Berkeley Parents Network: Le Conte Elementary

Berkeley Parents Network

Le Conte Elementary

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > K-12 Schools > Berkeley Public Schools > Le Conte Elementary

PTA Website for LeConte: www.leconteonline.org

Parents' Reviews
Le Conte School Summer Camp
See also: Spanish Immersion Programs

Parents' Reviews

Feb 2008

We are looking at elementary schools in Berkeley for our daughter who will be starting kindergarten in the fall. We live in the Southeast zone and are particularly interested in LeConte and Malcolm X. I have read the reviews of both from last spring but am wondering whether anyone has any more recent opinions. Sarah

Sarah, I'm a LeConte dad of a child in the immersion program. I love this school. Our principal, Cheryl Wilson, is in her third year and brings energy and love every day. She knows every child by name; every child is recognized on her birthday and on several other occasions throughout the year. Cheryl's energy is infectious and you can see the teachers and staff reflect that. The programs are numerous and well executed. Cooking and Farm and Garden are famous favorites of the children. Call the school, 644-6290, to arrange a tour if you have time. If you choose LeConte, you child will be happy, educated and loved. LeConte Dad

My son is in kindergarten at LeConte. We have been very happy. His teacher is great and does a good job of teaching each of the kids according to their level while working in all the little things that make for a diverse learning experience. The principal is very invested in the school and is doing a good job at building a sense of community. I like that the school is small (around 300 students) because we can both get to know everyone and make a significant impact in the time we have to give. Of course, there are all the other positives like a great Farm & Garden program, a strong dual immersion program, cooking class every other week, a grass soccer field, a diverse student population, great afterschool programs, and more! Try it and you'll like it! LeConte Parent

My daughter is a kindergartener in the two-way immersion program and we have been very pleased with our experience so far. A few unique features of LeConte include the Farm and Garden, the two-way immersion Spanish and the full-inclusion programs. The principal, Cheryl Wilson, is fantastic and I'm sure among the best in the district (which is more important than I realized as an incoming kindergarten parent). Her enthusiastic leadership and modeling of sincere support and respect towards ALL the children and their families (she is fluent in Spanish) permeates the school atmosphere. My daughter has seen older kids from LeConte outside of school and has always been greeted warmly by them which I believe reflects the sense of community and respect the students feel towards eachother. This support extends beyond the early grade students to the upper grades and faculty. This year the 4th and 5th grade teachers initiated a new program to teach all upper level students (Immersion and English-only) collectively with a tightly coordinated curriculum. So far, the teachers report great gains in all (not just immersion) studentsm work and the students/families love it. The recent test scores are admittedly lower than some others in the district, but I truly believe the supportive and positive environment at LeConte right now bodes well for future endeavors and results. I feel lucky to be a part of it. happy LeConte parent

We are now in our fourth year at LeConte and have found the school an excellent educational experience for our son, as well as very responsive to our needs. The principal, Cheryl Wilson, has devoted her life to helping children of all backgrounds. I have never seen anyone work harder than Cheryl. She has excellent rapport with the teachers, which has in turn motivated them to perform at their highest. In addition to Cheryl's efforts, many teachers have secured grants and other resources to benefit their classes. An example of this is be a teacher-led proposal which resulted in a class-size reduction for the upper grades. Next year all 6 grades will have no more than 20 students. Funds have also been secured for facility improvements. Our farm and garden is one of the oldest and best developed in the District. I could go on and on. Let me just say I urge you to give LeConte a serious look and would be glad to answer any additional questions via email. Thanks! Laurie

Hi, We're a new kindergarten family and have been so happy with our experience at Le Conte. Our son is in the bilingual program and is thriving beyond our expectations. Le Conte has a tight cadre of parents who are very involved, a principal who can only be described as a superstar, and a myriad of school activities and programs that make the school so special--farm and garden, cooking, the Latino Heritage celebration, author readings, Sports 4 Kids, concerts, and more--including wonderful after-school PTA-sponsored classes (music, art, circus arts, yoga, performing arts...).

