| Date | Who | Comments |
| 7/2/2012 | parent | I agree the post below is odd. The principal has also contacted me for small matters, in a very caring manner. |
| 3/14/2012 | parent | The post about the principal seems odd. The leadership at this school is very solid and the teachers are very involved, caring, and regularly communicate with parents about their child's progress. We are new to the school, with two children attending, and have been very pleasantly surprised with how strong the community is and how dedicated the teachers are. The curriculum not only emphasizes strong academics, but also art, music, Spanish, and social-emotional learning. Great school!!! |
| 2/24/2012 | parent | I find the below post curious. It mentions "current" principal which seems to infer that this is not the same principal that has been in place for probably the last 8-10 years. I also find it curious as I have been informed of the most mundane occurrences (student pushed my child, or hit with a jacket - in neither case was my child hurt). The principal is unique and is not going to bow down and cater to every whim - and if she said that she did not want to be held "liable" it seems like perhaps there is more to it - and being in a litigious society perhaps it does not fall into "her job as principal" and there are others better equipped to handle the situation. |
| 2/23/2012 | parent | Good teachers but current principal is awful. Principal did not do anything to inform me of a horrible incident that occured to my nephew in school nor help resolve it. She was too busy; couldn't help and "didn't want to be held liable or responsible" for explaining it to me, ie doing her job as a principal. This is a good school if you NEVER need to interact with the principal or depend on her "professional" experience. |
| 5/31/2011 | parent | Don't judge this school by test scores, or stars, or any comments- (especially anonymous). Go to the school and (with permission) observe the interaction at pickup time, between students, parents, teachers. This place is like Cheers-everybody knows everyone's name, but they get together to learn (not drink). Kids here develop a fondness for learning and a respect for others in their class. It's a cooperative environment. Everyone who is there is very glad to be there. -- ask around. -lh |
| 12/8/2010 | parent | My son is a first grader at Peralta Elementary. The school is great and the teachers are very committed to their students. Parental involvement is high but not stifling. Trolls who write reviews based on a tour and then tout the benefits of private education should find other ways to occupy their time. |
| 10/29/2010 | parent | As a North Oakland family with young children, we toured this school back in January and I have to say for an OUSD school it's one of the better ones in the district. It's a quaint little school with a lot of parent involvement, but when you compare it to some of the private schools in the area, like Park Day for example, you realize just how inferior OUSD schools truly are, including Peralta Elementary. For the first couple of grades up to 2nd you are not going to notice that much difference, but when you get into 3rd grade and above it's like night and day. All in all, Peralta is an okay school if you have to settle for the OUSD. |
| 4/19/2010 | parent | Administration and staff are committed to the students. |
| 4/19/2010 | parent | The principal and the teachers are all dedicated to the education of the kids. |
| 1/28/2010 | parent | Our son has been a student at Peralta since Kindergarten. He is now in 5th grade and will be graduating from the school. Our whole family loves the school and appreciate our son's good fortune in being able to attend this school. The teachers are all terrific, the staff really cares about the children. Rosette Costello is an outstanding and hardworking principal. The diverse community is close knit and devoted to the school. It is a little utopia where children receive an excellent academic and social education. Peralta should serve as a model to other schools. |
| 9/22/2009 | parent | Fantastic teachers, staff, kids, parents, murals, gardens, space...I'm happy our family can be a part of it. |
| 9/21/2009 | other | I love Peralta because my grandson is doing so well there. He loves arts and Peralta incorporates art into its curriculum. |
| 9/21/2009 | parent | Great principal, dedicated staff and teachers, great family participation. |
| 9/20/2009 | parent | My daughter is in 1st grade at Peralta and we LOVE the school. The teachers and principal are experienced and committed. The parents are actively involved in the school and in the community. The school reflects the rich diversity of the Bay Area--my daughter has made wonderful friends from all different backgrounds. The grounds are full of gardens and beautiful murals made and maintained by the school community. And a few more highlights: excellent focus on the arts, small, tight knit school community, sport-4-kids program and conflict resolution program. Go Peralta! |
