5319 Fallon Ave
Richmond, CA 94804

This is our fourth year with El Cerrito High School and we've been extremely happy. My kids both went to K-8 in another district, where test scores are sky-high but there is little to no real diversity. We were excited to send them to a school where the student body better reflected the diverse Bay Area community and the real world. The teachers at El Cerrito High are talented and committed. The James Morehouse Project (the student wellness/mental health support center) is a godsend for teens going through the ups and downs of adolescence. The PTSA is dedicated to helping make the school as supportive a place as possible for students and teachers. Principal Norrington is an outstanding school leader--he's extremely communicative; cares deeply about the students; is equally committed to helping support academics, sports, and the arts; and leads the school with integrity. My youngest is graduating this year and she's grown academically and personally thanks to her experience at El Cerrito High.

I worked at Korematsu as a student teacher for the first semester of my teaching credential and it was a terrible experience. This is largely due to the bitter and negative mentor teacher that I worked with, Diana Jenkins. She has a negative reputation at Korematsu for being controlling--something that is very apparent after only a brief period of time spent working with her. While working with her, she would constantly complain, sharply badmouthing both staff and students. Teachers should not engage in arguments or quarrels with children. Nor should they sharply rebuke or criticize staff for trivial things when students are nearby. Her behavior and persona were so bad that I switched mentor teachers before the semester was over. If anyone has a child or relative that is assigned to Diana Jenkins for physical education, the best thing for them to do is to switch out of her class as soon as possible.

I think this school has potential but I think each child's experience here will be hit or miss depending on the teacher they get. The administration is nice, but their wonderful assistant principal who was there for the last two years is already leaving. Some of the support staff are incredible: the kind that have a smile on their face every time you see them. Meanwhile, you have the parent liaison who looks disgruntled on nearly a daily basis who I witnessed be very condescending to a Spanish speaking parent. On one occasion, she put me on the spot to donate food for the teacher appreciation lunch and when I came to deliver it, hardly acknowledged me nor said thank you. My child's teacher was great and I really appreciated her despite having some overbearing parents in our room this year. There is no PTA but as a Title I school, has money so my child had electives like dance. Their after school program (EDMO) was good but communication to the families was very limited. I didn't know about special events until only a few days prior. Overall, I would proceed with caution with this school if you're concerned about academics.