Nicolas Valley Elementary School

Posted: July 13, 2026

The school lacks organization and proper oversight of the children. While my child attended this school for TK, there were several times where my child was not with the assigned teacher, and instead was with unknown adults in different rooms on the campus without my knowledge and without my permission. I pulled my child out of this school for safety reasons. The principle quickly made adjustments to their protocols to account for when children are pulled from their primary teacher, but the adjustment was unsatisfactory and they already lost my trust.

Posted: July 13, 2026

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Posted: May 1, 2025

I have a long history with 3 children that have attended here . It used to be a great school and about 4 years ago it went downhill . Terrible communication with parents , horrible special education programs ( not safe at all!!) , poorly runned and very “clicky” . I highly don’t recommend . If you get zoned for this school I highly recommend you get a transfer .

Posted: May 1, 2025

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Posted: August 30, 2024

Both my boys have started their school career here and we absolutely love it!

Posted: August 30, 2024

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Posted: September 28, 2023

I Volunteer at the school regularly and have gotten to know teachers and staff. I think they're fabulous. The new Principal is great and the School has had some recently nice updates.

Posted: September 28, 2023

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Posted: August 18, 2022

terrible school not safe bad administration stuff rude principal and teachers avoid this school my 5 years daughter is scared the first day teacher does not have any smile in her face BAD BAD BADDDDDDDDDDDDDD

Posted: August 18, 2022

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Posted: June 7, 2019

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Posted: June 7, 2019

We have triplets, and 2/3 have ADHD and behavioral issues. Ms. Schlansky was one of the few teachers at NVES who understood, and didn’t attack us parents or our child. She could see my son for who he was, and not just a behavioral issue. Out of the four 2nd grade teachers we became familiar with, she was by far the best. Academically - speaking she is rigorous and does not pass out As easily – one a sign of a good teacher. When my son started to struggle, she contacted us regularly in order to help us help him – maybe a more important sign of a good teacher. He eventually got his grades back up. A final sign of an exceptional teacher is a love for teaching and truly caring about students – which she clearly does. What a great combination – high expectations for academic achievement, good feedback on assignments and exams, and empathy for students. NVES is very lucky to have her!

Posted: June 7, 2019

Posted: February 26, 2019

We transferred from San Diego last year. And I have never had so many issues with my 2nd grader and 5th grader being taunted and bullied. I think the teachers/staff look away until a parent is notified by their children. I’m seriously looking to move my kids ASAP!

Posted: February 26, 2019

It has not been good at all! The front office is rude when you approach then for help or questions. The kids are more scared to get a referral instead of bringing up an issue about bullying. It’s sad to feel you can’t truat your kids with a school.

Posted: January 12, 2019

My kid is only in kinder and little to no homework. The online program could be utilized more

Posted: January 12, 2019

Teachers are either exceptional or boring. Too much packet work for my kinder. Boring and uninspired

Posted: January 12, 2019

There's no time to focus on these things. .. so it seems

Posted: January 12, 2019

New principal and vice lack presence, enthusiasm, passion, creativity, and ability to run a school. So disappointed. Miss the old team.

Posted: January 12, 2019

Can't request teachers or switch classes to accommodate this very thing. Have to wait 2 weeks to put in for different teacher, and by that time kids are already settling in. So, kind of stuck in combo classed and uninspiring teachers.

Posted: January 12, 2019

I see kids bullying every day. But adults are more concerned about kids not running on the playground

Posted: January 12, 2019

5...new leadership and smaller class sizes are needed

Posted: January 10, 2018

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Posted: January 10, 2018

fall of 2017 ,below average, new principal not good

Posted: September 17, 2017

Above average, for sure! We have 3 boys that have gone through, or currently attend, and all are excelling!

Posted: September 17, 2017

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Posted: June 1, 2017

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Posted: June 1, 2017

We love NVES!!! My daughter transferred from Carlsbad and everyone made her feel welcomed. Everyone has been extremely nice a supportive. My second daughter is in K and she is having a great experience as well.

Posted: May 30, 2017

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Posted: May 30, 2017

My son has just about finished kindergarten and has had a great experience. From the teachers, staff, volunteers, nothing but the best. Communication from the teachers and staff were always amazing from the beginning. Looking forward to first grade!

