Forest Grove Elementary School

Posted: December 7, 2020

Avoid this school at all costs. My children have been students here since kindergarten. The school has missed the mark with regards to covid. I have friends whose kids go to Robert Down Elementary and they are with their teachers for 4-6 hours per day. The teachers have it set up so the parents have minimal work to do. Not at Forest Grove, at Forest Grove my children spend 45 minutes per day with the teacher. Maybe two days a week they have another 15-20 minute meeting with the teacher. The rest is through online sites, with prerecorded lectures. I spend my time juggling between getting my work done, and helping them complete their work. The websites the students need to use are constantly changing. The daily meeting times are constantly changing. The teachers are unwilling to even grade the children's work. Huge disappointment. If you are moving to the area, I recommend you check out Carmel schools or Robert Down. Do not do this to your children.

Posted: December 7, 2020

Posted: December 7, 2020

Posted: December 7, 2020

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Posted: December 7, 2020

Posted: October 1, 2019

We love how dedicated the teachers and staff are to the students. The parent involvement is amazing. We were worried, when we found out we were moving to California, about our children's education and we couldn't be happier to be part of the Forest Grove community.

Posted: October 1, 2019

Posted: October 1, 2019

Posted: October 1, 2019

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Posted: October 1, 2019

Posted: April 22, 2019

Posted: April 22, 2019

Posted: April 22, 2019

Posted: April 22, 2019

Posted: April 22, 2019

Posted: April 22, 2019

Excellent school with an amazing staff that cares about their students.

Posted: April 22, 2019

Posted: December 11, 2018

I have had the pleasure to work with 4 different FG teachers and they have all been amazing! They really care about the kids and work with parents when needed to achieve the best outcome for the child.

Posted: December 11, 2018

Character is an important key to success at FG. The teachers, staff and administrators are great examples for the children. In turn, I believe the children will learn by example.

Posted: December 11, 2018

The principal is amazing! He truly cares about all the kids, knows their names and makes a point of getting to know parents. Mr. Roggeman has really made FG a great place to send our children. I'm very impressed.

Posted: December 11, 2018

Posted: December 11, 2018

I think this is a problem in many schools, but I believe FG does their best to minimize bullying in the school. They encourage inclusivity and partner with parents to make changes.

Posted: December 11, 2018

I couldn't love FG more. The teachers, staff, and administrators are all top notch. I am so pleased my children get to attend such an amazing school.

Posted: December 11, 2018

Teachers really limit the amount of work that comes home and asks for parents to let them know if their child is overworked. They really only want under an hour of homework a night (including reading).

Posted: October 30, 2018

Posted: October 30, 2018

Posted: October 30, 2018

Principal and administrative support are excellent. Very organized, hands-on, welcoming, kind. Principal Roggeman is a wonderfully positive person and models excellent character.

Posted: October 30, 2018

The special ed teams work hard to support the students that have learning differences.

Posted: October 30, 2018

I have not witnessed this first hand, but there is a very proactive way that they talk about bullying and promote kindness and tolerance.

Posted: October 30, 2018

We love it! Excited to be a part of this community and have our kids attend this school.

Posted: October 30, 2018

It will likely vary from teacher to teacher and by grade, but our Kindergartener does not have any homework other than reading with family, and our 2nd grader has suggested homework assignments but it is up to the parent what or how much the child is to complete.

Posted: September 3, 2018

Not great but not bad. It’s an average elementary school that could use some work on being exclusive to all students, fixing the achievement gap, and replacing some teachers who just are mediocre.

Posted: September 3, 2018

This area needs work. The homework is not stimulating and lacks any sort of engagement from the student. Have the students help create the homework assignments that correlate with what they are learning in class and i garrentee they will be more interested. Almost like when a kid helps cook dinner, their more app to eat it because they helped with the process. The worksheets need to go in the trash.

Posted: September 3, 2018

Depends on the teacher and their engagement between the student and the parent. Personal connection is key.

Posted: September 3, 2018

Depends on the student and the teacher. On one hand a student can spit on a kid and get a warning. Another student can have an argument over teatherball and get sent to the principal. Consistently is the key.

Posted: September 3, 2018

They do pretty well in this area. Civics could use a makeover but overall it’s fine.

Posted: September 3, 2018

This area had low test scores. Something isn’t being done to allow these kids to reach their full potential.

Posted: September 3, 2018

Some days the meaning of what bullying really is and the meaning have different definitions and consequences. Strangest thing ever. Different kids have different “consequences.”

Posted: June 3, 2017

The Homework is very old school. They have lots of worksheets and a heavy focus on writing spelling words over and over and over. They lack any creativity or writing within the homework assigned to k-2.

Posted: June 3, 2017

Posted: June 3, 2017

Posted: June 3, 2017

The principal will be respectful to your face. But again if you bring up any modern teaching philosophies like The growth mindset, a student centered classroom, small group instruction, you are basically ignored. Plus, if your child has difficulties and needs modifications, they are less than pleasant to deal with. They expect your child to be excited to learn and eager to please. If your child has bumps in the road, you become more of an inconvenience to them.

