My son is in kindergarten at Birney, and I have to say that we're very pleased with the school, staff and principle. There was an issue with some kindergarteners wandering outside the school gate before their parents came to pick them up (the K leave at a different entrance than the other students) and
... Read more I brought it up to the principle and she immediately tightened up the system, ensuring no student leaves without a parent in hand. Her response was very impressive and immediate. Great school! Read less
Posted by a parent on 04/02/09
My son has been at Birney for 4 years now, and I have nothing but good things to say about it. The staff is friendly and everyone is willing to help whenever I need something. My son has an IEP and gets services from many of the special education providers, and each of them is nice and caring and concerned
... Read more about his progress. From his initially being a grade behind, he is now at grade level in reading. The before-and-after school program is also good. They help with the homework before I get there, as well as having play time. This helps me after a long day at work. As I tell everyone, there is no other school I would rather have my son attend. Read less
Posted by a parent on 08/21/08
I have totally enjoyed my experience at Birney. My child is now entering 1st grade and will have a class size of 15. The principal is very responsive to parent concerns and is very dedicated to the school. In a couple years this will be the school that everyone wants to get into.
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Posted by a parent on 07/28/08
I have no idea what being an 'academy of international studies' has done to change the school. I think the whole thing is just to blow smoke at the parents and try to convince them thier kids are attending some type of special 'academy' when, really, it is just a standard neighborhood public school.
... Read more The school is just average, with no extra features except a really cool garden that they recently put in on the strip of dirt near the parking lot fence. It seems though, that the kids did not really do much of the work. The school food is very strange. For breakfast my daughter is given bean and cheese burritos, quesadillas, and corndogs (called 'breakfast on a stick') which she is supposed to dip in syrup. Ugh. Maybe it's the quesadillas and burritos that make it an 'international' school. Read less
Posted by a parent on 05/27/08
Only great things are happening at Birney it is really above the rest. Small classes and great teachers really feels like you know everyone
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Posted by a parent on 03/07/08
My daughter is a Kindergartner at Birney. She loves the school and the friends she is making. Recently Birney added another Kindergarden teacher and she was moved to the class. But the transition went well. The teachers are all very friendly and the staff is always very helpful. The principal takes
... Read more a very hands-on approach to things and as a result is very supported in her efforts by faculty and parents alike. The international studies is a big plus for my child's growth but so is the attention paid to the arts, gardening and the environment. All which will help to nurture well rounded people. I am very happy with the school and I will be there to support its continued growth. Read less
Posted by a parent on 02/28/08
The principle is very involved in every aspect of the school. My daughter loves the diversity of the school and so do we. There are many positives but most of all due to its status as an international studies primary school I beleive will better prepare her for the globalization,
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Posted by a parent on 01/23/08
We started our child with the pre-k program, the teacher and her teaching were great. Now in first grade our child loves the school as we do too. They offer weekly special programs such as Spanish, art, dance, PE, afterschool clubs, and others. Some are offered more than once a week. The school is an
... Read more older school, but it is kept as clean as much as possible (though a renovation should happen). The principal is genuine in her efforts to get the school academics up and working with the parents. They are very welcoming to parents and volunteering and they are very active with the local community. We are happy with the school. Read less
Posted by a parent on 09/22/07
The principal, Ms. Amanda, has been a joy to watch over the two years in which my daughter has attended Birney. For a school that was derided by many of my charter school neighbors, I have found a jewel that is proving that a public school can shine with a motivated and involved principal. I much prefer
... Read more seeing a public school moving up in the world with my involvement than throwing in the towel and abandoning it to go with charter schools. We need to stick together to keep our public schools strong. Read less
Posted by a parent on 08/15/07
My son attended Birney from Kinder thru 2nd grade. My other children attend charter schools and I have not had the best experience with traditional schools in San Diego. Our experience at Birney was quite different. Kindergarten was a very positive start and I decided that we could keep him at Birney
... Read more for subsequent years. The past two years, things only got better. The principal is visible, approachable, and genuine. She really cares about that school and it shows. The garden program is absolutely wonderful and the 2nd grade teacher we were blessed with, Mrs. Donovan, was inspiring. This school proves that a neighborhood public school can do more than just get by, but can be a community where children can bloom. We have now moved to Oregon and I can only hope that we are able to settle into a school community as promising as Birney. Read less
*The resources listed are programs that the institution is staffed to support. Staffing for a program does not guarantee that it will be offered. This content is provided by the institution and may be incomplete. The institution may offer programs not listed here. Please contact the school directly for additional details.
Advanced Placement
AP classes are college-level classes offered at the high school level. Once a student completes an AP class and passes a final comprehensive examination conducted by the College Board, the student earns college credit for the course. AP classes are specific and not to be confused with other higher-level classes such as honors classes.
Before/After School
"Extended day" programs where the school day is extended before and after school to accommodate working parents. These programs should not be confused with common after school clubs or athletic activities.
Gifted and Talented
A school system may identify 10% to 15% or more of its student population as gifted and talented. A brief description of each area of giftedness or talent as defined by the Office of Gifted and Talented:
general intellectual ability or talent - high intelligence test score (usually two standard deviations above the mean), and high levels of vocabulary, memory, abstract work knowledge and abstract reasoning;
specific academic aptitude or talent in one area such as mathematics or language arts;
creative and productive thinking, the ability to produce new ideas;
leadership ability, the ability to direct individuals or groups to a common decision or action;
visual and performing arts, special talents in visual art, music, dance, drama, or other related studies;
psychomotor ability, such as practical, spatial, mechanical, and physical skills.
Vocation/Technical Curriculum
Vocational and/or technical courses offered within a comprehensive school, usually a senior high school.
Special Education Classes
A school or program within a school that provides services and training to students with moderate to severe mental and/or physical disabilities.
Adult Education Classes
Programs offering GED or equivalent courses for adults within regular schools, whether classes are held during evening or daytime schedules.
English as Second Language
English language classes for students whose first language is not English.
San Diego schools — Birney Elementary School is located at 4345 Campus Ave, San Diego CA 92103. 4345 Campus Ave is in the Hillcrest neighborhood and 92103 ZIP code in San Diego, CA The school district for Birney Elementary School is the San Diego Unified School District. Birney Elementary School is a Public school that serves grade levels K - 5.
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Test Score Ratings
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Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
