Sycamore Ridge School

Posted: August 10, 2025

Most recent honest review of this school;
This school has recently received the ‘title 1’ merit due to being sandwiched between 3 low income housing complexes- yet the surrounding outdated, inefficient homes are shockingly overpriced (6k+a month). The district has a long history of being non-transparent, and the school has repeatedly failed to adequately support students with special needs—there have been multiple lawsuits over the years. Enrollment is so low that numerous grade levels have been combined into multi-age classrooms. The newly built Pacific Sky School is drawing away both tenured teachers and students, further destabilizing the campus.

The few long-term, tenured teachers who remain are exceptional and deeply committed, but it’s hard not to ignore the risk of them retiring or leaving soon, which is happening now. Leadership turnover has also been a problem, with 4 principals in just 3 years. The current principal is a welcome change—dedicated, hardworking, and genuinely trying to improve things—but faces systemic challenges.

To make matters worse, this is the only open-campus park/playground within safe walking distance for the community, yet it is often closed without notice during the summer months so the district can run paid camps, limiting access for neighborhood families. This practice, combined with poor communication, further erodes trust.
This school is also the hub for temporary foreign exchange students, creating a strong language barrier, student turnover rate and inadequate test results.
If I knew these things before I started my
Children here, I would have explored alternative options. Especially before purchasing/renting a home in the surrounding neighborhood.

Posted: August 10, 2025

Posted: August 10, 2025

Posted: August 10, 2025

Posted: August 10, 2025

Posted: August 10, 2025

Posted: August 10, 2025

Posted: August 10, 2025

Posted: April 7, 2024

Posted: April 7, 2024

I would highly recommend Sycamore Ridge. The teachers feel the school is well resourced and many of them have spent their careers at Sycamore Ridge or within the DMUSD. The STEM+ program is wonderful. My son really enjoys the art teacher and materials that are available. He has some friends who enjoy an active science Olympiad club and items who have performed in the school musical. The parents and PTA are very active parts of the school community and the kids want to learn. It’s a very socioeconomically and culturally diverse school. The only draw back is there are a small portion (1-2 kids per class) who enroll in the school mid year and leave mid year because their parents are here as visiting research scientists at UCSD. Many of the kids from those families are learning English for the first time but they do catch up fairly quickly. I’m glad that the school district started offering introductory Spanish classes as part of the STEM+ programming. I have no hesitation recommending this school.

Posted: April 7, 2024

Posted: April 7, 2024

Posted: April 7, 2024

Posted: April 7, 2024

Posted: April 7, 2024

Posted: November 3, 2020

My experience at this school has truly opened my eyes on how to be a better parent and also, a better citizen in our community. The school is full of Stallion spirit. What I admire most about the school, during COVID-19, is how quickly came they together to continue and provide the education our children deserve. The faculty members are creative, understanding, and have surpassed parents expectations during COVID-19.

Posted: November 3, 2020

There are apps that my son uses 3-4x a week to further his reading level, STEAM+ assignments, and more. It is not a requirement, but the teacher my son has, asks that we continue this.

Posted: November 3, 2020

The response from the teachers, faculty members are almost immediate. I have never waited longer than 24 hours to get a reply back. To be honest, usually I am finishing up a conversation with the principal or sons teacher within that hour of reaching out! These are stressful times, but they still make sure they make time to resolve things immediately.

Posted: November 3, 2020

Posted: November 3, 2020

My son transferred from the state of NC to Sage Canyon, then to Sycamore Ridge, so he was able to see a friendly face (Ms. Moore, the assistant principal at Sage Canyon now the principal of Sycamore Ridge). I have never felt so at ease with the way a principal runs a school. My sons teacher, Mr. Bienke, is phenomenal and reaches out to the parents on a weekly basis. So many faculty members and parent volunteers at the school have Been courteous, and is a role model for every student there.

Posted: November 3, 2020

Posted: November 3, 2020

Posted: March 10, 2019

Posted: March 10, 2019

Posted: March 10, 2019

Posted: March 10, 2019

We moved into this neighborhood for this school and we couldn’t be more pleased. We’re finishing up our first year at the school. The teachers and staff at the school truly care about the students. There’s also a strong sense of community amongst the neighborhood families at this school.

Posted: March 10, 2019

Posted: March 10, 2019

Posted: March 10, 2019

Posted: May 24, 2017

My son has been going to this school for the last 3 years and my other son will join kindergarten next year. My son loves this school, the teachers, the staff and the principal. He refuses to join any other school. This community is very kind and supportive to everyone. Parents are very involved and overall the school provides a great infrastructure for success for the kids. The day care staff are amazing. They keep the kids engaged and have activities that are stimulating. From the front desk staff to the Principal the school meet all my expectations and we are very happy here.

Posted: May 24, 2017

Some classes have more and some classes have less homework depending on the teacher's preference...but when the homework is less, you know the kids are working hard at school. The learning and knowledge level of the kids are on point though the homework they bring home is so less.

Posted: May 24, 2017

Teachers observe each child closely and learn about what works and does not work for them. They are open to conversations with parents and willing to work with parents to ensure the child is effective, happy and successful at school

Posted: May 24, 2017

They have a peace builder plege that they recite every morning. They have praise notes that they give out to kids and token of appreciation from one kid to other. The focus is on kindness, honesty, mutual respect and to speak up.

Posted: May 24, 2017

The principal Dr. Peg La Rose is so effective as a leader in motivating the teachers and students equally. She is engaged, from sometimes managing traffic to meeting with parents to running the school effectively. She is easy to communciate with and students, parents and teachers respect her.

Posted: May 24, 2017

Posted: May 24, 2017

Posted: January 19, 2015

Fantastic and active PTA, great test scores, and weekly ESC classes (Art, PE, tech, science, & music) taught by certified specialists. There's also band for 5th & 6th graders (though the music program is a bit lackluster as the music teacher seems really checked out most of the time). But there is also a free after school PTA sponsored drama program, which is very good. Except for a couple of teachers (one in 6th grade & one in 4th) you can't ask for better educators. The office staff is wonderful. There is a growing Asian (mostly Chinese nationals) population which is changing the feel & flow of the school as they grow in number. These parents do not participate much, but like to complain & want more homework & more science/math.

Posted: January 13, 2013

This is a great school if you are Asian or Caucasian. If you are not, this is NOT a great school. These teachers and child care workers could not care less to inform me as a parent that my 5 year old with a history of heart disease was sick. This was totally irresponsible. Reason: no one was paying attention to her. They claimed she did not tell them that she was ill and she clearly says she did.

Posted: May 1, 2011

Sycamore Ridge is an amazing school with the best principal, teachers and staff. It's academics are top notch and the school has a multitude of resources to accommodate any student and his/her needs. The Sycamore Stallion students exhibit the Six Pillars of Character: Respect, Fairness, Caring, Citizenship, Responsibility, and Trustworthiness and the school environment is a safe and fun place for all. In addition, parent involvement and volunteerism is extremely high. I highly recommend Sycamore Ridge Elementary School and am very proud that my children are students in the school.

Posted: April 17, 2011

its is a fun and good school but the teachers are way to worried about you and you wont have so much freedom time at all