Bella Vista Elementary School

Oakland
Public School
operated by Oakland Unified School District
Language(s):
English
Grades:
K-5
Capacity:
600 students
Website:
http://www.ousd.k12.ca.us/bellavista
Phone:
(510) 436.4900
Address:
1025 East 28th Street, Oakland, CA 94610
3 parent questions ▼
2 parent reviews ▼
Archived Q&A and reviews ▼

Parent Q&A

Select any title to view the full question and replies.

  • Bella Vista TK

    –
    Mar 12, 2022

    Hi parents,

    Is anyone familiar with the Bella Vista transitional kindergarten (TK) program? Our son just got accepted there and he's waitlisted everywhere else.  We'd love to hear about anyone's experience, and what the teacher is like. It would also be helpful to hear reviews of Bella Vista elementary, since even that is hard to come by online.

    Thanks,
    Kerry

    Mar 12, 2022

    Hi Kerry, 

    Our daughter was also offered a spot at Bella Vista for TK this fall! Unfortunately, I've be unable to find any recent feedback on the school/ program. We recently moved to the neighborhood and frequent Friends of Bella Vista park, but haven't really met any other families. We've accepted our spot for now, but are also on the fence about keeping our daughter at her current private preschool for another year vs. Bella Vista TK. So... here's to hoping for more reviews!!

    Mar 28, 2022

  • Bella Vista Elementary Preschool + Highland Park

    –
    Jul 19, 2021

    Hi BPN, We are moving to the Lynn/ HIghland Park neighborhood of Oakland would appreciate any insights and advice as we think about applying for the preschool program at Bella Vista Elementary. Likewise, if you have other recommendations on preschools and/or the family friendliness of the neighborhood, we would greatly appreciate it. 

    Jul 19, 2021

    Welcome to the neighborhood.  We live just down the hill, near the Buddha of Oakland - not exactly close but not far either.  Our immediate neighborhood is very family friendly - quite a few kids and neighbors that know each other.  The adults sometimes gather outside while kids of all ages race around the block on wheels.  My daughter, who is older, looks out for the smaller children.  Almost all neighbors are friendly but some are more interested in engaging than others, especially as there are some language barriers.   I can't help you with the preschool question but my daughter went to Bella Vista for 4th and 5th grades.  Her teachers were good.   Message me if you'd like to connect.

    Jul 21, 2021

    Blue Skies for Children is a great preschool, not too far from Bella Vista.  My two kids went there.  Highly recommended.

    Jul 21, 2021

    My daughter went to preschool (and later aftercare and camp) at Lakeshore Children's Center on Lakeshore. A friend of mine sent her kids to Beatie Street Preschool and was quite happy with it. 

    Jul 28, 2021

  • Experience with Bella Vista Elementary School in Oakland ?

    –
    Jun 20, 2019

    Does anyone have any experience with Bella Vista in Oakland?   My son was just assigned there for 3rd grade and I’m having a hard time finding much recent info online.

    Thanks so much.

    Jun 20, 2019

    My daughter went to school at Bella Vista during 4th and 5th grade.  She's now starting tenth.   It was good for her because she had caring teachers:  Mr. Webb for 4th grade and Ms.Thai in 5th.   My impression was that there wasn't a strong culture of parent involvement at the time (although people did come together in a successful movement to stop a charter school from moving into the facility) but our family was stretched pretty thin and may not have tried hard enough.  It was very diverse, with many immigrant families.   The student work that we'd see when we visited the school seemed diverse too, although it looked like a lot of the kids were doing very well.  We have neighbors whose kids go to school there now. Message me if you'd like me to connect you to one of them.

    Jul 5, 2019

Parent Reviews

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RE:
Seeking reviews of Bella Vista, Cleveland, and Franklin (Dec 7, 2023)

Our child was at Bella Vista last year and we thought it was a good school. Not there this year because we relocated. The principal is actually very engaged and there are some great programs there. The after school program was great and available for all students for free. It does have its issues as all OUSD schools do but we loved the diversity and there are some exceptional staff members there. Tour all the schools you are considering as that will give you the best impression and opportunity to speak to principals and staff.

Dec 14, 2023
RE:
Best current OUSD Inclusion programs for Kindergarten (Nov 7, 2018)

My child is in an inclusive kindergarten room at Bella Vista and seems to be happy enough (while still disliking school in general). To be honest I have no idea how well the two teachers work together as I don’t get a ton of communication from them. I think a lot relies on how long the two teachers have worked together and have been able to establish a system together. As well as their personal style. The special ed teacher in the inclusion room is new to the school as well (although not new to teaching). I would be interested to hear others experiences at other schools. 

Nov 15, 2018

Archived Q&A and Reviews


Jan 2013

Re: Kindergarten recommendations for Down syndrome
Our daughter went to Montclair's SDC too! We looked at the inclusion model at Seqouia, Cleveland's kinder where SPED teacher and GENED teacher teach side by side, NSH class in east oakland and the language-enriched K/1 NSH class at Bella Vista. We chose Bella Vista even though they discouraged us based on our daughter's global delays but in the end they conceded and I'm soooooo happy that was our daughter's kinder experience. Please ask to see the class even though they will discourage you based on diagnosis...it's still worthwhile to at least look at it. Anna

Considering a move to the Bella Vista neighborhood

April 2007

We are considering moving into the Bella Vista neighborhood and wondering about your knowledge/experience with their elementary school and the neighborhood in general. On the surface, it appears to be an interesting socio-economic mix. The school doesn't score very well, but that's never the whole story. And there is nothing on the school reviews for this area. Leaving me very curious... Diana

I'm afraid I have virtually no experience with Bella Vista Elementary (my daughter is only 3) and I'm afraid I'm not holding my breath on you getting any feedback here. I posted twice last year about Bella Vista and got no responses. I found it weirdly discouraging that none of the many BPN readers have kids at this school. Maybe the 3rd time's the charm. I do live in the neighborhood though, and it is affordable, diverse, and has an active neighborhood association. The park adjacent to the school was recently completely renovated. There's a great Lao restaurant on 8th at E. 21st. But, there are always problems with drug dealing (deal with it on one corner and it moves to another), annual problems with illegal fireworks, occasional crimes (burglaries, muggings, car theft). I think the neighborhood is improving, though, and I like it here, although I sometimes wish I could afford Elmwood. If you want to chat, call me. Carrie