highly rated however our experience was an absolute nightmare. Our 5 year old son attended kindergarten here and while the school excelled at fun activities for them, they have a rampant problem of bullying and abuse from other students. I believe that the lack of supervision from the staff is a major problem. From the first week of school my son was repeatedly bullied and assaulted by kids in his class and other students. These issues transferred over to the extended day program as well. My son was slapped, punched, and told “everyone in this school hates you, and the child proceeded to curse at him” we spoke to his teacher, the extended day staff and the principal and even threatened to go to the district office because it seems like every attempt we made to prevent these incidents from happening, it would only stop it for a few days. Throughout the school year we had incidents like this happen at least once a week. On top of all of this, the teaching methods by his teacher were inadequate and he was falling behind. There are many great staff here and I’m sure the majority of parents and students do very well here, however after transferring him to another school my son is doing well, making friends and it’s easy to see the difference between the two schools. The reason I’m posting this is because even now, my son constantly talks about how the bullying and the physical abuse affected him, and he asks me what he did wrong for the kids to do that to him. It breaks my heart to know that his first year of school was so traumatic and my hope that this brings some awareness that Farnham isn’t all that great and there are some bigger issues that don’t get addressed like they should.
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2023

My son attended Farnham for 6 years and daughter currently attends there. The teachers, staff, down to the crossing guards make this a fun, welcoming, and nurturing place to learn.There is a lot of support not only for general students, but little ones with autism and behavioral challenges as well. Couple this with active parent volunteers and winning school spirit, you won’t be disappointed this amazing school learning environment.
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2022

Our son is extremely happy to go to school everyday. Teachers are very supportive and empathetic.
Submitted by parent on October 17, 2021

We are very happy with our school. Teachers are fantastic!
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2021

Creative teachers, with great environment for kids learning. Our son is so happy and excited to go to this school.
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2020

We have had a wonderful experience at our school. The teachers are fantastic and are doing above and beyond during the pandemic.
Submitted by parent on December 18, 2019

Awful! If you have a creative kids who wants to know the reason of everything and explore a lot this is not a good school for her .
Submitted by parent on July 06, 2019

We love this school so much! Teachers are amazing. A lot of activities including family and school events, field trips, school projects, after school classes. I cannot imagine a school better than ours!
Submitted by parent on March 27, 2019

I am very pleased with this school for both my children. They are getting a quality education and the school's faculty is very good.
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2018

I am pleasantly surprised with this school. I was doubtful to send my 2nd and 5th graders here. In a month's time, my doubts are gone. There is so much involvement from parents to keep it a good school. Unlike some of the south bay schools, there is no pressure on the kids, but right amount of homework and assignments.
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2018

I've been pleasantly surprised with Farnham! I was a little hesitant to send my daughter here at first because I went to top ranked schools growing up and felt I had a really high bar. I'm so glad I decided to go ahead with it because it's been great so far! I have found the other parents to be very friendly and welcoming and I haven't heard any complaints about school from my Kindergartener. Her teacher is wonderful with an amazing classroom. There are lots of activities and ways to get involved and it definitely feels like a community. Glad I chose to go the public school route.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2018

I have a 3rd and 5th grader at Farnham. They’ve attended this school since Kinder. We’ve had such a great experience. The staff and families are so welcoming. My children love going to school. The Farnham community is like no other. The Home and School Club is hands down the best! They go over and beyond for the school and families.
Submitted by parent on December 04, 2017

We aren't impressed. We are new to the area and find that our child, who previously excelled, is now flailing. The amount of work required for parents to keep up with apps, emails, printed notices separate login portals for the classrooms, admin notifications, lunch payment systems, after school and then general protocol is exhausting and we find the administration to be very unhelpful and at times simply rude. We're looking for other options.
Submitted by other on November 18, 2015

Farnham is great. We have lots of extra opportunities like, art, bank, choir, music, sports, Project Cornerstone, etc... too many to list. The teachers are amazing and the special education services are outstanding for those who need the extra help.
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2014

My son's school is wonderful! Farnham Elementary School teachers are kind, focused and organized! The Principal is very passionate with the students' curriculum and teachers needs. My son is very happy with his teacher and the guidance she provides to him. Farnham teachers always challenge the kids and help them grow, both academically and socially. It's a clean, organized and fun environment. Lastly, the Home & School Club team make it a great place to be!!! I would give it a high rating for the above reasons.
Submitted by parent on November 02, 2013

Our kids LOVE school. I know it is a rare thing these days but we have had outstanding teachers every year and so have all of their friends. We love the diversity, parent involvement, teachers and the administration. The communication is good and we get our questions answered right away, we also love the "Power Groups" where kids get to grow and be challenged at their levels. The teachers are some of the most engaging and caring anywhere. We moved from another nearby city just to be at this school once we saw the diversity and sat in a few classes (Which they allowed after we checked in with the office). Principal Nguyen is very organized and disciplined and runs pretty tight ship. Some might not like his style but we all have seen that he cares and has his own children at this school which we appreciate. Sure the buildings might be a bit older but its what happens inside the walls that matter for us and we love, love, love the teachers. We frequently recommend Farnham to our friends looking for great pubilc schools. In-fact all of the Cambrian schools are pretty awesome! Thank you Farnham for making our experience with school so GREAT!
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2013

Farnham Elementary is a very special school due to the teachers and involvement of parents. It is a testament to the the caliber of this school that most teachers (even those from out of district) have sent their children there. With perhaps one or two exceptions the teachers are committed, kind, and genuinely care. We have loved each and everyone of our kids teachers. A small group of overachieving parents do an amazing job with extracurricular activities, fund-raising, and supporting the teachers. I only wish there was a broader base of involvement. Unfortunately I cannot say great things about the leadership. The principal, shows a lack of consistency - at times his discipline is heavy-handed and at other times much too lenient. I have also seen him treat teachers with disrespect. I believe he still has a long way to go to become a good principal and if he is not careful will begin to lose the best teachers. On a positive note, he has put scores as a priority and managed to remove some of the kids with the worst behavioral issues. As a parent, I see my children thriving both educationally and in their level of confidence. All-in-all Farnham is a wonderful school.
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2013

There is a very unusual climate at this school. The principal (Nguyen) is VERY hands-off, abrasive, and rude. I've even witnessed his rude behavior to teachers at the school in front of parents. It's appaling that someone like that has been put in a managerial position. Such unprofessionalism would never be tolerated in the private sector.
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2013

Happy with the teachers, Mr Nguyen (principal) and the supportive environment. No one is perfect, but when I've needed to discuss issues with the staff I have been met with a "lots solve it together attitude". I feel the school is getting better and better.