The school just received a renovation grant, so the facilities will soon be spiffed up. Above all, I feel like the environment at Le Conte is so friendly and welcoming--there is always so much activity in the school, parents in and out of the classrooms, happy students learning, etc., that it feels like a family. Our son seems to know everyone's name, K-5! Overjoyed at Le Conte!

I have three children at LeConte (5th, 3rd and K) and I really love the school. Principal Cheryl Wilson has a personal and loving relationship with each of my children, which is far more than anyone could ever expect from any principal. The LeConte staff is connected to the kids, from the secretary, librarian, PE coaches, chefs, farmers, afterschool staff (which is especially amazing) to of course, the classroom teachers. I also teach graduates of LeConte at a BUSD middle school, and have noted among them a special sense of community and love of and excitement for learning. LeConte school has been a great place for my kids to feel valued and cared for while they learn academic skills they need. Mary

Nov 2007

Re: Choosing between public schools in southeast zone
First, you can schedule tours at each of the schools from now until January. At LeConte, tours are about 1/2 hour and parents are invited to return to observe at their leisure. Our child is at LeConte, and despite some reservations at first, I am very pleased with the school. Sheryl Wilson has been principal for about three years and is really super. She knows each kid, she truly loves each kid, and the love and caring permeate the school. LeConte has the Farm and Garden and cooking classes, where kids grow foods that are then used in cooking classes that are then served for lunch. As integrated of a curriculum as you'd want. Staff is dedicated and professional. I think the brightest to the neediest children can thrive there. Happy LeConte Parent

April 2007

Our son has been assigned LeConte elementary for kindergarten. We know that people are generally very happy with the Spanish immersion program. But do any parents have experiences with the regular (non spanish immersion)classes? erica

My daughter, how a 4th grader, has attended Leconte School in Berkeley since kindergarten where she has been enrolled in the ''non-Spanish immersion'' classes. She is a bright, articulate, and confident girl -- active in the student council, the afterschool program, and other activities. She and I have been impressed with all her teachers. She reads well above grade level and last year scored ''advanced'' on the math CST. We enjoy the small learning community of LeConte, its ethnic and socio-economic diversity, the active PTA, and its dedicated teachers and staff. I encourage anyone interested in LeConte to visit the school during school hours and to talk to CURRENT parents and students. liz

April 2007

My child (an English native speaker) was accepted into Kindergarten at LeConte Dual Immersion. I know they're going to be adding a second class in the fall, but I was wondering if someone could post about their experiences with the current k- class. We're very excited that he was accepted but now just looking for some comments on people's experience with the school- -both the immersion program and the school as a whole. Gracias! Anon

My daughter is in K at the dual immersion at LeConte. We are very happy with her class and with the school as a whole. The principal is dynamic. There is a well established farm and garden program (25 years) that has chickens, bunnies and really nice teachers. Her love of cooking is being fostered in the cooking program, she comes home wanting to cook nutritious things. The school has sports4kids who work with the kids by class once a week and assist on the school yard at lunch and recess. There is a special K playground for the morning recess where all the K kids play together which feels safe and cozy for the transition.

It is spring break now and my daughter is drawing pictures of animals and people and labeling them in Spanish. She is learning so much. This is her favorite teacher she has had. I am very happy with our decision.

That said, during the first month of school we had a very hard transition. It took me by suprise since my daugter did pre-school since age two and is a pretty well adjusted kid. Regardless, making the switch to K was hard for us and for some of the other families in our class. I felt like the teacher and school supported this very well. I was amazed at the corner we turned. The begining of emersion is confusing for alot of kids, but it really seems like they know what is going on. LeConte has great PTA sponsored after-school classes, circus, cooking, flute, dance and more. These classes really helped with the transition too.

