Ponderosa

Better schools in Santa Clara, not great. Principal hand picked by super - enough said. Few good teachers but not enough. Whole school needs a real leader who will shake up entire school

My son attended this school from 2nd to 3rd grade. When we first arrived in the United States, I relied heavily on school ratings, not fully understanding how they were calculated. I assumed that a 6/10 rating meant an average school. But let me tell you— the teachers at Ponderosa truly know their craft.My son always had homework, was required to read for 20–30 minutes daily, and had to maintain a Reading Log, which he submitted to his teacher every day. He started at Ponderosa with zero knowledge of English, yet from day one, he was fully supported by everyone—classmates, teachers, and school staff. He was also provided with an ESL teacher to help him learn English as a second language.Later, we moved to a different area with a school rated 10/10. And you know what? The teaching quality and approach at Ponderosa were far superior to those at our current school. Here, students don’t have regular homework—reading at home is optional, and no one really follows up if they don’t. Now that I have something to compare it to, I can confidently say that Ponderosa offers an excellent education.Beyond academics, the school has a vibrant social life—family events, school-wide activities, field trips, and in-class celebrations.I also want to touch on conflicts at the school. Due to language barriers, occasional misunderstandings, and sometimes poor manners from certain students, we encountered a couple of conflicts. However, we always addressed them in writing with the teacher and, in one instance, with the principal. The school took action every time—they listened to us, engaged in dialogue, and resolved the issues. This level of responsiveness is a huge advantage.I wholeheartedly wish Ponderosa continued success! Thank you, Ponderosa!