Bay Park Elementary School

Posted: September 24, 2024

Posted: September 24, 2024

Posted: September 24, 2024

Posted: September 24, 2024

Posted: September 24, 2024

Posted: September 24, 2024

Posted: September 24, 2024

Posted: September 24, 2024

I have a third grader and first grader at BPE. We’ve been at BPE for 3 years. The teachers are engaged, welcoming, proactive, supportive.

The social emotional curriculum (how to have a growth mindset, engender respect / kindness, conflict resolution) is integrated and strong.

BPE has a full-time counselor who is engaged and proactive.

My son has ASD and has a 504 plan, which is supported by his teachers and school counselor.

BPE has an excellent, innovative, kind principal since 2023.

Families and parents are so engaged, friendly, and work hard to make BPE a welcoming, fun community.

Posted: May 29, 2024

Bay Park Elementary is truly a gem in our community. The dedication and passion of the teachers and staff are evident in every aspect of the school experience. From the moment you step onto the campus, you can feel the positive and welcoming atmosphere they have cultivated.

The teachers at Bay Park Elementary are exceptional. They go above and beyond to ensure that each student receives a quality education tailored to their individual needs. Whether it’s through innovative teaching methods, personalized attention, or the incorporation of engaging and creative projects, you can see their commitment to fostering a love for learning in every student. At every grade level, the educators are not only skilled but also incredibly compassionate and supportive, making sure that each child feels valued and encouraged.

The leadership at Bay Park Elementary is nothing short of outstanding. Under this guidance, the school has flourished into a community where both students and teachers thrive. The leadership team is deeply invested in the well-being and success of every student, and their vision for the school is inspiring. They are approachable, empathetic, and always open to new ideas that can benefit the school community. Their ability to connect with both students and parents creates a strong sense of community and trust.

Bay Park Elementary is not just a school; it’s a place where children are excited to learn and grow every day. The collaborative efforts of the staff and the innovative leadership make it a standout educational institution. If you’re looking for a school where your child will receive an amazing educational experience at every grade level, Bay Park Elementary is the perfect choice.

Posted: May 29, 2024

Posted: May 29, 2024

Posted: May 29, 2024

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Posted: May 29, 2024

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Posted: May 29, 2024

Posted: May 29, 2024

Posted: May 29, 2024

Amazing school! The teachers go above and beyond for students. There are after school enrichment opportunities. If your lucky enough to get Ms. Chicorel for 3rd you won the lottery she absolutely hands down is the most amazing teacher! My daughter is finishing up 5th grade this year there and still wants to become a teacher thanks to her. The parent involvement is absolutely amazing. It really is a great community school where everyone is like family. Met great lifelong friends.

Posted: May 2, 2024

Highly recommend Bay Park elementary every teacher and staff member and parents are so welcoming. Overall each grade and student gets the best learning in and get to go on cool field trips. We also have the best principal ever!!! My family has no complaints at Bay Park elementary. One of my favorite things about the school too is it is very family friendly :)

Posted: May 2, 2024

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Posted: April 30, 2024

Attending Bay Park Elementary for the past three years has been an absolute joy for our family. The staff and environment greet you with warmth and enthusiasm, setting the tone for an enriching educational experience.

The teachers are dedicated to fostering a love for learning which is evident in the work that lines the hallways and classrooms as well as the excitement our children bring home each day. The PTA is committed to enhancing the educational experience through incredible fundraisers, activities and initiatives including science fairs, musical experiences, a bi-annual "snow/sledding" day, Jogathon, Family Dance and much, much more.

Moreover, we are thrilled with the leadership provided by the new principal. Her passion for education, coupled with a genuine concern for the well-being and success of every student and staff member, has been instrumental in creating a positive and nurturing environment at Bay Park Elementary. Under her guidance, we've seen the school flourish and thrive in ways we could not have imagined.

Bay Park Elementary is more than just a school, it's a community committed to the success of our students and we are grateful to be part of such a wonderful school.

Posted: April 30, 2024

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Posted: March 11, 2024

Bag Park elementary is a wonderful school that really fosters confidence, independence, compassion, and academics. Our child is ahead of her peers that attend other San Diego schools and we know it is due to the attention the teachers at Bay Park Elementary give to their students. In addition to academics, the school offers a lot of education without walls to include the school garden, a running club, and other activities that promote being well rounded. There is a lot of school spirit and a strong sense of community at Bay Park Elementary and we know our child is getting the best foundation for her educational journey here.

