Seventh Generation Classical Academy at Mandarin

The teachers and administrators do not know how to teach or communicate. They are completely out of depth to manage the energy of young children and mold creative minds to positive channels with the right attitude. I guess that's what we as parents get for a state that can't attract talent into the teaching field.

Showed obvious signs of neglect while attending this school when I was younger. School never ever even asked about home life, took me to the councilor or reported it. Had a teacher in 2nd grade that was extremely rude to kids, and after that year wouldn’t even look at me. Also in 2nd grade, a boy in my class would hit on himself when stressed/ got things wrong, sometimes extremely hard and teachers would say “don’t do that” before going back to whatever they were doing. Once i ended up dislocating my knee during a P.E. Activity. Got to sit in a chair for about 5-10 minutes before being forced back into P.E., despite still being in pain. My guardian didn’t even get a text about the inquiry… Hopefully this school has changed since then, but for now I still wouldn’t put my trust in it.

Mandarin Oaks Elementary has truly redefined what it means to be a school community dedicated to the holistic success of every student. We transitioned to Mandarin Oaks in the final quarter of the academic year after years of false promises from a nearby charter school, and in hindsight, I only wish we had made this move much sooner.From the very first interaction, Principal Ms. Butterfield demonstrated an exceptional level of leadership and vision. She personally welcomed us to the school, provided an informative tour of the campus, and thoroughly outlined the robust support services available to ensure every student thrives. Her approach was marked by both warmth and strategic insight—qualities that set the tone for the entire school culture.Every member of the staff consistently exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism and dedication. Teachers and support staff alike go above and beyond to ensure that each child is seen, heard, and valued for who they are—not just what’s on paper. Their proactive communication, unwavering support, and genuine care for student growth have been a breath of fresh air.Mandarin Oaks truly exemplifies what an exceptional elementary school should be: a nurturing, engaging, and deeply student-centered environment. I highly recommend this school to any family seeking an environment that combines academic excellence with genuine care and support. I can say with complete confidence that Mandarin Oaks is a place where every child is championed, and I only wish we had made the transition sooner.

We have four children enrolled at this school, each with different needs and learning styles, including one who requires additional support. With open communication and active involvement as parents, we’ve found that the school leadership has been receptive and willing to work with us to identify and provide what our child needs to thrive.Like many schools, there have been moments where bullying behavior could have been addressed more quickly, but we’ve encouraged our child to speak up and to bring these concerns directly to teachers and leadership. Over time, this approach has helped things improve.What stands out most to us is the school’s genuine commitment to social, emotional, and academic growth. They value the whole child, not just test scores, and that balance has been very meaningful for our family. The school also provides many opportunities for students to take on leadership roles starting as early as kindergarten and continuing through 8th grade, which we’ve seen build confidence and responsibility in our kids. In addition, there are regular field trips that enrich classroom learning, and a unique middle school program that sends students into the community to do good deeds—something that really sets this school apart.Overall, we would absolutely recommend this school. With parental engagement and strong collaboration with teachers and administration, our experience has been positive, and our children are growing in both confidence and academics.

The teachers my children have had have all been great. The administration staff is horrible. They have little to no communication and the only value they seem to follow is say one thing and do another. They are hypocritical and condescending. I wouldn't want them teaching my kids anything about religion because they don't seem to live their faith, especially the new principal, she's the worst. They must have had no other applicants for the job. This school used to be great but now it's a big old dumpster fire. We're moving to San Jose at the end of the school year and can't wait.