Pros and cons of Crocker Highlands Elementary
We're starting to research elementary schools for our incoming kindergartner. I'd love to hear from parents whose children currently attend Crocker Highlands Elementary. It's our home school and is walking distance.
I have a fairly opinionated, strong-willed but very sweet child. I have generally heard good things about this school but would love to hear more specifically about: (1) what your experience been with your child's teachers and administrators.
(2) what sports and music classes can we expect for the lower grades (if any)
(3) sense of community and opportunities for parents to volunteer and connect with one another (aside from fundraisers)
Sep 11, 2022
Parent Replies
I'm sure you will get lots of glowing responses from families at Crocker, but as a family of a neurodivergent child, who is intellectually precocious to boot, we had a dreadful time there. The former principal was well loved but not by us. It was strange that at the time of her departure the school had her sit on a throne and kids paraded around. No idea why anyone thought that was appropriate.
The principal has since changed, but our interaction with the new principal during the 2 year delayed IEP process was shocking. She chewed gum, looked bored and clearly was doing a lot of other things during the zoom calls.
The teachers are caring and invested, yet, they also solve any challenges with kids by sending them to the principal's office. I know this isn't how all public schools in Oakland operate, as a friend with a child similar to mine had a much different experience at Joaquin Miller.
We asked for an IEP assessment multiple times, which we were legally entitled to, and the school repeatedly deferred. Our child was finally assessed and found to have a disability that explains why they struggled with behavioral challenges. The former principal refused to support most of our asks for 2 years, and she continually blamed us for our child's struggles. We suggested in 1st grade that our child might be bored and were told it wasn't possible. During the pandemic, as I was supporting my kid's education, that suspicion was well-founded. They were reading at a 12th grade level in 3rd grade, based on school required assessments.
Parents are friendly enough, but there are a fair bit of non-inclusive behaviors. It's a wealthy community that doesn't seem to welcome difference very well.
For context, our younger child started kindergarten during the remote school era, and they had no trouble with most things. But I do think it's worth looking at the outliers to understand deeper cultural aspects. Those who fit the norm will be fine most places so it's not that informative to evaluate based on those criteria.
We withdrew both kids from the school and have zero regrets.