George C. Marshall Elementary School

300 Normandy Road

School District

Monterey Peninsula Unified
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

School Map for Monterey Peninsula 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 parent on May 18, 2023

Absolutely the worst school we have ever encountered across 14 years of school aged children educational experiences. The principal is so removed and completely inactive with regards to any issues at the school - she even makes her own staff and faculty turn a blind eye to the issues in their classrooms. No opportunities for activities, advanced curriculum, or higher educational opportunities to those excelling. This school is only good for one thing - breeding foul language and violence. It’s awful. Avoid at all costs. If you’re forced to attend MPUSD district, then put in for a school transfer ASAP. Keep your kids out of here at all costs.
Submitted by parent on May 03, 2023

The principle has poor leadership Skills, refuses to speak to me. I am very respectful when communicating to her,
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2022

I have 3 kids that currently go to this school: kinder, first, and sixth. They all love it and their teachers. The school uses parent square to communicate with parents and the teachers have responded pretty quickly to my messages. My youngest two are really thriving. My oldest struggles academically and her teacher created separate lesson plans for me to work with her (at my request) at home to help close some gaps. I have been very pleased with my experience at this school.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2019

I am so disappointed with my child's kindergarten experience at the school. She had a total of not 1, but 4 different teachers by the end of the school year. I never saw the principal of this school, not once. At one point, I had to email the superintendent about the garbage being left on the school floor. Jackets and sweaters are left on the playground for days, sometimes weeks without anyone picking them up. The school will blame their shortcomings on lack of funds. Thank goodness we are leaving this district. As a result of 4 separate teachers, my bright and beautiful daughter is scoring below reading level for her age and we are considering having her repeat Kindergarten. This is unacceptable. To the military families coming in, my advice is to homeschool or find a charter school in the area.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2018

The quality of education, homework, pick-up/drop-off process, and so on... are all messed up. If you are military for the price you are paying in BAH better to look else where. No value to be found here.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2018

I would not recommend this school to anyone.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2018

homeschool your children or remove them immediately to protect them from the long term damage this environment will do to them
Submitted by other on September 26, 2016

The pre kindergarten teacher only communicates with few parents. You could be standing there and hear her tell someone something about school but then she doesn't tell you.I've also noticed that on recess there are some kids who are by themselves I'm hoping there is no bullying go on here!
Submitted by parent on February 14, 2015

I am very pleased that my daughter no longer attends this school. The lack of communication from the staff and the teacher are what make it an awful school for parents and kids. The K-grade playground area is very tarnished and it should be a health hazard. The school started a grading system for the K-grade that requires the teachers to give very low grades to kids even if they know the material, I guess this is a way to make it seem like they re doing their jobs when they really aren t. (If a kid already knows their material give them what they deserve not what you think they should have). The knee down technique they use with the kids is very crazy, the ground is dirty and germ infested. I can t believe the military gives money to this school for military kids to attend instead of building one for the military children. My daughter started a new school and she loves it, it s a normal school where kids can learn, feel good about going to school and the teachers treat every kid equally.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2015

I have three kids at this school. We have been here for 2 years and have been blessed with amazing teachers. They are high energy and really care about the kids. I am very happy with this school and my kids love it!
Submitted by parent on January 08, 2015

I can't recommend this school. Their academic program is severely lacking. Transportation is chaotic. Kids should be either "walkers" or "car riders." Car riders should have a number matching their parents' vehicle, hung from the rear view mirror, allowing for the student to be called out of the crowd when their parent pulls up. There are too many kids in the crosswalks. I saw a young 9-year-old girl dart across the street and almost get run over. Vehicles speed through these "safety crosswalks." The side of the road adjacent to the school should be designated to ONLY car rider parents; lined up on the side of the road, avoiding traffic obstruction. There should be a safety guard directing traffic and guiding children across the road. Allowing parents to openly walk on campus to pick up their kids is a security hazard. A stranger could walk on campus and escort a child out; or parents without custody. Our children can also easily leave on their own. My daughter was in the main office and overheard administrators and a mother discussing her child who left school without anyone's knowledge. Safety isn't a high priority here.
Submitted by parent on December 16, 2014

My wife and I enrolled our daughter in Marshall Elementary for Kindergarten this year. The teacher (Ms. Coppin) does not seem to know how to manage a classroom or her teaching time effectively. Several parents have had to volunteer to show up to class to teach reading because Ms. Coppin "doesn't have the time." Additionally, my daughter caught head lice from a fellow student. In fact, several children in her class ended up with lice. The reaction from the school? "If it keeps happening, we'll clean the carpets." The worst part about this school, however, is the poor communication between the administration, teachers, and parents. There have been several instances of surprise events that should have been made known several weeks in advance, the most recent example of which was this morning. My wife dropped our daughter off at school, and was informed that the holiday program is this morning. This is the first that I or my wife had heard of any holiday program, let alone the performance date. Now I m at work at missing my little girl s first school program because the school can t communicate effectively. I can t wait to be done with this school.
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2013

