Christa McAuliffe Elementary School

12211 Titus Avenue

School District

Cupertino Union
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:22
Type

public

School Map for Cupertino Union 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 November 20, 2024

My child attended both a regular public school in the district and McAuliffe. We chose McAuliffe for the following reasons:- learning is fun, adapted to child and encourages exploration . in a regular school, there’s one teacher for 24 students. Due to lack of adults, kids have to do spreadsheets most of the day. At Mcauliffe there are on avg 4 adults present all day (1 teacher, 1 teacher assistant and 2 parent volunteers). This allows tailored teaching, more attention to child. For instance, in a regular school kids learn how to add with a worksheet. Students at McAuliffe learn math through hands on problems (games, counting seeds inside a pumpkin, etc). If the child already knows how to add, the teacher can give a more complex problem to solve. - focus on emotional intelligence and not just academics. Students learn how to express emotions, communicate with others, and work in a team. I’ve met countless professionals who are smart but incapable of communicating and lack empathy with their colleagues/customers/patients. If a trusting relationship can’t be formed, you can’t have good results My childrens are thriving here at McAuliffe. They are supported by a loving teaching staff and community. They get to go on numerous field trips, explore and be curious. This is definitely the school I wished for myself but didn’t exist!- bonus for parents: because of volunteering, you will know the parents and kids in your child’s class. You won’t feel alone in raising your child but within a community. Late for pick up? there’s always someone who has your back. Family emergency? There are so many playdates. A huge plus: bullying can’t really happen here as there are so many parents around. In other schools where there isn’t transparency, bullying is very much present and can start as early as TK. - another plus for parents: you will learn how to talk with your child in a positive way, building a meaningful relationship with your child. I’ve learned so much about parenting here!
Submitted by parent on November 20, 2024

As parents of two children attending Christa McAuliffe, we couldn't be more satisfied with our experience. This school offers a unique approach to education that aligns with our values and priorities for our kids' growth.What sets Christa McAuliffe apart is its strong focus on social-emotional development and its commitment to progressive, constructivist education. The school fosters independence, self-advocacy, and the ability to set personal boundaries—all essential life skills that we see our kids developing daily. This approach empowers students to be active participants in their own learning and growth.Another highlight is the vibrant and engaged school community. Parents, teachers, and staff work collaboratively to create a supportive environment that feels like an extended family. While there is more involvement required from parents compared to traditional schools, the rewards are well worth it. The opportunity to be closely connected to your child's educational journey and the chance to contribute to such a dynamic community are incredibly fulfilling.We highly recommend Christa McAuliffe to families looking for a nurturing, forward-thinking educational environment. It's a place where children are not just students but are truly seen and heard as individuals.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2024

A truly special and fantastic school: McAuliffe's philosophy of hands-on learning, parent participation, and focus on the whole child makes for a wonderfully supportive environment for both elementary schoolers and middle schoolers. In sharp contrast to my own experience with school, our two daughters both look forward to go to school everyday and have made wonderful relationships there with classmates, teachers, teachers' aides, and other parents volunteering in the classroom. Children are encouraged to pursue a wide variety of projects and skills, instead of rote memorization, learn about the connections between different subjects, and come away with a well-rounded and deeper understanding of the world. Additionally, the children are encouraged to pursue learning and knowledge as an end in itself, rather than just as a means of preparing for the next grade or for future employment. And yet I have never felt that academic rigor was sacrificed for this goal- rather, the school cultivates a love of learning and this in turn leads to a deeper pursuit of knowledge by the students, while also learning independence and how to interact with people of all ages. We couldn't recommend McAuliffe more.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2024

