I would not recommend this school to my worst enemy. The staff and administration seem FAR more…read moreconcerned with potential liability than the overall well-being of the students. And quite frankly, many seem under-qualified for the positions they hold. This school is incredibly understaffed and underfunded - and it shows. To start - my first grader was allowed to walk away with a stranger on the FIRST day of school because his teacher "assumed" the adult he left with was a parent. When I spoke to the principal the next day, she asked me if my six-year-old "knew where he was supposed to go" and stated she did not have a full understanding of the transition process because she was new. She then attempted to place blame on the Boys & Girls Club and my child. When another student's family member mentioned to the teacher how chaotic the first grade classrooms were due to a lack of staffing/support, parents were swiftly sent a notice that they would not be allowing family volunteers back into the classroom until the "behaviors" were under control. Seems counterproductive. When my son's behavior was in question and I had asked to observe in the classroom, I was quickly limited to 45 minutes and had to be accompanied by an administrator. I was told this was standard policy. My son showed no behaviors during my observation time. When I mentioned this, his teacher stated she "didn't think he would show behaviors while I was in the classroom". I brought this up during a meeting with the superintendent, he seemed to question the limitations placed by the school and stated they should be welcoming me to observe if there is such concern. Mind you, he had previously been principal at McKinley Elementary. When my son was sick and asked to call me during school hours, he was told he could not contact me because he did not have a fever. When I questioned this with the teacher/administrators, I was told that the school typically does not let students contact their family members for illness related matters unless a fever is present. A family member of another student had witnessed an adult in the cafeteria yelling at my son for kicking a milk carton and was so bothered by it that she felt the need to intervene by telling the staff member that she was being inappropriate. Though my son's teacher was made aware, she was not the one who informed me about what had happened. I was notified by the family member who was witness to the incident days later. I was also told by my child's teacher that administration had prevented her from speaking to me about certain matters regarding my child and my concerns. We only saw results/change when we went above school administration by notifying the district office and superintendent about our experience. The current principal's exit was announced less than a year into her new position and it's clear to see why. These are just a handful of examples. I have spoken with many families who have shared similar experiences. In my opinion - there are MUCH better elementary school options within the PCS district and within our community. I encourage any family considering McKinley Elementary for their young ones to do their research beforehand, tour other schools, and talk to family/friends who are familiar with McKinley Elementary. We felt comfortable having our child attend McKinley due to their "stellar" reputation and it was a huge mistake. Don't let the awards plastered all over the school fool you. I hope this review helps to inform other families.

If you value your child's emotional wellbeing and overall development this is not the school. The…read morecurrent principal gaslights parents instead of taking accountability for the rampant bullying and lack of structure and fulfillment for the children. Teachers encouraging parents not to speak to other parents about each other's children and experience at the school is verbally discouraged by educators. The school is also blocking transfers to other districts. There is no way this school has 5 stars. Overall traumatic. Ask the parents of students. Not the administrators.

Loved going to elementary school here as a kid. Went back to see the area and the teachers have…read morelovely flowers and food growing in the halls.