| 9/19/2009 | other | Beautiful campus, beautiful garden, beautiful kids beautiful staff. Beautiful school. |
| 9/19/2009 | parent | It is full of great families of all kinds, has great teachers and a wonderful principle and the community has made a beautiful environment for the children. |
| 9/19/2009 | parent | It is a wonderful community of parents, teachers, children, and artists that make our school an urban gem! |
| 9/19/2009 | parent | Peralta is a warm and fuzzy place where everyone knows your kid. It also appeals visually with colorful murals and plants everywhere! Not just a cement block of classrooms. Ms. Costello, the principal rocks! |
| 9/19/2009 | other | It's a wonderful little place where the kids can learn and thrive in a diverse environment. |
| 9/19/2009 | teacher | Our nephew just LOVES his school! I am a teacher and I like to hear this. |
| 9/18/2009 | parent | Peralta has one of the most involved group of teachers, parents and students, working together to make our school great. We are a compassionate group of caring, comitted individuals who strive to help every student succeed. |
| 9/18/2009 | parent | Community spirit of giving, caring and nuturing the child. Truly the 'village' raising my children. They are also learing their ABCs and 123s and how to apply that learning, helping others and being good citizens. Awesome place! |
| 9/18/2009 | parent | My daughter says 'The teachers know who I am, they know what I am good at and they help me to teach myself how to do new stuff.' For her to feel that way makes Peralta an outstanding school and worthy of a reward. |
| 9/18/2009 | parent | It is an oasis for our children. My kids are blossoming thanks to the wonderful educators at Peralta. |
| 9/18/2009 | parent | We are more than a school...We are a community and a family. We have a great staff, parent participation and a variety of enrichment programs. |
| 9/18/2009 | parent | I love Peralta because my grandson thrives there! |
| 9/18/2009 | parent | Peralta is an amazing school that is small in enrollment yet BIG in parent involvement. The families love their school! |
| 9/17/2009 | parent | Peralta is the greatest place for a child to receive the best education possible. My daughter attended Peralta from K through 5th and she loved every minute. The parents, teachers and administration love the children and work closely together to make this school the 'jewel of OUSD.' The principal is one of a kind. She works so hard to make this school what it is. The parents work very hard to help keep the vision of this wonderful school. They have the best art teachers around. The best music staff. But most of all, the best children. I would recommend this school to anyone that is looking for a challenging, loving, family-style elementary school. The test scores prove that the teachers teach and the student's reach (which is part of the Peralta Pledge). Peralta will always be home for my daughter and I. No matter where we go, no matter what school she attends, we always try to incorporate the Peralta style. Why? Because it is a great model for any school. |
| 9/17/2009 | parent | Peralta has a very active community supporting it - and its composed of families from all walks of life. Not only are our children gaining solid academic skills, they are learning that we are all different and that is a strength. |
| 9/17/2009 | parent | My son didn't like sitting and drawing before he started school. I think he lacked the confidence in making something 'right'. Since he started at Peralta 2 years ago, we've gone in the opposite direction. I love this! |
| 9/17/2009 | parent | The teachers teach, the parents work together, the community thinks about issues of inclusion, the grounds are colorful and friendly, music and the arts are valued, children's social and emotional development is respected and nurtured ... it is a rare gem! |
| 9/17/2009 | parent | I love the community, friends and education mt children have had access to and been a part of through Peralta Elementary! |
| 9/17/2009 | parent | Peralta is a wonderful example of the power of community. The students and parents and teachers are really committed to work together to create a beautiful, engaging and open school environment. |
| 9/17/2009 | parent | The dedicated teachers and staff and the beautiful grounds! |
| 9/17/2009 | parent | Peralta rocks! The community is so involved, and the teachers are phenomenal. We go way beyond what your typical Public School does for both our kids and our community. The emphasis on art and sustainable lifestyles are rare these days, but the parents and teachers make it work. the kids all seem so positive about their educations, too! |
| 9/17/2009 | parent | The Peralta community has a great spirit of participatory innovation and fun for kids and parents, as well as commitment to a beautiful and health environment of art and gardens. |