There are after school programs provided at the school which we have participated in a little. The staff is really caring and great with the kids. The feeling I get about it is very positive and it seems to have lots of great energy being poured into it. If you have any specific questions feel free to contact me. arden

Oct 2006

As a parent of two at LeConte Elementary I want to share some of its attractions: Environmental Science: the farm/garden/cooking program very motivating and educational for the kids. Lots of science workshops and field trips, and interesting uses of computers/photography projects. Principal Cheryl Wilson started last year. There is a lot of new energy and creativity. The Spanish-English program and full-inclusion program which serves kids with special needs. The overall culture at the school is very diverse and inclusive and fun. A nice community, strong emphasis on students supporting each other, active parents. A great afterschool program with enrichment classes that is affordable (and has ample scholarships.) Low reading scores are a concern (bi-lingual program and population mix at LeConte may be the reason for this and the whole District seems to have problems....no easy answers I guess). Kids at LeConte seem to thrive and love the school. Come by and visit if you are looking at schools! www.LeConteonline.org
P.S. Haunted House Friday Oct 27th 6-8:30 which is a blast!
Margi

June 2006

I would like to know if anyone has any feed back or experience with Kindergarden at La Conte or The East Bay Conservation Corps Charter school. These are the two schools that my 5 year old has been enrolled in. She has been in the cocoon of a wonderful pre- school (Nia House)for the past 3 years. I would appreciate any comments. Jose

Our son has just finished his kindergarten year in the dual-immersion (Spanish) program at Le Conte Elementary. We have loved it! He was also in the wonderful cocoon of Garden Day Montessori fro 3 years before Le Conte, and we were also a bit worried, but it has been great.

The principal of Le Conte is an amazing, empathetic, and energetic force, and the community is really good. We love the garden program and the cooking classes. Our kids come home begging to make their special recipes for dinner! The after school PTA programs have been great too, and our son really enjoys flute, circus arts, chess, and singing classes on site. It's a very diverse school, with all the benefits and challenges that come with, but it's been a great experience for our sometimes sensitive son.
Matt

Nov 2005

I am going through the task of evaluating public (and some private) elementary schools for kindergarten admission next fall. I would be interested in hearing from parents with kids currently at either Emerson, John Muir, Malcolm X and Leconte. nina

I have a child in first grade at LeConte Elementary. We are having a wonderful experience at the school this year. We have a new Principal Cheryl Wilson, who has brought with her boundless energy and enthusiasm. Every morning she greets the children, calls each one by name and tries to make every child feel welcome at our school.

Other highlights of our school include the excellent dual Spanish/English immersion program, our wonderful after-school program, cooking classes and Farm and Garden program. Our daughter is in the dual immersion program which she loves and attends the after-school program which is run by a new Director with a degree in multicultural studies from Mills College. We also love the Farm and Garden program and cooking classes. Kids in the Farm and Garden program learn a little about farm animals (the school has several rabbits, chickens -- even fish). They also learn about composting and how to identify variations of fruits, nuts and vegetables. Often the Farm and Garden curriculum is reflected again in my daughter's cooking class. For example: In September she helped pick tomatoes from the Garden at LeConte then she learned how to cook with them in Cooking class. Important lessons on nutrition are emphasized in both classes again and again.

Thanks to her wonderful cooking instructors our daughter has begun to whip out cook books at home now and regularly reads recipes and has adventures in the kitchen all by herself. For more information about our school, please check us out online at: www.leconteonline.org or contact the LeConte PTA (you can find us at LeConte online as well).
Cary Sanders, President LeConte PTA

Nov. 2003

Our son is a first grader in the dual immersion program at LeConte Elementary School. We are extremely pleased with the school and its neighborhood feel, community participation, multiculturalism, and more specifically the language acquistion aspects and strong teachers of the dual immersion program.

Our son loves learning in Spanish, and the native Spanish speakers are learning English very rapidly. The school has a great farm and garden program, and the PTA afterschool classes are really engaging. (Our son takes chess, kitchen science, flutes, and papier mache, as an example of the range of options.)

