Santa Rita Elementary students are facing ongoing bullying, chaotic playgrounds and crowded classrooms, according to dozens of parents who say the issues have persisted for years despite repeated complaints to the Los Altos School District. A survey of 57 families shared with the Town Crier detailed incidents ranging from repeated physical assaults to verbal teasing that leaves children “anxious and insecure.”
District officials met with families Feb. 25 to share information, answer questions and gather feedback, according to an email sent to the Santa Rita community.
Parents described a range of concerns, including classroom disruptions that affect learning, large class sizes and uneven distribution of students with additional needs across district campuses. One parent said her child was “physically assaulted … many times” and began volunteering daily at the school to help keep her safe. Another wrote that their child returned home “anxious and insecure” after repeated verbal teasing. Several parents described the playground as “chaotic and unsafe,” with too few adults supervising large groups of students and noted that some children had been injured while unsupervised.
One parent said their child had been repeatedly targeted, writing that “there isn’t enough of a consequence when a bully does something, so they are continuing to act in a way that disrupts the classroom and scares other children.” Another parent reported her child had 28 students per class for several years, which she said made effective classroom management more difficult. Families also noted that Santa Rita serves a high concentration of English learners and higher-needs students, and some urged the district to consider additional resources or program changes.
The district said it takes every report of bullying or aggressive behavior seriously.
“When a bullying or aggressive behavior incident is reported, Santa Rita and LASD follow a structured process,” administrators wrote in an email. “Parents of all students involved are notified as promptly as possible, typically the same day.”
The process includes investigation by the principal, parent notification and interventions ranging from restorative conversations to individualized behavior plans. Santa Rita has had three suspensions this school year – which is, according to the district, “in the median” compared with other LASD elementary schools. District officials said schools use a progressive discipline approach, starting with interventions such as restorative conversations, counseling, behavior contracts and individualized behavior plans before suspension is considered for more serious or repeated incidents. Two incidents earlier in the school year initially raised concerns among some families, but the district said it has not identified broader systemic issues distinguishing Santa Rita from other campuses.
Santa Rita also has more specialized support staff than any other elementary school in the district, including mental health counselors, school psychologists and a dedicated Stanford child and adolescent psychiatrist. Administrators said additional support positions are planned for the 2026-2027 school year, and the district said it continues to monitor student needs, staffing allocations and support systems in real time.
District officials added that student safety, well-being and academic success remain top priorities: “Schools are dynamic environments and needs can shift throughout the year. Our leadership team monitors those shifts closely and responds with targeted support, professional learning and resource adjustments as appropriate.”
At a March 2 board meeting, parent Jennifer Mullen called for faster follow-up from the district and more clarity on next steps. She urged the district to commit to additional meetings and tangible action.
“I will continue to be present, persistent and advocating for tangible progress for our children, our teachers and our schools,” Mullen said.
