Holmes Elementary School

Posted: July 31, 2026

Our family has had an incredible experience at Holmes Elementary. The teachers are caring, dedicated, and truly invested in each student's success. The principal has created a welcoming, supportive environment where both students and parents feel valued and involved.

The school provides an outstanding balance of academics and social development, helping children grow with confidence while fostering kindness and respect. Our daughter has absolutely thrived here, both academically and personally, and we couldn't be happier with the education and community Holmes Elementary has provided. We highly recommend this school to any family looking for a positive and nurturing learning environment.

Posted: July 31, 2026

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Posted: August 20, 2025

Our family could not love this school more. Our son has been in school at home since kindergarten and he is known fourth grade. We have always been so pleased with the love and support from everyone.

Posted: August 20, 2025

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Posted: September 20, 2023

I can't say enough amazing things about this school. From the PTA involvement and leadership to the incredible Principal, this school is the best. Our daughter is an over achiever and I would give much credit to this school for encouraging her to push her boundaries. If there are any concerns they are addressed immediately. You can tell all of the teachers and faculty here really care about the kids and the school.

Posted: September 20, 2023

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Posted: June 26, 2023

I have two kids going through Holmes Elementary right now and we've been overall very happy with their experience. They both loved their teachers this past year, and they have seemed well supported in a safe environment that encourages them to develop good character as future citizens as much as their academic skills.

The Holmes PTA is has the highest involvement rate of any in the district, and it shows through in some wonderful family engagement events and extra curriculum programs for the kids, including gardening, cooking, and music.

We appreciate Principal Saipe's leadership. The kids trust him to be fair, always see him around, and feel comfortable going to him when needed. He leads by example and approaches diplomacy by being a good listener.

There have been some upheavals in the teaching staff over the past few years through the covid pandemic. The enrollment in certain grades have fluctuated oddly (too many TK kids wanting in, but not the normal amount of 4th and 5th graders), and a few great teachers retired. But the staff has done their best to accommodate these bumps, and some younger teachers have been stepping up. Overall it seems that most of the families I've talked to have been happy with their experience.

Posted: June 26, 2023

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Posted: August 31, 2019

Posted: August 31, 2019

Posted: August 31, 2019

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Posted: August 31, 2019

Posted: August 31, 2019

Posted: August 31, 2019

Excellent effort by students and staff. Everyone is friendly. Students keep up with the high standards.

Posted: August 22, 2019

Some grade levels have a bit too much homework, especially in light of the percentage of students in this neighborhood who participate in extracurricular activities.

Posted: August 22, 2019

My children have had really great teachers who care about student success.

Posted: August 22, 2019

Posted: August 22, 2019

Posted: August 22, 2019

While I don't have direct experience, I have observed during volunteer time that Holmes staff and the district do a decent job of supporting students who need custom instruction.

Posted: August 22, 2019

My children haven't experienced serious bullying, but I have heard reports that teachers are swift to react to bullying.

Posted: August 22, 2019

We love Holmes and feel very lucky to have it as our neighborhood school. Many of the teachers have been at the school for years and more than a few even live in the neighborhood, which gives the school character and enables staff and parent dedication to flourish. This translates into a school where my kids are excited to learn and it has even kept us from buying a house in a neighboring community.

Posted: July 15, 2019

the school has a good foundation for building strong character

Posted: July 15, 2019

Principal Saipe was always willing to meet with our family and was understand and positive when our son was having a hard time. He was open to our concerns and was always willing to help in anyway he could.

Posted: July 15, 2019

The class room ratios are too big to really accommodate supporting varied learning difference.

Posted: July 15, 2019

I have not seen any case of bullying and how the school responded so I cannot speak to that.

Posted: July 15, 2019

My was only in TK so he was not required to do the homework like the rest of his class. Since he was in a mixed Kinder and TK class I think it should be the same requirement to get the TK kids ready for the next year.

Posted: July 15, 2019

My sons teacher was used to teaching higher grades so I think she needed to work on connecting on a social and emotional level with younger kids but educationally she was structured and I feel my son learned a lot because of that.

Posted: July 15, 2019

Overall I liked Holmes. This year was a little tough with our sons teacher retiring early in the year as well as him having a teacher that was used to teaching older student stepping in. Academically Holmes has helped my son grow by leaps and bounds! I think with a seasoned Kinder teacher he will have a much better year. I also feel the teacher he had this year will improve with time. I enjoyed her structured approach as well as her open communication.

