Jones Elementary School

Posted: February 15, 2026

Posted: February 15, 2026

Posted: February 15, 2026

Posted: February 15, 2026

We love Jones. The teachers are informative and support our children in their learning. Our daughter loves going to school and everyone is kind and welcoming!

Posted: February 15, 2026

Posted: February 15, 2026

Posted: February 15, 2026

Posted: February 15, 2026

Posted: November 2, 2025

Posted: November 2, 2025

Posted: November 2, 2025

Posted: November 2, 2025

As part of the Serra Mesa community, but originally zoned to another school, we chose to choice our kids into Jones, and have had a wonderful experience! The teachers are absolutely amazing—dedicated, creative, and genuinely invested in every child’s growth. They take the time to know their students as individuals, celebrating strengths and supporting areas for growth.

The school offers incredible opportunities in the arts/music and STEM. From inspiring art projects that fill the hallways to dynamic music performances that bring the community together, students have so many ways to express their creativity. The emphasis on both the arts and STEM creates a well-rounded education that sparks curiosity and innovation. The STEM programs are especially strong, giving students hands-on experiences. I loved seeing my Kindergartener learn basic programming skills with Otobots as early as Kindergarten.

The school also shines in its focus on The Leader in Me and Social Emotional Learning. These programs empower students to take ownership of their learning, build empathy, and develop important life skills like communication, responsibility, and self-awareness. It’s inspiring to see students learning not only academics but also how to be kind, confident leaders in their community.

Another one of Jones’s biggest strengths is its leadership. The principal is approachable, supportive, and truly knows every student—and most parents—by name. She is visible and involved in daily school life, ensuring that everyone feels seen, valued, and heard. Overall, Jones Elementary is a special place in the heart of the Serra Mesa community that nurtures our kid’s learning. We couldn’t be happier to be part of such a vibrant, caring, and enriching community!

Posted: November 2, 2025

Posted: November 2, 2025

Posted: November 2, 2025

Posted: November 2, 2025

Posted: November 1, 2025

Posted: November 1, 2025

Posted: November 1, 2025

Posted: November 1, 2025

Jones Elementary is a tight knit community. My children choiced in from our neighborhood school and my husband and I couldn't be happier. Although there are many options in Serra Mesa for elementary schools, we love that Jones is smaller and calmer. This school is focused on leadership through their montly spotlight awards that highlights students who display the leader in me habits. The principal, Mrs. Buell, is so friendly and holds a lot of family events and community engagement. Her passion in helping students be successful is apparent! I love this past family workshop for social emotional learning, and had no idea there were so many opportunities for students in this area. My kids love Ms. Vu the school counselor and I can see why! She is supportive of not only students, but families as well. It was heartwarming to see the way she honored the families passed loved ones and truly cares about our kids. Ms. Higdon and Ms. Carson are other gems. Their love and patience for the students are apparent. Join our Jones community with the passionate and wonderful staff!

Posted: November 1, 2025

Posted: November 1, 2025

Posted: November 1, 2025

Posted: November 1, 2025

Posted: October 26, 2025

Posted: October 26, 2025

Posted: October 26, 2025

Posted: October 26, 2025

What a great local school went got here in Serra Mesa.

Posted: October 26, 2025

Posted: October 26, 2025

Posted: October 26, 2025

Posted: October 26, 2025

Posted: October 24, 2025

Posted: October 24, 2025

Posted: October 24, 2025

Posted: October 24, 2025

We love Jones. It is a small school with a positive environment focused on leadership, social-emotional learning, and family participation. Our children love it and we have made great new friends and staff relationships since joining Jones.

Posted: October 24, 2025

Posted: October 24, 2025

Posted: October 24, 2025

Posted: October 24, 2025

Posted: October 1, 2025

Posted: October 1, 2025

Posted: October 1, 2025

We love our Jones community! As a small local elementary school, Jones has a welcoming, tight knit community and it really feels like we know most of the students and parents. Our principal, Mrs. Buell, is incredibly friendly and communicative, and our PTA always puts on fun and creative events. We recently had a full time counselor join our school, and all the kids love Ms. Vu! Plus, the social and emotional learning just keeps getting better. We would love to have more members of the community join us at Jones!

