I am so so SO incredibly happy that we chose Barnard for my two girls, currently in 1st grade and TK. I had always hoped we could bring mandarin regularly into our lives and this is working well for us. Not only is my oldest comprehending chinese and learning to read and write (half of the day is in chinese!) but she actually enjoys learning it. We have had amazing teachers and the PTA is incredibly involved and supportive. This is a solid school for parental involvement. Partly because all the families choose to be there with intention (it's a magnet school). I really appreciate the diversity of the student population, makes us feel at home as an ethnically mixed family. read more

I spent nine years as a parent at Barnard Mandarin Magnet Elementary School (2013-2022). My son and daughter both completed the K-5 Mandarin immersion program and now are in high school and middle school respectively. My kids loved the school, its teachers, and the three different principals that were present during their years there. My kids have an incredible knowledge of the Mandarin language and of Asian culture. We have visited China three times. Interacting with locals has been a positive and joyous experience. We plan to continue with the Mandarin immersion program through high school. But there is so much more to Barnard than just Mandarin. The school offers an excellent, well-rounded ELA, math, and science curriculum. Their extra language skills only enhanced their engagement and absorption of other topics. The PTA offers a ton of wonderful extracurricular activities. My kids learned so much, made great friends with diverse families from throughout San Diego county, and collected terrific childhood memories of the many great times at Barnard. Highly recommended! read more

Barnard Mandarin Magnet Elementary School - Elementary Schools Near Me - San Diego, California

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My five years at this school have been a great experience and I've learned so much! All my teachers have been kind and understanding and I have made many friends. I have also never been bullied at this school or had any problems, social or otherwise. The Chinese program is also highly engaging and helpful. I highly recommend this school to anyone looking for a good elementary school! read more

We LOVE Barnard! We were thrilled to get in through the Choice program. From the very first interaction with Lucinda in the front office to school tour (pre-covid) with Love from the PTA and two 4th grade students, I was and remain impressed. Raising a biracial daughter we wanted to expose her to more Chinese. We started in 2020 with remote learning which was a challenge but both Ms. Lee and Ms. Mao / Lowe were patient and did a great job during a difficult time with young kids. The PTA planned multiple events (art night, science night, etc) that kept the community and students engaged. This year, we were excited to have our daughter experience the school in person. Principal Waller is dedicated and caring, provides great leadership and collaboration with the teachers, PTA, and parents. Lucinda, Rachel and Kisha in the front office are always friendly and helpful. We were lucky to have Ms. Andrews, Barnard's most recent teacher of the year, for homeroom, as she makes learning Chinese fun and fosters teamwork. My daughter's other teacher, Mr. Yee has turned my daughter onto science and helped create a fun and effective learning environment. Everyday, my daughter comes home excited to tell us what she did at school. Last but certainly not least, the PTA is strong and has supported the school and staff in so many ways including sponsoring teacher supplies and supplemental teaching resources, campus / playground improvements, sponsoring and planning writers' night, giving every student and staff a free Chinese New Year t shirt, and so much more. We feel fortunate to be part of the Barnard community. PS - I saw the negative review by a supposed former Barnard student (whose sole review is this one) complaining about a school she has not attended in many years. She even complained about the school not having community events during a pandemic when no one was (or should have been). I would encourage anyone interested in the school to speak with a current family who has more direct personal experience. read more

We are starting our 5th year at Barnard. We chose Barnard to normalize the process of learning a second language with Mandarin being a part of my child's heritage. We were concerned that learning a second language would detract from other learning that should happen in a monolingual school. However, kids are sponges and these kids have been able to learn it all! The number of opportunities at this school is endless. Yes, we experienced a pandemic slump. March 2020 through June 2020 were definitely low points. 2020-21 was an improvement but still rough. 21-2022 rough on the teachers and admin, but blissful for kids. The teachers and admin led the Barnard community with grace and supported our kids through these rocky times. I think our school, with the help of the PTA, integrated as many activities as possible to keep our kids stimulated and learning throughout the pandemic. This is a magnet school. Families care to make the extra effort not only to travel to this school daily to drop off their kids, but to support their children through bilingual education. The teachers and administrators are completely dedicated to our children and helping them excel. The Barnard hive mind really shows in school pride, confident children, family participation, and an amazing PTA. We are very fortunate to be a part of this school. I would highly recommend it to anyone who believes that bilingual education fully challenges and expands your child's mind and learning potential. The teachers, principal, and other parents will be here with you on your child's learning journey. read more

