Silver Gate Elementary School

Posted: February 24, 2026

Very disappointing experience with this school. My child is in 1st grade here. If your child needs extra help with reading or math, be aware that there is very little additional support provided.

Communication and responsiveness from the administration have also been frustrating. It often feels like parents’ concerns are not taken seriously, and there is little willingness to work with families or find reasonable solutions.

I am also concerned about safety. The smaller gates are frequently left open, and it seems that anyone can enter or leave the campus freely, including children, without proper supervision or control.

Posted: February 24, 2026

Posted: February 24, 2026

Posted: February 24, 2026

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Posted: June 4, 2025

We feel incredibly grateful to be a part of this school community. From the moment we joined, it has felt more like a home than just a school. The sense of community here is truly special — families, teachers, and staff all come together in such a cohesive and supportive way that it creates an environment where everyone feels connected and valued.

The communication from teachers is outstanding. They go above and beyond to keep families informed and engaged, always making us feel like true partners in our child’s education. It’s clear how much thought and effort they put into not only teaching but also into making learning fun and meaningful. Our child comes home excited every day, which speaks volumes about the dedication of the staff.

Posted: June 4, 2025

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Posted: June 4, 2025

Posted: September 19, 2023

Really love the teachers, kids, parents and whole community at Silver Gate. Echo the comment that parents are involved without being overbearing. Excellent communication between parents and teachers. Long-tenured teachers and staff - a sign that they want to be there and they’re a cohesive and collaborative group.

Posted: September 19, 2023

Posted: September 19, 2023

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Posted: October 29, 2020

Great school with a great community. Teachers go above and beyond for their students.

Posted: October 29, 2020

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Posted: October 29, 2020

Posted: November 19, 2019

Very impressed with everything at Silver Gate. The staff is well trained. Strong leadership.

Posted: November 19, 2019

Posted: November 19, 2019

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Posted: November 19, 2019

Posted: January 31, 2019

Posted: January 31, 2019

Posted: January 31, 2019

Posted: January 31, 2019

Posted: January 31, 2019

Posted: January 31, 2019

Posted: January 31, 2019

Silver Gate is a well-run school with parents who are involved without being overbearing. The teachers are first-rate and most have been there for a long time. Principal Vidal-Fowler has come into her own over the past three years as a leader after taking over from a very long time principal. She is engaged and energetic and can often be found walking around the campus talking with parents and students. Enrichment activities are excellent including the labs and gardens. Overall, couldn't be happier with where my third grader is in his schooling.

Posted: May 9, 2018

The early grades focus on classwork rather than homework, which is the right approach. Grades 2-4 send the children home with manageable amount of homework.

Posted: May 9, 2018

Expectations are high and supported well by the teachers and staff

Posted: May 9, 2018

Posted: May 9, 2018

The old principal was hard to replace, but the new principal has done a great job with the staff and curriculum, insuring that the teachers provide coursework that is challenging and progressive.

Posted: May 9, 2018

Posted: May 9, 2018

Posted: May 9, 2018

The teachers are engaged, the students are engaged, the parents are involved in the progress of the entire student population. Fundraising provides programs like Eco-lab, Art classes, PE, and Music that were cut from the SD Unified curriculum. Volunteers provide experiences like Garden Clubs, Running Club and after school activities. The staff, from the principal to the maintenance staff, are approachable, caring and friendly.

Posted: March 7, 2018

New principal is highly focused on fundraising and the school as a whole versus what is right for each individual student. Ignores emails at times. My child has an IEP and I have fought many fights to get needed intervention or supports for my child. Special ed dept takes a reactive versus proactive approach.

Posted: March 7, 2018

Posted: March 7, 2018

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Posted: March 7, 2018

Posted: May 16, 2017

Posted: May 16, 2017

Posted: May 16, 2017

Posted: May 16, 2017

Posted: May 16, 2017

Posted: May 16, 2017

This school is absolutely amazing because the Principal works hard to bring together the entire community of students, parents, teachers, and staff. Everyone involved works hard to go the extra mile to include all students in the goal of moving them forward in education, citizenship, and overall as great human beings. I am constantly amazed at how hard the parents and the staff works to bring extra programs (like library, science and technology, music, art, and gardening) so that the students have a well-rounded education that the district cannot always provide.

Posted: May 16, 2017

Posted: January 30, 2017

This school is fantastic! We love the teachers, students, families. The education, values, and facility are all dialed in. Such a gem.

Posted: January 30, 2017

Posted: January 30, 2017

Posted: January 30, 2017

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Posted: January 30, 2017

Posted: August 18, 2014

5 years and not one complaint. School culture is inclusive and fun. Stellar education and safe environment. Thankful, thankful to be in this community. School is great at silver gate!!!

Posted: September 15, 2013

I have been a Silver Gate parent for 11 years and have been extremely happy with every aspect of the school. Great teachers, wonderful principal and phenomenal parent involvement. This school is definitely a 10! School is great at Silver Gate!

Posted: September 14, 2013

We've been at Silver Gate for 5 years now and cannot say enough about what a wonderful experience we've had. Absolutely fantastic staff, from our aides to our teachers to our Principal, Sandy McClure. Such a happy, healthy, nurturing environment. Parental involvement is stellar!

Posted: November 21, 2011

Love it, love it, love it... and so do my kids. I honestly feel like my kids are getting a better education than they could get in most local private schools.

Posted: September 7, 2011

The principal, Sandra McClure is incredible at this great school. She has one child there currently and one that just graduated, so she's vested. She's approachable, proactive, forward thinking and genuinely a nice person. The school has an amazing parent association, Friends of Silver Gate, who's fundraising efforts shelter this school from the state budget woes. Go to any advertised event and see the family support, friendly people, and and feel the sense of community. You can't go wrong in choosing this school. All three of my children have learned the love of learning at Silver Gate. The Silver Gate community raises successful students so I rate it a 5 star school.

Posted: August 15, 2010

We are military and move frequently. In our 11 yrs in public ed I can say Silvergate has the best principal my children have ever had!!! Would also like to say if you have a child with any special needs this is the school for you!! The resource teacher is simply the beast!! She makes you feel your child is the only child that matters!! I highly recommend this school!!!! Great parent involvement!! Incredible PE teacher as well!!!

Posted: July 6, 2010

Great school. We looked at private and public schools and loved this school. The principal is totally involved, the teachers care and the parents are amazing... they fund so much it seems like a private school. We loved it and were sorry to leave.

Posted: May 24, 2010

This is a great school. Teachers really care if your child is learning, principal is very involved and very approachable. PTA is marvelous, many hard working parents contributing to the success of the school. Families are encouraged to be involved.

Posted: May 9, 2010

Warm and welcoming campus; wonderful, dedicated staff; fantastic school community; science, computer, and movement labs; before and after school tutoring and activities; extra music and art lessons; fabulous students; excellent test scores; and much more.

Posted: April 18, 2010

The parent involvement, programs paid by the Friends of Silver Gate foundation which were cut by the state and the love the teachers have for their students. You get a real sense of community at this school. The children always have smiles on their faces and you can see the teachers love to teach there. It is the most incredible school I have ever seen!

Posted: September 19, 2009

Posted: May 20, 2009

Posted: January 20, 2009