Posted: March 11, 2024

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Posted: November 8, 2019

Posted: November 8, 2019

My experience has been positive here - but I haven’t had anything to complain about. The PTA is an integral part to the leadership of this school.

Posted: November 8, 2019

There appear to be many resources at Bay Park to meet children’s diverse needs.

Posted: November 8, 2019

Every time a concern has been raised it has been addressed in a way that is sensitive to the children’s confidentiality/privacy, while also intervening in the behavior early so that there doesn’t appear to be any real bullying (i.e., repeated, power differential, etc.)

Posted: November 8, 2019

Overall, we have had a wonderful experience at Bay Park and are always trying to recruit other families to join the Stingray community. The teachers are very responsive to each child’s needs. The parents to work to make the school a better place as many are active in fundraising as well as providing hands on help to the school. The children appear happy and connected, all while demonstrating substantial academic and social-emotional growth.

Posted: November 8, 2019

So far so good. In Kindergarten, they approached HW in giving a packet a week. I thought this helped children and families ease into HW by developing their own way of structuring HW time and getting into he habit of doing something every day. In first, we didn’t have HW but tried “unhomework” in which optional interactive assignments were given. Children received a ticket for each item completed which could be used later to earn a prize. I had mixed feelings about this, as many of the “assignments” were more interpersonal and/or active - for instance, having a conversation about a book you just read was great for developing the ability to talk about a book, have a conversation, etc. On nights where we really needed to have calm time, however, assignments like “collect as many items that begin with the letter T” were not exactly what we needed. Overall, though, it was an interesting approach and again allowed for the development of a homework habit without it being a lot of pressure. This year (second grade) there’s daily HW but it’s very manageable and there’s definitely observable learning which is pretty cool to see.

Posted: November 8, 2019

We have loved every teacher we have had at this school and have mostly heard wonderful things about teachers in other classes. Each teacher we have had has worked to adapt to each child’s needs while adhering to reasonable expectations for the class as the whole. Even when a parent has an issues, teachers appear to be willing to listen and work with the student. At other schools, I hear parents fighting for IEPs and trying to get their children’s needs met and I just don’t understand how that probably could arise in this school. I’ve never felt unheard and anytime I’ve felt the need to advocate for my son (which hasn’t been all that often to be honest) the teacher has been receptive. Teachers have all been responsive to questions and open to connecting about how much child is doing.

Posted: June 15, 2016

Posted: June 15, 2016

Posted: June 15, 2016

Posted: June 15, 2016

Our daughter arrived at the school halfway the year. She was welcomed by staff, teachers and students in a very positive way. In the beginning she struggled with the language, but with the extra help and the patience of both teachers and students she overcame this fast.
I have never seen her so happy going to school, making new friends. She volunteered in the library and other places, and they made her feel really appreciated.
The teacher is exigent in a good way. Some homework, but never too much or without any sense. Lot of nice and relevant projects. Also many field trips, which she loved!
The PTA is very active and has reached a lot of good things for the school. Extra art classes, music lessons, and all activities related to the graduation. Also the physical installations are well in order. There is a very positive, open atmosphere in the school. Parents very involved.

Posted: February 29, 2016

Our son has started Kinder at Bay Park in 2015/16 school year and we have so far been very impressed with this school. What I love the most about Bay Park is that it's full of kind, respectful, and happy kids. There's a community feel to the school mainly fueled by PTA but also a solid principal that has been there for a long time. A lot of families attend this school through the choice program (including us) but that does not take away from the neighborhood feel of the school. Our son started reading just few months into Kindergarten and I have to say most of it due to what he learned at school. The other thing I like is that it's a very active/healthy school. There's a jogging club, lots of sports enrichment and the after school teachers play with the kids outside for hours.

There are other practical considerations that makes the school a good fit for us as two working parents:
- Onsite before and after care program with coverage in all the half days.
- Plenty of after school enrichment activities kids can participate in.
- Good start time
- Easy access from I-5 and plenty of parking around the school.

The only things I wish the school would improve concerns safety. There is a buzzer installed to get through during school hours but no identification required to be admitted. In addition, there are a TON of fundraising throughout the year. i understand this makes the school better for our children but it's so hard to keep up with all of them. I wish there was a suggested yearly donation instead that would compensate for skipping the others. (Of course all fundraising is optional)

Posted: June 11, 2015

The principal is a good politician, but our family needed a good principal. With poor leadership, no school can achieve greatness.