Posted: October 1, 2025

Posted: October 1, 2025

Posted: October 1, 2025

Posted: October 1, 2025

Posted: May 30, 2025

Posted: May 30, 2025

Posted: May 30, 2025

Posted: May 30, 2025

Love this school! My child switched over to Jones and has grown academically beyond our expectations. Amazing community with teachers who go out of their way to make every child feel welcomed and loved!

Posted: May 30, 2025

Posted: May 30, 2025

Posted: May 30, 2025

Posted: May 30, 2025

Posted: June 9, 2023

Posted: June 9, 2023

Posted: June 9, 2023

Posted: June 9, 2023

Posted: June 9, 2023

I can't say enough great things about Jones. Wonderful, supportive teachers and staff, a principal who cares, parents who want to participate, great kids. I have 2 children who attend, and they are thriving. They are excited to go to school every day. They are learning so much in creative, innovative ways. My kids have done everything from yoga in class to gardening and robotics. Family engagement is over and above with many fun events for both parents and students, on and off campus. We have an art program fully funded by the PTA as that is not something that is provided by the district. STEAM, VAPA, field trips, performances, fun educational assemblies, parent workshops are just some of the programs to mention. After school care and other clubs and sports are also available on campus. Well kept grounds, new STEAM rooms in kinder classes, huge library with a wide variety of literature. Most of the teachers have been around for many years. My little one is one of the youngest in his class, started school not reading much at all and is now reading above grade level. Thank you Jones Elementary!!

Posted: June 9, 2023

Posted: June 9, 2023

Posted: June 9, 2023

Posted: May 1, 2023

Posted: May 1, 2023

Posted: May 1, 2023

Simply the best! That new principal really brought in some great teachers.

Posted: May 1, 2023

Posted: May 1, 2023

Posted: May 1, 2023

Posted: May 1, 2023

Posted: May 1, 2023

Posted: March 2, 2023

Posted: March 2, 2023

Posted: March 2, 2023

Unfortunately, the administration at this school is incapable and inadequate in all areas - from a lack of communication, not taking bullying seriously, and being completely contradicted by the district. Example - we get 2 emails from the district (one last week) saying there are "concerns" about our child's absences. In the same week, I get an email from the school that my child will receive an award for EXCELLENT ATTENDANCE. The school secretary couldn't explain it, it's a joke. These people should all be fired and they should start fresh. There is one good teacher at the school. If you attend, hopefully you get that one. Also beware of the combination classes - poor learning, no advancement, no budging on the concerns shared by myself and my child. Especially disappointing after explaining the mental health toll of my child feeling "punished" in a class with 23 kids in the grade below them and only 7 kids in their own grade. They with no work to do the majority of the day. Jones should be called JOKES.

Posted: March 2, 2023

Posted: March 2, 2023

Posted: March 2, 2023

Posted: March 2, 2023

Posted: March 2, 2023

Posted: October 5, 2022

Posted: October 5, 2022

Posted: October 5, 2022

Posted: October 5, 2022

Posted: October 5, 2022

The academics are extremely lacking and disappointing. Not enough staff or resources.

Posted: October 5, 2022

Posted: October 5, 2022

Posted: October 5, 2022

Posted: March 9, 2021

We love everything about this school (except the to 7:35 am start time). Two kids, 5 teachers over four years (one class has dual teachers), all good. Principal Buell is great, after school programs are available, teachers are dedicated, the active PTA members create wonderful opportunities for the kids. I love the diversity of cultures the families represent - military, linguistically, ethnically, etc (like all schools, diversity of educator staff is more challenging). Distance learning was managed as well as possible too.

Posted: March 9, 2021

Posted: March 9, 2021

Posted: March 9, 2021

Posted: March 9, 2021

Posted: March 9, 2021

Posted: March 9, 2021

Posted: March 9, 2021

Posted: October 6, 2020

Most certainly! They even hired a counselor for the two students with learning disabilities in the entire school! Any public school who invests so much in such a small segment of the population is impressive.

Posted: October 6, 2020

If I could give it 6 stars, I would. My element daughter just finished this past year and now she is half way through Middle School with perfect grades made possible by the excellent learning skills that she learned from Ms. Pincus, Ms. Benninger, Ms. Holdstad, Ms. Webb, Ms. Petersen, and Mr. Solomon. That I can remember the names of all her teachers is a testament to the great communication they all had with my wife and I. I highly recommend this incredible neighborhood school to any parent who wants their child to have an amazing and well-rounded education.

