2023 Elementary Schools with the Best Teachers in California

• Woodside, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  5 reviews

Middle School Student: Great Teachers! Smart and competitive students. My main critique is about diversity, the school works hard on it but it is really not possible. Also if you are not very left-wing you will be destroyed by unsupportive peers and some teachers. There is literally borderline propaganda on the walls that includes fighting against those who think differently, defunding government organizations, and fighting the government. Some are supportive but if you don't think like others don't say anything.... Read 5 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 368

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Santa Barbara, CA•

• Public School•

• K-6

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 374

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Los Angeles, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4.74 out of 5  43 reviews

Parent: We have found this to be a truly wonderful school with outstanding teachers, devoted administrators and a diverse community. We love the project based learning and critical thinking skills that our son is gaining through the International Baccalaureate (IB) program provided at the school. We also really value the opportunity that he has to learn TWO new languages, through German immersion and then Spanish beginning in third grade. Moreover, the school community really is international and very diverse. We love how different cultures and traditions are highlighted throughout the curriculum and school activities. Additionally, we have been really thrilled by the individualized attention that our son receives. The teachers and staff all really take the time to get to know individual students and their families, and are there to provide support and encouragement to all of us!... Read 43 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Students 391

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4.54 out of 5  13 reviews

Alum: I got the benefit of going to this school because all my older brothers were already going there. I went to DCS all the way from kindergarten to eighth grade. There are so many things that this school offers which you will never find anywhere else. One of the things that might either seem like a pro or a con is that DCS is very reliant on parent participation. This participation often makes school a lot easier as a young child. Though if you worry that as a parent you wouldn't be able to participate whether it be due to a job or something, don't worry about it! DCS is very understanding and only encourages parent participation if possible. Another great thing about DCS is that they really focus on building the skills you will need to succeed late in life. They might not give you as much homework and so it might seem that it is easier, but realistically they are just trying to get away from the idea of working for the grade rather than the gaining of knowledge and understanding.... Read 13 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Students 553

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Del Mar Union Elementary School District, CA•

• K-6

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 410

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Ross, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 376

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Public School•

• K-7

• •
  Rating 3.5 out of 5  4 reviews

Parent: Love the schools vision of inquiry based education and it’s commitment to equity which plays out in many facets of school life from the curriculum to admin priority setting. My kids absolutely adore their teachers and are engaged in what they are learning. I’ve never once heard that school is “boring”. We have also loved the parent community and opportunities to engage such as at Friday All School Meetings. While we would like to see a more robust arts program and expanded extracurriculars we know the school is still in its early years and bouncing back from the impacts of the pandemic. The school leadership is very focused on teacher retention - a national challenge post pandemic - and on closing achievement gaps, which we value tremendously. Looking forward to all the growth to come!... Read 4 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 391

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 672

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Tahoe-Truckee Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• grade A

• grade A+

• Students 67

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 664

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Poway Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Works Here: Park Village is an excellent elementary school. The teachers ,staff and parents ( volunteers) work together to make learning a special experience for our students. The parent involvement PTA & foundation have provided support thru fundraising that has added Art, Music, Science and Physical education. Its a great place to work.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 550

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Los Altos Elementary School District, CA•

• K-6

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Covington provides an excellent education that meets the needs of each individual student. The staff create a positive and challenging learning environment.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 370

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• La Canada Unified School District, CA•

• K-6

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 680

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Santa Cruz, CA•

• Public School•

• K-6

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 105

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Arcadia Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Alum: I have been attending Longley Way Elementary since kindergarten. The teachers are phenomenal and care deeply for the students. The library is absolutely splendid and has a wide variety of books. Longley Way has a very nice campus and the buildings are relatively well kept. I feel that Longley Way has partially shaped who I am today. One area of concern is the food waste during lunch. Students are forced to take 1 dairy product, fruit and vegetables, and protein. I have witnessed with my own eyes students throwing away entire school bought lunches. The school food was not the best. Huge industrial trash cans would e filled to the brim with relatively untouched food by the end of lunch. The amount of waste is mind-boggling. The amount of waste produced as a result of using styrofoam trays was astonishing.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 489

• Student-teacher ratio 26:1

• South Pasadena Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: School is excellent and teachers really care about their students. The work load may seem a bit much at times, but kids hardly ever complain about it.... Read 1 review

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 749

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Millville, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• grade A

• grade A+

• Students 243

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 2 out of 5  1 review

• grade A

• grade A+

• Students 240

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Del Mar Union Elementary School District, CA•

• K-6

• grade A

• grade A+

• Students 206

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• La Canada Unified School District, CA•

• K-6

• •
  Rating 4.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Parent: We have two kids that attend this school. One of which went to a charter school prior, which had some strengths, but can't come close to what this school does. There is a reason this school always places at the top of Los Angeles County. Not Los Angeles "Area".... county. The teachers are fully engaged, experienced, smart and care. The schools runs incredibly well. The level of detail to educate each child on an individual basis is incredible. We wake up everyday feeling blessed to be a part of Palm Crest and it's community. Lastly, the parent involvement is a huge part of it's success too.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 620

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Redondo Beach Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 442

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Laguna Beach Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Alum: Amazing elementary school. Great teachers and the equivalent to a private school. Right near PCH with a large ocean view!... Read 1 review

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 423

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Mckittrick, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• grade A

• grade A+

• Students 67

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• grade A

• grade A+

• Students 427

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Del Mar Union Elementary School District, CA•

• K-6

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: I like the diverse population and the teachers dedication to the success of each student. Students learn compassion and respect alongside academic areas.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• grade A+

• Students 355

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1