| Date | Who | Comments |
| 6/5/2012 | parent | I cannot say enough about Los Pen. My son came from Sperckles in UC. That school was awful. Since coming to Los Pen he has flourished. The staff there, starting from the principal on down is COMMITTED to education. I didn't know how effective teaching could be until my son came here. He is in the Academy program and is getting the absolute BEST learning experience we could have hoped for. Every aspect of this school is above top notch. I cannot believe that any public school can be run this well but I guess when everyone is on the same page it DOES! Their focus on NO EXCUSES and a target of all students making it to college is amazing. Our son already talks about what he wants to do in college. This school should be held up as a standard all others should work to meet. We so much appreciate all that Los Pen has brought to our son's education and future. Thanks you |
| 9/25/2010 | parent | Los Penasquitos is a Title 1 school serving neighborhoods in the Poway Unified School District. Their philosphy of "The No Excuses University" promotes accountability of students, parents and educators alike. Within Los Pen, there is an academy program which offers increased school hours and school year to enhance educational success. I have met some of the most dedicated teachers at this school and am proud to be a parent of a student at Los Pen. |
| 5/19/2010 | parent | This school is great with Academy Program |
| 5/16/2010 | parent | I love Los Penasquitos Elementary school because they emphasise the value of college education in the young minds and help them achieve the goal with their 'no excuses' philosophy. |
| 5/13/2010 | parent | Los Pen is wonderful! It has made an impact in my son's life. Their caring, support, and strive for building responsible young people is amazing! |
| 5/12/2010 | parent | Great school where teachers work together to help students enjoy learning. |
| 5/12/2010 | parent | Los Pen has a great atention for kids. they develope in all the ways with activities that help to reinforce caracter in a friendly enviroment |
| 5/12/2010 | parent | Very good school and very dedicated teachers/staff. |
| 5/12/2010 | other | The teachers are incredibly dedicated to helping the kids grow. |
| 5/6/2010 | other | I love Los Pen because every classroom adopts a college to keep them focused on their future.Los Pen has an Academy like no other school has were the students are in school for one extra hour in school.And it's not just about the education, Los Pen has so many fun activities to have fun!! |
| 5/5/2010 | parent | It's a place where teachers and staff are very nice and cares about the students. |
| 5/3/2010 | parent | My son went to the Academy for 4th and 5th grade and loved it! He leared a lot about being responsible for his actions and accountable for all of his work! Please keep the Academy going! |
| 5/3/2010 | parent | I think it's great to start early to lead the children to think about going to college and about having a goal that is to go to college. |
| 5/1/2010 | parent | There are many reasons why I love Los Penasquitos Elementary School. One of the reasons is because at Los Pen, each student, no matter what age, ethnicity, religion, or learning level, is given an equal opportunity to successfully educate themselves. Another reason I love Los Pen is because of the support they offer to students that are motivated to learn via the Academy. Yet another reason why I love Los Pen is because of the amazing staff, which gives each student that walks through their doors the chance to succeed in life. Another reason I love Los Pen is because starting in Kindergarten, they help each student put themselves on the path to higher education by having each classroom represent universities such as Kansas, Michigan State, San Diego State, Stanford, and the list goes on. This helps motivate each student to include gaining a higher education in their life goals. Go Los Pen! |
| 5/1/2010 | parent | Awesome! Los Pen Academy saved my son's educational career! |
| 4/30/2010 | parent | Los Pen teachers and staff are awesome - very dedicated. They are passionate about teaching... |
| 4/30/2010 | parent | Great Teachers and the learning environment is wonderful for kids! |
| 4/30/2010 | parent | teachers and staff are very dedicated,accomodating and friendly.... |
| 4/30/2010 | other | teachers and staff are great with the kids,,,LOS PEN ROCKS. |
| 4/30/2010 | parent | Best school for your children's education because of dedicated and caring teachers and staff. |
| 4/29/2010 | parent | Because the staff genuinely cares about each & every student. |
| 4/29/2010 | parent | Los Pen is an outstanding school due to the caring teachers and staff. Teachers that have always encouraged my son to push himself and accept nothing less than his very best. As a parent I couldn't ask for anything more. |
| 4/29/2010 | parent | Los Pen was a blessing. I wanted my child to go to Sunset Hills at first, but after the first day at Los Pen I have fallen in love with the school and I feel my daughter is getting the best possible education she could ever get. Los Pen rocks! |
