Vallemar Elementary School

Monte Verde ES has been an absolute blessing for our family. From day one, it was clear that the teachers here don't just show up to work.  They genuinely love what they do. You can feel the passion and our kids come home excited to learn, which says a lot.The campus feels safe and welcoming. Administration is approachable and responsive, and there's a real sense of community that's hard to find. Other parents, teachers, and staff all look out for one another's kids.Academically, the expectations are high but the support is there to match. Our child has grown so much, not just academically but in confidence and character.

I am very thankful my child is able to attend this neighborhood school. We have lucked out in the teacher department so far as everyone we have had has been kind and celebrated my child for who they are. This is the second year of Mrs. Parrish and thankful for the changes she has made. I feel there is less of a tolerance of bullying as she takes it seriously and I feel her communication and follow-through has been really strong. The only thing I would change is help with updated buildings for after school care as they are very run down (those are in the City of Pacifica hands though) and also more support for outdoor play. There are currently so many rules in place due to limited staffing on yards that many things children love such as basketball or play structure are taken away due to age. Overall, I love the community feel and how everyone looks out for each other and the children. Thank you Cabrillo staff for all you do!

My three kids have had a wonderful experience at Ocean Shore School. And so have I as a parent. Why does my experience matter? Because Ocean Shore is a unique project-based learning school that invites parents to participate and learn alongside their kids. That's one of the things that appealed most to me when we were selecting which school to send my eldest to. I still remember sitting on the edge, praying so hard that we would win the lottery and get a coveted spot at this school.We have had a wonderful experience with most of our teachers. They are so creative and dedicated. The teachers make this school very special, and the community makes it exceptional. I love the way teachers embrace parent involvement not just as fundraisers but in the classroom, collaborating with them.About once a month, the whole class goes out into the world and learns outside the classroom. In kindergarten, we took the kids to the farmer's market, to the zoo, and to wade in tidepools at the beach. These field trips grow with the kids. My favorite overnight field trip is to Fort Ross, an old Russian Fur Trading Fort. It's a living history program that involves several months of prep where parents and students work together to make costumes, prepare food we will cook on oven fires, and items we will sell at the store. The kids take on roles of people who lived in the fort and learn to dance the troika. It's the kind of experience that can only be pulled off by a community of families working together.Two of my oldest kids are now off to college. Ocean Shore prepared them well for high school and they are now thriving in college.We often saw, Ocean Shore is a family of families. The community is incredibly open, inclusive, and supportive. Friendships made at Ocean Shore last a life time.

We dont move out of Pacifica because of Ortega. If Im counting my blessings - this school and their staff are counted twice! I appreciate how transparent the teachers are when my little ones progress and updates on parent square make things so much easier. My kids wake up and are eager to come. They rave about the lessons they learn and we spend car rides talking about their days. Bonus - The lessons on diversity are appreciated. The only downer is the parking situation but the volunteers help move the car line along. Anywho! Thank you to all the staff who empower my littles and so many others to be fearless learners, dreamers, and overall good human beings :)