Vieja Valley Elementary School

As a teacher and parent of three children who attended Vieja Valley K-6, I can confidently say that it is a school that you would ABSOLUTELY want your children to learn and grow in through their elementary school years. The staff loves each other as family and that permeates through to the love they have for families that attend. The school is fairly diverse and that diversity is a strength of the school. My kids felt safe and I feel valued as a staff member and stakeholder.

We have had an amazing experience at Vieja Valley. The staff, teachers, and principal are all excellent, approachable, and caring. This school is a very special place.

As an active and involved parent with two kids at Vieja Valley, I have been very happy with the teachers, the parental involvement, the curriculum, and the diversity. This is in no way a "rich kids" school as one review states but a rather balanced school with a majority of middle class families and an otherwise healthy mix of low and high income families. I spend time in the classrooms weekly and have been very happy with the teachers' class management and attention paid to all students. I've had one interaction with the principal and she was very responsive and helped solve a student problem quickly and efficiently. The school offers computer, music, and art classes, a nice library, and beautiful grounds with large outdoor play areas. Both my kids and I are happy here.

I am a single mom of 2 at this school. It used to be a top school in Santa Barbara with great teachers and staff. We have been so let down with the academics and now having to supplement with tutors and private art lessons. I hope this school turns around and changes up the divided staff but for now I am sadly choosing to leave schools for my boys. I've heard some of the teachers complain and are unhappy, but are unable to transfer schools. I would look at some other Santa Barbara schools that choose to challenge the above average child instead of focusing all their money and efforts on the ESL kids. The best thing about this school is the location and charm.