| 4/29/2010 | parent | Los Pen is an incredible school with a caring faculty. My daughter has gone to this school since kindregarten (she's a big 3rd grader now) and her teachers have always challenged her bright mind and engouraged her to be her best. It truly shows. Thank you, Los Pen!! |
| 4/29/2010 | parent | my son is in 5th grade & has been at los pen since kindergarten. we have had nothing but a positive experience! and as he goes on to middle school we look forward to sending our next son there in the fall to start kindergarten! =) |
| 4/29/2010 | parent | Los Pen has fantastic, committed faculty and staff that cares about every single student, regardless of background. Their motto is 'No Excuses'. Everyone is expected to give their very best effort to achieve their goals, and are held accountable for their progress. |
| 4/29/2010 | parent | Los Pen has done nothing but great things for my kindergartner. He loves his classes and looks forwarding to everything he gets to learn. My son had a rough start, but he's gone so far and is only progressing every single day. I have nothing bad to say about this school. They strive to be the best for the students, teachers and families. Love them!!!!! |
| 4/29/2010 | parent | Los pen is what every parent hopes for their children. A school that looks to the future of each child, and not only gives them the foundation, but the knowledge that they can and will go on to college and a successful future. The children all know they are part of something very special...NEU! |
| 4/29/2010 | parent | This is a very good and committed school to students. |
| 4/29/2010 | parent | An Amazing school and staff who are dedicated to our childrens education! Thank you Los Pen Staff! |
| 4/29/2010 | parent | They do best effort to teach and guide kids I've ever known. |
| 4/29/2010 | parent | Love the staff at this school. They are very proactive and aren't afraid to approach parents. |
| 4/29/2010 | parent | Los pen principle, teachers, and staff are great, |
| 4/29/2010 | parent | The teachers , principal and staff are all excellent. Los Pen is an excellent school. |
| 4/29/2010 | parent | Los Pen is a unique place where kids from all backgrounds are expected to achieve and succeed, in school and in life. The teachers and staff are fully committed to helping every child reach his or her full potential. They accomplish this by using innovative approaches to learning--such as the Los Pen Academy program--and by never giving up on a child or accepting less than a child's best. I've sent two kids through Los Pen and would not hesitate to encourage other parents to do the same! |
| 4/29/2010 | parent | Los Pen provides an educational environment where each student realizes the sky is the limit! |
| 4/29/2010 | parent | There are not many schools or programs that are as dedicated to helping children learn and reach their full potential. The Academy also encourages children to begin thinking about their futures by introducing them to colleges and universities. The students attending the Academy come to school every day, eager to learn. They really are Bright Eager And Responsible Students. Go Bears! |
| 4/29/2010 | parent | I love that los pen focus on getting the kids ready for college. |
| 4/29/2010 | parent | The school provides all of its students the opportunity to succeed and most importantly gives them the motivation to exceed their own expectations! |
| 4/29/2010 | parent | I love that regardless of the students' backgrounds all students are expected & given the tools to succeed! |
| 4/29/2010 | parent | The No-Excuses University (NEU) concept has taught our daughter to be more responsible and accountable for her education. She loves the learning environment which has been conducive to her learning ability to play 'catch-up' and has increased her self-confidence that she is able to reach her potential. She now has a goal to attend college. |
| 4/29/2010 | parent | Los Penasquitos have great teachers. They teach and motivate every student to love learning. They encourage every student to go to college for a better future. |
| 4/29/2010 | parent | This school has the most amazing teachers--they expect the best from their students & they get it! My daughter is prepared for college and she's in the 5th grade--she will go, of course, and she will excel...in large part because of the foundation Los Pen Academy has helped her lay. Thank you to all the teachers & staff--from the bottom of my heart. |
| 4/28/2010 | parent | Great teachers are at Los Pen. And the kids are treated with respect. |
| 4/28/2010 | parent | The teachers are so dedicated and are such mentors to their students. They have a formula that has proven it's worth over the years with their continued success on all fronts. The children are motivated to do well and aspire to be the best they can be. Students are held accountable for all their decisions and the 'no excuses' philosophy is empowering for all. This program reflects everything that is good in education and is a shining example that all schools and districts should try to achieve and replicate. |
| 4/27/2010 | parent | The kids that come out of this school are very intelligent and highly motivated. They give me inspiration to give back to students in my community. |
