Noddin Elementary School

1755 Gilda Way

School District

Union Elementary
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:24
Type

public

School Map for Union Elementary 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 other on June 03, 2021

Our kids have been attending Noddin for five years now and we experienced all grade levels (from kinder to fifth grade). I realize that not all teachers are the same, but the teachers we have experienced loved their work and loved the kids. They worked above and beyond to help each child thrive. The school's educational approach echos positive discipline - there is focus on positive behavior and emphasis of success versus criticism and punishment. The school management, the teachers and the support team are flexible and will work with you to help your child. There are many opportunities to experience the real world through project based and team activities. There is an awesome STEM program with a well equipped lab room. Other extras we loved were the art and music programs. The community is highly involved with many dedicated volunteers and there are volunteer opportunities for working parents as well.
Submitted by other on January 14, 2021

The master stroke was no home work. Elementary kids needs to have a happy life rather than getting bogged down with homework. My son spent a lot of time mastering extra curricular activities piano, gymnastics etc etc. And learning many skills gave him confidence to take on studies easily and has been a consistent A student. Do less get more done - that is smart working. He learned to independently learn with little guidance. He did complain that some teachers hardly do much teaching and felt they need to hire better teachers. As with any school they some how end up hiring poor teachers and so does Noddin. If you are unlucky you get them. There should be accountability for the teachers and principal is responsible for it. The rating going down is a warning signal and business as usual wont work. Please do hire better teachers.
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2020

Excellent school with wonderful and dedicated teachers with great parent community.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2019

Used to be happy but quite disappointed with the school at this point
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2018

My grand son studies in this school. I am very thankful to the team, especially to Mrs. Tabayoyon for their dedication in bringing out the best in students.
Submitted by parent on April 06, 2018

Wonderful school with involved parents and supportive administration for teachers and students. Teachers seem happy and energetic and kids students are respectful.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2016

Noddin has one of the most dedicated parent communities I have ever experienced. The principal, office staff and teachers seem to promote a well rounded quality education and are committed to serving their students both academically and emotionally. The new principal is often found outside interacting and playing with the kids during recess time. We love Noddin!
Submitted by parent on October 15, 2015

Good school, nice and loving teachers, my kids love to go to Noddin. We just moved here a few months ago, they could not speak a word in English but they get along very well since than and both receive great language and learning support from the school.
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2015

So far so good. My kids have just started at Noddin - the thing I am most blown away by has been the community bonding. It seems the school has made a big effort to listen to the parents.I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but so far so good!
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2013

Amazing teachers and principal! My family moved away 2 years ago, and we miss it very much.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2012

Excellent public school all round, probably one of the best around. Even though my son has left Noddin, Noddin has been and will always be his #1 school. That says a lot, doesn't it?
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2012

Very strong overall. Very high API scores and yet an extremely diverse school population, with all income levels and a more or less even balance of US and Asian and Mexican, Persian and European immigrant families. Some of the principal's detractors here don't recognize that to get such results in this kind of social milieu, a school principal has to be strong and at times single-minded, without accommodating every parent's wishes. There are things we'd like to see more of, but we're realistic about the state of California public school budgets and about the limits of what's possible with such a wildly diverse school population, but it's preferable to a homogenous, upper middle-class bubble environment. Our kids will be well-prepared for any social environment they encounter, and their basic educational skills are rock-solid. Kudos to Noddin's leadership and teachers.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2011

Noddin is an excellent school. My son has been attending this school since the 2nd grade. The teachers and the principal are very dedicated to bring out the best in the students. I would highly recommend this school to any prospective parents.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2011

Noddin is very good elementary school and has been exceeding expectations year over year. I am simply amazed to see the kind of parents involvement, school has. It is like small community supported by dedicated teachers and parents. Principal is really great at her work and continues to raise bar and challenge. She is very convincing and know what's best for kids, which is her highest priority. It is her leadership and something new she initiated 2 years back, which has paid of as steep jump (38 points) in API which is unheard of, for a school which is already in 900 range.
Submitted by parent on January 12, 2011

Noddin is an outstanding school. The principal has very high standards, and is constantly challenging the teachers and students to do their very best. What I admire about the principal is that she is so passionate about the students , and wants them to have not only the very best education possible, but life experiences as well. I have read some of the criticisms of the principal, which I totally disagree with. I find her compassionate, approachable and a person who is never satisfied with things the way they are. She encourages students, teachers and parents to think "outside the box". Noddin has achieved very high test scores well over 900 consistently for the past few years. This year they scored 941!
Submitted by other on January 07, 2011

I have known the Principal since 1979 when she was an elementary school teacher in Salinas. What amazed me was how the students loved her and were so excited to learn. I have never known another teacher who could motivate the students so well. Judging by other reviews saying how excited the Noddin children are to learn, the principal has bought that passion with her and instilled it throughout the school.