About Our School

The mission of San Rafael Elementary School is to provide a child-centered academic program that meets the diverse needs of our community in an additive bilingual setting.

  • Dual Language

    The vision of San Rafael’s Dual Language Immersion Program is for students to develop into bi-cognitive, reflective, cognitively flexible, and culturally sensitive citizens. Their exceptional multilingual proficiency and expanded worldview prepare them to engage in a dynamic, competitive global society equipped with the skills necessary to be successful in the 21st century.

    San Rafael provides a caring, engaging, challenging educational experience for every student in an additive bilingual immersion setting.

    San Rafael follows a 90/10 Dual Language Immersion (DLIP) model.

    This program begins in Pre-K at SRE and can continue throughout high school in PUSD, leading to a Seal of Biliteracy achievement.

    Learn More about Bilingual Learning

  • Our Students

    San Rafael Elementary is home to a diverse and inclusive community of students in Pre-K through 5th Grade.

    Pandas are Safe, Responsible, Respectful and ALWAYS Kind.

    Pandas son Seguros, Responsables, Respectuosos y SIEMPRE Amables.

  • San Rafael students are expected to wear a school uniform.  Our school uniforms are:

    • BOTTOMS: Navy blue or khaki pants, shorts or skirts

    • DRESSES: Navy blue, light blue or forest green

    • TOPS: Navy blue, light blue, white, forest green (school color)

    • Tops must have a collar unless they are "Panda Wear"

    • "Panda Wear" tops that are sold by our PTA can be worn on any day

    • Shoes must be closed-toe and closed-back for support and safety no "crocs" or sandals of any type

    Once in a while, San Rafael has "Free Dress Days."  On those days, clothing must be appropriate for learning and safe for school.

    • No Crocs or sandals of any kind

    • No tank tops or spaghetti straps

    • Shorts and skirts must reach further than the fingertips with arms resting at student's side

  • San Rafael works closely with members of the West Pasadena Residents Association, the San Rafael Neighborhood Association, and the Pasadena Police Department to establish procedures that make student drop-off and student pick-up as efficient, safe, and respectful as possible.  In order for our system to work, we need cooperation and collaboration from each and every one of you.

    Carpool Lane Rules:

    -Curbside is located on Nithsdale (front of school) and San Miguel (east side of school)

    -Parking or stopping is not permitted in these areas.

    -Drivers stay in cars and move forward as space allows

    -Staff members will assist students in opening doors and exiting the car (please be ready)

    -Please respect and follow all parking signs and school instructions.

    -Do not make u-turns, 3-point turns, or use driveways to turn or reverse

    -Do not block neighbor driveways

    -At pickup, an area at the front of the car line on Nithsdale is reserved for Kids Klub only.

  • After school, students are released through different gates, based on their grade level.

    This is important to help with congestion and confusion at the end of the school day.

    Families with multiple children:

    Older children may join their younger sibling at the youngest student's release gate so they may leave together.

    Release Gates:

    • Preschool: Staircase Gate on Nithsdale near Auditorium/Cafeteria

    • Kinder: Front of school

    • 1st Grade: Front of School

    • 2nd Grade: Front of School

    • 3rd Grade: Side Gate on San Miguel

    • 4th Grade: Side Gate on San Miguel

    • 5th Grade: Side Gate on San Miguel

    “Carpool Lane” is also available after-school with the same guidelines as the morning.  

  • Our school goal is to provide every student and every teacher with all of the necessary items needed for school.  

    The school will provide all of the critical supplies that are needed, thanks to the generosity of our PTA.

  • FREE meals are provided for breakfast and lunch daily in our Cafeteria.

    • All students enrolled in PUSD may participate in the breakfast and lunch program at no charge.

    View Current Menus

    Nutrition Standards

    Wellness Policies

    • Students may also bring meals from home.

    NOTE: We are a NUT FREE campus.

Daily Schedule

  • Before School:

    Morning supervision begins at 7:30 AM in the Cafeteria and on the Upper Playground and is open to all.

    Families that need care before 7:30 AM should contact Pasadena LEARNs, as they provide on-site care starting at 6:30 AM.

    Breakfast is provided in the Cafeteria.

    Students should not be dropped off at San Rafael before 7:30 am as there is no supervision (unless with LEARNs). 

  • San Rafael offers two after-school care programs for students in TK-5th grade.

    After-School care begins at dismissal and ends at 6:00 PM, Monday - Friday.

  • Kids will: be supervised by well-trained staff, participate in social activities, homework time/assistance, outdoor play time, art activities, organized activities and team sports, and receive a daily snack/meal upon arrival.

    ASAP offers additional activities as well including team sports like Cheer and Flag Football.

    Contact the After School Adventures Program (ASAP) office at (626) 744-6500 for more information and availability.

  • LEARNs is a balanced program featuring homework help, leadership development, visual and performing arts, structured recreation and other academic activities.  Students are required to attend daily.

    For more information and availability, contact LEARNS Director, Maria Toliver,  (626)396-3614 ext. 88319 

  • San Rafael has an on-campus Spanish immersion half day preschool run by PUSD's Early Childhood Education Department.

    Students will learn Spanish through a research based curriculum that prepares them for the Pasadena Unified Elementary Dual Immersion Program. Students will learn through play and creativity.

    Caring high quality teachers instruct the students 100% in Spanish throughout their participation in the program. Educational Assistants are available to assist the students in English if needed.

    The Preschool Program is offered at San Rafael five days a week during the school year for either morning OR afternoon session.  Morning session runs from 7:45 to 10:45 am, Afternoon session runs from 11:45 am to 2:45 pm.  Extended care is not available at San Rafael for Pre-K.

    For more information, please visit the PUSD Early Childhood Education website.  

  • PUSD offers extended learning on several campuses over the summer break.

    For more information, please visit PUSD's Summer Program website.

  • Parents, if you are interested in obtaining information regarding IMMIGRATION resources or school-related information, please contact our Community Assistant, Erika Peralta, at:
    📧 peralta.erika@pusd.us

    --

    Padres, si están interesados en obtener información sobre recursos de IMMIGRACION o información relacionada con la escuela, por favor comuníquense con nuestra Asistente Comunitaria, Erika Peralta, a: 📧 peralta.erika@pusd.us

    Familias, estamos aquí los unos para los otros. No duden en comunicarse si podemos ayudarles.

    Resources/Info - Recursos/Info:

    http://pusd.us/immigrationresources

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