El Camino Elementary School

Parent of two students, multiple years of attendance at El Camino. The 5/10 score is misleading and is likely a hangover from about 10 years ago when test scores went into the toilet. It got put on a State Education Dept. watch list, but a new principal turned it around in a couple of years. In 2015/16 it was the only school in the County (and one of only a handful in the entire State of California) to come OFF of the probation list. For many years, my child's had a the Student to Teacher ratio of 19-1! And never more the 24-1. Additionally, some of the classes are blended grades (e.g., 4th & 5th graders in one room), which qualifies for an additional certified specialist instructor for three days a week; meaning that for some subjects there is an unbelievable S-to-T ratio of 10-1) Also, because a large number of students are working class families and English language learners, it receives a bunch of State & Federal grants. It is now thriving and growing in population; largely due the new Spanish bi-lingual program kids are coming from out of attendance zone to start Kindergarten immersion program. Some of the other schools in GUSD have great reputations and higher ratings but in talking to parents and students at these nearby 'great schools' I've come to the conclusion that they are, to use a sports analogy, "overrated".

Our daughter came from Asia no knowledge of English and joined El Camino at the end of the 3rd grade. She is now in 6th grade got re-classified as a regular student in less than three years. The teachers and staff at El Camino are excellent with the children. They are knowledgeable, effective, caring and passionate. Our daughter loves El Camino. There was no single day she did not want to go, even when she just arrived to the country. The school has prepare her so well that she is eligible to take honors classes in 7th grade. We are fortunate to have found El Camino.

El Camino is a hidden gem of the Goleta Union School District. My daughter has flourished at EC and loves her teachers and has made great friends. She participates in Science club, band, and after school art/stem programs, all at no additional cost (which is great considering the other Goleta schools are at cost and not all students can participate). Since the school is smaller, parents and students know one another and create a great learning environment for our children.

These data are way out of date as are the reviews. El Camino, since become part of the the No Excuses University program, has become highly acclaimed the "small but mighty" school of Goleta Union School District. The school is small, the staff is incredibly talented and dedicated, and there is a science lab, an engineering program (which includes 3D printing), band, Polynesian dancing - all part of a tight community of parents, students & educators.