Cold Spring Elementary School

2243 Sycamore Canyon Road

School District

Cold Spring Elementary
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:9
Type

public

School Map for Cold Spring 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 principal on March 30, 2022

The Cold Spring School District Board, Teachers, and Staff are EXCEPTIONAL at staying focused on meeting the individual needs of every student through a whole-child approach to teaching and learning! It is an honor to lead such a dynamic team!
Submitted by parent on November 26, 2021

We have had our children attending Cold Spring for over 6 years. The community and the school has had its ups and downs like so many in recent years. Over the last 4 years the leadership, teachers, support staff and parents have all made this school community a great example to follow for any other school that would like to achieve the highest levels of quality education, service, and excellence for our children. Looking forward there is a bright future for the children and adults committed to this incredible place.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2021

We moved here from Los Angeles and have found the school, teachers and administrators to be the best in the field.They really care about their students.The parent community is very involved and supportive.Cold Spring is smaller than Montecito Union and, as such, can really give their students more individual attention.We really couldn't have asked for a better school for our children.
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2021

Cold Spring Elementary is an absolute gem of a school in every category. The teachers and administration go above and beyond to make sure each student is reaching their academic potential while feeling fully supported and loved. We had attended private schools in LA for years and can safely say this is better than a private school education while reaping the benefits of close community learning environment. The teachers as well as Dr. Alzina know each kid personally and really spend the time to organize a learning plan that suits every learning style. The specialty courses ( steam, art, music) are top notch. We feel very lucky to be part of CSS!
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2021

Schools like Cold Spring Elementary School just don’t exist anymore. We have multiple children at CSS and every teacher our children have is better than the last. The administration preaches kindness and love and that wonderful sentiment has definitely rubbed off on my children. Such a magical little school.
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2021

Cold Spring School never ceases to amaze us. This fantastic little school nurtures a love of learning and has helped our children blossom. The teachers and the specialist programs (STEAM, Art, Music) are above and beyond what most private schools are able to offer and the dedication of the administration is noticeable and appreciated. We have two very different learners, both of whom have received individualized attention that has made such a difference in their little lives, and ours. The teachers KNOW our kids. They live in the community and they are passionate about what they do.It’s hard to nitpick, but if I’m providing an objective review, the only negative of CSS that we’ve experienced is a very small amount of seemingly entitled families (maybe 2-3?) who love drama and are eager to turn our wonderful community into the next “real housewives.” They’re the minority though. Most families are very inclusive, kind and helpful. The school does a fabulous job of ensuring the kids feel a sense of belonging and take pride in being good citizens of the world. Thank you Cold Spring. I’d give this school 10 stars if I could.
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2021

I have two children at Cold Spring school and am astounded by the quality of the teaching, leadership and academic excellence of the school. I grew up in this community and attended private schools and we looked at private schools before entering Cold Spring. I can honestly say I think the school far exceeds nearly any public or private school in SB County. The teachers at Cold Spring are highly professional, caring, creative and committed. The administration works tirelessly to support students and families both academically and emotionally. And most importantly, students at Cold Springs are happy and excited to go to school. My children love their school and their teachers and are excited to attend every day. The community is also highly engaged and warm and and inviting. It's really a wonderful school environment and are very grateful to be a part of it.
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2021

Cold Spring School is a rare gem in the Montecito community. Every student is truly valued and loved from the minute they step onto the campus by the administration, teachers and staff.
Submitted by parent on December 21, 2020

Cold Spring School is a wonderful place for children, I'm so grateful that we made the move to this school! They address the needs of the students as individuals- getting each kid what they need to thrive. And I love that they focus a lot on emotional wellbeing and character development. The principal/superintendent, Dr. Amy Alzina, knows each and every student and is out in the front of the school greeting families and community members every morning. The teachers are outstanding! SO GRATEFUL!
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2020

The parent community has been and still is amazing and very giving. The teachers are top notch and very caring and committed to their students.The administration however is lacking in transparency and is not open to outside input.
Submitted by parent on February 15, 2019

Excellent! Like a private school but better both academically and socially.
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2018