Posted: June 3, 2017

As stated above, this school is great if your child is Johny or Jane Sunshine and naturally wants to be an awesome student. If your child has attention problems, emotional issues or simply isn't super motivated, the school isn't going to help much.

Posted: June 3, 2017

Posted: June 3, 2017

I was very excited for my son to be in Forest Grove when he entered kindergarten. The first couple years went fine. Around the middle of first grade my ex and I went through a long divorce and custody battle. This obviously had negative affects on my son. His grades reflected this fact. he started falling behind. The school was notified of the situation. I feel that they did little to nothing to help or support him. At a parent/teacher conference in October 2016, I basically had the teacher throw her hands in the air, along with the reading specialist and say what's wrong with your child. Meanwhile I hadn't been notified once earlier in the school year that there in fact was a problem. Now at the end of the year, my son's reading hasn't improved since November, even though he is seeing their reading 'expert'. And it is clear that the principal is done with me as a parent expressing concerns and asking questions. I am very disappointed in Forest Grove.

Posted: March 15, 2017

Posted: March 15, 2017

Posted: March 15, 2017

Posted: March 15, 2017

Posted: March 15, 2017

I think this is a great school overall. The teachers and Aids are very good and that is what makes this a great school.

Posted: March 15, 2017

Posted: March 15, 2017

Posted: November 18, 2015

The teachers are trying hard and they must be excellent teachers, they are the reason this school is rated as high as it is. Other things in this school seem to be run in a hap-hazard way. The receptionists are rude to parents, I have learned not to ask them a question, I look around for any other adult to ask my question, or sit in the office hoping someone else will walk by. When I have volunteered for PTA events, if we discover that something is needed, they try to trick a new parent into going into the office. If that doesn't work, people start listing the number of times they have had to interact with the front office people, flat out stating that it isn't their turn! Finally someone will break down and go. When I enrolled my child, I came on the first possible day of registration with all of my forms. My child was not assigned a teacher until the morning school started. The receptionist had me check back in daily to get the assignment. I couldn't call, I had to go in and the old principal didn't plan to go over teacher assignments until the morning that school started. That Principal retired and they have a new principal starting next year. I am hopeful for next year!

Posted: November 18, 2015

Posted: November 18, 2015

Posted: November 18, 2015

Posted: August 24, 2014

Overall I have been happy with the education my kids have gotten at Forest Grove. The teachers are what makes this school the success it is. The majority of the teachers really care about the students and it is apparent. On the other hand, the administration is very unorganized and does not provide the teachers with what they need to truly make them shine. Communication is horrible and last minute if it happens. You will be horrified by the registration process. The school could be so much more successful with better organization and effective planning by the administration. They really need to go and visit other schools out of the area and see how other schools function, get out of the bubble for a bit. Technology is extremely poor here and it gets worse every year; they need to catch up quickly or the students will continue to fall behind on both a state and national level.

Posted: August 1, 2013

I really like Forest Grove and my children love it. For the most part I feel the school really tries to help students. My only complaint is the way they assign instructional aides. The district has a contract with an outside organization and I don't think the organization always puts the needs of the children first. I like that my children have physical education everyday. They go to the computer lab at least once a week (full time computer teacher). They also have music on a weekly basis. I love that this school has so many of the things other schools are eliminating because of budgets. Overall, I'm very happy with the education my children receive from Forest Grove. It is a good school in a great small town.

Reviewed: November 25, 2013

FG was a welcome surprise for us coming from MD. My husband is attending the NPS program. The Pacific Grove school system includes two of the best elementary schools in the area. We are happy with the quaintness and community feel that FG offers. We moved mid way through her kindergarten year, and I was very worried, but everyone,to include the front office staff was kind and welcoming. Our new kindergarten teacher Mrs. Klevan, made our daughter welcome immediately and helped make the transition seamless. The school size is small in general. Now a 1st grader has a class of 21. One down fall, however, most know that CA in general suffered many education cutbacks. Although this district fared better than most, the lack of technology is evident. I haven't seen a smart board or an IPad yet.Sadly the community recently voted against a bond that would have increased technology spending. The Common Core Curriculum is not entirely installed. Overall we are happy with the decision.

Reviewed: November 21, 2013

Very happy here, great small town feel, small school population. Moved half way through K and Mrs. Klevan made our daughter feel comfortable and special. Good mix of local and military kids attend. Also solid staff from very experienced to extremely experienced. Front office personnel also exceptional. Very strong PTA adds fun activities each year. Physical location is very sweet with regular deer that welcome the kids to and from school. Also adjacent to high school with access to their stadium for PE classes. Speaking of PE, the kids go each day! Once a week for music, library and computers. Lots of cool field trips to local sites such a Monterey Bay Aquarium and Pacific Grove Performing Arts Center.