Spreckels Elementary School

Posted: December 31, 2025

There is a lack of communication from the principal to teachers, teachers to parent, and principal to parent. First, no Spanish is taught. They sometimes have students do duolingo during free time. They overcrowd classrooms mixing students of all academic levels together slowing down pace of class. They want everyone at the same level academically. Behavior problems are an issue at the school. My child has had to evacuate the classroom multiple times due to one student's behavior. My kid hates going to school because of the stress of classroom behavior and "nothing can be done." My child has been in GATE classrooms and non GATE classrooms with the same issues. This school has really gone down hill since the new principal.

Posted: December 31, 2025

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Posted: September 28, 2025

this school is steller, the counsler is the best person in the world she cares and helps kids to the best of her extent, the fith grade teachers are the strongest at adressing problems and giving life skills. I recommend the school to anyone

Posted: September 28, 2025

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Posted: September 20, 2025

This is my neighborhood school. It has a history of being above average on all markers so it is desirable in comparison to the other schools south. As such, many parents choice in and find loop holes to enroll as neighborhood students. This enrollment causes the classrooms to be over enrolled (more than 35). It takes 7 weeks and citing ed code to get enrollment fixed. There always seems to be lack of communication from the principal where info is given at coffee meetings where no agenda is set and no record given. Most events (performance, school meetings, lunch dates with kids) happen during school hours where working parents cannot go creating inequalities. They group students not by abilities but try to create sameness. A lot of busy work, yet no work at all for students that are ahead. In 5 years, my child has been witness to two physical incidents where a child needed to be restrained. IEP students don't seem to be getting the help that they need. It is located in an affluent area, (one reason people choice in) and the consistent need to fund raise is exhausting and the pta spends so much on junk. The pta spends money on online platforms for the teachers, play dates for the tk/k students and junk items to hand out just for something to hand out.

Posted: September 20, 2025

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Posted: September 2, 2024

This school has been a fantastic experience for my children. They thoroughly enjoyed their time there and still talk about it fondly. I highly recommend this school for its engaging and enjoyable environment!

Posted: September 2, 2024

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Posted: June 12, 2023

Posted: June 12, 2023

Posted: June 12, 2023

Posted: June 12, 2023

Posted: June 12, 2023

Posted: June 12, 2023

Posted: June 12, 2023

This school has a way of addressing bullying issues that I have seen to be inappropriate. In my opinion they do not care as much about the kids being bullied and their safety and emotional support as would be expected of people caring for young children. My child had some issues with bullying at the school and they were never addressed and in fact ignored.

Posted: May 31, 2023

Spreckels is a great school you can trust. My two children both just spent six years at Spreckels, and I have waited to write my review. If I were putting a third child in kindergarten today, I would choose Spreckels again. The teachers bring a lot of heart to helping every child learn, and Spreckels distinguishes itself by successfully working with students on community values and character formation. My children learned their reading, writing, science, and arithmetic, often above grade level, but they also learned about taking care of classmates and the community. Spreckels provided Spanish, technology, art, and physical education lessons, in no small part thanks to the PTA. Principal Cazary sets a tone of care, discipline, and a love of learning; "culture eats strategy for breakfast."

Posted: May 31, 2023

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Posted: February 23, 2023

AMAZING SCHOOL!
this school is so diverse and the teachers are amazing! :)

Posted: February 23, 2023

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Posted: September 1, 2021

I would not recommend this school. If you have been tracking, the rating has been going down yearly and there is a reason. Sent my child to this school for diversity, but the way the classes are separated, it’s almost like segregation. If you have an ethnic last name, be prepared to be sent to English learner class. Teachers are mediocre. I assume because there is no help for troublemakers (who also get bunched up to disrupt an entire class). Try a different school if you choice in or go private. Additionally, this school does not teach Spanish at all. They asked for funding for new Spanish book and curriculum years ago so not sure where that went.