Our family is grateful for a school like Barnard. The fact that kids can learn Chinese in a public school is such a blessing. The teachers are great and there is a strong PTA. Our kid looks forward to school every morning, that says a lot! read more

I have two kids currently at Barnard. They absolutely love going to school everyday! I feel proud to send them there. The accomplishments of all the kids truly amazes me! In a nut shell, the positives: community- to include kids, parents, teachers and all staff, fun yet challenging environment, the opportunity to learn a language we do not speak in our home and immerse in a new culture. Incredibly grateful my children have the opportunities provided by Barnard. read more

I consider myself a cosmopolitan citizen of the world, having lived twenty years abroad. My children were born abroad as well, and languages have always been a priority in our family. I was ecstatic when I heard there was a Mandarin Immersion program in San Diego, and my son was put on the waitlist. We got a place at the school the week before Kinder started. It didn't take long for me to realize, at Barnard, I have found my people! Families are from all over the world and I love the international community, the parent involvement, most of the teachers are passionate. I currently have a 3rd grade son and 1st grade daughter at Barnard. We plan to continue the IB program (The International Baccalaureate) all the way through High School. We are non-native Mandarin speakers and the school has a great mix of native and non-native speakers. The PTA and parent involvement are spectacular, especially when I talk with other parents compared to other schools. While my son does have a learning disability which make learning Mandarin a bit difficult, he is getting all the support he needs at school. My daughter loves Mandarin and is thriving at Barnard. read more

Barnard Mandarin Magnet Elementary School - Barnard's annual Chinese New Year Festival - 3T afterschool program dancers - Elementary Schools Near Me - San Diego, California

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We absolutely love Barnard! The school staff, teachers and parents make the environment safe and welcoming. I feel we have so much engagement from families and teachers are eager to help students to reach the next level in their learning. We are so lucky to be part of Barnard! read more

We started attending Barnard when my son was in Kindergarten. This is our 4th year in Barnard. Sending my son to Barnard is the best decision I have made for him. Students in Barnard are diversified, parents are active to participate in school events, teachers care about kids' needs and school PTA are very dedicated and open minded to listen to parents' suggestions. I don't think my son will get the same quality of education in our neighborhood school. read more

We can't say enough positive things during our time at Barnard. Our daughter has thrived with learning the new language as well as embracing a different culture. She has excelled with the traditional elementary subject matter too. We have loved the staff, students and families that we have met. The PTA is strong and lots of options to be involved and make your mark with the school. I can't wait til our younger daughter is able to attend as well. read more

I went here from kindergarten to fourth grade and had some interesting experiences. The kids here were not the best but also not the worst. I loved this school personally because they would do a bunch of events like science experiments in the auditorium and a bunch of food. Most of the moms here a very gossipy and involved in everything so my family did not fit in so if you do not like to socialize this is not the school for you. By the end of fourth grade I was fluent in Chinese but by the end of fifth grade at my new school I forgot all of it so you really have to have a desire to learn and keep a language. In the end I think you can tell from what you just read that if you are not involved this is not the school for you! read more

I absolutely love Barnard ! My son started Barnard in Kinder but they were located in Point Loma and relocated to Mission Bay where he continued as a student until he finished the 5th grade (this summer). I was interested in this school because its a Chinese Immersion school and I wanted my son to learn the language since it was a bit difficult for him to retain a language at home. I believe that you had to apply to this school through the Magnet Program regardless if you're a resident in the area, so contacting the school to enroll would not work. The teachers have been so amazing and the admin actually take the time to get to know the parents. I believe its only two-three classrooms per grade level, I feel like that makes it a smaller school than most. read more