My child attended Marshall West last year for K and this year for 1st. The reason I give it two stars is strictly because of the teachers. They deserve 4 stars...same with principal and office staff. They are terrific. I must say though, our experience here has been horrendous. My child is very bright and well behaved and she is pushed aside because of all the "problem" children in her class. There is no academic challenge for her and therefore no achievement because her classroom is so overcrowded that the teacher has to focus on all the other children. Granted it's not the teacher's fault, but I can't let my child's education suffer because the district believes that 30 kids to one teacher is reasonable. I got through last year being very active volunteering and helping out, but this year I just can't sit back and let it all happen again. 1st Grade is the first year children really get into active academics and I need her experience to be a pleasant one. I truly feel horrible saying it because I love the teachers, but my daughter just won't get the education she deserves at marshall.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2013

I don't have an overall issue with the school, but the overall curriculum that I am sure is pushed by the state. I do homework every night with my 5th grader because she comes home without knowing her Math and still she gets good grades in her tests. I know for a fact she does not know what is being thought so how can she get B+ and A's in her tests?
Submitted by parent on March 07, 2013

The best thing about this school is the principals and teachers! It is true that it is unfortunately underfunded which is the same of most California schools. You definitely have to stay on top of your child's education, but that is the same anywhere you go. And for God sake VOLUNTEER and help out w/school activities! I was extremely involved w/the PTA (when it still had good people that were there to HELP the school) and enjoyed my time at Marshall, and so did my children. I disagree w/most of these reviews. I guarantee that most of these parents hadn't dealt w/any school in California before. The WONDERFUL principal at Marshall works countless thankless hours to better the school and is constantly trying to "fix" what the last principal "broke". So my advice, is give Marshall and Marshall West a real chance, and let them prove all this negativity wrong! MWest (K-1st gr) also has an amazing principal! I guess the one thing that should be promising to anyone reading this is, at least the District has finally started doing something right by this school by hiring 2 of the most dedicated principals I've ever had the privilege to work with. Loved our time at Marshall and miss it.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2013

The only reason I give this school 2 stars instead of 1 is because of the Principal. He seems to be the only person at this school who has any idea what is going on or trying to make any improvements. My daughter is in Kindergarten here, and if there were no parent volunteers in the classroom on a daily basis, the kids would be running around and not learning anything. Her teacher is the most unprofessional, lazy "educator" I have ever met. Communication is nonexistent, and the classroom is terribly disorganized and messy. I am beyond thrilled that we are moving so my daughter won't have to attend this school for 1st grade.
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2012

This school to me is below standard as is all the schools in this area. Its is apparent that to obtain a qualify education you must home school or pay for private school. California has failed it's parents and youth. NEVER CUT EDUCATION, you IDIOTS. That only helps the wealthy! My son just transferred from North Carolina and their schools were better! WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT. I am sure they are trying their best, but the issues is plain and simple. There needs to be an adoption of one NATIONAL STANDARD in K-12 Education! You must adopt measures like New Jersey where even the Teachers are tested and bad ones are gone! NO EXCUSES!!! I am having to do the teachers job at home!!!
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2012

My twins are attending this school in Kinder, I've never been so disappointed. The school lacks discipline, structure, and underfunded. The classroom smells horrible and the kids are coming home with the inclass homework blank. If parents don't volunteer than the teacher can't get the kids to do their work? If I can't get them transferred then I am going to homeschool.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2012

My children are currently going to this school. We moved here last month from Texas. I have not found one good trait about this school. Their teacher's classroom is filthy, their is no organization, classes don't start or end at the right times. Kids run a muck. Very disappointed. Hoping to transfer them to another school.
Submitted by parent on January 13, 2012

This school is underfunded, understaffed, and way overrated- more like a 3, not a 7. I've had it and we will not be returning to this school next year. Caution to other military families- please send your child elsewhere or homeschool. Our school isn't "poor" enough to receive many of the programs offered to other schools in the area. The school suffers because our free lunch program hovers below the 50% that schools needs to get extra help. So we suffer! If you do send your child here, be prepared to spend 10-12 hours a week volunteering so that you can know what's going on in the school. There is no communication and it is VERY disorganized. And be prepared to be one of the 8 people who do all the volunteer work to keep the school afloat.