Carlton Oaks Elementary School

Posted: August 11, 2025

This school is amazing wonderful teachers and excellent leadership. My son went to kindergarten here and will be in first grade I love that all the neighbors all attend the same school and I also taught art and loved being apart of the school, great PTA and a wonderful community!

Posted: August 11, 2025

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Posted: July 12, 2024

The administration here does not want to do anything to help special needs students, especially if they don't require the same things that other kids do. If letting a kid call their mom when they're having a rough day would help them calm down and return to class, too bad. If a toy from home helps soothe them, oh well. If they seem to have a hard time with full days and melt down the same tike every day, well they'll get used to it (spoiler alert, mine didn't).
The special ed staff is not neurodiversity affirming and only wants to rely on ABA methods that are practically human dog training. They don't care to address a child's underlying needs. They even go against the advice of 95% of therapists and insist you not tell your child if they have a disability. They seem to think that anxiety won't exist if you don't tell your child about it. Sorry, but I'm going to go the supportive way of teaching my child about his disability, helping him recognize when it affects his life, and teaching him ways to work around the problem.
Beyond everything else, the kindergarten program at this school is ridiculously rigid and overly academic. Early childhood learning experts all agree kids learn best through play at this age, so why are they sitting at a desk doing 7 worksheets a day?

Posted: July 12, 2024

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Posted: January 16, 2018

The new principal is amazing. He is always engaging with the students and parents. We are extremely happy with this school.

Posted: January 16, 2018

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Posted: January 16, 2018

Posted: November 11, 2014

My daughter attended here for 5th and Partial 6th grade until we moved to Imperial Beach after her 6th grade camp. The staff and the organization between staff and parents is awesome. I loved the fact that 7th & 8th grade were together with the elementary school. My daughter had Mrs. Marchant and she always was willing to work with us and communicate about my daughter from a Single Parent background. She is an outstanding teacher. This school is great, the only downfall is that they don't offer a breakfast program which is odd from the schools my daughter had attended in the past and given the breakfast is the most important meal of the day, other than that It was a pleasure for my daughter to attend here, too bad we moved.

Posted: August 22, 2014

Love the K - 8 experience this school provides; high quality staff; office staff is welcoming and really gets to know the children and families.

Posted: May 22, 2014

Amazing school. Great staff. My daughter had Mrs Shinsky 2012-2013 and I cannot say enough good things. Angie is amazing with the kids. She is firm but loving. She doesn't tolerate any misbehaving and my daughter especially loved how she got to to take care of beanie babies. Angie also encouraged my daughters creative side and gab loved it. I volunteered in the classroom and Angie was a joy to talk to. Oh, one of the best things about her is that if you have concerns about your child she will discuss it with you. I never felt like an inconvenience to Mrs shinsky. And believe me I asked a lot of questions as this was my first born going into kindergarten. I loved the teacher so much that i requested her for my son had her this year and my son loved her too. I wish we were still there but my husband got promoted and we had to move out of the city. Wish my son's kindergarten teacher at the new school was amazing as Mrs shinsky. We love you Mrs shinsky. Gabby and diego say hello. :D as for the school itself, love it. Parking issue sucks, but it's an elementary school si what do you expect? And the principal is amazing as well. :)

Posted: February 13, 2014

I have been extremely pleased over the years with the professionalism and high quality staff at Carlton Oaks. Everyone is so friendly and cares deeply for all students.

Posted: February 10, 2014

Extremely happy with Carlton Oaks. The teachers are wonderful to work with, both on a student level and a parent level. We have been at the school for 4 years and have no complaints! Campus is kept clean. All staff is friendly and pleasant to work with. Thank you to the person that recommended this school to me.

Posted: May 28, 2013

I am more than impressed with this school. The teachers and the administration are very invested in the children they serve. I how involved the teachers are and how much they really care for the children. My child is excelling and I owe it in large part to CO. Being that they're in a smaller school district, they seem to really spend their money wisely. The campus is beautiful and there doesn't seem to be as many "cuts" as there are in other districts. I love this school...it truly is a jem!

Posted: February 8, 2013

Although the teachers seem nice, the middle school doesn't offer sport, art, or music type electives. They have drama and Shakespeare, but if your child's grades are mediocre, their only choice of elective is study hall. The parents aren't given a chance to work with their child at home because by the time your child gets home, their homework is already done at study hall. What a waste of time. Also, GATE is no longer offered. My children's minds are not well stimulated at this school and of course my kids don't want to leave their friends for another school. If you're looking for a school that offers more activities, and mental stimulation, look elsewhere.

Posted: January 31, 2012

We moved from Reno to Santee and had several schools to choose from. A co-worker suggested Carlton Oaks and we have been impressed. Our son's grades have increased and he is making friends. The teachers are caring and administration does a great job of communicating what is happening at the school. Thank you Carlton Oaks Elementary School!

Posted: December 1, 2011

My kids have attended here for 4 years now and I couldn't ask for a more supportive staff. My son has a medical condition and had a seizure at school and health clerk was wonderful! She is so loving and caring to these students. My children have never had the "Williams" but they are a wonderful asset to the community through volunteer work and programs that my children has been a part of. I have had great communication with the staff there and really have nothing derogatory to say. My only complaint would have been it's an old school, but since the remodel, I can no longer say that. Santee school district is nice because it gives me a smaller community feel, if that is what you like. The VP has been very supportive and is always out with the kids. My kids really love the staff here :)

Posted: August 10, 2011

My kids are really looking forward to another great year at Carlton Oaks. We have been so happy with the teacher, curriculum but especially their PTA. The PTA really welcomes everyone and does so much for the kids and teachers their amazing. I'm a member but work and it's nice to know my small membership fee does so much. We just got the kids state test scores and it confirms that Carlton Oaks is tops in all areas.

Posted: May 15, 2011

As the single parent to a special needs child, I am very pleased with my son's experience at Carlton Oaks this year. He is in a diversified, special needs classroom with only 10 other children. The principal, Dr. Stephanie Pierce, is new to Carlton Oaks this year, and has made it a point to get to know both kids and parents. Her strong leadership and example have had a positive influence on everyone. Funding could be better, but isn't that true of all schools in California? Thanks, Carlton Oaks, for a fantastic kindergarten year for my son.

Posted: March 10, 2011

Overcrowded classrooms, lack of individuality for children at their pace, really bad funding, where the child is forced to learn at everyone else's pace where half of the class is an upper grade an older than the other half of the class, any hope for children with special needs or children from divorced households that need a better game plan for grasping their learning?

Posted: March 21, 2010

Inexperienced teachers that do not connect with the children or try to help them if they are falling behind. The school is great as long as you do not have a student that has special needs, or needs a bit more guidance than others.

Posted: March 14, 2010

I moved here about 2 1/2 years when we got here I had all 4 of my kids at Carlton Oaks, 1 7th grader, 1 6th grader, 1 5th grader and 1 2nd grader. My kids were behind and due to the great communication of all the teachers my kids have not only excelled but have really learned to be the best that they can be, i hold Carlton Oaks responsible for this. I know when my kids go to school they are safe. I now only have 2 at Carlton Oaks and in about 5 years I will have another child at Carlton Oaks I cant tell you how happy that makes me. To the entire faculty your doing a superb job keep it up. Lisa Finnestad+

Posted: September 24, 2009

Posted: September 7, 2009