Washington Elementary School

Posted: May 14, 2025

The Principal at Washington Elementary is not supportive and understanding of children with special needs, he just wants to get rid of them and send them off to a different school rather than help them and meet their needs. Special education teacher Miss Kari Topzand is great but the school overall is not the best. It has very low testing scores and is rated very low for a good reason. I don’t recommend this school.

Posted: May 14, 2025

Posted: May 14, 2025

Posted: May 14, 2025

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Posted: March 19, 2025

I am thrilled with my children’s’ experience at Washington. The principal knows every students’ name. There are so many faculty and staff at Washington who care about my kids. I’m amazed at how much my daughters have learned at Washington. The after school clubs and aftercare are fabulous too. My daughter is learning about artists I didn’t learn about until I took art history in college! I highly recommend Washington.

Posted: March 19, 2025

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Posted: August 13, 2024

amazing personal super clean class green area

Posted: August 13, 2024

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Posted: October 24, 2022

They have a wonderful staff! There are great efforts made by teachers to keep children motivated and encouraged to learn. They have a lovely little garden, great clubs and are good communicators! This small STEM school has such a great sense of community in Little Italy!

Posted: October 24, 2022

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Posted: November 5, 2018

Posted: November 5, 2018

Posted: November 5, 2018

Posted: November 5, 2018

Posted: November 5, 2018

My son has been here since Kindergarten. We love it! Staff is helpful and my son is thriving.

Posted: November 5, 2018

Posted: November 5, 2018

Posted: November 2, 2018

So far, it's been a great experience. My daughter started at CDC, now she is in Kinder garden. I've never heard her say anything negative about the school or the teachers. She loves going to school and I think the roll the teachers play in making sure the kids are not only learning but also feeling that they are at home it's one of the most important key factors to ensure a good academic performance and a fun learning experience for our little ones. Thank you to all of them!

Posted: November 2, 2018

For single parents like myself, It is more convenient for my daughter to turn back in her home work on a weekly basis rather than daily; That way we can study, prepare and revise her homework without sacrificing hours of sleep by staying up too late at night finishing it up.

Posted: November 2, 2018

My daughter is attending Kinder garden here and her teacher has been very good so far. My daughter speaks highly about her and she has already learned so much. I am very thankful for this school.

Posted: November 2, 2018

I've already seen the impact in my little girl and some of her classmates.

Posted: November 2, 2018

So far it has demonstrated a positive impact in my kids. The principal and the teachers seem to be really engaged with the children and that shows good leadership.

Posted: November 2, 2018

Posted: November 2, 2018

I haven't experience issues of this nature with my daughter or her classmates. Neither I'm aware of any issues with any of its students from other grades.

Posted: November 2, 2018

My son constantly is excited about his honework

Posted: November 2, 2018

The teachers are very excited about their students. They are fully engaged

Posted: November 2, 2018

Posted: November 2, 2018

Leadership here is very in tue to what’s going on with each student here.

Posted: November 2, 2018

Posted: November 2, 2018

The principal is very active against bullying

Posted: November 2, 2018

Best school my kids have gone to. I have a 1st grader and a 3rd grader.

Posted: April 26, 2016

As of 2014 things have improved greatly! I can't say enough good things about the new principal. He is so involved in every aspect. From running around helping parents with parking to saying hello to each child in classrooms. Since he's been there New programs have been added and Washington Elementary is now a Steam Magnet school. My kids love the school and they both have great teachers. My oldest son has been there since Kindergarten and is now in 3rd grade and we've seen how much this school has improved and we are happy there.

Posted: April 26, 2016

Posted: April 26, 2016

Posted: April 26, 2016

Posted: July 21, 2015

Hispanic children are favored in this school, white children are bullied. It is disgusting and allowed. Shame on the staff and parents for allowing it!

Posted: November 23, 2013

Horrible, there are bullies in this school. The administrative staff tends to find ways to cover it up and find excuses to save face. It is sad that many downtown parents have to find schools outside of our own jurisdiction. We live here, work here and pay the local taxes for our local school. Yet, we have to find charters and go on wait lists or choice out. This school receives a lot of good funding and has good partnerships with local businesses. Why can't they manage the issues at this school. Maybe they should hire a new principal. Many parents have had an issue with the principal.

