Brightwood Elementary School

Grades k-7 were good, not grade 8

We are very grateful to be a part of the Brightwood community. The staff and teachers really care about the students and there is high parental involvement. Students are from both low and high socio-economic backgrounds but they all get along and there is no pretentiousness or intolerance. A majority of kids are well behaved and are there to learn and build friendships. Just recently, the school started offering afterschool enrichment classes, including Robotics and Speech & Debate, which many students and families are excited about.

It gives too much hw which although helps students with higher learning, it creates a stressful and unhealthy unbalance at home. Most teachers are effective and connect with their students. The different racial groups tend to stick to eachother which is unfortunate. However, the exposure to different cultures is always beneficial.

This school does not have a solid music, sports, or foreign language programs. The Gifted and Talented program is totally misleading and deceiving. Asian parents are terrified that the new Common Core has been forced upon their children and does not work! The Alhambra Unified School District is one of the mediocre districts in California. Considering California ranks #45 in the nation, the Alhambra Unified School District does not compare to San Jose, Irvine, San Marino, and even Walnut school districts.There are so many Minimum Days and Teacher Work Days where it's impossible to gain any momentum. There is no consistency.The Alhambra Education Fund raises only $350,000 a year as compared to Palos Verdes at $2.0 million and San Marino at $2.0 million. Yes, at Brightwood they ask for school supplies and have fund raisers. Public school education is no longer free.You have no other alternatives because you are not wealthy or in the upper middle class. Therefore, you must send your child or children to this day care center.