Summerland Elementary School

Posted October 5, 2009

I like to think of our community school as the 'Little School That Could.' We are a very small school in a financially strapped district (who isn't nowadays) where many local families opt out of public education. The 32 families (and 52 students) left in this public school put forth 150% every day to create an outstanding academic institution. Our tiny school turned out the highest API scores in Santa Barbara County last year due to the excellent staff, committed parents and bright children. We are a K-5 school housed in 2 very old modular buildings with a total of 3 classrooms - each teacher responsible for 2 grades. Because of funding shortfalls, the 32 families raise enough money every year to hire 2 of the three aides, specialists in art and PE, and to stock the office with needed supplies which the District cannot afford. These parents also volunteer countless hours in the classrooms and on campus when there is not enough playground supervision, crossing guards or maintenance crews. The small community in which we live also rallies around our school by providing venues for school plays, donations to our yearly silent auction and much much more. This the current economic crisis that is affecting everyone, and declining enrollment due to the public's concern over educational budget cuts we are all trying to figure out how to continue to support our tiny school. Although we are all concerned I keep telling myself, 'I think we can, I think we can, I think we can...' The children at this school are the future of our community and we need to keep chugging to provide them with an excellent education!
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Posted June 9, 2009

This school is a horrible school. They claim to care for the children when in fact they do not. Tricia Price is not a welcoming person and makes it very hard to approach her. We tried for over a month to get in contact with her and she never returned our calls. Finally, we had to go to the other school (Aliso) to speak with her.
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Posted May 20, 2009

a small school were everyone is close to eachother
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Posted July 11, 2005

Summerland School is a great little school with a great academic environment. This school is living proof that when it comes to schools, small is beautiful. Summerland regularly scores in the top three in Santa Barbara County in the annual API scores. Established in 1890, Summerland School has been doing an outstanding job educating students for over a century. The principal is Tricia Price and she is eager to talk with prospective parents and teachers.
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