I agree with previous poster about Principal Esmat. This school is full of amazing parents donating a LOT of time for PTA (I used to be one of them for years) along with some awesome and amazing teachers that go above and beyond for their students. I've been a parent at this school for 12 years and have had such a positive response from the past 2 principals always willing to listen to parents (those with special needs even) and their concerns. My kids have had a good experience and met great friends and families. I didn't speak last year, hoping to stay positive with a new Principal. I've deleted my previous 5 star review on FB as I find issues at the school now with Principal Esmat. She has disregarded complaints regarding mold/mildew in the classroom and spends much more time on lengthy emails and letters that have nothing to do with safety of our children. I personally have disabilities with fragrances/chemicals that I can no longer work but she refuses to refrain from them so I cannot enter the office to volunteer so sign my kids in/out. For the first time in 12 years I'm left waiting for an appropriate response from a Principal to just simply respond to a safety concern. The lack of concern or response to a condition for our kids drops my rating to her a HUGE zero. I give 2 stars because the PTA deserves a 5+ star rating. They run most of the programs with parents that give up time and sleep to make our school awesome. It's been a handful of dedicated parents for a long time and encourage all parents to participate in at least one school event this year. Your kids will love it and so will you. The teachers are amazing and dedicated as well! The principal hasn't doesn't know children's names or care to... I've passed her personally on the blacktop and smiled and said hello with barely a pained grimace back even after a year of doing so. Ugh! My boys love their friends at school.. I'm looking for a bigger home in Livermore and would be HAPPY to get far away from this school now except my kids have some really great friends and likewise when it comes to great parents! read more

My previous review was based on the past administration lack of response to safety. With the new principal, my review has been updated. I am happy to see Seco is a wonderful and safe environment again. read more

I just got finished being a school psychology intern for a year here. Being someone who is a credentialled teacher and having taught in Oakland, San Lorenzo, and Alameda, and Union City, I know the ins and outs of the school system and what it takes to run a school well. This is a well-run school. The teachers, staff, and parents genuinely care about this school community and it shows. There is leveled Pal time that allows for specific interventions based on the child's specific area of need. This is practices in general ed, not just special ed, which means, there are school-wide screenings to immediately identify students' specific needs and tailor instruction based on those needs. It's the best way to go, and they are practicing it and seeing positive results. No matter how a parent might feel about the principal, data doesn't lie, and the principal is listening to the teachers and resource specialists presenting the data and continues to implement the practices that are working. I got a chance to work closely with the school's school psychologist, speech pathologists, adaptive PE teacher, resource specialists, school nurse, principal, administrative assistant, maintenance staff, computer assistance, and several lovely teachers. EVERYONE was polite and willing to help, which greatly assisted in my learning. I have to give special thanks to the cooperative teachers. I was able to interview and observe in their classrooms and they provided invaluable information that was crucial to my assignments. They are amazing and they genuinely care about students' learning. Great school. read more

New Principal sucks, the new one was much better and it's sad to see it in the state that it is. It's like any other school nothing special about it. Most teachers are pretty good some and some not so good. read more

Arroyo Seco is a wonderful school. I have been a teacher there for 7 years. The school is full of positivity and love for one another. There is such a strong sense of community amongst the staff, students, and parents. Principal Esmat joined our school two years ago and has changed it for the better. She has made some valuable changes and is moving our school towards a brighter future. We teach our students to choose love and not anger. Please be kind to one another. read more

My children have been attending this great school for over five years now, and we love Arroyo Seco. Their teachers work hard and clearly care about the students. I see them working long hours and taking away from their personal time on the weekends to respond to emails and prepare curriculum for the kids. I love the feeling of community at our school and appreciate that the school is embracing a culture of inclusiveness and multiculturalism. I am so sorry to see that other people have had bad experiences with the principal and some of the staff. My personal experience as a parent, classroom volunteer, and as part of the PTA has been that Ms. Esmat is a truly caring and compassionate leader. She is working hard to make our school more inclusive, bring in curriculum to reach students at all levels, and actively working to reduce bullying. I think part of the bad impression some people have is that she got thrown into being principal at the last minute just as school started last year. She had so much going on getting settled in, I think it took a while for her to be as present on campus as she is now. I know some parents have legitimate concerns that need to be addresses, and I hope they will be, but several of the posts on here are personal attacks that seem to have more to do with the writer's biases against a strong female leader who brings diversity to the leadership team, than actual complaints. I hope people will look past those comments and give Seco a chance. read more

I have been involved with this school for many years and I can honestly say that Arroyo Seco truly cares about the education, safety, and happiness of their students. The principal, teachers, and other staff members are well educated, easy to talk to, and genuinely care about the well being of the children. I highly recommend this school. read more

I have to agree with the previous posters. Great school, great teachers, great PTA, horrendous principal. As a parent of an elementary school child, I have an expectation that our young children are nurtured and cared for in a loving environment. Principal Esmat is cold, unapproachable, and seems to have a general dislike for both students and parents. She doesn't even show up to major school events or assemblies. After I was horribly dissatisfied in the way that she handled an incident with my son, I googled her. A few Contra Costa County documents made me loathe her even more. Our children deserve better. Us parents deserve better. read more

Great parents, teachers and administrators at Arroyo Seco.

Arroyo Seco Elementary School is an encouraging community devoted to inspiring the minds of the future. My daughter transferred to Arroyo Seco in the third grade and loves Seco. The administration, the teachers, and staff are amazing! Truly top notch and dedicated. Principal Esmat, now in her 2nd year at Seco, has brought so many positive changes to the school. She has brought new curriculum to the school to reach every child's needs (mentally, emotionally and physically). The Maker Space classroom is inspiring and full of technology. Principal Esmat and the entire staff encourage and teach a positive Seco Colt Community of making good decisions, showing respect, and problem solving. The buzz around the school is Choose Love! I love the times when the principal, teachers and staff make memories with the students that last a life time. For example, on Halloween Principal Esmat stopped by my daughter's classroom Halloween Party. Principal Esmat and the classroom teacher allowed the students to make them into Mummies using toilet paper. The students loved it! read more