Marengo Elementary School

1400 Marengo Avenue

School District

South Pasadena Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:21
Type

public

School Map for South Pasadena 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 August 23, 2022

Our family would like to respond to the review of Ms. Lewis (Wong) that is on this website. This in no way is meant to discount the experience of one individual, but the experience our child had in Ms. Lewis/Wong's class was wonderful. Ms. Lewis showed genuine care for our child, responded to questions we had about how things were going in the classroom, and worked quickly to address concerns that we raised (including teaching positive conflict resolution skills). She's hard working, and she put a lot of time and energy into tailoring each student's classroom experience and making it a fun environment to learn. Our child grew and thrived in her class, and we've seen older students come back to visit Ms. Lewis with genuine affection and enthusiasm.Overall, we've had a wonderful experience at Marengo, from the principal down through all the teachers, and we recommend the school without reservation.
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2021

I went to this school it is great.
Submitted by parent on June 21, 2018

Our family was at Marengo for six years between kids and it was a mixed experience. Of the 10 teachers my children had, 3 were exceptional, and 6 were excellent. And they gave my children really wonderful experiences with learning and socialization. But 1 of them - Tiffany Wong - was abysmal and her treatment of my child was so bad it took my child over a year to recover. Wong failed to teach lessons (and would tell the kids to read the lessons by themselves), and was extremely disorganized so that kids were confused about due dates and test dates. When we emailed and called her for clarification she would avoid any responsibility and tell us to refer to her classroom website. Wong also had obvious favorites whom she allowed to bully other children, and used humiliation as a way to discipline kids in front of the whole class. She was also vindictive to kids who challenged her. She kind of traumatized my child. My child eventually recovered but I think it is due to the other teachers who really cared about learning and nurture. Unfortunately the good teachers are not allowed to do even better because they have to compensate for terrible personalities like Wong. I'm also disappointed that the school principal and district would hire someone like her.
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2014

My child attended the Pre-K program at Marengo and is currently in Kinder. We have had the best experience at the school. Great teachers that teach the students to love learning. Parent involvement is expected and it's what drives many of the great programs at the school, such as science night, talent show & holiday program. There is a no homework policy for kinder, but I have been told that students workload does get heavy past 1st. Like I mentioned parent involvement is expected and in my opinion one of the keys to the success of the school.
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2013

My child started kindergarten at Marengo in the fall. We had our doubts because it is a public school education and had heard horror stories about the budget cuts, etc. We are happy to report that Marengo is AWESOME! My child comes home so happy from his fun-filled day at school. The teachers are incredibly caring, the parents are super involved (and incredibly smart and accomplished), and the campus and classrooms are beautiful. We love living in South Pasadena and we love our schools!
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2013

I am very disapointed in this school, I move my child here from Montery Hills and I regret it. My son is in K and I was already call into a meeting with my sons teacher. It was a horrible meeting, not one possitive thing to say about my son and ontop of that I was told he mite need speech therapy and maybe special education. I left the meeting crying. The teacher was very serious and heartless about the whole cituation. But the worst part is that for some reason I felt discriminated, I can't explain it but almost as if both teachers look down on me. I am going to wait a little longer before I report the cituation and not only to the principle but to all higher authority. i never want another parent to feel the way I did.
Submitted by parent on February 21, 2013

Coming from a school that parents have little involvement in their childrens' education to Marengo is simply a blessing. It is evident that the children here are successful because the parents care about their success. Also, the principal is very involved, she even started a book club to help parents improve their relationship with their children. If every school in the US had as much parent involvement as they do here there would be no need for private schools.