Manuel De Vargas Elementary School

5050 Moorpark Avenue

School District

Cupertino Union
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
Type

public

School Map for Cupertino Union School District

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 11, 2022

My two kids attended De Vargas for about two years. My older kid had Ms. Simpson, Ms. Connors and Mr. Tatman, who were all competent and caring teachers. So he had a normal elementary school experience. But my younger son was not so lucky because of his 2nd grade teacher. Shortly after the kid transferred to her room, she accused him of plagiarizing a math solution from another kid, and her evidence was the similarities between how the numbers were written. The kid (7 yo!) insisted that he didn't plagiarize, but the teacher was adamant that he did. The kid was frustrated, and he voiced his displeasure because he thought he was wrongly accused. Rather than letting it go, the teacher doubled down, and it got to a point that it seemed like she was hellbent on proving her case, and she demanded an apology from the kid. The whole ordeal was hard on the kid, so my wife and I told the kid to apologize to her in an attempt to put an end to it and move on, which he did. But she continued making similar complaints and accusations, at which point I insisted that she meet with me and show me the proof she had for all her accusations. I went in to the meeting with an open mind because if my kid plagiarized as she has accused him, I needed to know for a fact so that we can help him to avoid it in the future. Her evidence and explanation was so flimsy, and when I pressed on more concrete evidence, she kept doubling down and changing goalposts. I came out of the meeting furious and I was determined to take him out of De Vargas.After several such incidents with this teacher, the kid started hating school, and it became very difficult during COVID lockdowns. The next year, his 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Chow, got some help with counseling with Ms. Alma (who is phenomenal), and it took over a year for him to go back to his normal self. He is now at a different elementary school, and he has blossomed into a smart and cheerful kid. All schools have bad teachers, but no caring teacher would try to destroy a 7 yo kid's morale for her own ego boost. The kid probably didn't know what plagiarizing meant, and what did she accomplish by putting him through such a torture?! If her evidence were to be presented in court, a judge would through it out and scold her. If you get this teacher as your kid's teacher, keep a close eye, and question everything.
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2019

Our daughter has been going to De Vargas since TK. Every teacher she has is awesome! They seem to genuinely care about the students and love teaching. We are very happy with this school.
Submitted by parent on August 07, 2019

Ms Lyon improved my kid social skills and learning skills and we are overall happy.
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2019

I have two girls attending DeVargas, both have great experience at school. I am very impressed with principal how much devotion he has provided to the school. He came up with new project ideas for students to try and explore. And he can remember students' names by heart, which means he really spend good amount of time with the students. Teachers created an environment that encourage student leadership, individual critical thinking, teamwork with roles and responsibilities. I think these will benefit all students in long run. Shout out to Mrs. Robert from TK class. I can see a big transformation with my little girl before and after TK year. Now she is at 2nd grade, she said she still misses her.
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2018

My son has been going to DeVargas for 5 years now and we've had a wonderful experience with all his teachers. The project based learning ensures that students are not confined to any one area and develop lateral thinking. A special shout out to his teacher in 1st and 2nd grade, Ms. O'Rourke who really helped with a solid foundation in Math.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2018

De Vargas is well balanced school with teacher who care a lot. I have had 3 years of experience with the school and really like it. The project based learning is interesting. The school has also many after school attractions that kids are looking forward to. I highly recommend the school.
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2017

I have two kids, both had great experience at the school. The extracurricular activities, PTA interaction is commendable and unlike other schools, parents are not burdened with high or frequent donation requests.
Submitted by parent on August 15, 2017

I have two kids, one in kindergarten and another in second grade. They both really loved school. The teaching and eye for details of teacher towards each kids is amazing. Ms. Matsis and Ms. gennis are the hems in the jewel. This year we moved to sfo but my both kids are missing de Vargas school because of only their great teachers.
Submitted by parent on April 01, 2017

My daughter went to De Vargas from 3rd to 5th grade. All her teachers were caring and instilled knowledge and social responsibility to the students, so we were delighted, but a special mention must be made for Mr. Tatman, who was her teacher in 5th grade, and who is the shining star of this school. Another parent in this forum described his superb educational style excellently, and I agree that there are not enough adjectives in the Enlish language to describe what an amazing educator he is.
Submitted by parent on November 18, 2014

One can easily distinguish a good school from bad because all the good schools have these things in common: the teachers treat their students with certain level of respect so that students can learn self- respect and dignity; and the teachers and the principle are genuinely interested in what the parents have to say and they will actively address parent concerns. This is far from being the case with Ms. Tyson the current principal and most of the teachers at this school. There are a few dedicated teachers (especially the younger teachers and the male teachers) and there has been some efforts to bring in new programs and to diversify student curriculum. But there is still a lot of room for improvement.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2013

The Best school. Teachers give an warm and homely environment to the kids. My son was in ELD Program , I was very worried how he would learn the language. But the way Ms. Ligocki helped him patiently is awesome. Although he is been moved to his neighborhood school, he still misses De vargas. I also have to give a lot of credit to Ms.chow and Ms. Johnson for their efforts to help my daughter too. Thanks to De vargas and all of them Associated with the school :)
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2013

I like so much this school. when my daughter started school she is not having confidence but end of the year she was a confident girl.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2013

A great, healty enviroment for the kids, especially coming from private preschools. Teachers are very good, and ther is a new wonderful Principal. Go De Vargas!