Grant K-8 in San Diego | Military Town Advisor

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	9/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) data from California Department of Education, and using 2025 California Science Test data from California Department of Education.
Student Growth	4/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from California Department of Education.

Posted: May 30, 2026

We have had kids at this school for 15 years. 2 have successfully launched into universities and 1 still attends. Its a great community with wonderful, experienced and talented teachers. You do have to look past the old building but once you get past the cover this school is a gem.
(The school is currently undergoing a construction project to address the dated structure. The buildings will soon match the great work happening inside!)

Posted: May 30, 2026

Posted: May 23, 2026

Would not recommend I have a friend who goes here and he was talking abt how he got jumped and theres false rumors and harassment going on and when he told the school they didnt do nothing not a suspension or anything highly disappointed that yall dont take harassment seriously and just dismiss it so easily even though he doesnt have evidence yall should still have investigated it too an extent

Posted: May 23, 2026

Posted: March 24, 2026

Grant TK-8 has been a wonderful experience for our family. The teachers are caring and dedicated, and the school creates a strong, supportive community. Our child feels safe, challenged, and excited to learn every day. Highly recommend!

Posted: March 24, 2026

Posted: February 20, 2026

The teachers truly want to do their best with what they are given, and thats not a lot. Especially from the administration, especially from the principal. Coming from a school where I saw the principal every morning at drop off, at the weekly assembly, at the awards ceremonies handing out awards to the kids.

This is a completely different environment at Grant. This principal does NOT do any justice to the growing and impressionable minds of elementary school students.

Community involvement is strong, parents really contribute a lot to the classroom and teachers really care. They really rally to prop the kids up and support the kids as much as possible.

We recently received a survey and it really highlighted what we feel was lacking in the leadership from Principal Cain in the school and what had to be compensated by the teachers and the parents. Which should not be the case. The kids deserve more than what the administration from principal Cain has delivered. Please do better or allow someone else to do better, for the kids.

I really wish the district would re-evaluate if they have the right person in the right position leading the school for children to succeed.

Posted: February 20, 2026

Posted: October 22, 2025

We have been at Grant TK8 for 8 years and have had such a wonderful experience. The teachers and administration have all been wonderful. The school community is incredibly welcoming. We feel so lucky for this gem of a school in our neighborhood!

Posted: April 3, 2025

We absolutely love being a part of the Grant community! The teachers and staff are incredible and truly care about their students. Our son has had such a wonderful experience and really enjoys being a Grant Gecko!

Posted: April 3, 2025

Posted: October 30, 2024

A few years ago I wrote a good review for Grant, but many things have changed for the worse and I have pulled one of my kids out of the school. Enrollment is slipping at this school dispite the influx of TK. The principal has reduced the academic hours at this school. This school has the shortest school day in the district. 8am to 2:25. Compared to my kids new school 8 am to 3pm with a minimum day of 1:40 now vice Grant's 12:25. On top of this I was on a 3 year wait list to get after school care here and there are no waitlist at all at our new school. This principal has shrunken her work day year after year so she can commute back to North County where she lives. She came in strong making personal phone calls to parents, but now I believe she no longer has the best intentions for our students. Its sad to see how a once amazing school can lose so much with a bad leader at the healm.

Posted: March 13, 2024

We have had a great experience at Grant in our second year. Our son particularly enjoys the music and art classes.

Posted: March 13, 2024

Posted: November 9, 2023

A great community and educational foundation for our children.

Posted: August 19, 2023

its my tenth year at this school. it used to be really good but now its so political oh my gosh. so many of the teachers are pushing their opinions on you, but the ones that dont are super nice and really good teachers.

