Rolando Elementary School

Posted: April 29, 2026

Posted: April 29, 2026

Posted: April 29, 2026

Posted: April 29, 2026

Posted: April 29, 2026

Posted: April 29, 2026

Posted: April 29, 2026

This review reflects concerns shared by multiple families, many of whom are hesitant to speak openly due to fear of retaliation.

As someone involved with the school for over 5 years, I have seen ongoing issues that are concerning. Classrooms are often overcrowded, and teachers appear overwhelmed and under supported. Communication from administration can feel indirect, and feedback does not always seem welcomed.

While efforts are visible on the surface, they do not always reflect the day to day experience. Family communication is not consistent, and tools like ParentSquare are not used uniformly across staff.

Teacher quality varies widely. Some educators go above and beyond and make a lasting difference, while others seem disengaged. That inconsistency can leave families feeling like their children are not receiving equal attention or support.

There has also been a lack of stability for certain grade levels. For example, the class of 2034 has experienced both classes losing their teachers beginning in December of their third grade year that lasted through the remainder of the school year, followed by continued disruption the next year. There has been little to no intervention specific to them to help those students recover from those gaps.

Special education support needs improvement and assistance. While some staff are dedicated, there are students who clearly need more support than they are receiving. Students with high support needs would definitely not thrive here at all.

Families would benefit from more transparency, consistent communication, and opportunities for open dialogue with leadership. Stronger support for teachers and more focus on community building could significantly improve both morale and student outcomes.

Posted: April 29, 2026

Posted: March 27, 2026

Posted: March 27, 2026

Posted: March 27, 2026

Posted: March 27, 2026

Posted: March 27, 2026

Posted: March 27, 2026

Posted: March 27, 2026

This is a chaotic school where student violence is disturbingly common. It is not a safe place to work or to learn. Teachers are struggling without adequate support. Administration needs to be held accountable for poor management.

Posted: March 27, 2026

Posted: October 5, 2023

Posted: October 5, 2023

Posted: October 5, 2023

Posted: October 5, 2023

Posted: October 5, 2023

Posted: October 5, 2023

This is not a good school as a child saying this I went here for 4 years and 4th grade was the worst grade then they asked me about personal questions and put me in counseling just for a fight they didn't even start I didn't even punch the kid but my friends helped and I was the one to get in trouble and the kid also told me and friends to kys and the kid didn't even get in trouble and one time at lunch, when I was eating one of the staff members, chocked me and didn't even get arrested didn't even get fired all because i missed the chocolate milk just because I'm a child you should not think I'm just making up stuff this really happened to me so before you enroll your child here just check the reviews and I'm not saying you have to listen to me but it would be best to send them somewhere else and I moved to another state and it is better here I'm now in middle school

Posted: October 5, 2023

Posted: October 5, 2023

Posted: December 18, 2021

Worst school any of my children have attended!! Bullying, theft, staff apathy are all rampant.

Posted: December 18, 2021

Posted: December 18, 2021

Posted: December 18, 2021

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Posted: December 18, 2021

Posted: March 23, 2020

We have 2 boys here, have not had any issues, love the teachers and staff here!

Posted: March 23, 2020

Posted: March 23, 2020

Posted: March 23, 2020

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Posted: March 23, 2020

Posted: November 7, 2019

Both of my children have attended Rolando since Kinder; now in 4th and 6th grade. Overall it's been a really great experience for us!

Posted: November 7, 2019

Posted: November 7, 2019

Posted: November 7, 2019

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Posted: November 7, 2019

Posted: December 11, 2018

Posted: December 11, 2018

Posted: December 11, 2018

Posted: December 11, 2018

Posted: December 11, 2018

Posted: December 11, 2018

Posted: December 11, 2018

We have had a wonderful experience at Rolando! All 4 of our kids have attend or currently attend. The teachers truly love their students- the community is like family!

Posted: August 10, 2017

Posted: August 10, 2017

Posted: August 10, 2017

Posted: August 10, 2017

Posted: August 10, 2017

Posted: August 10, 2017

Posted: August 10, 2017

My girls love this school!! We have always had amazing teachers that go the extra mile to help the kids be the best they can be.

Posted: May 2, 2016

They are responsive however, they are a one size fits all approach to all students regardless of learning style. No one is in a hurry to recommend an IEP.

Posted: May 2, 2016

When the special team asked me to make sure we try group sports for my son to feel better, build relationships, strengthen skill, I ask: when? We are doing homework at night during our dinner hour. And he has never skipped homework until this anxiety hit. Now, he cannot even look at a page.

Posted: May 2, 2016

My son has been in trouble almost every day since kindergarten, for 3 years now. It's now taken it's toll. He's learned nothing except to freak out the second he is anywhere near the school. During the last weeks he attended class, he got in trouble for hugging someone. He walks himself to the principals office. He is so sad, anxious and depressed, he is showing signs of spectrum disorders that we are awaiting screening of at Rady Children's Hospital. We are now scrambling to get an IEP in place. He is in a "home hospital status" as of next week. I do not feel they are trained enough to deal with the different learning styles of children. It is a one size fits all and that does not include unique individuals, such as my son. That is not an honest, fair situation at all. And walking a parent thru the steps by lecturing me on a daily basis of all of his wrong doing made it a cringe worthy experience every day at pick ups and drop offs. For YEARS. We have finally made it into another school with a learning environment that speaks to different learners.