The teachers are really what make this school. My daughter has been fortunate enough to have some…read moreamazing teachers that have been super active in her short educational journey. We moved from the east coast to California and it was quite the adjustment. Each teacher she has been with has taken a personal interest in seeing her success. I have thought about moving for better programs several times but every member of the staff here takes a large amount of pride in their work and you can tell by the way the kids talk about them. Everyone from the kitchen to the teacher's aids are well loved by their students and in their school. They had a pretty cute Spanish Club that she loved and always wanted to go to homework club until she got to 4th grade and had longer school hours. The lunch program is so wonderful and they use fresh produce from the garden the kids keep up! I wish I could pay for lunch online because I am always that parent that gets a notice, in the PO Box I don't check, about how she ate lunch there instead of whatever was in her box. It would be nice if they had more funding or students to be able to add more art, music, sports or other types classes. I have looked into driving a distance to be able to allow my children to participate in programs like orchestra, gymnastics or FFA. That seems to be rare to find in Northern California schools though as well. The 1-3 grades have a nice little after care program going on where they hang out until the big kids get out for those who have older siblings (or just want to play with their friends after school). Not having a bus that picks up at houses is such an issue. Might be the east coaster in me but we were picked up in front of our house or very close to it. If you don't have a school bus program that is good enough to get most of the kids to school then the pick up drop off area could be organized better. The website was just redone. I have to say I really like the emails that they have been sending out. Keeps me more informed. Though I can not see any of the attachments or calendars or photos on the web site. I asked about it and the "tech guy" said he doesn't make it anymore so he can't do anything about it. Told me that you can't see it on your phone, Safari or on internet explorer. Why would you pay someone to make a website that did not work on platforms that people most use? Whatever.. I guess I don't need to know when school is off. I will figure it out when I pull up and there aren't parents parked in the no parking zone. **************************************************************** Something that they cannot help but the parents attending could: The parking is so terrible here and none of the parents seem to want to get on the same page. The principle asks over and over again to not park in the drop off area and I am not sure why they don't understand. It would be so much easier if I could just drive in have her jump in the car and go. Alas, I have to park far away and pull my young baby out of the car to drag him all sleepy eyed to the flagpole while walking by screaming jumping children banging into me clutching my child scared of the children that are not scolded by their parents, too good to park in the parking lot, while they sparkly ask if I need help. Yes.. I need help from you to get your children to respect a stranger's space and understand how it is inappropriate to bounce into random people holding infants. Also.. I need help from you not parking in the drop off area so that I don't have to bring my poor bubby out of the car after he JUST fell asleep. Not something that the school can help. Just annoying to look at other reviews on school review sites and watch the parents bash the principle for having cars towed once. That has not happened since my children have gone here but some times I wish it would!!! They should auction off more of those preferred parking spots.. take my money.. it is so worth it.

Thank you, thank you and thank you for restoring my faith in our education system! My son started…read morekindergarten at evergreen in Rohnert park...yikes! We enrolled him in 45/15 (evergreen), since the research I did shows that children retain education better when they don't have long breaks like summer. Thankfully I sold my home, moved back to west county, enrolled our son in Apple blossom and closed escrow. Phew! Lots of transition and apple blossom made the change of schools extremely non stressful! I was expecting what I went through at evergreen. What a blessing! His new teacher is AMAZING! I am thoroughly impressed with them in their entirety! The office staff are a joy and the principle makes a recognizable effort in getting to know each child and family. The computer lab just got fully updated and WOW! Bravo!! My son looks at learning as FUN, instead of a chore now and has long forgotten the terror he endured at evergreen. Thankfully he is resilient and strong! I am infinitely appreciative for this PUBLIC school! We played with the idea of putting him in Waldorf and in my opinion...This is a great balance. They even have a garden! Yayyy! And bravo again! Also, this school makes me WANT to get involved! My son's previous school had the complete opposite effect on me. Best kindergarten in Sonoma county! :)) I was even lucky enough to chaperone "the hungry catepillar" @ the Wells Fargo center. I am looking forward to the years that follow! :) Happy Monday! Time to get ready for school! :))

this school is the best school i ever went to! you make so many memories there. i cant wait for…read moreother bright souls to go here.

I heard a nasty rumor that they are closing down my former elementary school!…read more If this is true, I am going to knock someones block off.

I went to SoMo for 7 years, and I super enjoyed it, I loved our past band teacher Mr.Day too, he…read morereally taught me a lot. I now go to KJHS and am going into my 8th grade year, because of Mr.Day I have really excelled in band. So thanks Mr.Day!! One thing I have to say is watch out for bullying, I had been bullied since 2nd grade and never really got resolved, but that could've just been my experience but 100% would recommend!!