Catskill Avenue Elementary School

Posted: December 2, 2023

Our family's experience with Catskill is that of meeting new family members and a positive community of nurturing individuals. The campus does not have a soccer or baseball field but they do utilize what they can and offer additional classes such as coding, ballet, acting, etc. They address raised issues with quickness and everyone is always warm and welcoming at the office. It pains to move homes and my kids are especially sad about leaving our Catskill family. We are Asian but my son speaks Spanish now, thanks to the dual language program--the teachers have a lot to do with this in my humble opinion. My son who has autism received great support from the IEP team too and we were assisted in getting him the best possible education and help he could get. Thank you for all that you do for our kids and families, Catskill!

Posted: December 2, 2023

Posted: December 2, 2023

Posted: December 2, 2023

Posted: December 2, 2023

Posted: December 2, 2023

Posted: December 2, 2023

Posted: December 2, 2023

Posted: April 13, 2021

Posted: April 13, 2021

Posted: April 13, 2021

Posted: April 13, 2021

Posted: April 13, 2021

Posted: April 13, 2021

Posted: April 13, 2021

Posted: April 13, 2021

I love Catskill, Principal, teachers and staff are wonderful. very professional and dedicated people. Very polite and they really help you with your concerns. I can see the result of the great education my kids are getting. I am blessed to have Catskill as my kids school.

Posted: June 21, 2015

Catskill is not a "revolving-door" kind of school environment for teachers. The atmosphere is very professional and collegial because of the stability in positions. Many, if not all, of the teachers have worked together in the same grade level for more than 10 years. Such a great length of time working together enhances their fluidity to deliver rigorous instruction and as a team, they are able to support one another to commit to the most effective teaching practices. The lowest teacher on the seniority list has been a teacher for 15 years, and 15 of those years were spent only serving 5th grade students. Just imagine the level of expertise in knowing the best teaching methods and practices? Even with the transition into Common Core State Standards, Catskill teachers, for the most part, have been effective with transitioning over. The teachers at Catskill, even the most veteran teachers, are very willing to take on innovative strategies and implement them to help all students.

Posted: June 21, 2015

LAUSD has a homework policy. With the new reading and math curriculum, teachers have a way to differentiate the homework to the needs of the students. It ranges from enrichment level for the high-achieving, on target, and more intervention. Depending on the unit of study, every grade level has its own performance task projects such as Heritage Albums, Family Research Project, California Missions, science projects, book reports, etc. The guidelines and rubrics for such assignments are given well in advance, so that students may be able to complete the homework projects.

Posted: June 21, 2015

Catskill Elementary, through multiple learning experiences such as monthly student assemblies, weekly Monday "Caught Being Good" raffles, journal writing, visual arts, theater, and musical performances have intentionally honored and celebrate the 6 Pillars of Character. There are plenty of books available in the school library related to positive social development.

Posted: June 21, 2015

The beauty of Catskill Elementary is its emphasis in giving children Equal Access to a safe, nurturing, well-balanced learning experience. Students and Staff respect the Bully Free Zone and uphold the 6 Pillars of Character. Catskill has vastly improved in every academic area under the supportive leadership of Mrs. Zopatti, in comparison to other Carson elementary schools within the same socioeconomic and demographics. The work environment of staff is cohesive and collegial because many of the teachers have been working together for 10 years or more, thus creating a persevering bond of professional support, academic collaboration, and high demands of rigor on teaching practices. Instructional time with Common Core Standards is woven creatively. Classroom activities and bulletin boards are covered with depth and complexity of thinking whether you are in Mrs. Etter's 1st grade class or Mrs. Chang's 4th grade classroom. Writer's Workshop and English Language Development is happening in Kinder through 5th. There are so many true hidden gems in this school. Even in a time of budget crisis, still, you will find Mr. Porciuncula ("Mr. P") and Mr. Mizuno, coaching a co-ed flag football program afterschool, that achieves All-City Championships title and other high rankings. The heart-warming part about it is that Mr. P and Mr. Mizuno intentionally targets with students who are at-risk and makes them into champions. The English Language Coordinator, alongside highly effective BCLAD/CLAD certified teachers service and reclassify a higher volume of English Language Learners altogether. At 7:30am, you'll hear Mrs. Pop and Mrs. Untalan leading a 50-member Catskill Choir, consisting of 3rd through 5th graders, sing chorally to celebrate Character Counts curriculum, and ultimately encourages fellow peers participate as model young citizens. Again, choir is intentionally driven on giving students equal access to shine brightly on stage. Mrs. Escobar is not only Student Council Advisor, and School-Wide Energy/Power Save Advisor, but she directs the 5th Grade Talent Show which is entertaining. Many helpful families participate in Sharefest to restore Catskill's school environment, making it exemplary among the neighboring Carson schools. Catskill strives to make a deeper connection with each individual family, and in turn, positively impacts its surrounding community.