Posted: September 1, 2021

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Posted: June 10, 2021

Posted: June 10, 2021

Posted: June 10, 2021

Posted: June 10, 2021

Posted: June 10, 2021

Posted: June 10, 2021

Posted: June 10, 2021

My last review was not posted. This school has a lot of issues and most of the teachers dont care. None of the bad reviews for this school show up. I saw them after trying to post my last review but now they are all hidden, missing, or taken down? Do not trust the reviews on this site. They are obviously working with some schools.

Posted: June 10, 2021

Posted: October 16, 2019

I love the way the school community approach students for character building skills. Kids are encouraged to be kind and contributing members of society. I have to give credit to both seminar teachers for the job they did. My kids were taught to think in a broader sense and has become a self directed learner. They continue to succeed both in the classroom and out side of the class room.

Posted: October 16, 2019

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Posted: June 23, 2019

The homework packets are regularly included in my daughter's homework folder. I think the amount of work and level of work is reasonable for her grade.

Posted: June 23, 2019

I LOVE my daughter's kindergarten teacher - shout out to Mrs. Cowell. She is an effective teacher from whom my daughter has learned a lot. I can see the marked improvement in my daughter's reading, writing and math...and my daughter ENJOYS learning. I think Mrs. Cowell's style is innovative. She has a way of keeping kindergarteners engaged and motivated.

Posted: June 23, 2019

The superstar awards encourage kids to value strong character traits.

Posted: June 23, 2019

Principal Cazary is awesome! Her weekly assembly focuses on character and community building. Things I think are far more important than just academics.

Posted: June 23, 2019

Posted: June 23, 2019

Posted: June 23, 2019

Excellent. Spreckels rocks! I really love this school. There is such a strong sense of community here!

Posted: March 6, 2017

Posted: March 6, 2017

The school focuses heavily on their core values that they call the "Wildcat Way". Each month they foster one of the values and reinforce them in the classroom through lessons and activities. There is a monthly "Superstar" awarded in each classroom that has excelled in that month's core value. My daughter seems to take these lessons to heart and fosters them with her school friends.

Posted: March 6, 2017

We joined Spreckels at the same time as the new principal, Ms. Cazary. Although we didn't know the previous principal and cannot compare, Ms. Cazary has been so wonderful at tightening the sense of community at the school as well as being an effective communicator to the parents. We get regular updates through a newsletter as well as in-person assembly updates on the progress and current objectives. She seems to have absorbed herself seamlessly with the school's culture and fosters a caring and empowered community.

Posted: March 6, 2017

Posted: March 6, 2017

Posted: March 6, 2017

My daughter is now a 2nd grader in her 2nd year at Spreckels. We came in as a new family at the same time as the school got a new principal, Ms. Cazary. Our experience so far has been very positive. The staff is so friendly and caring of the students. The parent involvement is very high and the PTA is very active in creating fun events as well as funding important programs. Both my daughter's teachers have been great, attentive and caring. Her 2nd grade teacher in particular is really wonderful. She has a class with some challenging attitudes and behaviors to deal with, but manages to keep the peace as well as teach the kids effectively and with a great deal of attention and care for each student. The Spanish program is being expanded with new workbooks and we look forward to seeing the benefits of that. Overall, we are very happy to be part of the Spreckels community!

Posted: March 6, 2017

My 2nd grader comes home 4 nights a week with a homework worksheet that reinforces her current lessons and is effective in cementing their progress. It seems to be a great tool and isn't too overwhelming for her grade level.

Posted: November 1, 2016

Posted: November 1, 2016

Posted: November 1, 2016

Posted: November 1, 2016

The new Principal, Ms. Cazary, has implemented the WildCat Way. All classes work on character building with the WildCat Way.

Posted: November 1, 2016

Posted: November 1, 2016

weekly homework packet that makes sense. doesn't feel like busy work.

Posted: November 1, 2016

Both my sons have attended Spreckels. What drew our family to Spreckels is it's diverse community. What's kept us at the school is competent & loving teachers. Parents are involved. The PTA does a great job fundraising. This school has great selection of after school programs.

