Carmel River Elementary School

Posted: April 26, 2024

Posted: April 26, 2024

Posted: April 26, 2024

Posted: April 26, 2024

Posted: April 26, 2024

Posted: April 26, 2024

Posted: April 26, 2024

Posted: April 26, 2024

We requested a transfer after my child was bullied- even physically hit number plus times. The principal didn’t follow proper protocols for investigation. Come to find out the student was his literal next door neighbor. He would not recuse himself from any investigation and staff was so afraid of him they just gaslit my child and put HER into a class on how to navigate friendships. When another parent complained about the same student they did the same thing to her child. Horrible school.
My child moved to Tularcitos Elementary and the difference is night and day. Wonderful school!

Posted: March 10, 2024

Posted: March 10, 2024

Posted: March 10, 2024

Posted: March 10, 2024

Posted: March 10, 2024

Posted: March 10, 2024

Posted: March 10, 2024

Posted: March 10, 2024

There has been a wholesale change at River since the new principal, Mr. Ramirez, took over here. He is so thoroughly engaged with students and parents, the difference is palatable throughout the teacher and student bodies.

The education remains mostly the same, which is to say it conforms with the state curriculums. The teachers do a great job pushing students beyond that to the extent that there is interest/ability.

The one area for improvement (with the new administration now onboard) would be having a more inclusive playground environment that doesn’t have wood chips and tripping hazards.

Posted: January 9, 2023

Posted: January 9, 2023

Posted: January 9, 2023

Posted: January 9, 2023

Posted: January 9, 2023

Posted: January 9, 2023

Posted: January 9, 2023

Posted: January 9, 2023

I can’t believe this school continues on despite continuous discrimination against minorities and girls. The principal, Jay Marden, is arrogant and gaslights you into thinking he cares about students, but he only cares about Catholic hetero white male students who were born in Carmel — preferably if they are related to him. Yes, he even hired his own son. The school nurse is even worse.

If you moved here because you think your kids are going to get a good education or even just be safe and cared for at school, think again.

Posted: October 29, 2022

Posted: October 29, 2022

Posted: October 29, 2022

Posted: October 29, 2022

Posted: October 29, 2022

Posted: October 29, 2022

Posted: October 29, 2022

Posted: October 29, 2022

I could not in good conscience recommend this school to another parent. Due to the lack of structure in the school, there is extreme nepotism, favoritism, and discrimination occurring daily. This derogatory dynamic coupled with a pompous principal -Jay Marden breeds a negative environment for education. The schools goal is to deliver exceptional education, at which it is failing by every measure since the return from the pandemic, but I am not sure if it was much better in years prior. Our family moved here from the Bay Area fives years ago in the hopes of a quaint and exceptional experience and have been met with conflict, constant threats, and chaos within the school. Do yourself a favor enroll your children in All Saints or anywhere else.

Posted: September 23, 2022

Posted: September 23, 2022

Posted: September 23, 2022

Posted: September 23, 2022

Posted: September 23, 2022

Posted: September 23, 2022

Posted: September 23, 2022

Posted: September 23, 2022

Had my child at this school for kindergarten. The teacher was so scared of COVID that she wouldn’t go near the students even though everyone was masked. Anytime we tried to work with her on our child’s IEP she was very dismissive and not willing to collaborate at all. When our son was falling behind on all of the school work and testing and we raised our concerns about her lackluster involvement she simply dismissed our concerns and said we didn’t give our child enough credit. That being said, we did find the support staff (especially resource teachers and the school OT) to be good.

Posted: February 20, 2022

Posted: February 20, 2022

Posted: February 20, 2022

Posted: February 20, 2022

Posted: February 20, 2022

Posted: February 20, 2022

Posted: February 20, 2022

We have been very happy with the quality of education our child receives at River School. We’ve found the teachers and leadership to be very caring, attentive and invested in the students, including those with IEPs. I love that beyond “core” types of learning/classes, students have garden, music, art and computer and others from wonderful, experienced teachers. This school is a truly special place!