Posted: May 12, 2017

Posted: May 12, 2017

Our son had the best teachers. And the Title 1 teachers are super amazing.

Posted: May 12, 2017

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Posted: May 12, 2017

These school goes out of their way to support your child.

Posted: May 12, 2017

Posted: May 12, 2017

Amazing school and amazing teachers. We could not have wished for better.

Posted: May 26, 2016

This is my daughter's second year at Nicolas Valley. She absolutely loves it there.. Her teacher is very nice and caring and she genuinely seems to care about the students in her classroom. The staff at the school has also been very helpful anytime my husband or I had any questions or concerns.

Posted: May 26, 2016

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Posted: May 26, 2016

Posted: March 10, 2016

My girls are both students of the school and we have never had anything but positive interactions with everyone. I have a kindergartener and her teacher is great both myself and my husband volunteer a few days a week and have never seen anything that would cause any kind of concern. Our older daughter is now in 2nd grade and all of the teachers she has had are amazing I hope my little one gets the same teachers. Happy to be a part of the Nicolas Valley Family.

Posted: February 11, 2014

Sounds like alot of crying. I'm not sure what school parents have been to in the past, but since when is teachers being nice a requirement to teach? Is this what happens when we don't teach our kids to be independant? They have to memorize "5" digits to eat lunch! Oh my! How will they ever spell their name if it's over "5" letters? Grow up, send your kids to school! They are not surrounded by gangs nor intercity problems like the big cities are. If you don't like it, enroll your kids into a private school. But lets be honest, if the teachers are mean, it's probably cause you raised a brat.

Posted: September 10, 2013

Mrs. Mata needs to retire for sure!! She is mean! If she does not like your child, she will make your child's school year miserable. It happened to mine. I agree with the previous comment, she does favor certain kids and parents.

Posted: August 28, 2013

The kids actually have a card that they scan at the lunch cashier, I just thought to let you and other parents know. Kids in the past had to remember their 3 digit #s ( not 5) until this year. I have found the staff very helpful in my opinion, I would volunteer an hour or so ( if you have of course one free hour in a week or a month) if I were you to get to know the school staff better instead of just judging them. I am a working mom and I could squeeze 4 hours a week. (for example: instead of chatting on Facebook or other social media, I dedicate my time into my daughters schooling) in both kindergarten and 3rd grade classes. I am very thankful for NVES. Thank you for reading my comment and I wish all the parents and their children only the best.

Posted: August 20, 2013

I don't care what that other person says because EVERY person we have came across in that school, whether a teacher or faculty, they were ALL mean, rude, and other stuff I cant say. Even the lunch lady was rude and mean. They expect kindergarten kids to remember a 5 digit number for their lunch code. They just started school people. My son doesn't like this school. He complains they make them play outside when it is over 100 degrees. He also comes home STARVING since other kids cut in front of him and he doesn't get time to eat or drink ANYTHING! What kind of place is this? If I had the money, I would be moving to another school district because this place has only shown us very mean and uncaring people who should not be working at a school. If you can afford to, please DO NOT send your child here. We ran into another parent, different grade student, doesn't get to go to the bathroom. These people are all about themselves and not there for our children. If this other parent has great comments, they must be paying for their kids success and special treatment. Us poor people cannot do that.

Posted: August 13, 2013

I just read all these reviews, & I feel like the negative comments are totally one sided. I have two kids enrolled here, and BOTH my kids are advanced. They have excelled in their studies & love their school! The teachers we've had to date have all been awesome, & the admin staff has met our needs. Sure some ARE cranky, but not all are, and that is not fair to group them all as uncaring. The principal is very easy to work with, & I have never had any issues with her. Every time I have had a concern, they listen. Maybe some things are not perfect, but overall, it's an awesome school! The current PTA is very dedicated, and I give kudos to those people who care enough to donate their time to our kids. I highly recommend this school, & suggest that if you can ever volunteer, you should. Parent involvement is very important! The more volunteers, the better! The class sizes have been increasing, that is only complaint I have. Nicolas is a distinguished school too. Parents definitely need to be involved in their kids' homework. Parents lack of involvement in their kids' homework make their kids suffer, and that is not the school's fault. I am personally very happy with this school.