Posted: August 30, 2013

This local elementary school is filled with amazing teachers & the enrichment classes they offer are amazing. Our daughter was in the Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program and we can't say more great things about our lovely neighborhood school. We mostly loved the fact that the students had 40 minutes of Spanish (or optional Italian or additional English is necessary) 4 days a week!!! Along with weekly music lessons, computer classes as well as PE and running club!...all during the normal school day! The TK program has been an amazing learning experience for our daughter, both socially as well as academically - teaching her to read, write & do simple math, along with a ton of play time...all before entering Kindergarten! Washington Elementary also has a great SAY subsidized preschool attached to it - which is great if you have a little one (over 3 & potty trained) that you want to prep for school.

Posted: June 4, 2013

This is a friendly, and enriching neighborhood school with a particularly strong transitional kindergarten program. It is a diverse school. I see this as a positive attribute. My son's class included kids from Japanese, Saudi Arabian, Iranian, Native American, British, and Italian families in addition to several hispanic families. The school celebrates this diversity and offers an good language program with 40 minutes language instruction (currently choice of Spanish or Italian) 4 days a week from TK onwards. English as a second language is an alternative for those that need it. I also like the music program; and the computer classes - not just playing games - our TK-ers now type with two hands! Specifically for TK there are lessons on empathy and getting on with other kids, and a fun atmosphere with time for playing together and forming friendships. The staff are caring and the school is in a great location in the heart of Little Italy and is well connected with the community (one issue: parking! Come early for pickup or be prepared to pay at the meters).

Posted: December 11, 2012

Washington Elementary is an excellent school. We absolutely love their overall approach to keeping a focused, academic environment that discourages many of the distractions and/or inappropriate dress/behavior that seems so easily overlooked by parents and schools. Having two older children and experience with elementary schools, the curriculum is advanced with our kindergartener having the option of Spanish or Italian as a foreign language! Having spent time in the classroom during school, I got firsthand experience with my child's teacher. She has extensive experience and it is very apparent in her approach. After our one-on-one parent/teacher conference, I had a clear idea of daily routine and was most impressed with the structure provided. Our child attends the SAY After School Program and doesn't want to leave each day because he loves it! I feel very well-informed of my child's progress, as well, with daily behavior cards and a homework folder. He's 5 and reading and writing! There is a friendly, cheerful staff and I can't say enough good about this school. I am not easily impressed. As a parent, I have the utmost confidence that our boy is in the best of care.

Posted: November 8, 2012

I am the new School Psychologist at Washington Elementary this year. I have worked at many schools in the district as well as schools in other districts. This is a wonderful and unique school located in a beautiful area. The school supports the culture and history of the area by offering the rare opportunity to take Italian and Spanish classes. However, Washington is not without challenges being located near Down Town. We serve a large population of homeless children and the staff goes out of their way to help support student and family needs. School gates close after school starts and all visitors are required to sign in for security purposes. This school has a very friendly, highly competent and diverse staff who speak many languages. The School offers the family Friday s program and listens to parent feedback and suggestions. I really don't know how anyone could give this school a bad rating. If I could give 6 stars I would. Sincerely, Felicia.

Posted: April 7, 2011

I have two children in this school. The other day a neighbor came up to my children (their native language is English) and said good morning to the kids in Spanish. My children translated the Spanish into Italian and responded to my neighbor in Italian. The foreign language instruction is fantastic. Additionally, my kids actually complain when I pick them up from the after school programs because they don't want to leave for the day and love school so much. Most importantly, I feel that the staff and teachers value both education and life lessons for the kids. With foreing language instruction, a beautiful interactive garden, and many enrichment programs, I feel that the school provides a well balanced and global education. The well balanced education serves the kids well and is important to ensure that the kids grow up both intelligent, but also with responsible and community oriented values.

Posted: March 13, 2011

I am the principal of Washington Elementary School. We have made many new changes such as 10 ft wronght iron fencing surrounding the school and a new front office entrance that allows us to secure the entire school during the school day. All visitors must enter directly into the front office to sign in. We share Amici Park with the San Diego Park and Recreation Department. The public uses the park after school hours. Currently, we are working with the Little Italy Association in building a dog park on the south end of the grass area. Children will have a safe and clean place to play, as well as our neighborhood dogs. Call me at (619) 525-7475 to make an appointment to see our new school! Janie Wardlow

Posted: October 26, 2010

My 3rd grader was bullied every day because she couldn't speak spanish. The office staff has no idea what they are doing. No security, gates left open, homeless people walking though, college kids tanning, and dogs using the bathroom in the school's one grassy area. Wrote a check to the PTO in June, it got deposited in September.

Posted: February 14, 2010

Posted: October 25, 2008