Posted: June 13, 2022

I echo what a lot of the other reviewers have stated that the Elementary Years are fantastic but one or two of the Middle School teachers need work or to find a new profession. These bad actors are in the minority here, but they are still here and the New Principal is too inexperienced and too conciliatory to take any real action or make decisive positive change. But she is nice, she is trying her best, and she is committed. So maybe with time she'll get to be the leader the school needs. What speaks the loudest to the quality of education here is the fact that all the teachers with school age children have them also enrolled at this school. They have insider knowledge that the parents don't have and have entrusted this school to educate their kids. In general in the US Middle School student performance typically decline in the middle grades especially if one attends a middle that is a combination of multiple elementary schools. The academic losses is less pronounce in K-8 schools. I find that this is true for us. We were fortunate enough to get Ms Brandt and she is the perfect teacher to launch the kids into middle school. She taught the kids how to use planners, and technology, she is an avid reader and has encouraged my kids to be voracious readers too. Alot of the teachers here do go above and beyond in their dedication to the kids that the good far out weigh the few bad.

Posted: November 12, 2020

Great for K-6, but struggling with distance learning in 7th.

Posted: November 12, 2020

We have had a great experience -- until this year (Fall 2020) -- with only a couple of exceptions. My son is now in 7th grade and has been at Grant since Kindergarten.

Posted: November 12, 2020

The new principal, who started Fall of 2020, ignored all the emails I copied her regarding my son's trouble with distance learning.

Posted: November 12, 2020

The science teacher would not be flexible with turning in late assignments during Covid-19 because she wanted to "teach him responsibility." So he ended up getting a terrible grade. Another excellent teacher, fortunately, recognized signs of ADD and is recommending having him evaluated.

Posted: November 12, 2020

Posted: February 18, 2020

Grant is a great school... for grades K-5. The middle school is horrendous. The only good things about grades 6-8 are the music program and Ms. Baldwin's science class. The new No Place for Hate initiative is much needed there, although I don't know that it's very effective. Bullying is rampant among the middle school with little to no consequences unless kids are literally caught in the act. Between the teachers, administration, and space, the school does not seem well equipped to handle middle school, but is very nice for elementary.

Posted: February 18, 2020

Posted: February 10, 2020

The school just rolled out an initiative for "No Place For Hate" teaching kids not only to not hate or bully but also how to intervene and not be a complacent bystandard.

Posted: February 10, 2020

Music Program is the best. My kid love orchestra and Ms. Valeska really inspires her students to love music as much as she does. She encourages her students to try out for the District's Honor's Orchestra and has the best turn outs as compared to other schools with Music programs. All 4th and 5th graders play an instrument at this school band or orchestra. We left a school who was only able to have choir as the only form of music for the kids. Science program here is really good. My 3rd grader names every cloud in the sky and predicts the weather. There is a lot that this school does for its student body but is not talked about or bragged about. I feel like they keep it a local secret to minimize transfers. It is really hard to get into this school. So if you can do it, you won't regret it.

Posted: February 10, 2020

Posted: November 20, 2019

Our son has recently entered middle school at Grant K8. He finds the classes challenging but very enjoyable. He loves going to school! The teachers are very experienced, dedicated and approachable. The homework load is quite reasonable leaving time for outside activities.

Posted: November 20, 2019

Posted: July 15, 2016

In relation to other schools within San Diego Unified I've heard that Grant gives out more homework than most for Kindergarten

Posted: July 15, 2016

My son recently finished Kindergarten and had a really great experience. The teachers seem really invested in the child and there's a great sense of community amongst the parents. We are so pleased with Grant and looking forward to another great year.

Posted: February 15, 2016

Grant has been an extremely positive and rewarding experience for my 2nd grader. he rushes in to school in the morning to start his day.

Posted: January 24, 2016

Our daughter just started at Grant in the third grade this year. So far, it's been a very positive experience. She's very happy, made lots of friends and is learning a lot. She has a wonderful dedicated teacher and there is strong parental involvement. We're very happy to have her in Grant and look forward to keeping her there all the way through 8th grade.

Posted: January 9, 2016

TERRIBLE TERRIBLE-was so displeased we pulled our child and now elsewhere. No accountability what so ever !!

Posted: November 27, 2015

The teachers at grant elementary cant teach. They also dont listen to what the parents say. If you say please dont give sweetsto your child they ignore you.