Le Conte's campus is not as beautiful as the other, newly renovated schools, but it is perfectly fine inside.

Overall, we think it's a fine school. Check it out! halpatt

LeConte Elementary School is a well-run, diverse school with some wonderfully innovative educational programs.

All students spend an hour every other week in Farm & Garden, where they receive gardening and nutrition education in small groups and work in 3 school gardens (including butterfly garden, vegetable gardens, aquatic area, rabbits, chickens). Farmer Ben really knows his stuff and he is fabulous with the children.

LeConte also hosts a dual immersion program, in which English and Spanish speakers come together in Spanish immersion classrooms that gradually introduce English instruction as the students progress to fifth grade. The program works hard to be an integral part of the whole school and to share cultural immersion experiences with the other students: e.g., all of the kindergartens learned baile folklorico last year.

The entire LeConte faculty just completed 2 years of intensive training in science instruction and they teach an integrated curriculum, in which literacy, math and science skills are reinforced in all academic areas. This integration contributed to a significant increase in the school's API score last year.

Currently, all students are receiving PE, music, art and cooking classes, in addition to Farm & Garden. We also have a strong schedule of PTA-sponsored after-school enrichment classes with scholarships.

Three after-school childcare programs are available, serving families in all income brackets. The programs are organizing joint activities to bring the children in all 3 programs together.

We have several really fun community events, including a Halloween carnival, Winter Fair, Quilt Raffle/Pancake Breakfast/Student Talent Show, Cinco de Mayo Celebration, and Communty Garage Sale, as well as Literacy Nights and a Science Fair.

Our school is also very well-run. I have never seen students wandering the halls aimlessly or blatantly showing disrespect to the staff or teachers. The school is small enough that the principal seems to know all of the students. My son really feels like he is part of a community.

If you have any questions about LeConte, feel free to call me. I am a mother of a dual immersion first grader and a Co-President of the PTA. If I can't answer your questions, I will put you in touch with other parents or staff who can. Rita

Nov. 1998

My son is in his 5th year at LeConte and I like the school very much. There is strong parental involvement and community involvement, which results in a very nice school feeling.

The principal, Barbara Penny-James, has been principal for at least 20 years and is to a certain extent coasting, but all in all she's okay. As far as teachers go, some are better than others, but the overall average is fairly high. It's a nice environment to teach in, I believe, and many of the teachers have been there for 5, 10, or more years.

Date: Wed, 9 Oct 1996 13:19:06 -0700
From: Dianna

On Berkeley schools: my experience to date has been very positive. My son goes to LeConte, a smallish primary school in south Berkeley. The principal seems to know all, or most of the kids, the teachers range from okay to good to great, there is a farm in the middle of the school and there is very nice community support for the school. Of course, things are a bit up in the air just now because all the schools are scrambling to make the 20 kids/class ratio for the lower grades, but the kids are already benefitting greatly from these smaller classes.

LeConte Primary School is the closest school to the south side of campus (I think Arts Magnet is the closest to the northside, not sure). We both love the school, which is small, has good teachers, and has a small farm in the middle of it. The farm has some small goats, chickens, a duck, and rabbits, and also each classroom has a small patch of land to grow crops on. Recently the garden was much expanded, an expansion planned and carried out by the 5th grades classes, with teach support.

Le Conte School Summer Camp

From: Katherine (5/98)

I've been sending my daughter to LeConte Elementary School's PTA sponsored summer camp for several years now. It's terrific...very empowering for kids...enthusiatic, talented, and diverse adults run the program, older kids help,...emphasis is on building kids' self esteem. Performance, science, farm & garden, computers, swimming and ice skateing lessons in the afternoon. Just call LeConte Elementary and ask for the number to call. Since it's PTA run, it appears at first glance not to be totally slick, but that may also mean that they are not full yet (late getting flyers out, etc.). But the actual staff is indeed very good.

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