Mc Near Elementary School

This is our second year at McNear and well me and my kids love it. After coming from a school district in Santa Rosa it is like heaven here. Staff and family are graet.
Ms. Durkin had my daughter the first year and she was trully amazing. She is very good teacher and works well with the kids. Her students all seemed to enjoy being in her class. I loved how she would let the kids bring pillows to sit on in class or allow them to switch out diffrent chairs so they could be more comfortable when they had to be sitting. I helped in class last year and saw how she interacted with her students first hand. Even to this day she is concerned on how my daughter is fitting in.
Ms. Garvey is amazing. I never have seen a principle that know the students at school so well. She is kind and very involved with whats going on. Many morning you will see her helping kids out of thier parents cars in the morning. Just the fact shr put there doing this says so much. She doesnt car if it freezing she there helping.
There is an amazing peforming arts group and parents work super hard with the kids. I was so amazed to see what the kids were able to put together with the help of parents and teachers. Honestly everyone is super involved and helpful. If you looking for a school that your child will thrive at and you can be a part of McNear is it.

McNear Elementary School, under the amazing leadership of Sheila Garvey, is a spectacular educational offering for Petaluma's K-6 grade students. With an eye towards rigor and individual responsibility while also promoting inclusion, McNear Rocks!

Parent
Overall experience
We have had four happy years at McNear. The Kindergarten program was AMAZING! We are most impressed by the strong community at McNear and the cultural and socioeconomic diversity. When touring the school, you will see parent volunteers in every classroom. There is an amazing garden, P.E. 2-3 times a week, credentialed music teachers teaching music once a week, Art Docents, a strong PTA, the upcoming McNear Art and Science Center, and more! And an unparalleled Performing Arts program. Simply amazing. The Principal is thoughtful and responsive and the community-building activities are excellent.

Our best experience so far was with third grade teacher L.D. Amazing rapport with the kids! I saw nothing but great kindness and patience . She stayed after school many days on her own time to help her students and she inspires them to read! My son's very favorite teacher and we have had some really good ones!

Each year, the school keeps getting better!

Both of our daughters went here. Some really great teachers. Mr. Bell is such an asset in resolving schoolyard issues. The performing arts program is unbelievable. If you want to be involved, they are very welcoming.