Posted: October 6, 2020

This school is awesome! The principal really leads an energetic team of educators who go above and beyond to meet the educational needs of the students. Best part is that they’re even better through distance learning.

Posted: October 6, 2020

All Teachers are seasoned and very well educated; they have a strong mentor ship of new teachers and it shows in their communication and student academic results.

Posted: October 6, 2020

Posted: October 6, 2020

Two word: Allison Buell. A principal who leads from the front and has the energy to navigate everyone to not only succeed but to to teach others to do the same.

Posted: October 6, 2020

Posted: November 6, 2017

Jones teachers are the best! With 2 kids in the school, we have had he best experience with caring, motivated and engaged leaders to teach our children.

Posted: November 6, 2017

A great group of students attend Jones and you can tell how caring their families are during the extracurricular events!

Posted: November 6, 2017

The principal is engaged and present daily. It is very comforting to see her greet every child by name, every morning!

Posted: November 6, 2017

With the growth mindset, it allows the students to grow at their own pace and feel confident while learning.

Posted: November 6, 2017

Fortunately, we haven't had any experience with bullying at Jones, but the students are learning to proactively prevent bullying.

Posted: November 6, 2017

Our 3 years at Jones so far, has been positive and we look forward to several more!

Posted: November 6, 2017

The teachers we've had show a mix of homework, balanced with life experience. Reading homework has been strongly stressed, but they don't get sent home with hours of work to do. This works well for our family so that they can grow and learn through sports and life experience.

Posted: November 6, 2017

This school does follow in line with any other school promising parents and students to build strong character- although Jones has lost ability to fall through on their "commitment" to do so. First, they need to guide the teachers to have strong character, like integrity, compassion and respect. But, this isn't on just the teachers. It's also a parents part to develop strong character- therefore I gave a "neutral" rating due to what seems to be the fault of some parents too.

Posted: November 6, 2017

The principal seems friendly and engaging at first but after some time she has shown to be disengaged from the reality of students and parents concerns or well being.

Posted: November 6, 2017

I can't stress enough the importance of supporting students with learning differences. This school fails to recognize any differences and treats the children as if their learning style is uniform. I've wished to see stimulating school projects, labs or field trips to create a fun environment. One of my kids has an IEP- if yours has an IEP- run from this school. You will be left lost and confused about what progress, if any has been made. You are better off doing whatever you can to help your child by yourself.

Posted: November 6, 2017

There's not much to say other than kids are not held responsible for their awful or disruptive behavior. My child has been bullied, provoked and in turn would misbehave. The root of the issue was never sought out and left my son feeling as if he had done something wrong. Between another child making noises in his ear in the library to kids telling him "better do it" or I'll tell on you for something he didn't even do. It's a nightmare. The teachers brush it off as "kids being kids". This is where it starts and will continue through high school- do not let this be the foundation of your child's experience with bullying.

Posted: November 6, 2017

My experience was dangerous to my children. I'm taking my kids out of this school. Please, I urge you to see this is the most current review and true to it's colors. Please read through why I rated the school poorly. The depth in my answers are to ensure that no other parent fails their child, that no child is left behind.

Posted: November 6, 2017

I rated Jones "neutral" because I can't speak for all the teachers. I have two children who go there, in different grades, that have a combination of three teachers who have been ineffective. That's one too many. My children needed help in areas that went unnoticed for almost the entire grade, a few months before summer is when we were told there was much improvement to be made. We did everything we could to fill the gaps but it was a struggle as the teachers left all efforts to us. I asked for more communication and guidance in specific work that would help improve the areas they needed but was left with little or no help. My children deserve better and I beat myself up for giving Jones another chance thinking it would improve, when it has only got worse. This year, I lost hope for Jones when my child's teacher said "We use to think kids were either born smart or not", in relation to gearing children's learning by "Growth Mindset". I couldn't believe the teacher said that to a room full of parents not to mention she said "we"- which made it that much more unsettling. The teacher also spoke of "not being a fan" of the new growth mindset way of learning. The teachers unenthused words and lack of belief left me running to the learning center to put together my own teaching plan because I can't let my child fall behind again.
Did you see their academic progress is a 6/10?