| 9/17/2009 | parent | Peralta is the most beautiful school in Oakland. It's walls are covered with murals created by the kids with a resident artist. Gardens cover the grounds. The way we take care of the grounds is emblematic of the way the children are taken care of, too. The whole child is nurtured and develops academically and socially during his or her years at Peralta. The Peralta Parent Teacher Group supports the school by providing, among other things, art, music and p.e. instruction, mental health counseling, conflict resolution instruction, support for field trips, gardening, and technology in the classrooms. |
| 9/17/2009 | parent | My daughter loves to go to Peralta every morning. So do I. Every time I walk her in, I see something new that the teachers, staff, and volunteer parents have helped the kids do--artwork, gardens, recycling projects...It's amazing. This external environment reflects the commitment of the community to making Peralta a truly wonderful place, where kids learn a lot of the typical school material (great test scores) but also about being a good person, self-respectful and respectful of others, an asset to our shared world. My daughter is very lucky to be there! |
| 9/17/2009 | parent | A fantastic school with great teachers and parents. Everyone works together to give the kids much more than the district alone can possibly afford. |
| 9/17/2009 | parent | I love Peralta because we have awesome teachers and incredibly involved families that make our school beautiful and make our children proud. |
| 9/17/2009 | parent | I love it because of those hard working teachers and staff that help make the school a better place for our kids and a safe one as well. No bullies here! |
| 9/17/2009 | parent | Peralta Elementary is hands-down the best public school in Oakland, maybe in the Bay Area! The teachers are utterly devoted to their students and everyone thrives in an environment rich in art, music and community. We can't imagine sending our kids elsewhere. |
| 9/17/2009 | parent | The teachers are great, its small enough to all know each other, my kid loves it, and there's plenty of enrichment activities, and it has a supportive family community of all classes and races |
| 9/17/2009 | parent | Peralta provides my child a garden of Eden in the midst of a dark hour for public education. With increasing budget pressures, Peralta tenaciously holds on to a winning formula for successfully educating Oakland's youth -- committed teachers; a warrior principal; dedicated parents grandparents, and caregivers; pride in the physical environment, enrichment activities woven through the curriculum, and lots of love to go around. I treasure this diverse learning community for what it offers child and grown-up alike. |
| 9/17/2009 | parent | I like Peralta Elementary because of the teachers, parents, volunteers and the kids. There is so much creativity and imagination that is used daily. |
| 9/17/2009 | other | It is the best example of racial and economic diversity in a school setting that I have ever seen and it is a school where you 'feel the love', |
| 9/17/2009 | parent | I love our school. wonderful teachers, amazing students and committed parents. |
| 9/17/2009 | parent | Peralta is a public school where all children are valued and learning happens hand in hand with fun. |
| 9/17/2009 | parent | It rocks because the principle is fantastic, the teachers are great and the parents all pitch in. It also has fantastic art work around the school and a great garden! |
| 9/17/2009 | parent | Peralta has the most caring environment and its positive influence on the children is readily apparent. |
| 9/16/2009 | parent | This school has it all - a diverse community, amazing teachers, focus on the whole child, fabulous gardens, Spanish lessons, a small size, a whipper-snapper of a Principal and a very active Parent Teacher group. It's a public school that works and is proof that if parents are involved with their child's education, amazing things can happen. |
| 9/16/2009 | parent | Great principal, great teachers and staff, great parents, and great students equal one great school! |
| 9/16/2009 | parent | Great community, awesome principal and teachers, beautiful campus |
| 9/16/2009 | parent | Peralta stimulates kids' creativity and fosters a love of learning. It's an amazing community of people who love helping kids grow and learn, and the kids are all so multi-faceted! |
| 9/16/2009 | parent | Peralta is a fantastic, nurturing, community of staff and parents. It has an amazing art and music program and beautiful garden. |
| 9/16/2009 | parent | Incredibly rich learning environment. Great staff and administration. Tight-knit, dedicated community. Student-centered, creative curriculum. Who could ask for more? |
| 9/16/2009 | other | Committed community to making sure students enjoy school and succeed. Amazing creative ways to health and learning. School garden, produce stands, students engaged!! |