Posted: February 20, 2022

Posted: December 17, 2021

Posted: December 17, 2021

Posted: December 17, 2021

Posted: December 17, 2021

Posted: December 17, 2021

Posted: December 17, 2021

Our family moved from a different school district to Carmel specifically for the expected quality of education. However, after being in the District for almost 3 years, it's become clear that while our kids are certainly attending a very privileged school, the amount of discriminatory practices towards minorities (both social and religious) is alarming. They will only allow Christmas to be represented during the holiday season and will get out of their way to discriminate agains minorities by forbidding a menorah to be lighted during Christmas celebrations. The district has also had several claims of hate speech and the current superintendent was recently caught on video calling police enforcement on a disabled person who had a valid medical exception to the mask wearing mandate during a public board of education meeting.

If you are planning to move to Carmel mostly because of the school district, think about what this might mean for your children from the elementary school level all the way until high school, you might find yourself very disappointed.

Posted: December 17, 2021

Posted: January 18, 2021

Posted: January 18, 2021

Posted: January 18, 2021

Posted: January 18, 2021

Posted: January 18, 2021

Posted: January 18, 2021

Posted: January 18, 2021

So glad to almost have all my kids out of this place. There’s a few gems, the education provided and positive atmosphere are lacking greatly.

Posted: January 18, 2021

Posted: December 18, 2020

Posted: December 18, 2020

Posted: December 18, 2020

Posted: December 18, 2020

Posted: December 18, 2020

Posted: December 18, 2020

Posted: December 18, 2020

Best school in the county! The teachers are amazing! They stepped up to the plate with the pandemic and made distance learning a smoother ride for us parents. There's a real sense of community. Staff know my kids by name. I just love that my kids have the opportunity to attend this amazing school!

Posted: December 18, 2020

Posted: September 15, 2020

The teachers do not care about there students

Posted: September 15, 2020

Posted: September 15, 2020

Posted: September 15, 2020

Posted: September 15, 2020

Posted: September 15, 2020

Horrible. The teachers are horrible in fact the whole staff are horrible.

Posted: September 15, 2020

They are doing horrible with online learning. There giving no work and all the teachers seem not to care about there students.

Posted: January 26, 2016

This is a wonderful school. Very few teachers are less than ideal. Keep up the good work of letting go of not-so-good teachers and hiring great teachers! This school has the best financial and kids to support the best hires possible.

Posted: January 26, 2016

Posted: January 26, 2016

Posted: January 26, 2016

When a school has a good program for kids with learning disability, on the other hand, to be fair, it must have advancement programs for kids who need more challenges.

Posted: August 15, 2015

Minority students treated unfairly by the school administration and the principal. Favoritism is a big issue needs to be resolved at this school.

Posted: August 15, 2015

This school is good in terms of education but the minority students treated unfairly by school administration and the principal. Favoritism is the biggest problem at Carmel River Elementary School.

Posted: November 22, 2014

My grandson is blessed to have the best team of teachers I have ever seen. I was an educator for 30 years and have never experienced such a high level of positivity and support for students.

Posted: October 3, 2014

I am not giving this school a rating. I agree with the previous person's comment. The principal does not treat newcomers well.

Posted: September 30, 2014

My family had to move a few times during my daughter's elementary school, and Carmel River School is the worst school we had ever seen. Bulling and favoritism are big issues at school. Principal Jay Marden has an attitude "take it or leave it". The school counselor Veronica Craft is not familiar with Ethical Standards for American School Counselors. We had to visit family phycologist after Veronica Craft 'talked' to her. Overall, the school environment is not healthy. There are so many schools around there which are much better in terms of environment, academic achievements and quality of teaching.

Posted: May 24, 2013

River School is beyond amazing in all aspects. The fair, and intelligent leadership of Principal Jay Marden sets the tone of the school. Teachers are incredible! My child has computer lab, music, PE twice a week (although wish it was 5 days), science, and Spanish. There is a real sense of community between the parents and a lot of involvement. Could not be better. I have one child that went from kinder through 5th and my second is on her way to third grade.

Posted: March 12, 2013

My son was in this school for 2 years, then we moved to NC, and we miss it every day. The school is EXCELLENT, the teachers are great. It is like being in a private school, or BETTER!!!