Seaside Elementary School in Redondo Beach, California

“Seaside is a wonderful place for children to learn and grow!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Although Seaside Elem. has not been granted a State Distinguished School .. with all it's programs, and it's student and parent involvment, it should be! We need your support!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Seaside Elementary has many dedicated teachers and parents, families very active in supporting school programs and creating a safe, positive environment for the kids. There is a feeling of genuine concern for the well-being and education of the children.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Seaside Elementary school is not only a pillar in our community, but we're like one big family! The teachers, staff, PTA and parent involement is overwhelming! The programs the PTA provides, allows the enrichment for our students through music, art and even library books! Our beautiful school is very special and is in dire need of assistance. Due to extreme budget cuts on schools, our district had to release 185 teachers this past year! We need to make our school stronger for our future--our children!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Seaside provides a community of love and support with great teachers and an amazing PTA. At a time when schools are losing valuable financial support for programs and supplies, our teachers and parents are able to come together and work hard to try to supplement the losses. More help is needed, but our school is a shining example of how teamwork can make a difference for our kids.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Seaside is a great school where teachers and families come together to work as one big family for our children. There is much parental involvement and an active PTA that always keeps families well informed. I'm happy that my children have had the opportunity to attend such a fine school and am proud to be part of the Seaside community.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Seaside has the most caring teachers, parents and students. When my son needed special help in no time a meeting was coordinated to find a solution to help him. My son is now a confident student with a very high self-esteem. We love Seaside!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“As a mother of 4 this is my 7th year in Seaside School. Our experience in this school has been excellent. My first son is already graduated and he is going great to Calle Mayor Middle School. Every morning my kids can't wait to go to school and everyday I drop them off at school with a big smile. My kids love their teachers, all the teachers are kind, smart and know what are they doing. Their technique and program is excellent and it's really working Thanks SeaSide :-)”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I Love Seaside Elementary because I went there as a kid and now my kids are able to attend the same schools. We have great teachers and an awesome PTA who works very hard. We live in a great neighborhood but our school is falling apart. Somehow none of our tax monies come back to our city. We hope you can award us the money as it will be put to good use!! Thanks”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I moved into this neighborhood specifically to go to Seaside. I've always heard such wonderful news about Seaside. Unfortunately because of budget cuts our school is in dire need of repair. I teach in another district with beautiful schools, but wouldn't dream of moving my children - Seaside is more than just an exterior. It's the parents, the teachers, the neighborhood, the PTA, it's a mix of everything put together to deliver such a special package.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We transferred both or our children to this school because of the outstanding reputation for the teachers and principal. They have consistently kept up the standards of the school to keep their California Distinguished School status and that says a lot about the commitment of everyone involved with the school, parents and teachers and staff alike.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Seaside has amazing teachers and a very active, involved PTA that really helps to supplement the experience for the kids. What the state taketh away, the PTA finds a way to provide. When the modernization begins in 2011, the physical school and it's infrastructure will be updated and it will then be 5 stars!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My children feel at home here at this school. The school has a lot of activities for everyone to be involved in. Seaside keeps you connected in everything your child does. Seaside keeps parents informed on what your child is learning and participating in at all times. This means a lot to me as a parent.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Seaside is a place where I know every staff member our children come in contact with cares greatly and has a passion for education.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The facility is in desperate need of refurbishing and custodial services need to be up graded and staff increased. Restrooms on school sites always need extra attention.”
This review was posted by a other.

