John Muir Language Academy

Our family has been at John Muir for two years now. We are fortunate that we started Kindergarten when the kids were able to get back to in-person. Kindergarten and 1st Grade have been nothing but fabulous for both of my kids. The smaller class size, loving teachers, and strong sense of community have been exactly what we have been looking for in an elementary experience. Both my kids skip around the house singing in Spanish and introduce us to new words they are learning daily. By the end of Kindergarten the kids are reading or emerging readers in their Spanish books. I am so glad that they are excited about learning the language. They are receiving the same Math as the rest of the district (just in Spanish), and they are learning the Science and Social Studies standards throughout the year. The school has a Visual and Performing Arts program that rotates monthly. Band in 5th grade and Middle School. Running club, field trips, etc. The school has been phasing out the old alternative magnet program and building the language immersion program. This is important to note as websites that rated this school may not be up to date. The low scores are based on 2018 test scores from the old program. The new principal (2.5 years at the school) and the staff have been working hard to create a fabulous immersion experience for our kids. Additionally, they are in the last year of new building construction. Currently, UTK-8 is all housed in one of the new buildings, and next year, the rest of the complex will be completed. The facilities are impressive so far. Of course, no school is perfect, and communication at the school level is something they are working to improve. Communication at the classroom level has been great and so far my kids have been happy every day I pick them up. I recommend JMLA.