Cardiff Elementary School

We have had 2 children attend all grades at Cardiff Elementary. The school has dedicated teachers and basically offers a private school quality education at a public school. Parents are committed and involved. Perhaps its greatest strength is the leadership in the principal. She navigates numerous issues, finds time for expansion and innovation of school programs and sincerely cares about the individual students.

I really do love this school- I went her in the late 70's! I think if your child has no academic or social issues and they take no extra time for the staff they have a great xperience. My child has some social issues and in the 2 years she's been there, no parent has reached out to include her in anything outside of school. I have called and emailed parents for play dates but nobody reciprocates. I find it to be very cliquish and if you are not in the in crowd, it can be very lonely.

I have had a one child attending for almost 10 years now. I've been heavily involved in the PSO/Cardiff SEA and not involved at all. We've gone through ups and downs, IEP testing, disciplinary issues, and just like a family, the staff, administration and especially the teachers have always worked in my kids' best interest. Every aspect from the people, the academia, the healthy options food, the playtime, the technology, the fund raising events, and the district's policy to focus on the "whole child" are greatly respected and always a work in progress. The community's and parents' participation to keep these kids aware and provided for abundant. People just care here. Of course, there will be grievances and discrepancies, it's a public school, and no one situation is always a good fit, but there's no other school we would rather work with or have my kids attend. They are safe, well educated and nurtured to be themselves. I am lucky enough to have just lived here for so long and we know it's hard to move to Cardiff at all because of soaring home prices, but if you do, you will be as blessed as we are to attend this school family.

This school really puts its students on a good path of education. The teachers care A LOT about their students, and the students love their teachers. The campus is beautiful (there's an ocean view!) and the spirit of the students, staff, and parents is very positive and supportive of the school. The academics are also superb. Loved it!!