Posted: November 27, 2015

The theachers cant teach. The students are stuck up and so are their parents. If you dont have expensive clothes ,stuff you will be judged. Its a terrible school.

Posted: August 9, 2015

This school has great racial and socio-economic diversity. There is a great sense of community and parent involvement. Grant has a very active PTA that hires professionals to supplement the science and art programs. Grant offers a variety of after-school programs and specialized classes. Teachers are concerned about their students, and students generally get along well. Grant has an excellent special education team and highly-trained teachers for GATE students.
Grant is like a private school on a public budget!

Posted: August 3, 2015

The teachers are active and involved in the children's education. The families have a great sense of community, and contribute in many, many ways to enrich the kids' school experience. With that said, there are cliques and occasional bouts of elitism and agenda pushing here and there. Nowhere is perfect. By and large a great school for anyone's children.

Posted: March 6, 2015

Horrid school! The students are mean and judgmental, as well as very cliquey. The teachers are hypocritical and just cannot teach. I sent my daughter here for 7th grade and students from all grades talked behind her back and started rumors about her. Many of these students ,especially in 8th grade, do drugs and try to get 6th and 7th graders to do it too. This school is sick and a waste of my time. Don't do this to your child and send them here. This school is so overrated it makes me sick in the stomach. This school might have a good and high API, but that API doesn't mean a thing when the students are two-faced and snobby and cause my own strong willed daughter to try to commit suicide! I pulled her out immediately and am now going to send her to De Portala or Correia because of this horrible mess they call a school. Don't waste your time on this school.

Posted: September 8, 2014

We just love Grant!! I have 2 daughters in the lower grades& we couldn't be happier to be where we are. We have loved every teacher that we've been blessed with and admire the hard working staff & principal. When you combine those things with a large network of dedicated parents unafraid to get in there and roll their sleeves up, to me, it's a winning combination. The sense of community is remarkable. As are the value-added programs paid for by the very active PTA. Seriously, Grant rocks. Go Geckos!

Posted: March 11, 2014

Grant is a wonderful community school with AMAZING teachers, great parent involvement and a great student body. The academics are top notch, the Science program is strong, the PE teachers are excellent, the band and orchestra are fabulous. We are working on getting Spanish into all grades(now in Middle School) and more Art in the school. Go Grant!!!!!!!!

Posted: November 21, 2013

I have three kids at Grant, and my oldest, a fifth grader, has been there since kindergarten. My kids love the school, and as their parent, I am confident they are getting a first-rate education in a nurturing and caring environment. The level of professionalism and commitment I have found in the teachers at Grant is extraordinary. All my children's teachers know their strengths and challenges and each one has a strategy to bring out the best in my child. Also, the parents are extremely committed to the school, and have raised a significant amout of extra funding to support music, art, and other programs at the school. So happy to have my children at Grant!

Posted: August 23, 2013

Grant K8 offers children a warm nurturing environment in a beautiful neighborhood setting (next to Pioneer Park) - and has been there for 100 years. I'm a parent and also former student at Grant (I graduated in the late 80's). My two kids (ages 6 and 8) are entering 1st and 3rd grade - both started at Grant in kindergarten. Besides solid curriculum in the core subjects, the PTA and Grant Foundation help support supplemental programs in science, math, music, art and Spanish. The fairly recent addition of middle school grades (2008) has strengthened the Grant community and ensured consistency of both academic rigor as well as special extracurricular opportunities. Parents who become involved are rewarded by feeling that their giving back makes a difference and is appreciated. Fundraising IS a priority for the school, to offset the relatively lower funding received from the state budget. With the upcoming "school improvement plan", it's anticipated that Grant will benefit from facilities upgrades.

Posted: August 19, 2013

Wow! I read through some of the comments on here and was a bit surprised. The experience some have had differ greatly from my own personal experience. With 2 going on 3 kids in this school, I can say I have been very satisfied. I am even hoping to get Mr. Martocchio this year. Is it perfect? No, but what school is. But for a neighborhood public school, it ROCKS. The teachers are committed and caring. The parents strive to make it better every day. The middle school is focused on academics while providing a close knit community feeling. It is not right for every kid, but for mine, it is great.

