Murwood Elementary School

2050 Vanderslice Avenue

School District

Walnut Creek Elementary
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:22
Type

public

School Map for Walnut Creek Elementary 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 26, 2024

The teachers at Murwood are phenomenal. They are exactly how you hope educators to be - engaged, caring, bright and wonderful with the kids. While the teachers are top notch, the district is the bottom of the barrel. They are poorly organized and create unnecessarily barriers to education. District policies are written without regard for parents or students. They completely disregard data and research related to education. It is unfortunate given the resources available (both financially and in the wonderful teachers) to the district that it is lead by individuals who oppose any efforts to ensure education is available to the children. By way of example, on Friday, April 19, 2024 they informed parents they needed to appear, in person, the next week on Monday (4/20), Tuesday (4/21), or Wednesday (4/22) to prove they reside in the district. Another example is that while they are mandated to include parent input if a child has an IEP, they will completely disregard parental concerns. They will, of course, check the box and say, "I heard what you said," and then impose district policies written without regard to the student. The actions show that the input was heard, and ignored. The problems with the administration create a cloud over the wonderful teachers on the ground level. If you have the option, avoid this district until the voters are able to replace the board with individuals who are more interested in the students.
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2021

Don't believe the score, the school is better than the Lafayette Elementary for example, we have been in both, and only in this one we consistently found teachers that immediately contact us whenever a student has a problem academic wise, not at the end of the trimester when we can do nothing about it. The school is cleaner too.
Submitted by parent on February 29, 2020

Murwood is an excellent school. Many teachers have been there for years and they genuinely care about the students and community
Submitted by parent on March 27, 2019

10! I love the school, teachers and parents. I love our diversity and I don’t feel we have to keep up with the Jones’s. Our education is priority there.
Submitted by parent on March 19, 2019

It has been fine for my children.
Submitted by parent on February 14, 2018

Murwood is a wonderful community. We continue to be impressed by the teachers, principal, parent volunteers, etc. Most of all, our children feel safe and happy attending Murwood and seem to be flourishing there. We feel so fortunate that our children are able to attend such an amazing public school!
Submitted by parent on April 26, 2015

Wonderful neighborhood school with a great community of caring families. The teachers are committed to our kids.
Submitted by parent on June 26, 2014

We moved to walnut creek to give our children a better education. We have been so impressed at the community, teacher enthusiasm, and parent involvement. Our children are excited everyday to attend Murwood, they love all the teachers they've had, and have made amazing friends. We are proud to send our children to a school that is not only exceptional but maintains a diverse population. Our children are very prepared, thanks to Murwood for WCI, Los Lomas HS, and LIFE.
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2014

Murwood is the best school for my kids! I have 3 kids and we have been in Murwood since 2007. Sure not all teachers & staff is perfect but what we like most about this school is the community. There are a lot of parent volunteers, we look out for each other's kids & everybody else will greet u with a smile. Most teachers know their students very well, offering alternative ways of learning using different websites. The staff are very friendly, even recognizing your voice when you call. Mrs. Nenni, the Principal, has such a gift of dealing with people. My kids feels so comfortable with her. She wanted them to know that she's their buddy who will keep them safe. Murwood is a great community where most people care about each other.
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2013

The parents and teachers are gossipers. Supervision in the lunch room and playground is very poor. Kids don't have any manners and nobody teaches them. I've heard from one of the teacher's husband that Murwood tries to get rid of all challenging children by the time they need to enter 3d grade so the school has better reputation. The teachers are hysterical and lazy, they don't want to work on the classroom rules and the kids behavior. In stead of working with challenging kids they get them labeled and kid cannot succeed anymore, he is always bad. If you get disciplinary actions papers from the office ever day it means they've started it. Your child is a target! Even if your child wasn't the one who started the fight or conflict, the "bad kid" will be always in trouble!!! Save your children, don't send them to Murwood!!!
Submitted by teacher on March 04, 2012

I love Murwood. Having taught in a few other districts I have a great perspective on why it is such a great school. Having such a diverse population is a bonus, as students get to meet kids who are from around the world. The principal is highly trained in curriculum and is guiding the staff towards best practices for all students with remediation for the struggling learners, and acceleration for the advanced learners. The parent community is so supportive of the staff and students and works hard to be a partner in education. My own children went here and even though they were very different learners, both got just what they needed to be successful at the middle school level. Great place to work, great place to be a student.
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2012

Murwood is a good school. Unfortunately since the new principal began 2 years ago, it has taken a turn for the worst. The principal seems very controlling and this is rubbing off on the staff. 90% of the teachers are very good at Murwood but it's is obvious that they are not happy under the new "leadership". The worry is this will drive away the good teachers. What Murwood has going for it is the outstanding parent involvement but even this is stifled by the principal. A lot of emphasis is placed on bringing below average students up to proficiency. So if your child is proficient or above, they tend to get ignored because that is not the principal's goal, which is unfortunate.
Submitted by parent on July 26, 2011

Our younger son started Kindergarten in Murwood Elementary School last year. His older brother also went to this school, then WCI, Las Lomas High and he is in college now. We cannot stop to be impressed about quality of education, range of activities including extracurricular activities and events arranged by PTA, personal attention and close communication with teachers and, above all, our kids happiness and desire to learn and to go back to school after summer. The after school and summer program at Keyspot is fantastic as well. We are so lucky and happy to be part of this community and to be able to have our kids go to public school like this.