“We just moved to California 9 months ago and were lucky enough for my children to attend Seaside. This is a great school as far as the teachers and involvement. My kids have made new friends so fast and it's been great! The only thing is the school is in desperate cosmetic repair and it is dirty. I am also a working parent but I have been able to take off work for most of the parent involvement activities. Sometimes, I just get tired of the 20 emails I get a week from the homeroom mom on what color binder to buy for the teacher this week. Some of the parents are slightly overboard and need something else to occupy their time. Great school though!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Love this school! All my children are attending this school. I love to see my children adopting different backgrounds, cultures and ethnicity. My kids are getting free cutural experiences. I realize there are some who are not able to communicate well but, I tell you, they are very intelligent. They sometimes tutor my kids! Somehow kids know how to communicate when they need each other. My kids love to go to school every day! I am proud of all of the faculties and students!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I really think Seaside is a wonderful school. I have a great communication with my daughter second grade teacher. There is a great parent/community involvement. My daughter is happy and learning in a great school environment.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is a great area to live and a wonderful place for your children to grow up. I have lived in Torrance all my life and knew I wanted my children to attend South Torrance schools. Though Seaside needs to be updated cosmetically, it is what happens inside that counts. Great teachers, wonderful PTA and most importantly lots of parent participation. Whether your are a stay home mom or work full time, I have found that Seaside is appreciative towards any time contributed towards bettering our childrens education.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I completely disagree, with the comment posted about the ESL community being at fault for low test scores.Why put the blame on children who are smart enough to learn and know 2 different languages? Maybe we need to teach our kids a different language. I know I want my child to learn Spanish or Japanese. What a privilege to be bilingual. I don't see it as a downfall. I see it as a blessing.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“In Torrance, you can choose your school.Where else can you find a 2nd grade teacher with a Ph.D. or a Kindergarten Teacher with a Masters?Overall,our children are excelling.The school's parents do all they can to 'beautify' the school which is great,but the classrooms and bathrooms are old, dirty, and are in great need of remodeling.There's a large ESL population which may contribute to lower scores and we just can't seem to get a 'California Distinguished' rating. If you are a working mom, be prepared to feel the guilt of not participating in your child's classroom!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Love it, whomever talks bad about Seaside is just plain wrong or bitter. Great school, great teachers, I have a little girl, 5 years old in Kindergarten and she started reading before the end of last year. Great curriculum and very friendly staff, I am not able to volunteer alot but when I do I am very pleased to see how the kids behave and how the teacher works hard with the children. Homework is very challenging and my daughter loves it. Very Happy with the school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Strong PTA, wonderful teachers and parent volunteers make this school a 'great school' considering it is 55+ years old and very few cosmetic upgrades have been made due to state budget shortages.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Not a bad school. It's in one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Torrance. But the school doesn't appear to be. It's untidy and dirty. The classrooms are poorly equipped. It's below average for number of computers per student, doesn't compare well with comparable schools, and class sizes are large. The PTA are heavily involved but be prepared to receive less favorable treatment if you are a working parent who can't be at the school daily. They have it set up to make you feel guilty if you can't get involved.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The parent involvement in this school is wonderful and students excel even more because of it. Teachers there are trained to use a lot of hands on activities to make learning more meaningful for the students.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Great school, great academic program..Parents are very involved. Great location as it is in the residentail part of the city.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school is friendly and has a specific curri culum designed to prepare students for Junior High and beyond.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“a great school with excellent teachers and a great program for kids”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Outstanding staff and great community.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is one of the best schools when compared to others in the same school district. The is a large amount of parent participation. Lot of play time and an excellent library run by the PTA and a good computer lab. The kids have some of the most highly skilled teachers around with high energy levels and band in 5th grade. The bad thing is the physical state of the school but this is a problem for all the schools in the TUSD. Generally they are all just run down and need to be completely rebuilt. But what goes on inside the school is challenging learning and highly dedicated hard working teachers. Spanish should be added but they do have an outstanding PTA run art enrichment program that is second to none. Get involved in the PTA and you will love this school. (not the buildings but the school).”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Anyone who takes any type of participation in any school activities at Seaside know that we have something special. Our parents, teachers and staff are outstanding. We have a weekly communication package that goes home to inform parents what is going on at school. Our school has a great group of children and show the utmost respect and will someday be great leaders in their communities.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“So WHY is this school -- in top 10% of schools -- in BOTTOM 30% of APIs for schools with similar demographic profile? In conversations, some parents cite kids who 'come in from outside'. But STAR data shows students' parents have excellent rate (65%) of college grad/higher, good household incomes, etc. Where is the disconnect between 'household achievement' and kids' academic achievement? We have a great teacher and our child is doing very well. But statistics imply school overall is not living up to its potential. Again, why? What can parents, teachers, admin's do to improve Seaside results to a par with 'similar schools'?”
This review was posted by a parent.

“When we bought our home over 10 years ago we knew the schools in this particular area were better than most. So far Seaside has been a wonderful school for our 2 children. We have 1 more at home. The teachers have been phenomenal. I am not a member of the PTA, so I know I have not received any special privelages. We did not request any specific teachers and all of my children's teachers have been great. To all those parents that are unhappy with the area and wish to move. Please do. The market is hot, and I am sure you will get back your original investment plus more. Moving to Long Beach sounds like a great place, but where in Long Beach, can you buy a house for $200,000. Maybe North Long Beach, but not in the nice neighborhoods. Although I am not a big fan of the PTA, it's not fair to judge an entire school based on one's bad PTA experience. The condition of this is not different than any of the other Torrance schools. They are all dirty and dusty. Look at the big picture. South Torrance is a great location with great schools. Make the most of it. Don't run away, because you will regret it. You will probably be the first ones in line asking for a permit to get back into Seaside.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“They can improve on cleaning up the school, very dirty and dusty. I am thinking about moving to another area, I simply don't like the teachers, and the people running this school”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Classrooms are dull, floors are old, classroom furniture is not always age appropriate, and some windows you can hardly see through. I would think twice before spending half a million dollars on a 1200 square feet home to be near a Torrance top school. You can get the same type of school in Long Beach, and buy a house for $200,000.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We bought (at an inflated price due to 'good schools') into this area specifically for this school, and are quite disappointed. Should have done even more research first. Yes, STAR test scores are in top 10% -- but not compared to similar schools (bottom 30%). With the demographics going for it, this school's results should be much higher. But more important to us than school's test results are our child's results. She is 'one of the top 4 students in her class' per her teacher, but often comes home unclear on what Ms. X taught that day. Ms. X has given tests where majority of class got D or F, then just moved on. Obviously, if 18 out of 20 kids get D/F, Ms. X isn't getting through to them! Other teachers may be much better -- but principal filled their classes with PTA moms' kids. When parents hear we got Ms. X, they nod and say 'too bad'. It is too bad when having a connections is critical to getting a better teacher -- and when a school does well on states tests, yet falls so far short of its potential. Thanks for 'listening' -- concerned parent. PS: Thankfully, many parents volunteer, and many contribute with beautification days -- but school's physical condition is pretty bad - peeling paint, etc., and so few computers/class!”
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