Posted: August 19, 2013

We LOVE Grant--the teachers, the staff, the parents, and the kids are all wonderful. We have met such amazing people during our time at this school. The Middle School is great. It is such a relief to not have to worry about a new school until High School. We highly recommend it!!!

Posted: August 18, 2013

The school feels like a real community with caring teachers and involved families. With a child in middle school and one in elementary school here, I feel confident in their success.

Posted: August 18, 2013

Grant K8 is an extraordinary school with committed faculty and staff. The parent community and PTA is very active and has made this school a real gem. With a new campus renovation starting in 2015 this school will be the best around. The science, math, gardening, digital media, art and music programs that are funded by the PTA also provide the students with an extraordinary experience.

Posted: May 2, 2013

Another Mission Hills family leaving Grant!! Discussded with teachers and Principal. So sad so many local families choose to send kids elsewhere.

Posted: April 17, 2013

Grant is a good school, yes, but it's not great. First, their current math program for the lower school is outdated and confusing. And can I say something about the school's favorite kindergarten teacher, Mr. Martacchio? He is the coldest, most arrogant, close minded kindergarten teacher I have ever met. His system works well for most (he has them disciplined like little soldiers) but any child who does not fall perfectly within his system gets left behind and labeled as a trouble maker. What's worse, he isolates the "trouble makers" and creates a cycle of misbehavior. What century are we living in?

Posted: October 31, 2012

My daughter goes to this school and I have been very happy this far, especially with the new principal. She has had wonderful teachers every year and she thrives. The most beautiful part is the park next to the schools, where the children play and socialize afterwards. It is such an enrichment to their lives.

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Mission Hills	Neighborhood/Subdivision	San Diego	CA	0.5 mi
2	Riverfront Condominium Rentals	Apartment Complex	San Diego	CA	1.6 mi
3	The Heritage	Apartment Complex	San Diego	CA	2.2 mi
4	Apartment	Apartment Complex	Coronado	CA	4 mi
5	City Heights	Neighborhood/Subdivision	San Diego	CA	4.1 mi
6	Ocean Beach	Apartment Complex	San Diego	CA	4.6 mi
7	Legacy Walk	Condominium/Townhouse	San Diego	CA	5.6 mi
8	Spectrum Center Blvd, Kearny Mesa	Neighborhood/Subdivision	San Diego	CA	5.8 mi
9	Canyon View	Neighborhood/Subdivision	San Diego	CA	5.8 mi
10	Del Cerro	Neighborhood/Subdivision	San Diego	CA	6.5 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Mission Hills	San Diego	CA	0.4 mi
2	Old Town San Diego	San Diego	CA	1.1 mi
3	Old Town	San Diego	CA	1.4 mi
4	Broadway Pier	San Diego	CA	2.3 mi
5	Gaslamp Quarter	San Diego	CA	2.7 mi
6	North Park	San Diego	CA	2.8 mi
7	Seaport Village	San Diego	CA	2.8 mi
8	Loma Portal	San Diego	CA	2.8 mi
9	Kensington	San Diego	CA	4.2 mi
10	Serra Mesa	San Diego	CA	4.3 mi
11	Coronado	Coronado	CA	4.4 mi
12	Point Loma	San Diego	CA	5 mi
13	Del Cerro	San Diego	CA	6.9 mi
14	University City	San Diego	CA	7.7 mi
15	La Jolla	La Jolla	CA	8.8 mi

Base	Distance
MCRD San Diego	1.5 mi.
San Diego Naval Medical Center	2.3 mi.
North Island NAS	3.9 mi.
Coronado Naval Amphibious Base	5.2 mi.
San Diego Naval Base	5.5 mi.
Naval Base Point Loma	5.9 mi.
Miramar MCAS	9 mi.
Camp Pendleton	43.8 mi.

Grant K-8

San Diego, CA 92103

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Grant K-8

San Diego, CA 92103

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