Rolling Hills Elementary School

Posted: February 25, 2025

As a parent whose child has been attending Rolling Hills Elementary School for several years, I feel compelled to share my honest experience. While there are positive aspects, there are also significant concerns that impact both students and their families.

1. Unfair After-School Program & Extracurricular Activities
The after-school program operates more like a lottery, making it nearly impossible to secure a spot—especially for new students. Even if children are lucky enough to get in, the quality of extracurricular activities is questionable. Many clubs, such as soccer, are run by teenagers with no real responsibility for the children. In some cases, injured kids are left unattended for an hour without any staff intervening or notifying parents. Despite these serious issues, the afterschool program charges unreasonably high fees for these programs.

2. Lack of Essential Teachers
The school does not have a music teacher, an art teacher, or several other subject instructors. Parents are constantly asked to contribute money to fund these positions, yet there is little transparency about where the funds go. Additionally, fundraising efforts come with unfair policies—children whose families do not donate a certain amount receive nothing, while other students get rewards. This system creates a sense of financial discrimination among students.

3. Discrimination & Lack of Cultural Inclusion
Unfortunately, financial inequality is not the only issue. Racial and cultural discrimination is also present. If families want to participate in school cultural events, they must not only volunteer but also have connections with the "right people" in charge. This exclusionary system prevents many children from sharing their culture and traditions with their peers.

4. Excessive Bureaucracy & Unforgiving Rules
The school has an overwhelming number of strict and confusing rules. If parents miss even one email or deadline, their child automatically loses their place in extended care, school events, field trips, and other activities. This rigid system creates unnecessary stress and disproportionately affects busy families who may not have the flexibility to monitor every school communication.

Posted: February 25, 2025

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Posted: July 16, 2024

Our child's principal is the best human being on the planet! She makes a difference every day, making our child feel so welcome on campus. Her genuine love for all her students shines through. She is a true superstar, and we are incredibly grateful for her dedication and care.

Posted: July 16, 2024

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Posted: May 5, 2022

My ASD son goes to a mainstream Kindergarten class in this school and unfortunately he is not getting the support he needs to succeed. Even though he has no behavior issues he doesn't know how to initiate play with peers so he is basically left alone during recess time. His private therapist went for an observation and saw him sitting by himself a table away from the group and even though adults were present nobody attempted to interact with him or encourage him to sit with peers. The observation happened on the day of the week he is supposedly getting social skills support during recess time from the counselor aide.
On another occasion my husband and I drove by the school and saw him trying to get into the spring ride of the playground when another kid was on it. We then witnessed one of the school staff members grabbing him by the hand and ask him to sit alone on a bench. He was left sitting by himself for the remainder of the recess. We have brought this situation up to his case manager and to the principal but nothing gets done supposedly because they are short staffed.
I am extremelly unhappy with how little inclusive this school is.

Posted: May 5, 2022

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Posted: July 1, 2017

Posted: July 1, 2017

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Posted: July 1, 2017

Posted: July 1, 2017

Excellent, great school. One of the best in Poway unified area.

Posted: July 1, 2017

Posted: October 18, 2016

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Posted: October 18, 2016

Posted: October 18, 2016

Both my boys went to RH K-5. We could not have been more pleased. My husband and I both come from a private school background and were apprehensive about public schools. Rolling Hills exceeded our expectations. One is now in HS with a 4.0 and the other is in Middle School - also a 4.0. Very well prepared socially as well.

Posted: February 9, 2016

Posted: February 9, 2016

They have too much population and not enough room so they fit 2 fourth grade and 2 fifth grade classes in mobile sections outside of school which is pretty unusual. The teachers don't seem to like the parent involvement and the principal doesn't seem that much involved. The GT kids go without any attention or recognition... they are not closely worked with ... and the bully problem is pretty is significant. Also Before and aftercare teachers don't seem to know the students at all and normally mix up parents and kids... they don't have as much enrichment and variety of programs for kids during after school and bullying is significant during this period as well. They are very dis organized in before and after care.

Posted: February 9, 2016

They are not working hard enough, they are stubborn and don't take the parent involvement and the student growth seriously. They don't care about the GT students and don't invest and allocate any resource that is qualified and well engaged with the GT kids. They are not willing or responsive to any change... not sure how they got their rating but I doubt if it sustain if they continue like this.

Posted: August 16, 2014

My son attend to an ASD pre-k classroom in RHES HE LOVE THE SCHOOL the staff is excellent so as the principle

Posted: January 23, 2012

We have three boys who have attended this school and have LOVED it. Such a nice small school, you know all the students and teachers - such a great sense of community. Really well done chorus and band program, art and PE enrichment thanks to the Foundation. PTA programs throughout the year for evening family events. They do a great job preparing our kids for middle school and beyond! The ESS program is great, and there are several after school enrichment programs offered on campus. Adjacent to a really nice park that is the heart of the neighborhood, I smile every time I drive by and see all the happy children playing after school.

Posted: January 15, 2012

I have two kids at RHES and we LOVE it!! It's a small school in a small neighborhood that is big on community. The principal, teachers and staff are amazing and the parents are really involved. We have a great PTA and Foundation, which provide so many wonderful "extras" for the kids!

Posted: June 2, 2011

We just ended our first year at Rolling Hills. I have a Kindergardener and a 3rd grader. We had previously paid for expensive private school over $12,000 per year per child. Rolling hHills provided my children with an excellent education. They also get extra support in Math for my daughter. She is not at grade level for all subjects. The school has a great music and PE program which is funded by the parents through the "Foundation". Although there is no formal arts program, they do have opportunities for your children to participate in if they choose.

Posted: February 7, 2011

I have two kids in second and first grade at this school. This is a small public school in a very closed knit middle class neighborhood. I can feel that the parents and teachers care a great deal about the children. The principle leadership is very strong. The teachers are very competent. The school is never lack of the parent volunteers. My husband and I are educated parents who share the good old family and education value. We are very happy with this school. This school is truely a hidden gem.