| School Name | Address | Phone | Grades | County | Type | District Name |
| White Oaks Elementary School | 1901 White Oak Way
San Carlos, CA 94070 | (650) 508-7317 | K-4 | San Mateo | charter | San Carlos Elementary |
| Email | Year |
| eveal@sancarlos.k12.ca.us | 2011 |
| Students Getting Free Lunch | Year |
| 1% | 2009 |
| Date | Who | Comments |
| 9/5/2012 | parent | If you have ever seen inspired teaching and solid curriculum, you know that, aside from some of the younger grade teachers, White Oaks does not have it. I continually wonder, "where is the beef?". There is very little substance to the curriculum. In the lower grades, there is almost no math whatsoever. Writing consists of journal writing with little to no help with organization, grammar, or conventions. And I actually had a teacher tell me that she could not teach science and social studies during the same time period! While there is some project-based learning, there is very little of it and the projects are not carefully chosen. The administration is unresponsive to concerns. White Oaks obtains decent tests scores because the parents take on the job of educating their children. I do not know of any child who did not take some form of math instruction outside of school. My children learned that they would learn little at White Oaks. |
| 5/10/2012 | parent | Interesting... My son has had nothing but great experiences at the school. Yes, parents are on campus, but as a working mom, I have appreciated the photos some of the moms have provided me (via snapfish) of classroom events that I am not able to attend. Additionally, I don't see parents in the classroom as a reflection of my teacher's ineffectiveness. Given the cuts education has experienced over the last 9 years, I applaud the fact that the school has capable teachers who can effectively utilize the support parents want to offer. As far as the principal is concerned, her communication works for me. When I'm not on campus I read the weekly online newsletter and stay informed that way. When I have been able to attend a few school meetings this year I've appreciated her updates with regards to the school's math pilot and the staff's PLC work. I know my child's teacher has spoken very highly of the work she and her colleagues have done in math this year so it would seem that something is in place with regards to professional development! It's unfortunate that those last two respondents took the time to taint the great things happening at our school! |
| 2/13/2012 | parent | I can't agree more. We've had older siblings come through this school and over the past couple of years - the quality has dropped markedly. The new principal is problematic where she fails to push the teaching staff for excellence. She seems incapable of creating a strategy that allows for teacher growth and excellence. Luckily, our youngest is moving on next year. As for the reviewer who stated that there are too many parents in the classroom, its a joke. Sometimes there are 2 or 3 parents in the class at any given time. You wonder why the teacher needs so much help. |
| 2/9/2012 | parent | The school supposedly has good ratings and scores. Our experience leads us to question the quality and objectivity of these past reviews. The teachers seem disorganized. The Principal is obtuse and she does not communicate well. Our son was doing very well at a private Palo Alto elementary, when we moved him into Whiteoak, he foundered in the unstructured massively disorganized chaos. We've asked to meet with the teachers and principal and the outcome of these meetings has always been "he's exactly where he should be". Overall, the school is over run by stay at home moms with nothing to do but to disrupt the classroom. The teachers depend on this extra help so they do even less work teaching. Very dis-satisfied with this school. We're thinking of stopping all SCEF donations (for what?) and putting him in St. Charles. |
| 9/8/2010 | parent | Poor leadership from the principal and over- involved, hovering parents on this old and cramped campus. |
| 4/26/2010 | parent | crowded campus and very homogenous. don't get the love for this school. |
| 9/25/2009 | parent | White Oaks Elementary School is a wonderful school in a great neighborhood and community. My 1st child attended the White Oaks and now my 2nd child is enrolled there, as well. Great school. |
| 9/23/2009 | parent | I love White Oaks because my niece loves to learn, read and study and is excelling academically. |
| 9/23/2009 | parent | Great teachers and staff! I love the families and kids who are part of this community. |
| 9/22/2009 | parent | Excellent curriculum & teachers. Community feel. Long standing traditions. Involved parents. |
| 9/21/2009 | other | My grand daughter loves this school! |
| 9/19/2009 | parent | excellent academics. superb parental/community involvement. passionate teachers. innovative programs (cultural arts day where each year a new country is selected -- since my son has been doing there they've done africa, greece, and this year is china). |
| 9/19/2009 | parent | Lots of attention is paid to making all students feel like part of the community. All-school celebrations and big/little kid buddies bring kids from upper and lower grades together. |
| 9/19/2009 | parent | Gifted and involved teachers and administaors. Teachers will and able to remain late to help with sports, learning, relationships, building and all involvements of children. |
| 9/19/2009 | parent | wonderful teachers, great sense of community and a real 'old school' feel. children here truly believe thatt 'learning is fun!' |
| 9/18/2009 | parent | multi-aged classrooms, small campus, engaged parents, seasoned staff, job sharing, school song |
| 9/18/2009 | parent | WO has the most wonderful teachers and programs which enable my children to have the best learning environment I could hope for. |
