Birney Elementary

Birney is an amazing school. If you really want to embrace diversity, there's a whole world on the blacktop at Birney. The staff and teachers are all focused on those long-term IB characteristics: not just doing what the students need to succeed this semester, but what will support them through the rest of their academic life. The Birney community is committed to the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program, so much so that when funding was cut for all the specials that make the IB program (art, Spanish, music, etc.) the parents and staff rallied and raised the money to pay for those classes and keep the IB accreditation. Since funding is based on attendance, attendance does get a lot of attention at Birney, but it's working. Birney's had the best attendance rates in the district for a couple years now.

If you haven't read up on the IB program, Google it for all the details. The IB program is not just something the kids learn explicitly in class and never use outside of class; everything at Birney goes back to those principles. For example, I saw two kids running between classes, and a parent told them to walk. When they thought they were out of eyesight, they began running again. Another staff member saw them and said, "Be principled and walk. Being principled means we follow the rules even when no one is watching us." What could have just been another scolding became an IB moment.

Lastly, as an IB magnet, Birney offers a clear feeder path through middle (Roosevelt) and high school (San Diego High), which is not something a kinder parent might think about when looking for an elementary school.

I am currently a high school senior but my early school life through fourth grade was in Birney Elementary. I was very pleased how teacher and student connections were strong in this school and how there were after school classes for students who were behind. At this time of my life I was one of the students that took the after school help for second language learners. Here I was able to improve my literature skills. I remember that reading levels were based on alphabet letters. Before this program I was at level G, I believe. After the program was over I had already reached level M. I know that thanks to special programs for kids that are behind, Birney has helped me get to where I currently am. Today, I am enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program and have gained acceptance to Point Loma Nazarene University. I do recommend this school for parents who want their children to grow academically.

Student to teacher ratio is high, both grades my son has been in have no real structure only thing principle cares about is attendance so school can receive government funds.