Posted: September 29, 2016

We live in the neighborhood and we are very pleased with Spreckels! The new principal, who started last year, is very good - caring, knowledgeable, energetic and enthusiastic. Our kids' teachers have been amazing. We like that the student population is diverse, and we appreciate the values that are taught to the children. Although the school name includes "bilingual magnet school', it does not offer a truly bilingual education (and there is no funding for magnet programs in San Diego anymore), but there are Spanish classes 3 times a week (Spanish as a second language curriculum sponsored by the PTA). There are lots of fields trips, opportunities for parents to volunteer, and fun activities (like running club in the morning). It's a wonderful school!

Posted: January 20, 2015

My child is in kindergarten at Spreckels and it has been a wonderful experience. The teaching staff is involved, passionate, and innovative. I have spent many hours volunteering at the school and am continually impressed by the teachers and parent involvement on campus. The PTA is AMAZING.....they organize and support countless programs and events throughout the school year. The majority of students appear to be choiced in from nearby neighborhoods like Clairemont, many others live in the immediate neighborhood, and a portion are bussed in from more disadvantaged areas of San Diego. The student body is diverse and and multi-culturally rich. Several of the reviews mentioned a sub-standard spanish program which is no fault of the school itself; magnet funding was cut several years ago throughout San Diego. Despite the lack of funding, staff has continued to teach a spanish curriculum which is sufficient for elementary school. All around, I highly recommend Spreckels and encourage parents to take a tour of the campus.

Posted: October 2, 2014

It's about time I rate this school. My son is now a 3rd grader at Spreckels. We live in the neighborhood, and decided not to choice into the neighboring "higher rated" elementary school. I cannot say enough about the parents and PTA. They run the school. And that is a good thing! The parents are highly involved and will fight for the success of their kids. The API scores overall don't look as impressive as they are..if you look at the break downs by ethnicity and demographics, they are no different then the neighborhood schools. I love that my child has diversity and no biases towards different cultures and ethnic backgrounds. No complaints at this point!

Posted: October 2, 2014

I know the story with the kindergarten teacher referenced in the other reviews. She was definitely a problem and caused a lot of unhappiness for parents and kids. The good thing...she's gone and will never return. So there's that;). Anyway, love the school overall and the parent involvement is amazing. I wish I had more time to volunteer but I knows my kids are well taken care of and their best interests are considered. Lots of great programs, running club, free before/after school Primetime program which is fantastic.

Posted: September 2, 2014

I am a parent of a 4th grader. This is my sons second year at Spreckels. So far this school has been great. My sons grades have improved greatly. Communication with the teachers is excellent. PTA is very active. There is also a lot of parents that volunteer. I love this school!

Posted: June 21, 2014

We had a great first year at Spreckels. My son's kindergarten teacher was wonderful. As a teacher myself, I'm amazed at how much reading he is doing after a year here. This was our neighborhood school and some of our neighbors had told us to choice into a another neighboring school. So glad we didn't as we loved it! We liked that this school has a diversity of cultures and socio-economic backgrounds as we want our son to be grounded. We found the other parents to be involved. Do wish the Spanish program was a little more developed as others have noted. I was also surprised by how little time they had for art but wow, I was impressed by their music/dancing program. Obviously I realize that a teacher can make or break your school year so I'm hoping that he gets more good ones.

Posted: April 30, 2014

So saddened by the events that took place in my daughter's kindergarten class this year. We choiced into this school because we had heard good things and we wanted our daughter to receive a bilingual education. The issues started day one when the class she was in originally was changed and the teacher had no knowledge of our daughter being in her class. As the year progressed the problems increased. There was limited supervision at lunch, children were left on the playground without teacher supervision as the teacher was late, my daughter had snacks and parts of her lunch stolen, She was spit on and things were stolen from her backpack. There were about 12 different substitute teachers in and out of the class, no joke. My daughter's class had multiple children that had behavior issues and the class was contstantly in chaos and being yelled at. My daughter was constantly stressed. It took almost 2 weeks, emails and visits to the office to get and appt with the principal who offered no solutions to the problem until multiple parents complained and the district was notified. The final straw for us, the teacher was removed from the class in the last 6 wks of school. Very disappointed.