Posted: April 15, 2018

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Posted: April 15, 2018

The school does a great job of meeting students' needs, despite the lack of support provided by the district.

Posted: April 15, 2018

Fortunately, bullying is not a big problem at this school, but it is still addressed as needed.

Posted: April 15, 2018

I've been a part of the Holmes community for less than a year and the school culture and atmosphere are far better than other schools I've encountered in San Diego. The staff is friendly and welcoming, the parents are involved and helpful, and the students are intelligent, respectful and hard-working. They have a lot of great enrichment programs and the kids are always smiling!

Posted: March 1, 2018

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Posted: March 1, 2018

The school has phenomenal teachers, supportive leadership, and an amazing PTA. The PTA gladly takes on projects or expenses that have been cut by the district. Holmes has a positive learning environment with a lot of great activities, extra curricular opportunities, technology, and communication.

Posted: May 17, 2017

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Posted: May 17, 2017

We enjoy this school. I am involved in the PTA and it is amazing how involved the family and community is within the school. The teachers are excellent.

Posted: January 21, 2014

Each time I drive into the nice neighborhood at Holmes Elementary, I feel thankful that my kids attend Holmes. It's got a warm, community feel. The parents, teachers and principal work together to make sure the kids are learning and having fun too. Great volunteer opportunities and STELLAR academics here. Good choice of before-and-after-school programs. We have been SUPER HAPPY with all the teachers we have had. A+!!!

Posted: January 18, 2014

This is an amazing school! My daughter has attended for the last 3 years and has flourished under her caring teachers guidance. When it was time for our son to start kindergarten we were overjoyed to learn that he would have the same teacher our daughter did. The PTA is a cut above as they have provided extra curricular activities that have inspired both our children. We are eternally grateful to both the teachers and the parent volunteers that have given our kids so much.

Posted: January 17, 2014

Our daughter is in second grade and has attended Holmes all 3 years. This is an incredible school. The teachers are all involved caring educators. The principal provides leadership and great communication. In addition, the PTA and parental involvement create the environment for excellence. This is why this school is ranked so highly and why it's one of the best in the San Diego school district!

Posted: December 18, 2013

This is a great school if your child dont have any problem ( no IEP, no behavior ). But if you do, I don't reccomend this school.

Posted: September 9, 2013

The parent participation at Holmes is what enables the school to provide a quality, enriching learning experience for the children.

Posted: August 10, 2013

Holmes is a great school! I have 3 kids that either are at Holmes or have been through Holmes. There are lots of after school programs. Weekly computer lab, library, and choral music/band for each child. Parent run Arts Attack for every room too! The needs of all learning levels of students are addressed. There is huge parental involvement at this school, so many volunteers. This is what makes it such a great school.

Posted: July 29, 2013

Holmes Elementry is a diamond in the ruff! My son loves school and that is the greatest gift for our family. His teachers have been great at making learning fun. I have also been very impressed with the leadership of Holmes. I am impressed when I see the principal spending his time exercising with the students in the afternoons in order to allow his teachers to prepare their lessons!

Posted: December 18, 2012

We choiced into this school after doing a lot of research. We have not been disappointed - everyone - from the lunch room staff, groundskeepers, office staff, principal and of course teachers say they care about the kids & their learning first and foremost and they prove it every day. Our child is happy here and is learning fast. There are plenty of extra programs after school (for $) to choose from that keeps our son engaged and always learning something new. We are energized by the atmosphere and LOVE love love our current teacher (Yea Ms McGarr!!). There are some scary financial cutbacks that have caused some drawbacks (yeah, the arts program was cut, but hey, right on PTA - thank you for Arts Attack!, yeah landscaping was scaled back - but right on PTA/teachers for creating eco-friendly gardens tended by the kids!!!). PTA is great, teachers are involved and there are a number of great school-wide activities every few weeks/months. It really does make a difference. Parents seem engaged as well. All in all, we are stoked to have our child in this school.

Posted: April 28, 2012

I have a Kindergarten and 2nd grader at Holmes. LOVE this school, the teachers and lots of parent involvement and programs. My kids are very happy here!