New McKinley families, welcome to your new home!

McKinley Elementary School is a diverse Title I school with approximately 410 students in grades TK-5. McKinley has been recognized by the California Department of Education for achievement and commitment to excellence as a three-time recipient of the California Title I Academic Achievement Award (2006, 2007, 2011), a California Distinguished School Award (2010), and a California Pivotal Practice Award (2022) for innovate practices during Distance Learning. In 2023 McKinley became the District's first AVID Elementary School. 

We are a school where diversity is valued, we develop the Whole Child, collaboration and teamwork are the norm, and student learning is the top priority. Our core goal is extraordinary achievement for all students while simultaneously closing the achievement gap. Our PRIDE philosophy guides all aspects of life at McKinley and McKinley students, staff, and parents work together as a community in service of this core belief. We are: Peaceful, Respectful, Intelligent, Diverse, and Enthusiastic.

McKinley teachers teach the California State Standards and utilize research-based instructional strategies and methodologies to meet all students' needs. Some strategies include Cognitively Guided Instruction, Thinking Maps, Inquiry/Project Based Learning, and Blended Learning. Staff participate in continuous professional development in order to provide students with an innovative and rigorous learning experience. McKinley teachers are also committed to analyzing data to differentiate their instruction for each child. We utilize a Response to Intervention (RTI) system to ensure all students receive the support and interventions they need to be successful.

Our school site focus is Academic Discourse. We use a variety of protocols to provide students with opportunities to talk to the teacher and each other in pairs and groups to communicate their reasoning and deepen their understanding. You will see students using sentence frames and Thinking Maps to guide their thinking and apply academic vocabulary.

McKinley is unique in that we supplement the core curriculum with additional enrichment in science, visual arts, theater, music, physical education, library, and gardening for all students. It is McKinley’s goal to engage students in learning, foster students’ talents and interests, and to promote critical thinking and creativity.

Here at McKinley we also focus on students' social-emotional development. Teachers teach behavioral skills with the goal of preparing the next generation of lifelong learners to be positive members of the community and the world. Our Positive Behavior Intervention and Support Model (PBIS) incorporates Responsive Classroom techniques, Restorative Justice, Morning/Community Meetings, Mindfulness, and explicit social skills instruction through the Second Step curriculum.  McKinley behavior is guided by our PRIDE Philosophy, Character Counts Pillars of Character, Five for Success school rules, and Olweus Anti-Bullying rules and program.

McKinley believes that parent engagement positively impacts the success of the students and the school. Therefore, the school has a variety of family events that connect students to school, bring families and staff together, and create a fun and positive environment for all. McKinley also has numerous school-home communication methods, and offers a variety of volunteer, committee, and leadership opportunities for family members. McKinley parents are proud to model PRIDE for our students, and promote a positive school culture and climate for our children.

Please read our School Handbook for more details and information about McKinley.

McKinley is a wonderful place, and we welcome you to our family. I know you will love McKinley just as much as we do! Go Lions!

Sincerely,
Daniela Wiener, M.Ed., M.A.
Principal

McKinley Elementary School was founded over 100 years ago. The beautiful historic campus has traditional California Spanish-revival style architecture on over 6.5 acres of land. McKinley has expansive outdoor space including two fields, tree courtyard, and working garden. There are 30 classroom spaces, a performance level auditorium, library, cafeteria, and multi-purpose and specialized spaces. Please enjoy this virtual tour of photos of the McKinley campus!

Click Here to Watch a Virtual Tour of the Campus

Videos

McKinley was selected by the organizations Edutopia and Shane's Inspiration as a role model school for the inclusion of students with special needs. This worldwide video features our upper grade and Life Skills classrooms. 

https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-improve-students-disabilities-sense-belonging

McKinley's school site focus is Academic Discourse. That means when you walk into a classroom you will see students actively engaged in their learning, interacting with each other and the teacher. McKinley implements Project Based Learning, so students can apply their learning in a real world way, making connections across content areas and deepening their understanding. In this video our TK teachers shows how Academic Discourse and Project Based Learning occur in our classrooms. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?start=1&feature=oembed&v=S59M8wJddMw