Posted: October 30, 2013

To the Parent who posted yesterday's comment. Your facts are just not accurate and you should get them straight before making such a public comment. It is absolutely false and reckless for you to say "Many, if not most of the kids are bussed in from far-away disadvantaged neighborhoods". Spreckels' enrollment numbers have dwindled over the past 2 years because, in fact, the number of busses have been decreased by approximately 150%. We have less kids today than we did 2 years ago, because over a hundred kids who were getting bussed in no longer have that option. I'll refrain from commenting on your ignorant referral to a group of partents as "this cohort". I actually agree with your assessment of the Spanish language program but unfortunately your good points are lost with your inaccurate, overbroad, and frankly offensive comments.

Posted: October 29, 2013

My child attended the Seminar program at this school, which seems to have been placed at this school only to bring up the dismal performance of the broader school population. The Seminar program was, in itself, great. However..... Many, if not most of the kids are bussed in from far-away, disadvantaged neighborhoods, with little parental school involvement by this cohort. The Spanish language focus is a sham - weekly Spanish lessons, our kid was never tested for Spanish proficiency, no grade was issued, and, as far as we can see, little was learned. Frankly, this school should be closed, and the local population folded into Curie, to create a true community school. The money that is now spent bussing kids all the way across town should be spent on their education in a school closer to their homes, not spent on bus drivers, gasoline and buses.

Posted: September 25, 2013

Absolutely love this school. I have a Kindergartener and a 2nd grader and both have excelled in their academics since starting here.

Posted: August 12, 2013

I choiced my son into Spreckels because it used to have a wonderful reputation, that is not the case anymore. I know countless families who have decided to leave and we are one of them. They call the school a Bilingual Magnet but my son learned more Spanish from Sesame Street- he got a 1/2 hour of Spanish once a week. This is the case for older grades too. My son was here for K & 1st grade, in both years his teachers left & new ones started. The new 1st grade teacher was brand new, never taught alone before & was completely overwhelmed. She had many students who had behavioral & learning issues. Many parents in the class asked the principal & administration for help, but we were ignored. The principal NEVER returned our calls, emails and letters. She told one parent from our class that this school year "would be a "wash" for us, some years are good & some bad". She did NOTHING to help our teacher. Safety is also an issue, two drunk men walked right into the front gate & walked into classrooms. The school went on lockdown for an 90 mins but parents were not notified. Our kids told us when we picked them up. Main gate is open & not monitored, it cannot be seen from the front office.

Posted: August 7, 2013

We transfer into this school every year. I love the curriculum, the parent support, teachers and staff. Most of all the children are very supportive of each other. You dont see the clickiness and competetiveness which makes for a very supportive and safe enviroment

Posted: June 30, 2013

This school is excellent. We bought our house in this neighborhood because o f Spreckels. Teachers each of the first two years have been great. A little disappointed in that I thought there would be more Spanish taught. The Spanish portion of the day seems to be very short. Overall very pleased.

Posted: April 17, 2013

I am a parent of two children who attended Spreckels. To rate a school, there are 3 criteria: the teaching, the administration, and the cliental. The teaching staff is above average. They are all hard working teachers with the children's best interest at heart. The administration needs to make changes to be more student oriented and improve communication. The cliental is average. If a child is getting into trouble at school, don't blame the teacher. The teacher is just the messenger; it is the parents' job to reinforce behavior consequences at home.

Posted: December 23, 2012

I attended this school a few years ago and all I can remember is how they separated the Spanish speaking students from English speaking students based on ethnicity. It did not matter if the student spoke both languages if they had a Hispanic name they would be put in a Spanish class. Spanish classes did not get to do the same activities. They were not allowed to participate in science experiments, computer lab and extra curricular activities. Kids were bullied and no one did anything about it. They didn't seem to care if students needed extra help and made no effort to include everyone. Teachers have favorites and make that very clear. I would not put my child in this school.