| 9/18/2009 | parent | We have a terrific community of concerned and involved parents that work closely with school staff to ensure a safe & enriching environment for all of the students. |
| 9/18/2009 | parent | White Oaks creates a fabulous lenvironment for the kids to learn, with wonderful and caring teachers/staff, a huge community of very close-knit parent volunteers, a superbly run after-school program that's on-site, and a learning environment that's second to none. |
| 9/18/2009 | parent | We've had two students through White Oaks over a ten-year period and we've been delighted with all aspects of the school. Even during these financially uncertain times when all schools are resource contrained, this school, with tremendous support from an exceptional group of parent volunteers, manages to provide an excellent education for our kids. This parent is very grateful to the staff and parents who have supported our kids during our decade at this school. |
| 9/18/2009 | parent | White Oaks has an amazing culture of participation and learning. I couldn't be more happy with my children there. |
| 9/18/2009 | parent | I love the long standing quality of education that the school provides the students with a strong curriculum and excellent teaching staff. In addition, the school provides a sense of community that is important in developing the growth of the child as a whole. |
| 9/18/2009 | parent | The teachers are amazing the the community support is inspiring. |
| 9/18/2009 | parent | The teaching staff and pta is amazing. The kids love their classrooms, the teachers,and feel pride in their accomplishments. |
| 9/18/2009 | parent | White Oaks rocks! We have 2 kids attending White Oaks now, and they love every minute of it. White Oaks encourages and promotes learning, caring, generosity, and responsibility, helping to turn our kids into productive and all-around good people. We can't wait for our 3rd child to be able to experience this wonderful school first-hand! |
| 9/18/2009 | parent | The teachers are top notch, the parent community is super involved and the principal is excellent. |
| 9/18/2009 | parent | I love the dedicated parents that make this school thrive. |
| 9/18/2009 | parent | The teachers are great. |
| 9/18/2009 | parent | Teachers, Parent, kids are all great and very active in the school |
| 9/4/2008 | parent | My son is in fourth grade and has been at White Oaks since kindergarten. We have had a wonderful experience and I feel that he is getting a great education. There is a strong community and a lot of parent involvement at White Oaks. The only downfall is in writing; however, the math and reading are very strong. |
| 5/2/2006 | parent | We love this school. It is a wonderful place to learn and to teach. The pricipal is hands-on. The teachers are loving, patient, and knowledgeable. The custodian is helpful and giving. There is a lot of parental involvement in all aspects of the school. We have a part-time art and music teacher. We have a full-time P.E. teacher. We put on a school theatrical prodution once a year. We have a Cultural Arts day that the whole neighborhood loves and is involved in. Our big fund-raiser for the year is our walk-a-thon and family picnic. The kids and parents have a great time and we earn money for our school. The parents of our community have learned, that to increase the value of your home, you just can't sink more money into your home. You need to invest in your school. |
| 9/14/2005 | parent | The principal is the absolute best! She knows all of the students by name and makes a regular practice of doing 'Good News' phone calls to the students to verbalize any special points their teachers have made on their report cards. The Teachers that my son has had have all been very easy to talk to and have created wonderful environments that the children feel comfortable and motivated in. I feel luckly to have such a wonderful school environment! |
| 7/27/2005 | parent | Very sensitive assignment of students to teachers who will be best for them. Excellent starts in math and reading by extremely well-versed teachers. In spite of low funding, great effort is made to provide worthwhile art, music, and technology through PTA funding. Plays seem to be part of the regular curriculum and are well done. Great effort to recognize children for special effort and achievement. Very strong well-organized principal in Betty Casey. A core of very interested and capable parents volunteer regularly. Very happy and well-tended classrooms. A couple of fences, benches need mending. Great residential neighborhood. |
| 2/5/2005 | parent | Great School, faculty and staff. Kids really enjoy attending school. |
| 10/19/2004 | parent | Outstanding school. Teachers and principal at White Oaks are the BEST. Teachers are highly skilled at teaching to different abilities and challenging all students at their level. Parents are very involved in their kids' education and help to ensure that programs like art and music are provided. |
| 8/4/2003 | parent | I have a daughter entering 4th grade this year. The past four years at White Oaks School has been a wonderful learning experience for her. The school has a very involved principal and gets excellent support from parents and the community alike. Joey Cory - August 2003 |
| 6/19/2003 | | Betty Casey is an amazing principal! She keeps the teachers, students, and parents energized with her energy, and comittment. The students respond very well to her. Parents also make the school a success. There are so many great volunteers that help out the teachers because they have little/none admin support. Also, they run excellent programs like the Silent Auction, Boys Night Out, Girls Night Out, Cultural Arts Day, and Art in Action. All are wonderful programs, unmatched at any other school. My two boys have had a wonderful experience there. |