Many Members of the faculty seem unaware of state and federal law and policy, The teachers are isolated from other schools and other at grade level teachers that’s no collaboration happens no self reflection happens no networking happens no connections or formed and in the end no accountability you can’t calls out someone’s on their accountability when you don’t have a measurement to compare it to
Submitted by other on May 18, 2017

My children and our family loved this neighborhood school. Warm parent community. Excellent educational opportunities (art, P.E., tech, music). The school went through a turbulent period under the leadership of a former superintendent/principal and changes to the curriculum and the way they were implemented. Per other reviews, "top" families did leave the district during this time, but they weren't "top" because of income. They were "top" because they gave a lot of time and energy to the school as volunteers. You never want to lose families like that. Overall, this is a great school with caring, dedicated teachers, involved parents and kind children. One flaw is that the school is not very diverse racially or economically which is reflective of the way many S.B. elementary schools district lines are drawn and the income gap in our society. Our kids and (we as parents) met lifelong friends here, wonderful people who care about the moral and academic development of their children. I can't say what the school will be like under the new leadership, but there are still great teachers and parents there, so I hope they will work together to make it what it once was.
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2017

Cold Spring is a wonderful school! There are a few strongly opinionated voices that are looking for people to blame for their own unhappiness. The FACTS are that this school has caring, competent educators and wonderful parents. The school focuses on the whole child, and not just how fast they can recite math facts. One of the previous comments says the school has lost "top families", I would ask how you define "top". I would also determine that by lost, you mean they went to private schools. The fact that you believe in a social hierarchy amongst the parents based on how much money they have shows that you are naïve and at the wrong school.
Submitted by other on February 07, 2017

This school used to be amazing. When Principal McCabe was here it was the top ranked school in the County. Under Price and board leadership, this school has dropped fast. There are still some good teachers, but the current climate at the school is anti-parent and anti-anyone who raises questions about spending that should be easy to answer like "We get $3million to educate 170 kids ($17K per kid - nearly $10K more than other public schools), how is it possible or acceptable that we are running a deficit when under McCabe the school put away $250K a year in savings?"If you care about this school, you should start asking that question, too.
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2017

This school is on a massive downward spiral. It's sad to see an outgoing superintendent just let it crumble. We'll fix it but I'll never forget how she allowed this place to suffer after her departure.
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2017

Under the (mis)leadership of Dr. Tricia Price, Cold Spring School has taken a nose-dive academically. Our math scores dropped after the school dismantled math leveling/differentiated instruction two years ago – a teaching practice that parents liked that had been so effective for so many years. Top families have left the school because their concerns were ignored. A group of teachers rally to quiet any parent who raises questions about their child’s education. “How dare they question us, we are the experts! Who do they think they are?” is commonly heard in conversations among some teaching staff. I’ll tell you who we are – we are parents and its our job to ensure our kids get the best education available to them. Our family has been at this school for more than four years and in that time we have seen a sad decline in the academic rigor we once loved. I’d give the school only one star if it wasn’t for the amazing kids from wonderful families that attend the school. And there is a light at the end of the tunnel, Dr. Price will not be returning in 2017-18 and so hopefully new leadership can return our beloved school to its former glory.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2013

School is about who contributes most financially to foundation. If you don't your child will not get the parts in plays etc. This school should be much better than it is. Small and initimate but very teachers are not strong This is about being accepted not about education
Submitted by other on February 19, 2013

I attended Cold Spring School all 7 years of elementary school and absolutely loved it! Cold Spring is known as one of the top elementary schools in the country, and for good reason as well! Even though it is a public school, there are only about 13-18 students in each class, and only 2 classes at most per grade level. The students and teachers are welcoming and friendly, and the playground and grass have recently been replaced and are clean and beautiful! I loved so much about this school, but I especially remember how I was never worried about my grades because the teachers would be so on top of their jobs that you would always know exactly what was going on. The teachers made lessons interesting and fun, and we took many field trips to further our knowledge. Highlights of my time at CSS included the 5th grade field trip to CIMI cove and the 6th grade trip to AstroCamp. Both were well-supervised, yet fun, and the food, activities, and entertainment were all amazing! I could not wish for a better elementary school for my future children to go to!