Horace Mann Elementary School

55 North 7th Street

School District

San Jose Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

public

School Map for San Jose 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 February 08, 2016

Test scores are not the only, nor are they the best measure of student success! If you're looking for high test scores, then go to a school that teaches to the test. At Horace Mann, students are taught how to be life-long learners using the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program. The students are active participants in their learning, with an enthusiastic team of teachers and support staff working together to help all of the children progress. There are many after school clubs and activities for the students sponsored by the PTO, parents work with teachers to bring art into the classrooms (despite a lack of district funding), and non-native Spanish speaking students have a weekly Spanish class. The school has an amazing facility with a jewel of a library, two computer labs, and a multipurpose room with a stage for student productions. Special events like Multicultural day, Day of Science, and community read-ins all support building curiosity and enthusiasm for exploring the world. The diversity of the student body and the staff are a great asset to this downtown school. Our kids haven't had any problems with bullying, and in fact report that the staff are quick to head off problems and work with the students to promote positive peer interactions. My experience volunteering at the school has shown me a lot of the behind the scenes effort from the teachers and administration, and I am constantly amazed with how much they do with such a limited amount of resources and so many needy kids. Don't base your opinion just on test scores - they don't tell you the whole story. Call the school for a tour and meet with the staff - that will give you a much better picture than the numbers.
Submitted by teacher on April 21, 2014

Horace Mann is the only IB school in San Jose Unified. Students are encouraged to learn 2 languages and have classes where they learn a new language. Additionally, students learn about relevant current day topics that relate to the world around them. They have opportunities to engage in topics from Science and Social Studies integrated into their weekly lessons. The students also have art and music and Computers at least 3-4x per week. Students here have a multitude of opportunities to go on field trips and they have play works during recess and lunch. Overall, teachers at Horace Mann work hard to help students learn and grow. It is an exciting place for students to be.
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2012

A committed community of parents, teachers and administrators have created a learning environment that touches all aspects of learning. Using the International Baccaulaureate Primary Years Programme to highlight positive character traits and learning through inquiry and discovery,, the school has been able to teach beyond the standard requirements. That, paired with weekly art lessons, school choir, Lego robotics club,, and a top notch spring musical, this downtown public school has achieved what others only dream about- teaching the whole child. I couldn't ask for more.
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2011

Terrible!!! This school is only concerned about the lowest common denominator-kids who do not speak English. The bullying was so bad we had to move our kids to another school. Do not send your kids here-try Hacienda or Booksin-much better test scores too.
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2011

I love the school!! My kids feel safe, are thriving, have a lot of confidence and great friends who respect them. Last year's Spring Musical, "Annie jr." really ignited their love for theatre and acting. Every parent has an opportunity to let their wants/needs know; all it takes is a positive attitude and a willingness to share those at the PTA's board meetings. The new principal, Ms. Vanderhorst is a very promissing new leader of this wonderful neighborhood school. She is already streamlining some processes. I am glad that my kids are growing up in a very diverse environment. If all parents realize that together we can build an even better school for our kids, by joining forces, this school can really reach it's full potential.
Submitted by parent on July 13, 2011

This school is so bad, my kids wanted out, but it was too late to transfer them. Before the "snowplow" moms took it over, it was ok. Working parents pretty much have no say in anything that goes on. My kids were harrassed and the admin. did nothing about it. We went to the district police, and that almost put a stop to it. Oh, and the gangs....they are everywhere! Overall, not a good experience.
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2011

My children have enjoyed their experiences at the school and have done well academically. Both have scored advanced on their CST's every year. While students have always learned California State Standards at this school, the quality of instruction (differentiation, IB) has improved every year. The school also offers a variety of extracurricular activities as well, such as choir, lego club, spring musical, mariachi, and folklorico. There will be a new principal at the school in the fall. A committee of parents, teachers, and staff of the school will be part of the process of selecting a new, more effective leader of the school. The parent organization is lead by a group of dedicated parents who try very hard to engage the whole community. It has been a frustrating process to get other parents to volunteer for leadership positions in the organization and to get parents to spearhead activities that they would like to see at the school. There appears to be a group of parents who don't understand that the PTO cannot fund activities that aren't connected to the school and thus think it only funds activities it wants. These parents also don't communicate, but complain loudly.
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2011

THis school is not very good. My son is smart, so he was teased alot. Also, principal not very good either. He don't take care of problems when started. Some teacher are good, but some really bad, need to retire or move to different job. Not very niceto kids. Some of the parents control alot of things at this school and decide things only for their kids. Overall, you should try different school.
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2011

This school has many great attributes. Among them are the teachers and many of the parents. However the parent organization is tightly controlled by a small number of people who do not represent the population of the school. Also the International Baccalaureate Program implemented at the school is a liberal methodology that teaches that there is no right or wrong way of thinking and has its origin from pacifist principles. When I was a kid, I learned that I was a citizen of the United States, not a citizen of the world, as they do at Horace Mann. Finally the school district does not allow children who are excelling to move ahead. They all must learn a topic for the same amount of time. This, in combination with restraints placed on the school because it is in Program Improvement status, has caused my child to learn how to become bored about learning. It may also contribute to the violence on the play yard and in the classroom. When children are bored they stop listening to their teachers and begin to goof around and pick on others. None of these negatives are within the control of the principal or teachers, who do a great job of working with the tools they are given.
Submitted by parent on October 26, 2010

Do not send your kids here-it is full of kids that are rude, mean spirited, and below average. If your child is above average, there is nothing special here for them. It was ok up until about 3rd grade, and then my kids were constantly harassed and teased-nothing was done about it. There is no "science" or "technology"-it's all a big lie. If I could afford private school, I would have transferred them, but we were stuck until 5th grade. Thankfully, we got into a great Junior High, away from the "gang" mentality of the kids at Horace Mann.
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2010

The parental involvement at Horace Mann has really made this school great. Parents volunteer to teach a top notch art program and fundraise/volunteer to help support other great programs like drama, choir, PlayWorks, ballet folklorico, Japanese/Mandarin lessons and more. The atmosphere is safe and supportive and I love the fact that the school is in the heart of downtown. Kids walk to field trips at the Art Museum, Tech Museum, Discovery Museum and to see professional shows like SJ Ballet. As an International Baccalaureate school, the curriculum emphasizes self inquiry, compassion for others and and understanding of our role in the world. Couldn't be happier with the school.
Submitted by student on March 25, 2010

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Submitted by parent on March 22, 2010

my children used to go to horace mann alamentary school its such a wonderfull school the teachers are excelent .. and i felt very safe leaving my children there ...
Submitted by parent on October 31, 2008

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Submitted by parent on August 31, 2007

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