Sequoia Elementary School

I called Sequoia to find out a little more information about their lottery process. I was very polite, and in turn, the woman I spoke with was very nice and informative. She even took a little more time to answer a question I asked about how many students are in the lottery process. When I realized she would have to look it up, I indicated she did not have to, but she obliged. I think you have to realize that the people at the front desk are VERY busy. Do your own research before, read the website, ask friends, and then call when you are informed for clarification. I would never expect to be walked through the whole process without doing my own research first. Think about it: if they have 300 people for fewer than 100 spots, they are getting MANY people calling in. How much time would it take to walk 300 people through the entire process when those people can read the website and get most of the information? Not to mention the day to day operations of the school. So, when these other review are gripping about how rude the office staff were, I can only believe that they were probably acting a bit entitled.

I had a terrible experience with the front office staff. As a parent going through this new experience, I would have expected more helpful and friendly staff. I was so upset that I decided to write the principal to which I had no reply:
Dear Principal Franklin,
I came into the office today to add my children to the waitlist (after I read directions from your website) and received a curt and cold response from your staff. There were three women in the office: two behind computers and one in an orange reflective vest. There was no greeting or welcome, only to-​the-​point questions. I was told both my kids are too young to add to the waitlist and I’ll have to enter the lottery. That’s fine, however as a new parent going through this process, I left with the feeling that they wanted me to leave as soon as possible. In fact, my 3 year old didn’t want to leave and while she was having her «threenager» moment outside, I peeked back inside the office and the woman in the vest gave me a look that I interpreted as, «Now what?». Needless to say it was not an encouraging first impression.
I work in admissions at the college level and understand that staff receive the same questions and requests daily which can be exhausting, however we do our best to provide friendly service despite those challenging times. These moments are more than just a transaction. The school has an excellent academic reputation, but I feel that is not a crutch nor an excuse for the interaction I had today with your staff.
I hope you are able to provide this feedback so future new parents will have a more pleasant experience.
Thank you for your time

I was trying to get my daughter on the waiting list for kindergarten so I called to find out what time I could go and take the paperwork needed. I spoke with the office manager, she was very short and seemed as if she really didn’t want to help. I figured maybe she was having a bad day so the next day I went personally but received the same treatment. I decided not to enroll my daughter after all. If this is the kind of treatment parents are receiving, what treatment will our children be receiving. The office is the face of the school and it definitely needs improvement.

Reno’s soccer games are always in the fields here. Nice enough fields. They’re nicely spaced so all I have to do is turn my chair opposite when Reno gets switched from one field to another. Cinzia’s entertained w the tetherball and play structure, so yay. And a boy nicknamed «clicker.» Sweet Baby Jesus, already?
Lot parking can be a ClusterF during game day, but be patient and the vans from the game prior will clear out soon enough.
The wire mesh fence surrounding is ugly, but I get it.

This is my elementary school from about 1991 to 2000.
I believe that this place has the highest rating in the area in terms of teaching results.
In other words, I bet that most parents want their kids to come here, even if they’re not in the district.
One time, my employer at Goldilock’s in Concord was asking me if they could use my home address so that their kid could go to Sequoia Elementary. They’ve done the research for me and know that this school is good.
I guess I turned out pretty well from my 6 years at this school (K-​5).
All the teachers who taught me so long ago have gone off somewhere else so it would be really hard to try to get in contact with them. I wonder how the playground has changed.
Now that I am a college graduate from UC Davis, I look back and wonder how I survived grade school.
Enroll your kids here and get good results!