| 9/16/2009 | parent | So much beauty!! Gardens, art everywhere, kids and adults of all colors and cultures, smiles all around. The whole scene feels nurturing. Heavy parent volunteer involvement, and teachers who love kids. |
| 9/16/2009 | parent | Peralta is a little hidden gem among neighborhood schools. With a fantastic principal and teachers who actually love their job, our children are part of a warm and wonderful educational community that is like family. There is so much enrichment to the curriculum--from all that the teachers bring in to the phenomenal parent involvement and after-school programs. Our kids learn to be great citizens of the world, while also getting a strong education--and they LOVE going to school. Plus it's beautiful--who wouldn't love going to school when your little urban campus is lined with stunning student-made murals and art projects, and nestled in beautiful lush gardens that bloom all year long. I can't say enough about this great little school with a great big spirit. |
| 9/15/2009 | parent | We did a lot of research before we applied for this school. On the internet, I was pleased that the 'diversity' was over 50%. At the open house I was immediately impressed with the relaxed feel and openess. The parents at the school were very serious about their commitment to having something special at the school. We could not be more pleased with the amount of care and the strength and pride of this little community school. The school is like a mix between a private alternative school and a small town community school. Academics are stressed, inclusiveness is a priority, diversity is inherent, and fund-raising for the basic 'extras' is integrated into providing an excellent experience for the children is a constant meditation for all of the PPTG members. Excellent communication between teachers/administration/parents. |
| 9/12/2009 | parent | We recently moved into the area with fingers crossed that we could attend Peralta. By the good graces of its principal, our second grader was accepted with open arms. Its been an heartwarming experience to be part of the Peralta community and it makes me optimistic for the future of these kids who are witnessing community and collaboration at work on their behalf. We are all in the same boat, lets take care of it and each other! |
| 5/31/2009 | parent | Additional staff training for classroom management would be beneficial since some of the staff are not as equipped as others for students' success. |
| 3/31/2009 | parent | This morning, after I walked my two children to Peralta, I saw an older woman on the campus. She looked older than most elementary school parents. I asked her if I could help her, as I tend to know everyone on site in the morning (it's a small school). She explained that her dentist s office is nearby. Because he was behind schedule, she had 30 minutes to take a walk and had come upon Peralta quite by accident. A few minutes before I approached her, she had asked someone if this were a private school. She could not believe how good the campus looked compared to that of her grandchildren in a nearby city. In just a few short minutes, several people had greeted her (like I had) giving her a strong sense of friendliness and security. Tonight, she said would call her daughter to recommend moving to this school district. |
| 3/25/2009 | parent | I can't say enough good things about Peralta. Our daughter is a Kindergartener in the K-1 Class and is thriving. The community at the school is outstanding, the aftercare programs are great and the parent group is active and does a tremendous job. We love it! |
| 10/2/2008 | parent | great school --> because of atmosphere ... genuine community, ask anyone. |
| 9/27/2007 | parent | My daughter was in Peralta the full 6 years. Peralta's strengths are its firm policy against bigotry or put-downs, its good teachers, principal, support staff, and after-school staff, its strong parent involvement, and its art and music programs. Peralta's small size helps to maintain a warm, supportive community. Some children do not get the kind of attention they need for academic work. Some classroom teachers are not adequately trained in combining overall classroom management with the individual attention many children need Handling the demands of 'special needs' children (Special Ed services, etc.) is a complicated issue that probably goes beyond any single school and has to be re-evaluated and revised. Most kids do well at Peralta, but some will not. I recommend it to everybody, because you won't know until you're actually there. Whatever the outcome, you will love Peralta. |
| 12/20/2006 | parent | I wouldn't call it a Utopia. While there are many great things about Peralta, the things that often go unsaid include: We haven't experienced a forum to express concerns related to diversity,inequity, the level of academic rigor, and supervision on the playground. While the teachers are well-qualified, the level of rigor and depth seem to be lower than we expected. There appears to be more of an emphasis on completing worksheets and lower order thinking skills than I would like. While my daughter loves it, I don't think that she is being challenged. That said, the art and music programs are valuable and the teacher quality is strong. |