Posted: May 25, 2015

Posted: May 25, 2015

Posted: May 25, 2015

Posted: May 25, 2015

Good school. My kids have all gone through Catskill. My second grade daughter just participated in a fantastic multi-cultural dance program. Many students in many grades danced. Dance teacher along with staff did a great job in preparing kids for the program.

Posted: April 16, 2015

I don't agree and was surprised with all the negative comments about this school. My children are attending this school and they're receiving a good education. If I have any concerns, their teachers are willing to meet with me and are concerned about my children. The administration is supportive too. My children enjoy going to school.

Posted: February 23, 2015

Very bad school for any child. The principal thinks she's better than some and is really only there for a paycheck. Same with the staff. We need new teachers, dedicated teachers, teachers and principals with passion.

Posted: January 11, 2015

Very caring and professional staff. My special needs child has received the best of care and support in the hands of a dedicated and highly skilled teacher. The part-time assistant principal, Ms. Jackson, has led the planning meetings where the teacher, the school psychologist, the speech teacher, and I were together to talk about my child's special needs and plan out her goals. I am so grateful for the expertise, kindness and support they have provided. She is making more progress than I expected. Thank you.

Posted: December 11, 2014

Terrible school. My daughter's first year of school, and sadly it's been horrible. She has been bullied, physically hit by another student, and when brought to the attention of the administration - the principal, Suzanne Zopatti, and assistant principal, Veronica Jackson, did NOTHING. There are no consequences for aggressive, violent children. I was informed there is a bully program ---- which is in the month of October, students and staff wear orange t-shirts ???? What ? like a bunch of prisoners? How does this solve the bullying issue? Also, the school curriculum itself is of very poor quality. Only a little over 50% of fifth graders graduating from this school are capable of reading or doing basic math, and even worst only 41% understand basic science concepts !!!! Please check their CST scores before enrolling your child. Children graduating from this school are lacking the essential foundational academic skills required to be successful at upper grade levels. Sadly, these students will not be able to compete to get into the highly sought after magnet middle schools in the city.

Posted: April 5, 2014

Great teachers!! My boys loved almost all the teachers they had! Certain teachers really invest in their students. Would like to see kids have one open recess, they are not able to play with kids outside of their class. The after school program is great and is always a huge support! Would like to see a better principle take over.

Posted: February 24, 2014

Catskill Elementary School was the 2nd most improved elementary school in the Los Angeles Unified School District. It soared to a 47 point gain in the API and has never been a Program Improvement School. Catskill has undergone many beautification projects in the last 3 years and community support for the academic and extracurricular programs at the school have been overwhelming. For more information about Catskill, visit them at www.catskillcougars.org.

Posted: May 18, 2012

Catskill is a great school there is after school programs that help your children there is excellent teachers a strong principal. there is beyond the bell programs such as sys and ydp they help with homework and help your children stay fit with activities they spend time in classes with coaches