Monroe Elementary School

431 Flora Vista Drive

School District

Santa Barbara Unified
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Santa Barbara 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 other on February 13, 2025

One of the office staff members who sits right next to the door in the front office, was very unprofessional and she became annoyed with a very simple request. She did not acknowledge me when I walked in and continued to stare at her computer as if she was too busy. She was unwilling to help me and did not prioritize helping me. She scoffed when I asked if the children could be walked to the office as I did not know where they were on school campus and she told me I needed to go find them to sign them out although she provided me with no information as to where the children were on campus. After this staff member called to have the after school program bring them to the office, I told her thank you and I appreciated her help. This staff member cut me off and began talking to someone else in the office. I then repeated myself and said thank you and her response was “mhmm.”After waiting in the office for 15 minutes, another staff member who was very kind went to locate the children and brought them to the office. When the children arrived to the office there was no sign out sheet from the after school program. I understand and appreciate school staff / teachers as they work very hard. I also worked on schools for 3 years and I know the office staff are very busy. I appreciate all their hard work but this experience was very uncomfortable and shocking. I have been in the office only a handful of times but when I walk in this staff member does not acknowledge me and continues to stare at her computer. I understand people have bad days but this is an ongoing issue I have witnessed.
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2024

We chose this particular school as my child was coming from another school in the district where she had experienced intense bullying based on her identity. My first tour of the school showed me what a supportive engaging school is like. We are ending our first year there and my child is not just thriving but excelling. With a focus on academics, inclusion, and equity with the supports in place to make those very real this is one of the very best schools in Santa Barbara. They have a very pro positive social behavior program that pretty much stops bullying before it can start. But if anything does happen the response is swift and appropriate. The principal sets the example by making sure all students, no matter what their background or ability gets the tools and supports they need to thrive academically, emotionally and socially. Can’t say enough good things about this school. My only regret is that we didn’t transfer sooner.
Submitted by other on October 28, 2015

Monroe School has an amazing Spirit program that provides each child a word of praise. Teachers choose about six students each of four times. By the end of the year all the students have received praise. The children are wonderful. I am volunteering in a second grade class. The teacher is exceptional and has the children working on cooperative learning in science, takes pictures of their work and has the class in complete control. It is a pleasure to be in her classroom.
Submitted by parent on June 30, 2014

Amazing school! My eldest child had an amazing expirience here! There were so many great programs this school offered such as mastery math and GATE. In adition, there were some less acedimiclaly inclined activities such as, Art, PE, Science, Computer skills., Vocal music, and Theather. However, as my younger child entered Monroe, I noticed these progams to slowly disingirate. The school is not like it was before. Still a good school, but I really wish things were back to how they were before . Howver, I must give credit that my older child who attend Monroe is now in high school and is achieving mosltly A's in Honors, AP, and College courses. I belive the bases to this excellent achivemnet is derrived partially from her alma mater, Monoe Elementary School.
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2014

Monroe is fantastic! We love the teachers and the principle. The ICann art program is amazing, The freshly painted ball court walls give the school a renewed since of pride, there is a lot of good happening. The organic garden is great, the PTA is hard working and very involved in fostering the best education for the scholars! It's a gem on the Mesa!!!
Submitted by parent on August 06, 2013

Over the last 15 years seven kids from my family (cousins) have all gone to Monroe.There are a few good things happening there still like the organic garden and music instruction and even the food in the cafeteria has gotten better!. But sadly this once great school is not what it used to be!!. So much that was good has been thrown away like Mastery Math program, Fifth Grade Shakespere, Sixth Grade Musical, the entire GATE program, and whatever other educational activities that apparently don't fit in with pursuit of the ALMIGHTY TEST SCORE. The current principal is VERYrude and unresponsive to parents, ineffective and plays favorites with student discipline, (bullying is now so common its part of the culture of the school!! It did not used to be!!) and has made the teachers miserable with MICROMANGMENT, busywork and intimidation. Many of the best teachers have left already, and most of the ones remaining seem stressed and burned out. I had two different teachers tell me this year that they were just putting in the time until they could retire in a year or two, is that who you would want teaching your child? .
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2012

My son went to this school last year and the first half of the year I was truly amazed! I loved all of the staff and enjoyed being involved in the classroom and with PTA events. In the second half of the year I became very ill and my son, who has ADHD, was acting out more in school. Although the teacher and principal worked hard to come up with a solution, testing was never done for him. His teacher often left him in the back of the classroom for over an hour or two because he would leave her and other children alone. Nearing the end of the school year his teacher was so worn out from "dealing with him" that she told me if I bring him to school she is going to have him sit in the office all day because she cannot deal with him when she has other students to teach. We removed him from the school with less than a month left because we could not trust the staff any longer.
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2011

My family LOVES Monroe Elementary. The teachers are great, the principal is outstanding, and the community is warm and embracing. I cannot imagine going any where else.
Submitted by parent on November 01, 2011

We are a new family to Monroe and I am BLOWN AWAY by the dedication from the teaching staff, the experience and enthusiasm the new principal is bringing and the community my children have been embraced by. Within just a few short weeks everyone was saying hello to my children, big smiles fill the hallways, and a staff that went above and beyond to challenge my children academically. I am so excited to have a school we walk to every morning with friends from the neighborhood... it really is a hidden gem on the Mesa.
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2011

Monroe is a great neighborhood school. It has unique programs which allow all the students to work in integrated classrooms as well as customized learning groups so that every child has a chance for their knowledge to grow.
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2011

My children have been at Monroe for 3 years, and love the teachers and the staff. I am very involved with their education and am always welcome in their classroom and on campus. Monroe has a lot of programs for their overall development.
Submitted by parent on September 19, 2011

Both of my children are Gate students at Monroe and I couldn't be happier with the atmosphere on campus. My children are thriving and are interacting with children fome diverse backgrounds. The teachers are very involved ant the PTA is very active. Clean campus and great cafeteria.
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2011

Great school ! Caring teachers and great principal. The PTA is hard working and motivated to make a difference.
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2011

Monroe School has a new principal (2011)! This was the only component missing at this amazing school, so it is exciting to see what will come! They are improving technology and communication daily and finding great ways to meet the needs of a very diverse population of students. The parent group (PTA) is top-notch, offering many programs and opportunities for involvement, the teachers remain consistent in delivering quality education, and the office staff is unbeatable - a winning combination. With new leadership and enthusiasm from the princiapl, expect to hear more great things in the future!
Submitted by other on January 12, 2011

Great School Good principal School is very clean nice campus A+ on everything I would Highly recommend this school to everyone.