Farewell to Barnard Elementary. It was a neighborhood school for so many years and was convenient for many in the community without a car to send their kids to since it was close to many large apartment complexes. Now it has been torn down and the lot is full of broken cement slabs and heavy equipment. It is ind of sad to see. Unfortunately, when the San Diego Unified School District got into a financial pinch, they had to start closing smaller schools and selling off property. According to a story in the local OB Rag, "The leadership of the San Diego Unified School District voted to sell the property of the former Barnard Elementary School in the Midway area, and brought in a high bid of $16.5 million. The sale was part of their plan to balance the school year's budget." The Rag noted that "The Barnard site was 9.37 acres and is in the . "coastal zone" property, which is in great demand..Barnard was originally opened during World War II for Navy children. Since then, the elementary school had been acquired by the School District after the war, and used every since as an elementary and magnet school. While Barnards' test scores were never really high and the turnover of students steady, it still held a place in many a local's heart Farewell to Barnard! Please just do not build MORE condos, which I'm sure is just what is going to happen. read more

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My family and I have been a part of the Barnard family for ten years. My older child finished Kindergarten to 5th grade. My younger child is currently in 4th grade. My experience has been wonderful. I am truly grateful that we have this unique and special school in San Diego. My kids have learned more Mandarin Chinese than they could have from weekend Chinese school. The teachers are incredibly hard working. Even during distance learning, during COVID, the teachers did an amazing job. They balance being strict and having high expectations with making sure the kids feel loved and supported. The PTA is strong and parents are engaged. The office staff is friendly and understanding. The school is very diverse and my kids have enjoyed many of the extra curriculars and after school programs that are offered. Hopefully we will return to normal soon so parents can help volunteer on campus, and the kids can have field trips again. read more

This is the best school in San Diego. If you want your child to have great teachers,principal and best academic. Then you should consider this school. I live 25 mins from school,but I have to scarify to drive there for the best education for my son. Next school year, they will move to PB area and I will move with them, Mr Park said the school is bigger and nicer,and I am so excited to see it. This is the 5 stars school...really recommend. Your child will get more advantage of learning Chinese and English at the same time. read more

Good Bye Barnard! I had some great memories attending there. I miss Ms. Beware and Mr. Ricardo. Ms. House was fun too even though she punished us by standing on books. She was scary. I wish I could have said bye now a piece of my child hood is gone forever. = ( Class of 1996. read more

Barnard is a great school. We had a vacation home here in San Diego, and when we found Barnard we moved my family here. The teachers are committed. The Principal is a visionary. The staff really cares for the school and the kids. I cannot ask for anything more. The school will be moving to Pacific Beach next year and will be a part of the Mission Bay Cluster. We have high hopes as a part of this cluster. Pacific Beach Middle school has excellent Seminar and IB programs. Mission Bay High has a great IB program. The synergies offered for us in the Cluster is great! We gained 50 point in our test scores to 880 last year. We hope this year it will go up again. If you want a small school with an active parent community and a caring staff, you MUSt consider this school. I know many will follow the school with the move! read more

Barnard recently won the "Best Mandarin School in the World" and one of the Mandarin Teachers just was awarded the "Teacher of the Year" by the California Teachers Language Association. This is an excellent mandarin public school that has been thriving in test scores, excellent teachers, staff and students who are motivated/eager to learn. Currently Barnard is a small campus and looking forward to expanding next school year in the Mission Bay Cluster. The name "Barnard", students and staff will all be moving to a new location in the Fall of 2013. Also, expanding the enrollment of students and staff. Mr. Park the principal is always on campus to greet everyone at morning assembly, he is always easy to get a hold of or seen and chats with families at the end of the school day. He has turn this school 360 degrees around and now has hundreds of students on a waiting list to get in. The school offers morning and after school care and activities. After school activities are plentiful and welcomes parent volunteers. There are opportunities for parents to volunteers during school hours, everything from PTA, special events, in class volunteering and many committees to choose from. This is a special bond that many families of Barnard share. As much as 80% of the families volunteer in different ways. Many families come from as far as El Cajon, Imperial Beach, Encinitas. I myself live 25 miles away and drive my child to school. She loves her school ~ that's why I do it! The teachers are all good at what they do and the students get the attention and motivation the learn from them. The classes average size is 25. I feel this school is as diverse as the came. If you want your child to learn two languages, this is the place to be. Take a tour and see for yourself! read more