Posted: November 20, 2015

My son has been attending school here. The faculty and staff have been great and PTA is active. My son is progressing academically and where he needs to develop (his behavior and social skills) is being addressed. The teachers and principal care about the success of the students and they are quick to make sure your childs needs are met. They keep me up to date on his academic progress.

Posted: September 18, 2013

My son just started the Transitional Kindergarten program and I am so pleased with the school, teachers, principal and PTA so far. His main teacher, Krista Petersen and her assistant teacher Christa Jacobson are amazing!Teachers both have excellent communication with parents and encourage parents to volunteer. The principal, Rita Powell is always visible and available to parents and kids. I joined the PTA right away and just attended the first association meeting and was blown away with all the programs and events they have planned to raise money for the school and increase parent involvement. The only reason I give 4 stars is that the school really needs Air Conditioning. The first 2 weeks of school were very warm and my child came home exhausted, thirsty, sweaty, hot and cranky.I do commend MrsPowell for activating their extreme heat protocols, but it was too late for my son. He became clinically heat exhausted, nearly heat stroke in the 2nd week.This is an infrastructure problem though and I heard the Principal tell news reporters that she planned to have AC put in by 2014 school year so I am very pleased with that and will change my rankings to 5 stars when that happens.

Posted: July 2, 2013

If you have a child with special needs in the mod/serv do not go to Jones. There is a new special ed teacher this year and she is nothing more than a glorified babysitter. She doesn't believe the kids can learn. We use to love Jones as we have been there for 5 years but we are moving on to a school that believes all children are worth teaching. Principal has checked out for parents of children with special ed. General Ed teachers that we have worked with have done a great job.

Posted: May 2, 2013

LOVE, LOVE LOVE Jones School. High performing school. Great school climate, outstanding teachers, supportive parents and smart students. A small school with a very big heart! The principal listens, cares deeply about all kids and supports teaching and learning. My wife and I feel very fortunate we found this school for our two sons.

Posted: September 15, 2012

I have to say that my children are no longer in this school and I'm extremely happy about it. The principal is very rude to select parents. I constantly had to track her down and then she was rude. She bullied my children to the point that my son couldn't do well and hated going to school. My daughter was always in the Gifted program and she qualified for the seminar program but was placed in a regular classroom where she wasn't challenged and her behavior started going downhill. We moved to Washington State where BOTH of my children have excelled. My son has gained his confidence back and does wonderfully at school and at home. He loves going to school now and we had to put him in therapy where a lot of things that happened to him in the school came out. His therapist even wanted to see if there could be some type of charges brought against the principal and a few select teachers. Personally, I just wanted to be done with them and move on. I now have two happy children who are flourishing and have moved on from the nightmare of this school and that woman they call a principal.

Posted: September 13, 2012

My son has been in Jones since kindergarten. I picked the school based on its great school rating, which recently went up. The principal has been nothing but great. She is out in front of the school almost every morning greeting the kids as well as after school. We had a bully situation last year and she handled it right away and took it very seriously. This year i have a 3rd grader in the GATE seminar class, a kinder, and a preschooler all at Jones. I love their small class sizes and every teacher we have had has been nothing but helpful to my sons education. EVERY teacher 3rd grade and up is GATE certified. I have nothing but good things to say about this school. I love the small community feel to Jones. I am going to be so sad if we ever have to move.

Posted: September 12, 2012

These reviews must be written by teachers. This school is very unprofessional. Especially the principal. I had to take my son out of the school. Not all the teachers are GATE certified. My son attended this school for 3yrs and he's only had one teacher that I liked. I know a few parents that have taken their child out of this school. I even had to contact the school district regarding the principle and the way she talks around the children. One school that I do love is Zamorano Elementary. Very good teachers there... Overall, I wish I could give this school zero stars.

Posted: July 20, 2011

Jones is an amazing school! My kids will be entering 4th and 2nd grade, respectively, and we've had awesome teachers all the way. Great communication between administration and parents/teachers, very active PTA, lots of fun extracurricular activities and special events for the kids, all teachers are GATE certified, special Ed teachers are amazing, great diversity within the community, let's see, what else... They offer the Seminar program and the teachers we've had so far (3rd grade - Mrs. Sanders and Mrs. Albers) are phenomenal! Absolutely no complaints about this school. I know of several families that have moved as far as Bonita and still drive their kids back up here to go to school! Keep in mind that this school is on the year-round schedule, which may not work for everyone (but we LOVE it!)