| 4/27/2010 | parent | Great teachers and counselors. School is well run and organized. Students appear to be very happy! |
| 4/25/2010 | other | The dedication of the teachers and staff, especially the special needs department, to the kids in Los Penasquitos. |
| 4/24/2010 | parent | We have very dedicated teachers and personel who improve the lives of the children who walk through their doors each day. They have a special education department that makes the lives of challenged children better in hopes they can grow and be valued citizens of our community. |
| 4/24/2010 | parent | The school is a wonderful environment for learning and growing. The teachers and staff care deeply for all the students and are committed to all students achieving proficiency. |
| 4/24/2010 | other | Los Penasquitos Elementary has the best teachers & staff in CA. |
| 4/24/2010 | parent | Having taught at various elementary schools around the world, I can safely say that Los Pen has some of the finest staff and brightest kids I have ever seen. |
| 4/23/2010 | parent | I took my kids out of a Private Montessori School and put them in Los Pen.. This is the best school out there. |
| 4/23/2010 | parent | This school is an amazing gift, with outstanding teachers, and a love for children than helps them have dreams, and then to excel beyond their dreams. They prepare every child for school, and accept NO EXCUSES as to not treating every child as though they were the most successful being in the area. |
| 4/23/2010 | parent | Los Pen is an amazing school with teachers that will do anything to make sure the students reach their potential! Go Los Pen!! |
| 4/23/2010 | parent | The best and most motivating teachers are at this school. They help all the children improve no matter where they start at. They helped my daugher 'graduate' out of special ed - dedication of the staff is so impressive here. They should be the model for all schools. Help them stay in business and expand. |
| 4/23/2010 | parent | This is a wonderful school! Both of my children were blessed with the opportunity to attend. They are both in middle school now and continue to score well above the state and school testing averages due to the wonderful work of the teachers and environment at Los Penasquitos Academy. |
| 4/23/2010 | parent | Los Penasquitos School parents, staff and administration believe all children can be successful. Not only do they believe that but they put that belief into practice. Parents support the school and their students as volunteers, teachers collaborate with each other, students are respectful, and the administration supports parents and teachers. Decisions are based on what is best for the child. Students feel cared for, safe, respected, and valued for their own abilities and strengths. My son continues to be successful in middle school as a result of learning and putting into practice what it truly means to take control of and be responsible for his own learning. |
| 4/23/2010 | parent | I love los pen! this school is the greatest! the staff is awsome.The students are cared for,are safe,and they learn. |
| 4/23/2010 | parent | My son went to this school and he loved being there. He's told me about how they always have great events and how fun it is to learn there. This school is the best. |
| 4/23/2010 | teacher | It is a privilege to teach at such an amazing school. The students and staff show such amazing dedication to learning. |
| 4/23/2010 | parent | This school has taught my son to become a better person and a better student. He is now in High School and he is still using the helpful techniques that this school has prepared him to do. |
| 4/23/2010 | parent | This school is filled with an amazing staff who go above and beyond to make sure students get the best academic support! |
| 4/23/2010 | parent | Los Pen is near and dear to my heart...this school provided my children with a good foundation. Now in Middle & High school, they are successful students thanks to Los Pen!! |
| 10/14/2009 | parent | The Los Pen Academy is the best program. My son and daughter are both enrolled in this program. It is a great model and should has been applied to the US (K-12) education system. |
| 7/17/2008 | parent | My daughter attended Kindergarten last year at Los Pen, and the program is exceptional, as is the school and staff. I volunteered in the classroom each week and saw firsthand the strong academic-based program, which emphasizes reading, writing and math skills and helps each child to strive to do their best in every way. The program includes a lot of arts/crafts which often incorporate math/counting, reading/writing skills so that the kids learn that learn in a creative, fun way. The before and after-school program (ESS) has responsible, fun-loving and friendly staff who foster a creative, caring environment for the kids. The co-principals were very well-respected in their success at making this school the 'No Excuses University'. Each class adopted a college for the year and wore their college t-shirts each Friday. This is a 1st-rate elementary school that holds high expectations of each of their students regardless of their socio-economic status. |
