Portola Junior High School in El Cerrito, California

“Portola is a much calmer and safer environment this year compared to the last 2 years when my older child went through. The kids really love it, and band, drama and leadership are wonderful opportunities for them to develop. There is much more parent involvement, and it shows. If parents can stay involved and help maintain positive contacts with faculty and administration, this school can continue to grow into a real asset, especially when the new building opens. The biggest negative is consistency in teaching: they have lost some good teachers. They still have some great ones, but some of them not so much... True everywhere I guess. Great after school program.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am impressed by the quality of teaching. In world history, the teacher brings in guest speakers and they have started a debate team. In drafting, my kid was inspired to design/build his own projects at home. The science teacher took every student who won a first place ribbon for their science project to the Exploratorium. When I have gone to school concerts, I'm amazed by how well the students play. There is a math club that meets weekly and the students compete in match competitions. Parent community has been very active--buying supplies for the staff, recruiting parents to supervise during lunch, bringing in rec staff for special activities, and they do a monthly lunch for the entire staff. Kids will be moving out of the old building into portables down the hill which will be better. Bottom line: my kid is making lots of friends and is happy here.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My kid is happy here. My friend's daughter had a problem with a boy calling her names, she told the site supervisor. The boy apologized the next day and has never done it again. This school works for kids who are there to learn. Homework load can be challenging at times, good electives, and most teachers are great--especially the band teacher. She rocks.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“It's a very poor school.The site supervisors are never around when there's a problem.They'll come after the fight.I would not recommened this school for anyone.It's not a good place to learn.It's very weak.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I'm a mother of an 8th grader at Portola and while this is our first year at this school, I'm pleasantly surprised with how well it's going so far. I'm excited to see all the parent support and the PTSA is wonderful, very involved. My daughter is taking drama and just loves it already. I'm looking forward to the afterschool program and many other activities planned for the year. Parent support is key to sucess!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“As I sit here reading the reviews, it's more clear that people are not taking the problems at Portola very serious. It's easy to sit back and say well my child has fallen victim to this or that, but what about someone else's child. My daughter is very outgoing, friendly bubbling personality, very popular.. We live in EC and have lived in some areas not so good, but I've never had any problems with my children - until my daughter began at Portola in the 6th grade. The classrooms are so disruptive, teachers won't send the problem children out of the class, the principal or vice-principal won't do anything as far as kicking them out of the school. Don't sacrifice my childs education... It's unfair! Portola is the worst school and should be condemned. I can't wait for them to close it.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My daughter is a student here, in 7th grade. At first my husband and I were very apprehensive of the school because the site looks old and dirty; but I don't regret having my daughter there. She has very dedidated teachers that constantly challenger her and show that they care for her learning. I'm very happy with the school and the administration.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is a good school with a strong music program, some very fine teachers, and some engaging electives including art, drama, and drafting. It's not for everyone but for a motivated, focused student, it works.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We just received our star testing back and were thrilled! I was told that the advanced teachers at Portola have seniority on which classes they want to teach. Request the AP classes. Our son was challenged the two years he attended Portola. He has learned what to expect amoungst your peers by attending this school. Wake up people, this is our community. Portola prepared my son for high school in a real life social enviornment. He feels well prepared and is so happy to be with his friends at El Cerrito High. He has learned how to take responsibility for his studies and apply himself. He scored profieicent in all areas tested. We are pleased to report this, when there is so much negativity surrounding circumstances at our own neighborhood school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Portola i believe is better looking and has better teachers this school i recommend to all those parents who want a great education for your children”
This review was posted by a other.

“Had my nephew enrolled here two months ago(I'm his legal guardian) because it was convenient for me. Feeling ultra guilty now. If your child is friendly, courteous, mild-mannered..etc., watch out. Rather cavalier attitude about safety by the higher ups. I've spent time at the school, and in some classes,and wasn't impressed by what was expected out of the students. Granted, many teachers are up against it,and a school ultimately reflects the attitudes of the parents, but you've got to put your foot down somewhere! All out of class areas(Lunch room, outside, and especially the putrid bathrooms) are a crash course in survival. The kids are out of control here.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My son currently goes to Portola Middle school.All my children went to Castro elementary school in El Cerrito.My son is having so many problems at Portola, especially when it comes to safety.I know how to correct the problem. I think that El Cerrito students should be given first priority! Then, if we have room,Intradistrict transfers can be given to students who do not have a history of suspentions,behavorial problems and so on.Then we can address the issues of the West Contra Costa Unified School District!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Portola is turning into a nightmare. There seems to be lots of violence there. My daughter told me she was scared to go to the bathroom. If you want your kid to get an education, avoid Portola at all costs. I'm taking my kid out at the end of this year.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My son is a 7th grader at Portola. He attended a good public elementary school in the same district, and then was in private school for 6th grade. He decided he wanted to go back to public school and we eventually caved in and allowed him to go to Portola. A huge mistake. A self-motivated kid can learn something here, but an adolescent who is only excited about the exciting social life at a big middle school will slide by being virtually uneducated. There are some good teachers, but the WCCSD is so terrible (I know - I have subbed in many schools in this district) and there is such a huge emphasis on the standarized testing, that they can't do much.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My daughter is attending Portola after 7 years at an excellent public elementary school. She is in all 'advanced' classes, and they provide her plenty of challenges to keep her motivated. She is developing performance confidence in her elective drama class, and she is expanding her social horizons with new friends from the surrounding community. As a new parent in the school, I have connected easily with the PTA. There are many volunteer opportunities, and the principal is eager to engage more parents on site. The instrumental music program at Portola is extraordinary, and I look forward to having my son play with the band next year when he joins his sister at middle school.”
This review was posted by a parent.