Posted: May 2, 2016

5/2016, 3 stars. My son needed the IEP a while ago and now possibly has a special needs/diagnosis. Certain small ticks he's had in Kinder have grown to be major issues. While we continue to work with the special group at Rolando, all very responsive to his needs, it is still a "one size fits all" approach, even when we are at our most desperate for answers. To recommend that my son start participating in group sports when he is overly anxious and overwhelmed to those things usually flags to me that there is not a match. Once your child has a specific learning style and possible disconnect to certain disciplinary techniques that do not match how you are handling discipline at home, this particular type of school will never work out. I do not recommend this school for a very active boy who is emotional, possible spectrum issues and takes to heart any monitoring of his behavior on a daily basis. If your child is having behavioral issues on a weekly or daily basis for several years, you will need to find a school where they can explore different learning styles and thrive. I believe Rolando would work if they had more training and resources available to them. 4/30/2014, 5 stars. My son started kindergarten last year and it was a very tough transition and sort of continues to be. He has grown out of some issues and has some lingering issues. He loves to learn, loves to interact, is an only child, has tons of energy... we thought he might be heading toward an IEP direction. Rolando's faculty really came to the table and together we formed an action plan that we continue to follow and this been helping my son without an IEP. I think this school has been incredible, resourceful, open and available for a successful outcome. Going thru the proper channels, meeting really qualified, great folks along the way for the best cause: education! Wonderful PTA, Room Moms and special events too!

Posted: August 17, 2014

My son started Kinder at this school and is now in 2nd grade here. The teachers, staff and principal have all been extremely wonderful and caring. With regards to the poster about lunch being too short, my son never comes home hungry. I do pack his lunch and maybe once a week he'll bring home his dessert. He occasionally asks a to eat the lunch served there. We have attended lunch time with him and the time to eat is fine. The curriculum in the classroom is great. They have taught my son things in Kinder & 1st that I don't recall learning until much later. They really push the students to be the best at everything. I'm impressed! When we moved out of district we chose to transfer him back to Rolando. We hope to continue his elementary education with Rolando to the end.

Posted: May 11, 2014

My daughter is moving on to middle school so this is our last year at Rolando. It has been an amazing 7 years filled with creative, encouraging, and kind teachers. The principal and office staff have been amazing in every way. Rolando was just awarded the California Distinguished School award and we couldn't be prouder. Thanks Rolando for a wonderful elementary school experience!!

Posted: April 2, 2014

I strongly recommend Rolando Elementary School. I am very happy with the principal's participation, the teachers and the parents involvement in the student's education. I am very proud to say that my daughter is a student at Rolando Elementary Schoo.

Posted: June 4, 2013

why you erased my review ?Because it is negative review so what ?My twins kids had a very bad experience in Rolando ?As minority will never send again my kids there never and never if some parents are happy there that's their choice I thought? that we are in democratic country?Well where is my post why you moved out?

Posted: May 26, 2013

My husband and I are both elementary teachers in San Diego Unified, both our children attend Rolando. This is a wonderful school. The parent participation, the diverse student population, and the engaged school staff have created a positive environment that not only challenges our children to be dedicated learners, but encourages them to be thoughtful, contributing members of society as well. Go peacebuilders! I understand the time constraints in terms of scheduling and curriculum requirements which all schools must balance. Rolando's dedicated staff juggles it all beautifully. If ever we've had concerns, the staff has been open and willing to work with us. This school has such a great vibe, it's the kind of school I'd want to work at myself. Therefore, I'm thrilled to have my children work there! Schools don't get "CA Distinguished School Awards" for nothing--they earned it.

Posted: May 20, 2013

I love this school, the teachers are great teachers. My daughter has had some difficulties in her learning (problem hasn't been detected) and the teachers have been very supportive, always helping her to have great self-esteem and motivating her. My kids go happy to school everyday. There is a lot of parent participation and have great staff in the office. I totally recommend this school.

Posted: January 11, 2013

I am a parent of 2 children from this school very happy whit all the staff good teachers very friendly and polite, the only thing is the food and time to eat 20 minutes are not enough to eat for the kids they been having pizza for breakfast and lunch 3 times a week .......

Posted: September 20, 2012

This is to respond to the previous' comment. The parent complained about 20 minutes lunch, complained about minimum Tuesday time, complain about not enough instruction time. These complains are contradictory against each other!! If there was too little lunch time, then the time must go to some other events i.e. instruction, maybe? With regard to not allowing younger kids to ride the bike to school, maybe because the school is concerned for the safety of the child? Each city has its own plus and minus. One can't compare apple with orange. If La Mesa is exactly the same as your previous location, I'd think it is illogical to move here since you'd lose money/effort/time and you gain nothing from moving to the same place then. I am not one for the 2 teachers in the same class, so I can't comment on that. With regard to the food, I agree with you, the cafeteria food is not my favorite so I pack my kid lunch daily, but maybe you can pack some extra snack/fruit for him? There is a saying that I apply and teach my kid every day "when you are given a lemon, make lemonade".

Posted: September 19, 2012

There isn't enough instruction time. Every tuesday is a minimum day. My son wants to ride his bike, but only 4th grade and up are allowed to. My kids don't have enough time to eat lunch, they get 20 minutes, and that is including waiting in a single file line to get through the register and lunch line. In the end, the lunches are absolute trash. Not enough to fill up a growing kid, and so not edible, absolutely disgusting. I wouldn't feed it to my dogs, seriously. His 3rd grade classroom has a contract with two teachers that teach the class. This is extremely confusing, both for him as a student, and me as a parent. The facility is old. Flies all over the place in the cafeteria due to leaving the doors open because of no air conditioning. We moved from the east coast and were spoiled with our rated 10 public school, that was equal to a great private school. I've searched out charter schools, but those are rated even worse!