We love the community. The school has a great academic program; the California curriculum is taught by passionate and empathetic teachers. Deep learning is achieved through small groups, hands-on experience and an integrated curriculum. Parents participate in the class 4 hours/week, or 6 hours for 2+ kids, which sounds like a lot, but it really is worth it to be a part of your child’s early learning (and it means only the best teachers work here as their teaching is highly visible), If parents have a change of circumstance and cannot aid in the classroom, then the community is very supportive of finding a solution that will work for the family. Compared to all other schools, an instructional assistant is present in all classes (funded by parent donations), so teaching can be targeted to meet gifted kids at their level and offer others more support. Cooking, gardening, ceramics, gymnastics and electives are taught by passionate parents. Child-led clubs are available at lunch times, conflict resolutions are supported between kids so issues are dealt with promptly and in kind ways. Positive discipline is used and kids are encouraged to take risks and learn from mistakes. Kids graduate from this school as confident, engaged, kind, community-minded, and transition better to high school and life as they have a highly developed social and emotional skills. We experienced 3 years of a CUSD neighborhood school before transitioning to McAuliffe and my children now want to go to school, feel supported and welcomed. The contrast in every area could not be more stark, and the investment in your time could not be more worth it.
Submitted by other on June 27, 2024

I am a freshman in high school and I attended McAuliffe from kindergarten to 8th grade. I feel that going to this school has more than prepared me for high school. They offer lots of different opportunities that you would never get at a regular school. For example field trips: in 8th grade my class and I went on three different over night trips. Two of which we planned ourselves. Our school is also ahead in science so most of the curriculum I am learning this year I have already been introduced to. McAuliffe focuses a lot on group work and because of that I am able to work with my peers much more efficiently. 8th graders at McAuliffe have to do what’s called the year long project. In this project you get to pick a topic that you are passionate about or a topic you want to learn more about and make a position on it. This project works on your presentation skills and gives you the opportunity to make an impact on your community. For example one of my friends was able to raise a good amount of money for an organization called planned parenthood. All the teachers I have had at McAuliffe, I feel have always supported my learning and done their best to help me succeed. To conclude Christa McAuliffe gives you many opportunities and unique experiences that I would have never had if I haven’t gone there.
Submitted by student on June 27, 2024

I am an 8th grader at this school. I've been here since Kindergarten. I love to go to school. Some things that are very special about McAuliffe are that we don't get grades and tests are called assessments; this helps kids not stress over tests and not worry about getting an A. It encourages them to just do their best. Another thing about McAuliffe is that we have a lot of field trips including overnights! This gives kids something fun and exciting to look forward to. You also learn McAuliffe's golden rule to have empathy for each other and care for each other as a community. We welcome you to McAuliffe with open arms!
Submitted by parent on June 27, 2024

I have been a parent at this wonderful school for 11 years now. My older child, who is in high school is thriving thanks largely to the foundational skills McAuliffe has taught her. My younger child is an 8th grader and has been at McAuliffe since kindergarten. She told me recently, "Mommy, I want my future kids to go to McAuliffe." This is a place that truly builds and fosters a strong, supportive community. I aided in the TK classroom last school year every week. It has been a privilege to watch the children grow so much since the start of the year. I can stay with confidence they love being in school, and are given many opportunities to explore, be creative, and learn. The teacher and Instructional Assistant go above and beyond by truly connecting with each child individually and guiding them with patience and care. In addition, the kids are lucky to have parent volunteers to enable extra support and differentiation. McAuliffe is a magical place for TK.
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2024

Pros: McAuliffe has a wonderful community of people. Project based learning.Cons: McAuliffe is a school that teaches to the lowest common denominator despite what they promise. On the tours they promise that with extra parent help they can break up into small groups and teach things at differing levels. While the small group work does happen, the teachers often hold back the whole class in order to ensure that those in the bottom don't feel bad that they are being left behind. If your child is neurotypical and easy going they will often get the short end of the stick at McAuliffe. McAuliffe also has an extraordinarily large population of students with learning differences (compared with most other schools). We have experienced that many students in our classes are allowed to cause a lot of distraction in class without real repercussions (they may or may not be sent to the principal's office) for hitting other kids, constant loud outbursts, running away from school premises, etc. Additionally, the parent aides are not equipped to handle the demands of the kids who clearly need so much more. They don't tell you any of those things on the tour.If I could go back in time, we would choose a different school.
Submitted by other on May 14, 2024

