Environmental Academy Of Research Technology And Earth Sciences

Posted: February 25, 2025

Posted: February 25, 2025

Posted: February 25, 2025

Posted: February 25, 2025

Posted: February 25, 2025

Posted: February 25, 2025

Posted: February 25, 2025

Posted: February 25, 2025

This school is amazing. It was an inclusive, kind, and wonderful program. The teachers made learning so fun and creative.

Posted: February 29, 2024

EARThS Magnet School is absolutely amazing for the right student. I have three children. One just graduated and two are still attending EARThS. Everything you read is true. This school has a family atmosphere. The teachers are incredible-ALL of them. The principal is an incredible leader and creates a positive and loving environment. There is a wealth of "extra" activities that contribute to a strong bonded community: Monthly Rallies, an AMAZING carnival, grade level movie nights complete with snacks and lawn chairs, a plethora of hands-on field trips (that actually are part of the classroom learning experience), a stellar music program including weekly music instruction by a credentialed music teacher and strings, band, choir, a science lab with a variety of animals and hands-on interaction/instruction, a working garden, a weather station, and too many other events to list. Students are the kindest and most-inclusive in the entire area. The entire student body is there to support, help and encourage one another.

So why the negative reviews? This school is not for every child/parent. Think of this school like a high level university. Both parents and children have to be committed to being part of the EARThS team. This means that parents volunteer at school. It is required. Parents sign a pledge to give ten hours a year to the school. If you do not have ten hours to give to your child's education, this is not the school for you. Like a high level university the academic standards and rigor is very high. If your child is willing to put in the work, this is the right school for him or her. If your child just wants to have fun, choose a different school. It is not that EARThS is not fun. It is. It is highly engaging for the student who can handle a science-based, research driven curriculum. Students who enjoy reading, writing, creating, discussions, and being part of a team will love it here. Students and parents who are looking for the "easy road" will not enjoy EARThS.

Like a high level university your child needs to be ready for what this school is offering. Like a high level university, your child should want to be challenged and want to work hard, otherwise the school and the child will not be a good match. The school is easily the best in CVUSD-probably in the entire Ventura County and beyond. UC Berkley helped design their program, but both the parent and the child need to be ready for what will be asked in return.

Posted: February 29, 2024

Posted: February 29, 2024

Posted: February 29, 2024

Posted: February 29, 2024

Posted: February 29, 2024

Posted: February 29, 2024

Posted: February 29, 2024

Posted: December 20, 2022

I was so excited to have won the lottery to have my kids attend EARTHs. I am about to pull them out mid-year and homeschool. The school is a worksheet factory and the students are like robots. There is little differentiation, no innovation and they zap the joy of learning out of them in the 1st grade. The first grade team is something students have to suffer through and then it "gets better" (talk to parents that have kids here - they all will verify this). The homework is archaic and overwhelming and all worksheets. The principal is a "nice guy" but doesn't push the teachers to do better. If your kids loves worksheets and homework and not truly learning, sign them up. Everyone wants to go to Earths because everyone else wants to go to Earths. Go somewhere else for your kids' sake.

Posted: December 20, 2022

Posted: December 20, 2022

Posted: December 20, 2022

Posted: December 20, 2022

Posted: December 20, 2022

Posted: December 20, 2022

Posted: August 14, 2022

My oldest completed K-5 at Earths, and my youngest is in 3rd grade. They both love the family feel of Earths. Earths has responsible and incredible teachers, and parental engagement. The campus feels very safe, kids are all happy and eager, teachers are very organized and really care for their students.

Posted: August 14, 2022

Posted: August 14, 2022

Posted: August 14, 2022

Posted: August 14, 2022

Posted: August 14, 2022

Posted: August 14, 2022

Posted: August 14, 2022

Posted: August 29, 2020

Posted: August 29, 2020

Posted: August 29, 2020

Posted: August 29, 2020

Posted: August 29, 2020

Posted: August 29, 2020

Posted: August 29, 2020

My first child just completed K-5 and my second child was there for 2 years. They both have been excited going to school every morning and enjoyed the amazing learning and school time. The teachers are motivated, and the principal is very proactive and seemingly everywhere at once. This school requires parent volunteering and most parents are very involved. PTA is also very active and supportive, and they also make this school a better place for the students.
My children attended other private schools which offer preschool to first grade classes and public elementary school in TK but they were having ongoing issues with administration, communication and decision. EARThS is a much better school than any 5-star schools my children attended or I visited.
Although my husband and I both have a full-time job, we alternate to volunteer in the class every week and manage our time to go to the field trips and school events every month. I do greatly appreciate the extra work that the teachers, parents, staffs and principal are doing to help each other as a big community and make the school a better place. EARTHS is an amazing school!

