Sheridan Way Elementary School

Posted: March 23, 2023

4 Stars, however since Sheridan adopted the name (Academy of International Language Study) they post this phraseology on every bit of paper and communication they can.

The amount of irrelevant communications they bombard parents in texts and emails is very annoying.

This new “Duel Immersion” emphasis on is holding our kids back.

Children that elect to learn Spanish, Mandarin or any other foreign language should be able to decided that later in their scholastic career. Forcing kids to learn foreign languages before they have developed their own native tounge is counter productive and causing inevitable delays in reading writing, phonological, lexical, and grammatical systems.

You would be shocked how much time is dominated and dedicated to learning foreign language. These very young minds could be absorbing so many more productive subjects instead. We continue to see a downward trajectory of scholastic scores and testing (especially in Eng. Literacy) over the last few decades here in VCSD.

Also, as the same with any review sites It’s of course up to us as parents to filter though the reviews that sound like a biased administrator wrote them.

Posted: March 23, 2023

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Posted: January 28, 2023

Over all the School is amazing, We travel a long way to attend this school, School of Choice, because of the program that is offered here (Academy of International Language Study), Which is amazing, My child, who comes from a household that only speaks English, is in this program and in less than 2 years she is Reading, Speaking and Understanding Spanish and Mandarin on top of English.
Homework
This school has an effective approach to homework:
The teachers are working every day with the students and giving homework that meets the students level, and a translation for parents to be able to help their children.
Character
This school develops strong character in its students, like integrity, compassion and respect:
Principal and staff work with the students to always tell the truth, and to always help another that is in need of help. They offer Saturday schools for those that miss a day.
Leadership
Leadership at this school is effective:
We got a new principle last year and she has been great for the school. She works with any parent that has issues and works with the students in a way that makes everyone feel confident in the school as a whole. The office staff is great at assisting everyone that needs it.
Bullying
This school effectively deals with bullying:
This is one area that is difficult, 1.) If the Staff see it they deal with it right away. 2.) if the student reports it, it is dealt with. 3.) If the parent approaches the school staff then it seems like nothing is done. They do look into it but if the student that was bullied says nothing then "nothing happened"
Family Engagement
In my experience, the school welcomes and includes families as partners in their children's learning:
From all the different things that include the staff and community, starting with the counsels; School Site Counsel (SSC), English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC), PTA, Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) Advisory Committee.
All of this is in place and work on getting families to actively participate in the growth of the school and our children.
Ever since the return to in class education post Covid-19 lockdown they have been great at welcoming the parents to volunteer in the classroom or on campus in general.
Dr. Clara Guerrero, the principle, Is always looking for input so stop by the office and let her know what you think would make the school a better place.

Posted: January 28, 2023

Posted: January 28, 2023

Posted: January 28, 2023

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Posted: January 28, 2023

Posted: July 25, 2018

I wish I had read the reviews on great schools before I accepted the job to teach at this school. There were many reviews on this site that were taken recently down that talked about how bullying wasn't addressed (I agree). With the removal of those reviews, was a new review that cherishes the leadership - I am suspicious about that review.

There is a steady stream of teachers who transfer out -- (5 this year). It could be a coincidence. Also, the review that is on this site from 2008 is about a different principal than the one there now.

Students are afraid to report the bullying to administration because they are questioned a lot and told if they don't tell the truth they will have big consequences. They are also told that there are cameras that have videotape (a lie) that will be rewound to make sure they tell the truth. There are kids who bully and they seem to get away with it. Parents do stick up for their kids and speak up to the administration and district.

The school has some great things- an active family center that contacts parents and provides support and services to families and kids get access to a great salad bar daily. The technology is good at the school.

Posted: July 5, 2018

Students are afraid to report the bullying to administration because they are questioned a lot and told if they don't tell the truth they will have big consequences- and that there are cameras that have videotape (a lie) that will be rewound to make sure they tell the truth. There are kids who bully and they seem to get away with it. Parents do stick up for their kids and speak up.

Posted: July 5, 2018

Most teachers up to 3rd grade do weekly packets for students.

Posted: July 5, 2018

Principal tells students that there are cameras all over the school to get students to tell the truth - there are no such cameras. If we don't model honest ourselves, it's hard to teach how to have integrity and good moral values.

Posted: July 5, 2018

Principal intimidates/scares students when she questions them about incidents. Principal often disciplines with 2 counselors with her so it's 3 against 1.

Posted: June 14, 2018

Great! We moved from Santa Barbara and couldn’t be happier. My kids love the school they feel like they have been there since kindergarten and to top it they are learning Mandarin because it is a school of international languages.

Posted: June 14, 2018

The homework is always related to what was taught in class.

Posted: June 14, 2018

The teachers differentiate class work based on students need.

Posted: June 14, 2018

Every morning the school starts will a positive approach and classical music.

Posted: June 14, 2018

Principal knows how every teacher teaches and can easily walk in to class with a parent to show the different task students are doing. She feels very confident of every teacher that works at the school.

Posted: June 14, 2018

Posted: June 14, 2018

Students feel safe approaching any staff and say if they fell they are being bullied and then follow up with both families.