Posted: June 23, 2013

Not impressed with the teacher quality at this school. My child will be attending another school in the district in the fall. Speak to other parents who have children in this school and ask their honest opinion of the teachers. You'll be surprised and wonder where the 8/10 rating comes from.

Posted: May 15, 2013

Avoid this school! We were new to this school came from a san diego district. My child's teachers are horrible! Mr. Nicolas and Mrs. Anderson....Anderson: nice lady, but never shows up to teach! Mr Nicolas is full of himself he does not care about the students. If you have a concern, dont expect him to actually listen. He will talk over you and say ya ok sure. Its about him and him only! Men should not teach grade level kids! Coming from another school my child was ahead...this school is far behind others. I'm not impressed with the teacher quality or their compassion for teaching children.

Posted: May 3, 2013

All I can say about this school is that it really needs a change in administration. The current principal is has been dragging this school down with her domineering and inept ways. Can't believe she has kept her job considering how biased and unfair she is. This school has some great teachers and staff. However, they are all under the foot of the so called principal. Bottom line: Avoid this school and go to another with an administrator who allows the teachers to teach and parents have a say!

Posted: October 15, 2012

We spent almost 3 years here in this school and I have nothing but nice things to say about the school. I have a son with ADHD and learning disability and the staff went out and beyond to meet his needs. The school has a great leadership and an exceptional teaching staff. I wish they had more money to have smaller classrooms, but it is not in their power to do so. PTA is awesome and does lots of good fundraising activities. We will definitely miss the school. I never had a problem with administration, or the principal's ability to lead. No matter what, I would 100% recommend the school to my family and friends.

Posted: October 11, 2012

If you have the choice do not bother with this school. You can count on 1 hand the number of staff that genuinely care about the kids. Administration is horrible. Very few good techers left. Needs too many improvements to list. Avoid this school

Posted: June 7, 2012

NVES is a great school. The teachers are second to none, and I agree with others that the principal is not an effective administrator, but the teaching staff more than makes up for it. The PTA is fantastic, and works hard for the students, despite problems with leadership in the past.

Posted: March 25, 2012

I have had 2 boys go K-5 at Nicolas. The boys are 7 years apart so our experience spans about 14 years. I have nothing but good things to say about the school. Our experience has been great. No complaints from us!

Posted: January 22, 2012

although the staff seems to care, we have one girl failing and the tutoring program after school hasn't started yet and another boy we just took to another school - his teacher literally terrified him. they don't really listen to you (the teachers) and they rarely respond to emails or calls. the principal is easier altogether and seems to be the only one who ever says or does anything. however, she can't do it all. i can't wait to get my daughter out. they won't even transfer teachers or anything.... oh well. office staff is nice. :)

Posted: October 20, 2011

Both of my children have attended this school. My son, K-5 and my daughter K through her current grade 4. Each year, the school has gone downhill. The administration changed several years back from a principal who was on top of everything to one that seems clueless at best. She is a nice person, but not an effective administrator. Perhaps she would be better suited in the classroom. Bullying has gone on and increased, completely unchecked. There are also several teachers in need of retiring (and it shows) as well as several who don't even seem to like children. I frankly don't know why they are teaching! There is not enough supervision before school or during lunch - meaning kids run wild and are allowed to be unruly. Also several paraprofessionals need to be let go because of their poor attitudes with children (more people that don't seem to like kids). Unfortunately, because of unions no changes will be made. If you have a choice, don't sent your kids to school here. You'll regret it. Regarding parent involvement -- don't give $$ to the PTA. The last president stole over $15k of the student's money we worked hard to raise!!! No oversight!!!

Posted: August 8, 2011

This will be our 3rd year at Nicolas Valley, so far we love all the teachers that have been assigned to my two children who attend here. I would have to say the only complaint I have about this school is the principal, she is beyond unprofessional and extremely rude to parents. The teachers are the real quality since they are the ones molding our children. We won t be leaving anytime soon unless the teacher quality drops.

Posted: August 5, 2011

My son has attended NVES for two years now. Both of the teachers that he had there were excellent! I also found the Principal to be very caring and helpful. My only wish is that my son would be academically challenged more than he is.