Posted: April 23, 2019

There is no built-in intervention or enrichment. They are very much teaching to one type of learner and passing the others by. It is entirely up to the student/parent to arrange for extra help if they are struggling or enrichment if they are ahead and bored.

Posted: April 23, 2019

The only caveat is that they don't have an effective discipline policy. If a student misbehaves, they are generally benched and miss the opportunity to play. My own student was rarely in any kind of trouble, but a classmate was. This student almost never got to play, thus taking away the opportunity to get the wiggles out, interact with peers (and maybe have better behavior modeled for him), or have positive interactions with campus supervisors. There's research on this and many other ways to support positive behavior.

Posted: April 23, 2019

Posted: April 23, 2019

From what I have seen, there are only a very few teachers trying different ways to reach different learners.

Posted: April 23, 2019

Im disappointed not to have loved Earths. They have built a reputation as being rigorous -- that is accurate. I'm just not sure this is being balanced with other things that make learning joyful for children.

My student had been unhappy and unmotivated. He never talks about the reptile lab or the garden or anything else we were so excited about.
There is also an incredible amount of pressure to volunteer in the classroom. A teacher suggested I take a sick day to do so, which made me feel like my own work wasn't being valued. I volunteer my time in other ways, but was pressured repeatedly to be there.

The principal seems to really care for the children and is well liked by them. The uniforms are great. The childcare is WONDERFUL.

In retrospect, I should have selected a school that offered some interest-driven learning and built-in intervention (ie, extra help for those that are behind, or fun stuff for kids that are ahead built into the regular schedule). I think my student will be happier somewhere with more flexible and progressive ideas about learning.

Posted: April 23, 2019

The homework is repetitive and there is a LOT of it. There is no research to support that students this age even benefit from homework.

Posted: August 18, 2015

One of the best Magnet schools in Conejo valley. You get a seat only through school choice. PTA is extra active!! Parking is a problem and there are no school buses allotted. New principal Mr Rickert is friendly and is adored by kids. Loved the parent initiated running club!! Animal lab is cool with critters and geckos. Overall great elementary school.

Posted: August 17, 2014

There is Science in every corner of this school. I am amazed on how great staff and parents work so closely together to bring out the best for the students.

Posted: September 5, 2012

EARTHS is an amazing school with an incredibly dedicated staff. What I truly appreciate is how the teachers differentiate for the different learners in their classroom. The PTA is so supportive. As a new parent last year, the principal and PTA made me feel welcome immediately and found a wonderful way for me to support to the school. The teachers we have had so far go over and above. EARTHS is now a California Distinguished School and being a part of it, I can see why!

Posted: January 2, 2012

I am a parent at this school and thoroughly enjoy the educational opportunity my child is receiving. I also really appreciate the work that the parent volunteers are doing to help make the school have a real community feel to it. Our PTA is top notch and is always seeking input, assistance, and involvement from any parent who wants to help out. This school is about working together with students, teachers, and parents to help achieve a higher academic level of excellence. I always feel welcome and part of the school and PTA as a whole. The school teachers, staff, parent volunteers, and PTA truly make this school a great place to be a part of. Our school offers a variety of educational opportunites, special family events, living life science lab, computer lab, outdoor learning garden, a new labryinth, and so much more. Earths, as it is called for short, is definately a five star school.

Posted: October 31, 2010

Just beginning our second year of attendance: Our first year experience was wonderful. A great teacher, full of positive energy, with a desire to meet each child at their individual needs. Engaged the child and great parent relationship. Can't say enough about our fabulous prinicipal who strives for excellence in everything, has an outgoing personality, knows the students names, and parents too, for that matter, always has an open door, and an open ear. PTA has great leadership, and parents are very involved, and encouraged to be involved. It takes a village - and Earth's is building one :)