As a former parent, former staff member and recent grandparent I am so happy to have been connected to this wonderful school over the years. Both of my children went there (way back in the day) and, more recently, my two local grandchildren were there. I've aided at all grade levels, served on the Board, and worked as an Instructional Assistant for a few different grades. To me, one of the most important aspects of the school is the relationships formed by families and among children which truly do last a lifetime. I see a review in which someone mentioned the Conflict Resolution process. One of my favorite anecdotes is the story of when a McAuliffe grad moved on to high school and experienced quite a bit of drama in her social circle there, she took it upon herself to convene and facilitate a successful conflict resolution session which none of the other participants had ever experienced before. Years later, they still talk about that day and how meaningful it was, not only in their immediate situation, but later in their own lives as well. Now that they have families of their own, I've also seen the impact of McAuliffe learnings on my own children's parenting styles. So yes, in the earliest years of TK or K when children are taught how to talk things out, it may take some doing -- but the impact of those few minutes spent on social rather than strictly academic growth invariably make the process of learning "the three R's" more harmonious, and their young brains more open to retaining that equally necessary information. And learn, indeed they do. We've had graduates at numerous top universities, one of whom, my own son, wrote part of his application essay to the Haas MBA Program about how his path toward lifelong learning began when he was in charge of the marketing, quality control and customer satisfaction evaluation processes at the "store" in 1st grade. Children at McAuliffe learn so much more than just the basics; they learn to be inquisitive, productive and responsible members of society -- something we so urgently need in this day and age. Thank you, McAuliffe, for all you have done for our family and for so many others over the years!
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2024

My daughter is a third grader at McAuliffe and I’m so glad I chose this school for her because the parent participation allows for such individualized attention. When I was in school the teacher taught for example, a math lesson, and either you got it or not. If you didn’t, you had to wait for help which sometimes never came. But this year the teacher teaches the whole class the lesson and then she sends the kids off in pairs or small groups to do math practice that is engaging while she pulls a smaller group who could benefit from hearing the lesson again. While she is doing that, two parents and the class aide (every class has one) roams around the classroom (or the “big room” since the kids spread out) to assist with any questions, keep kids on task, and provide advanced activities for the kids who need it. It may be a sacrifice to aid 4 hours a week, but the benefit to the kids is invaluable.
Submitted by teacher on February 27, 2024

I have been a staff member at McAuliffe for many years now, and highly recommend it. It was important to me to work for a school that prioritized whole-child and social-emotional learning, both of which were the focus of my master's thesis. After learning about McA, I truly felt it was where I was meant to teach. There is so much to say, that it is hard to fully encapsulate in such a small blurb. I love working at a school that values and encourages my expertise as an educational practitioner to create learning experiences that are fun, hands-on, and engaging, while also aligning to district and state standards. Students are encouraged to ask questions, think critically, and are provided many opportunities to collaborate with partners and groups through project-based learning. Classes participate in many field trip opportunities connected to grade-level curriculum. Classroom community building is intentionally planned into the daily/weekly schedule, in all classrooms and grades, to create a connected and safe learning environment. Examples of this include, but are not limited to, frequent class meetings using the Responsive Classroom format and creating class agreements for the learning environment at the start of the year. Students are taught, and supported through, age appropriate conflict resolution skills that help them learn how to work through disagreements and misunderstandings. Parent participation in all aspects of the learning experience is one of the most beautiful parts of this school, and goes all the way back to McAuliffe's creation. Staff and parents work as partners in the learning of all students. Parents aide in the classroom and/or have school wide jobs that allow for many of the amazing learning opportunities outside of core academics to take place. The school wide community is deeply connected and kind, unlike any other school I have worked for. The Parent Faculty Group does a great job providing opportunities for the community to come together through socials and school-wide events. In one sentence, Christa McAuliffe Elementary is a place where students are encouraged and included in their learning of both academics and invaluable life skills. I often think about how there are so many aspects to this school that I wish were available to me when I was a child!
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2024

I have been a parent at McAuliffe for five years and my two kids and I love being a part of the McAuliffe community. Aiding in the classrooms means that I get to foster close relationships with the students and other aiding parents. Being able to participate in my childrens' education is a privilege. Not only do both of my children love going to school in the morning, when they get home, they continue to put into use the life skills that they've learned at McAuliffe. They learn how to cook from weekly cooking sessions, conflict resolution, setting agreements to limit conflicts in the first place, and loss of other things that they use in real life situations. It's not all worksheets and learning to a test. McAuliffe is an amazing school and community. My family has benefited immensely from our experience in our time here.
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2024