| 5/8/2006 | parent | Los Pen is diligent in dedicating resources to continuously enhance and challenge students' capabilities, both in academics and in social interaction. The Academy program, a unique magnet program known as the 'school within a school' is perhaps the best thing in elementary education. My older son completed the program last year and I have a 4th grader who is currently in the program. I've seen how my sons integrate themselves into the goals of the Academy and truly embrace its purpose (they are serious about this). They not only grew their academic skills (both boys are GATE identified students) but in addition, they also learn the value of community relationships. More importantly, the boys learned responsibility and accountability for their actions. Los Pen's principal is an educator with a vision and a mission to get there. He is relentless in pursuing the best for the students. |
| 5/7/2006 | parent | Mr. Griffen is the best educator I have come in contact with in many years! My daughter Kaleigh has had the best year ever! Mr. Lopez the 'Guy in Charge' has my daughter telling me every morning that she is going to San Marcos State University! No excuses is working! |
| 4/24/2006 | parent | 'No Excuses University' elemenatary school serving K-5th grades with focus on high educational standards (test scores indicate school at a level 10 - the highest possible), college readiness (goal contract signed and reviewed weekly with kids and parents have goals, too!), and family involvement (volunteerism, PTA, free parenting classes, and community informational meetings with Police Department). 5 days/week school counselor on-site, Title I school, multicultural population, and optional 'academy' program offerred to 3rd-5th grades based on lottery (program offers school for longer hours than traditional with one extra month of school and parents sign contract that kids will not miss any school except for illness). |
| 3/27/2006 | staff | Los Pen staff is incredibly dedicated to helping kids succeed, no matter what their background or situation. Their 'no excuses' approach is implemented with flexibility and consideration for each child, no small task in an elementary school with such a diverse population. |
| 4/30/2005 | parent | the upper grade teachers are not just wonderful educators but also wonderful people for the students at this campus. |
| 3/31/2005 | parent | My son has attended kindergarten through 5th grade at this school. K/1 combo class was great because kinders went home at lunch and class size for 1st grade all afternoon was just 10 kids! Never a 'bad year' at this school. Great depth in talented teachers. I echo the comments of other Academy parents about the superb opportunity for kids ... a private school education without the elitism or the expense. Truly remarkable! |
| 2/3/2005 | parent | I love the 'Character Counts' program that is intergrated into the school curriculum. This program teaches honesty, integrity, and other moral characteristics that have been intentially ommited from most schools in modern education. The teachers, students, parents, and faculty seem to be more respectful toward each other with the application of this program. My children are pushed academically and expected not only to meet their academic goals, but to exceed them. We are still adjusting to such high standards, since this is our first year at this school. My children love this school, their teachers, and their educations. They thrive on learning and are proud of their accomplishments. So far, I am very impressed. |
| 10/25/2004 | parent | This school is a disgrace to the Poway Unified School District, I am disappointed in the Prinicipal and the staff for how uninformed they are regarding new or even ongoing programs. They 'pass the buck' quite often. They don't keep parents 'in the know' for what is truly going on in their school, such as information on coach's or other important people who interact with your children. They look good on the surface but that's where it stops. |
| 3/2/2004 | parent | The Los Pen Academy is the best program for anyone willing to put in the extra effort! The students are always eager to go to school and learn. Because of the extra time spent by the teacher with the students, they are able to do more things than a regular school. This is a great school for learning and we owe it all to the Principal, for his support and the wonderful teachers that are dedicated to their students. |
| 8/6/2003 | parent | Both of my children have attended this school. This school holds the highest expectations for it's students when it comes to academic performance....and it shows. |
| 5/14/2003 | | Phenomenal academic environment! The Los Pen Academy, the school within a school, brings together students who want to excel and are willing to make a committment to their academics by coming to school an hour earlier each day and staying an hour later each day and coming back to school one month earlier in the summer! This program is for fourth and fifth graders. The teachers create a milieu where learning is expected and excuses are not accepted. The teachers facilitate this process by carrying cell phones around when they are not is school so students are assured to get the help they need on homework each and every day. It is like going to a private school!!! |