| 10/10/2006 | parent | Peralta is a utopia and represents what we all want for our public schools: a truly diverse (ethnically and socio-economically) student body; a beautiful, art and garden-filled campus; highly competent and dedicated teachers and staff; amazing enrichment programs (weekly Spanish, social skills-building curriculum, art, music, gardening & P.E.) that reinforce and expand upon regular classroom curriculum; a hardworking and dynamic parent community; and a neighborhood/business community that actively supports it's school. Across the board there is a feeling of ownership at Peralta. The students feel it, the staff feels it, parents feel it and so does the surrounding neighborhood/business community. These feelings of ownership and personal responsibility translate to bright, respectful, and socially conscious students. Our students understand that they are there to learn, have fun and help each other and to do so makes their lives and the lives of others better! Peralta is a truly special school! |
| 11/19/2005 | parent | My son graduated from Peralta and it was a wonderful experience for our family. The school was small enough to feel as if my child's needs were being known to the staff. There are many opportunities for parents to become involved and get to know other parents. Our experience was very positive and I would recommend the school to other parents looking for a small. community based, and academically challenging school for their child. The school has been very aggressive in acquiring grants to provide the students with a varieity of arts, music, and other enrichment programs. |
| 9/4/2005 | parent | At Peralta School, my family is part of a diverse and loving community of students, parents, teachers, staff, and others who are all engaged in creating a rich environment where everybody grows and learns. The foundation for this environment is based on mutual respect and high expectations for all. Being part of this community is one of the richest gifts I could give to my three daughters. Not only are they developing strong academic skills, creativity, and a love for learning, they are also learning that they can work together with others who come from very different backgrounds for the benefit of all. At Peralta, the dream of creating a strong, integrated, public education for all our children is a reality that we continue to build upon every day. |
| 1/27/2005 | parent | This school has a very high degree of parent involement. This is a very good school with great teachers and alot of concerned parents. |
| 11/29/2004 | parent | My son is a first grader at Peralta and we couldn't be happier with the school. The enviroment is a beautiful, bright, safe place for our kids/family. The teachers and parents have created a great community for our children. The teachers are all great.We have an outstanding principal. The parents are very involved (makes a great school) and the children are happy, educated and well taken care of. We are very happy and lucky to have found such a great school as Peralta. Drive by and see for yourself, the school grounds are a perfect reflection of Peralta. |
| 11/26/2004 | parent | Peralta has a wonderful, warm community. My kindergartener says she wants to stay at Peralta until she is 86 years old. |
| 7/18/2004 | parent | Individual attention to your childs special needs is very important to teachers and principle at this school. The small classroom enviorment makes for a family enviorment for your childs social development. They stress ecological awareness at an early age, children are encouraged to garden and learn about plant and bug life. The children are encouraged to problem solve on multipule levels. Yes, over all acedemics and excellence are the primary focus. Great place to learn and grow! |
| 1/18/2004 | parent | Peralta is a rare bright star in the Oakland Unified School District. It has been on a steady upward trend for several years, due to a fortunate combination of effective leadership, teacher dedication, parent involvement and community interest. Recent landscaping improvements have elevated the physical environment from nicer-than-expected to an urban gem. The student body is gaining diversity and balance. We are fortunate that our child has the opportunity to attend this school. |
| 11/8/2003 | parent | Peralta has an incredible principal who knows all her students and has built a great team atmosphere with teachers and parents in running the school. Consider Peralta if you are looking for a small, intimate public school which pays extra attention to the arts and treats all children, regardless of backgrounds, with great respect. My child has had a great experience. |