The TK classroom is absolute chaos - poorly planned and staffed by unprepared parents. The children are stressed and unhappy. Three TK students have already left this academic year. It is too bad that the school principal and the parent group focus their attention on resources on the upper grades instead of the new TK classroom.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2024

Choosing McAuliffe for my daughter was the best thing we could have done.This school gave her confidence, empathy, social skills, life skills and so much more.From a girl who didn't like school she enjoyed going to school, going to filed trips, cooking, gardeningand so many more activities.As parents we were afraid that it would be too hard to participate and needing to find time for that.We learned that it was very rewarding, knowing the kids, seeing how the teachers teach, being partof a community.
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2024

I have two kids at this school - one in elementary and one in middle - and they both love going to school. The two kids couldn't be more different: the older one is a math/science type of kid and the younger one is a sports/history type of kid. The older one is an introvert and the younger is an extrovert. They have both found their niches at the school.Since McAuliffe is a parent participation school, parent help is needed for field trips, in-class aiding and many other in-school tasks. Not every family is going to be able to commit time to make this work. We have managed to somehow, and I think that the kids are thankful for it.
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2024

I am delighted to share my positive experience with Christa McAuliffe K-8 School, where the commitment to education goes beyond traditional boundaries. The incorporation of parent aides significantly enriches the learning environment, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. The school's dedication to project-based learning ensures that students are actively engaged, promoting critical thinking and creativity.One of the standout features is the abundance of field trips that supplement classroom learning, providing real-world experiences. The remarkable 1:4 teacher to student ratio allows for personalized attention, ensuring each child's unique needs are met. Christa McAuliffe School places a strong emphasis on socio-emotional development, recognizing the importance of nurturing the whole child. The holistic approach creates a supportive atmosphere where students not only excel academically but also grow emotionally and socially.A distinctive aspect of Christa McAuliffe School is its mandatory volunteering requirements for parents. This not only strengthens the bond between school and family but also underscores the school's belief in the importance of collaborative efforts for a child's education. It's truly heartening to be part of a school that prioritizes the well-rounded development of each student and encourages active parental involvement in the learning process. Christa McAuliffe Elementary School stands out as an exemplary institution that goes above and beyond to provide a comprehensive and enriching educational experience.
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2024

Our two daughters have attended CMcA since kinder. The oldest is now a freshman in high school and youngest is a seventh grader. The school, students, and community have been central in our lives for so long. There is a bit of leap of faith in the beginning, but the rewards are what you sow. So many great relationships with parents I would have likely never got to know, and bonding with students who may not even be close with own kids. I feel I know the whole school. The curriculum is not rote and rigor, and you may sometimes question the process; but I’m seeing the buds turn to bloom's. My kids are succeeding in school, have good friendships, and self esteem in spades. I’m already past worrying, they are young adults who will sort it out. Thank you Christa McAuliffe.
Submitted by other on February 09, 2024

This school is a treasure, a beacon of light an alternative that offers strong social emotional component to a strong academic formation. It provided a safe, curious fuel, fun, caring and loving environment for my kids. It cultivated a love of learning and ignited their curiosity. Now my kids are in high school after going to McAuliffe from kindergarten to 8th grade and they are thriving and we get to keep a strong community to enrich our lives
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2024

My family has been a part of this wonderful school and community for seven years. I have seen my children blossom in their academics, their social skills with their peers and adults, and emotionally. I love that the kids are given the opportunity to be heard and respected.It has been an honor to aid in their classrooms and build connections with all the students and parents. As a parent there is a learning curve to being comfortable leading or assisting small groups, but the teaching staff and other veteran parents that I have worked with are supportive and full of great ideas! I have learned so much and I treasure my time here. I know that after my kids have graduated from here I will miss it. But the friendships that we have made will last forever <3
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2024

Our three daughters attend/attended Christa McAuliffe and we couldn't be happier with our decision to send them to this school. The learning is hands on and parent aides enable small groups to be broken out doing focused activities. From the beginning we got to know parents in the classroom and an immediate community was created among us. Our girls have stories to tell about what they did each day, and are proud of the work that they do and the things that they create. Older students look out for younger students and the younger students feel special to know some of the older students. The field trips are highlights of the experiences, including some overnight trips that provide exceptional learning and fabulous lifelong memories, both for the children and the parents that are lucky enough to join.