Virginia Peterson Elementary School

Home of the Pandas


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Wayne Peterson, Principal

2501 Beechwood Drive

Paso Robles, CA 93446

805-237-3401

FAX 805-237-3497


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Mission Statement

Our mission at Virginia Peterson Elementary School is to enable every child every day to develop academic excellence, practice informed citizenship, and enhance positive self-esteem. Virginia Peterson School is a community where students, teachers, parents, and staff contribute to a safe learning environment.


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About the School

Virginia Peterson Elementary School, named after a long-time teacher and principal in Paso Robles Public Schools, originally opened in 1989. Our campus serves a culturally and ethnically diverse population of approximately 500 students in Kindergarten through fifth grade.

Virginia Peterson Elementary School is set among the rolling hills on the eastern edge of town, and continues to have an informal, "country" atmosphere, though the area continues to be in the path of development. 

Virginia Peterson School consists of twenty-four classrooms, an office, staff workroom, multi-purpose room, computer lab and library. An after school daycare program called PRYDE and two San Luis Obispo County Special Education Classrooms are also located on our campus.

We are especially proud of our library and computer lab. The computer lab was redesigned and equipped with the most technologically advanced equipment in 2000 - 2001 and was updated in 2008. All students utilize the computer lab, learning skills necessary for success. A computer lab specialist is available most days to assist teachers with the use of the lab. Our library holds over 12,000 books, has 5 computers for student use and is fully automated. We circulate over 42,000 books a year. A certificated Library Technician assists students in the selection, location and use of materials. Our aim is to create lifelong learners who have a love of reading.

Student Support Services

Virginia Peterson Elementary School utilizes a variety of support services funded through the general budget, as well as categorical funding, such as a School Improvement Plan, Title One, and EAP.  Some of our support services include:

  • Student Study Team, Counselor
  • Reading specialist, Intervention teachers and paraeducators
  • Special Education services: Psychologist, Resource Teacher, Speech Therapist  
  • Bilingual Paraeducators, Community Liaison Person, English Aquisition Program
  • GATE (Gifted and Talented Education)
  • Before school / Lunch / After school tutoring and homework clubs
  • Music specialists, Physical Education specialists, Art docents
  • DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education),  PIP (Primary Intervention Program)
  • PRYDE extended day care (available on this site) 
  •  Accelerated Reader program

Additional Highlights

We are pleased to have many ways students and parents can be involved, including:

  •     Active PTA (Parent Teacher Association) and ELAC (English Learners Advisory Council)
  • Community of Caring and Self Managers
  • Garden/Vermicomposting Club, Performing Arts Club
  • Student Council
  • Ongoing opportunites to volunteer