Knolls Elementary School

6334 Katherine Road

School District

Simi Valley Unified
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Simi Valley 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 April 22, 2015

We love Knolls. We have 2 kids that have gone through Knolls and one still there. The teachers are caring and know their stuff! I have probably experienced everyone of them and I am grateful to have such a wonderful school for my kids. I would highly recommend anyone to the school!
Submitted by parent on January 15, 2015

I am a Dad at Knolls Elementary school in the east end of Simi Valley. I have a 2nd Grader with Mrs. DT and a 5th Grader with Mrs. Smith. They are extraordinary teachers! I was very upset by the recent budget cuts throughout the district and the increase of class sizes. I was also concerned about the Common Core implementation. It's remarkable to me how efficient and effective my children's teachers remain. Speaking with other parents at school I am so pleased to know that the teachers and staff at Knolls are a thoroughly committed organization. I am confident my children are receiving a terrific education.
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2014

My children attend Knolls elementary and we are extremely happy with our experience there. The kids have had wonderful teachers and have excelled in their studies. Their teachers are readily available if we have had any questions or concerns about assignments, etc. Our principal Ms. Gallagher is fantastic and very effective. The kids have also been exposed to art, music, science fair, and various other programs. I love the welcoming tight knit family that Knolls has become for us. Run, don't walk to enroll your kids here.
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2014

Both my children currently go to Knolls Elementary! I have a 1st grader and a 4th grader! We are so happy we are at Knolls. Not sure about the negative comment made in March about her child walking home from a minimum day...but no way that is true. The staff and principal are on top of it. Not only is the office staff great but most of the parents know each other and really watch out for the kids. That what you get when you are at a small school. Both my children have excelled here and have received acknowledgments for their efforts. The PTA is awesome with dances, music nights, art nights, family book bingo, science night, they have a great book fair twice a year, talent shows. The PTA pays for our field trip buses...and they could always use more help! But the best thing about Knolls is its teachers. Really caring people. Ms. Gallagher our school principal is amazing and has taught at the school previously for 17 years. We are so blessed to have her. She knows all the kids by name! We are loosing Mr. Crane is year...a Kindergarten teacher who has taught here for 19 years....Mrs. Weiss one of are other Kindergarten teachers has been at Knolls for 17 years. That says it all!
Submitted by parent on March 26, 2014

We are new to the school. I have already had a fare share of problems. My child does not do well here... his teacher is constantly absent... I don't see no help with his special needs.. he's in a split k/1st grade. He is high function autistic, I was not aware of a half day (no phone call or email.. not even a monthly news letter) my child walked home! I nearly lost it when I seen him at our front door! When I called the school it was like whatever in their eyes. I took my child his lunch one day cuz he forgot it.. I was told by office where to put it and they would make sure he got it... NOPE! I felt so bad for him... not only is he new and feels out of place.. this school is not making it any easier for him. Its just a joke! I got a call on my cell about my child .. ask for my husband..he's at work.. I'm the mother.. they at first would not disclose a thing to me... not even that my child was ok ..cuz I wasn't on the 'list'.... I'm the one who signed him up for school! After I started to get irriated, finally they said he wasnt feeling good. My goodness!! I cant say I would recommend this school :/ highly disappointed in the 7 weeks my child has been there.
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2013

Love this school! The teachers we've had have been amazing and so involved in helping my kids do well. Love that our school is so small and not huge where no one knows anyone. Our new principal is great too!
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2013

My child attended Knolls for 4 1/2 years. We were one the families that chose Knolls based on it's good scores, etc. however, I find it pretty hilarious that a parent commented on what a good job the Admin Dept. did, such as raising API scores! Knolls has been on a downward trend and if you only click "Test Scores", you can see that the API has DROPPED by 30 points in the last year! Hopefully, the changes made (new principal) will buck the trend! Knolls is a great little school if you have a child that is virtually perfect, however, if they rock the boat or don't march to the Knight's beat, they will not thrive in this cliquey environment. It's almost like a boutique school- only serves a small percentage of the whole and only that small percentage will do well.
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2013

My kids have had a very positive experience here at Knolls. The after school club is wonderful as well as some other after school programs offered. We have a new principal this year so we'll see if things keep improving.
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2012

I have had children at this school for several years now. I feel that there are a wide variety of teachers, so it is possible for children and teachers to be matched up adequately. We have been happy with most of our teachers, and have made an effort to be involved, so that our children have the best teacher available to them. The PTA does a lot for the school, but it is run by a pretty small group of parents. Would be nice to see more support and involvement in this area. The biggest problem Knolls has right now, is leadership. Dr. Porter has done many positive things for the school, such as overseeing a consistent rise in API scores, finding grant money and coordinating support to start art and music programs etc. However, she lacks the aptitude to deal with disciplinary issues and conflict. There are many parents who feel issues go unresolved. She is well liked by the children, but does not have respect or support from the teachers and parents. In my opinion, we are seeing a real decline in behavior at Knolls due to her lack of action in this area.
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2012

This is a fantastic school. I know of many students who commute from other parts of town to go here (my kids included). I've never seen a principal who was better liked by the students than Dr. Porter and the teachers are great too.