Posted: April 13, 2015

I have one child who currently goes to Bay Park and an incoming Kindergartener. I researched the various options in Clairemont for my children before deciding on Bay Park. I took a Kinder Tour (which I highly recommend) to get a sense of the school in action. I was met with open arms and was provided a ton of information and insight as to what my children's days at school would look like. The Kinder rooms are spacious and I love how they have a separate play area. It's like their little oasis. The other classrooms are dated, but lively. The school is older, built in 1939, but it is small enough to keep that sense of community my husband and I were looking for. We are active parents at the school which is highly praised by Principal Barnes. The PTA is wonderful and plans many extra activities and events for the students. They are a welcoming group of parents and teachers and put out a weekly newsletter to inform all parents. We are glad we Choiced into this school and were accepted!

Posted: November 22, 2014

Both my kids currently go to BPE and we have been very, very happy there. Overall, the teachers are great (there are a few mediocre ones, but I think that's true everywhere), and the principal is pro-active and works with parents to make it a better school. She has also hired some great teachers over the past couple of years, so I think the direction is very good. The thing that stood out for me starting there is how involved many of the parents are. Lots of in-class volunteering, and the PTA fundraises and organizes a lot of 'extras' that you don't get with a less involved populace. Overall, really happy and we love the community there!

Posted: November 3, 2014

We LOVE this school! There is a real sense of community here and it has a very active parent community. The teachers we've had and have met are wonderful and caring and willing to go the extra mile. I read another review that said our school lost 8 teachers last year. That is simply untrue. As parents, we were sad to lose 3 teachers this past year to retirement, one to a career change and another great one to a speciality interest school. We've also had good communication with the principal. It would be great if there were more art and music available than just what the parent groups can provide that would be my biggest change more programs in the arts.

Posted: September 21, 2014

With a child who's only in his second year of school, I cannot say that one school is better than another. Some of the teachers at Bay Park seem to really care, while most seem to be either new or ready to retire... some coming off as just plain rude. Out of the twenty something teachers, about 8 or so did not return from last year. The reasoning for this was not made public, but it could be because they were so unhappy with our new Principal, much like so many parents seem to be. There are some issues with bullies and as recently seen on the news, even a child 'escaping' and found several blocks away.

Posted: January 12, 2014

I have a third grader at Bay Park and a sixth grader who graduated from Bay Park last year, and I've been extremely happy with the school. The teachers and staff have created a strong sense of community that is evident among the students and their families. There are a lot of very strong teachers and many activities available through PTA and the Foundation. Both my children have been in the GATE program and have been challenged academically.

Posted: June 27, 2013

After having 2 children attend K-5 at BPE, I can say that it used to be a fantastic school. However, under the "direction" of the current principal it has changed drastically, and NOT for the better. In fact, had it not been for the teaching staff, I would have moved my child to another school for 4th and 5th grades. The current principal has done NOTHING to encourage community involvement. In fact, the school's enrollment is way down, and it has lost most or all of the partnerships established by the previous principal. Additionally, she has taken a school that had gone to 75%-85% paper-free communication back to relying nearly 100% on paper delivered by young children. BPE's motto used to be "Every day is Earth Day at Bay Park," definitely NOT the case any longer. If your child is not good about bringing documents home, there is virtually ZERO communication. The principal refuses to utilize the ConnectEd System or email blasts. In fact, has been very dismissive whenever it's been brought up with her. Interesting, since she claimed to be computer savvy when she came to BPE. I am so glad that my children are done. Very sad to see what's become of what was once a wonderful school.

Posted: March 10, 2012

Bay Park is a wonderful school! I have been at the school for five years with two children and wouldn't want to be anywhere else! If you live in the neighborhood or choice in, it doesn't matter...there is a great sense of a small community at this school. Parents and staff are very involved and work together to make great events for the kids and to combat any district budget cuts so the kids do not feel the difference. Test scores are high and even more the school emphasises character traits, civility and life learning beyond those scores. Just some of the events at the school are carnivals, snow day, talent and performance shows, before school jogging club, after school choir and more! We just LOVE this school!!!!

Posted: October 26, 2010

My daughter loves this school! After a rough transfer from another SD she was a bit bashful but with the help of the principal we were able to place her in a class where she can thrive! Some pluses are the amazing gym teachers, Mrs. Yates - who does choir, and all but one of the office staff members are full of knowledge and ready to help. My daughter is learning so much more than she was at another SD school in Science, History, and Math. I was disappointed the one time I volunteered as the women were very standoff-ish, but otherwise, I love this school.