Why Elmhurst?
Taking Students Up, and Beyond
Elmhurst Elementary School sits in the heart of Ventura on a quiet, beautiful tree-lined street, perfectly positioned to conveniently serve families in our community. Our school serves students in Transitional Kindergarten through 5th grade. Our neighborhood school offers families a nurturing, growth-oriented campus, where EVERY student is challenged and supported to learn grade level standards and beyond. Our professional and committed team at Elmhurst cultivates classrooms and playgrounds that promote character and kindness as the foundation of our school community. Elmhurst prides itself on providing students with rigorous academics, exceptional enrichment opportunities, and a safe space for all learners. Elmhurst is where Eagles take flight!
AVIDElmhurst stands out in our community as Ventura Unified School District's only AVID certified elementary school. AVID (Advancement via individual Determination) teaches students fundamental learning, study and academic behavioral skills.
By teaching and reinforcing academic behaviors and higher-level thinking at a young age, AVID Elementary teachers create a ripple effect in later grades. Elementary students develop the academic habits they will need to be successful in middle school, high school, and college, in an age-appropriate and challenging way. Children learn about organization, study skills, communication, and self-advocacy. AVID Elementary students take structured notes and answer and ask high-level questions that go beyond routine answers.
The strong college-going culture on an AVID Elementary campus encourages students to think about their college and career plans. Schools cover their walls with college pennants and banners, and educators speak about their college experiences. College and careers are no longer foreign concepts, and teachers provide the academic foundation students need to be on a path for college and career success. AVID Elementary closes the opportunity gap before it begins.
ARTS EDUCATION and LIBRARYMUSIC - Elmhurst proudly offers robust music instruction, above and beyond the district-wide music instruction. Music teacher Jimmie Rogers provides instrumental music instruction twice a week for all 4th and 5th graders while TK-3rd grade visit the music classroom monthly for music introduction including song, dance, percussion instruments, and more.
DANCE - This school year, Elmhurst is thrilled to expand our Arts Education offerings to include Dance. Local Dance instructor extraordinaire, Cassie Lawhead leads our students in dance every Monday and Thursday, after lunch where our eagles spread their wings and shake out there feathers as they learn this fun and healthy artistic expression.
LIBRARY - Elmhurst boasts a large and current elementary school library selection of age-appropriate titles. With a wide variety of books tailored to spark students' love and mastery of reading, we pave the way for every reader to dive into reading. Our library is open daily for students and class visits where activities like story telling and quiet reading capture the imagination and spur on learning.
EXTRA-CURRICULARSMEDIA CLUB - Each month, the media club produces a news show covering school events, stories, student opinions and interests all in a style that promotes an inclusive culture and highlights the great things happening in our school. In this fun and informative news coverage of our school community, students fill all of the roles of a modern news team from anchor, writer, producer, and editor. The media club helps tell the story of our school and the team members, but the best part is that each member of the club goes home with their own stories about how much fun they have doing it.
DRAMA CLUB - With the help of dedicated parent volunteers, our Elmhurst Drama Club puts on a fantastic student production each year. After countless hours of rehearsal, lunch clubs, set design and construction, students shine on stage for peers and parents as they put on the show. Students find new friends and new passions in Drama Club each week.
READERS THEATER - Reader's Theater at Elmhurst is a way to involve students in reading aloud. In reader's theater, students “perform” by reading scripts created from grade-level books or stories. Reader's theater is a strategy that combines reading practice and performing. Our after school Reader's Theater club is the perfect place for budding and reluctant readers to engage and grow with friends and have fun along the way.
AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT OFFERINGS - Students in grades TK-Kindergarten can attend the on-site YMCA after school program (with most students qualifying to attend free of charge) and all students in 1st through 5th grade can attend the onsite ASES after school program free of charge. The ASES program includes field trips, guest speakers, tutoring and homework help, and intramural sports including soccer, basketball, and flag football.
STUDENT SUPPORTElmhurst is committed to providing a supportive and structured environment for each student. That supportive and structured environment for learning is thanks to our robust support professionals here at Elmhurst. Our staff includes a full-time counselor who works proactively in classrooms and at recess teaching students to caringly navigate conflict and peer relationships. Our counselor also offers a host of regular groups available to students that support developing healthy friendships, coping with grief, and other essential life skills that impact learning. Our staff includes a full-time school psychologist who serves our students and families with a variety of needs that impact learning. Our psychologist partners with students, families, and staff to ensure every child can access their education and achieve their goals. Our staff also includes over two dozen paraeducators and campus support professionals that monitor and support student learning and safety in the classroom and on the playground.
PTAElmhurst boasts a strong and active PTA that is a true hallmark of our school. The Elmhurst Elementary School Parent Teacher Association is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization committed to enhancing the education of our children and fostering a sense of community within our school. Our PTA enhances and enriches our school community through planning and hosting events for students and families throughout the school year including the Color Run, Harvest Festival, Family Picnics, Assemblies, Spring Dance, Yearbook, and so much more. These enhancements to our school are all made possible by the loving labor of our PTA. We encourage all families to join.
Campus tours are available daily. Please call the office or come in to schedule your visit.
Elmhurst Elementary - Where Kindness Matters
