This is a review for the preschool only. Watching my preschoolers assimilate, grow and thrive over their first year at CL has been a huge blessing. The teachers are all career preschool teachers with low turnover and deeply invest in getting to know kids as individuals. They've built my son's confidence and empowered my daughter's independence. Teaching is age appropriate and fun. I love that they spend a good majority of the day outside. The staff and admin is highly communicative and they've committed to a model that ensures family involvement. The schedules provide a variety of fits for different family needs. The community as a whole is the best of Costa Mesa / HB vibes. Most importantly, my kids are taught about Jesus from an extended community of influences they admire. Can't wait for another year here! read more

We've been part of the Christ Lutheran School community since our kids started preschool, and we couldn't be happier! The staff is incredibly kind and caring, and the school truly integrates its faith into everything it does. The friendly and welcoming atmosphere makes it easy to feel like part of a supportive community. Both of our kids are thriving academically and socially, and we love seeing the friendships they've built along the way. Our son even says chapel is one of his favorite parts of school! Recently, our oldest used the biblical teachings he learned in class to encourage my wife and me in our faith during a difficult time. That was when it hit me--like a ton of bricks--just how valuable the impact of Christ Lutheran truly is and how tough it would be to replicate elsewhere. read more

So upset to learn that my nephew was not allowed to exchange valentines today. I don't care if you are anti-sugar in class, there are more ways to keep the kids and cards engaging and fun. Handing out and receiving valentines is pinnacle kid celebration and now one of my two nephews was denied the fun. One came home with cards and got to give them out while the other came home with nothing. What a stupid line to draw by that teacher. Disappointing to say the least. read more

Entrusting our child to other people felt like a big leap for us as first-time parents. However, EVERY SINGLE staff we encountered from Christ Lutheran in Costa Mesa put us at ease. These educators care about the whole person. They care about each student and their family. They care about promoting high values in learning and living. They demonstrate a clear sense of community and communication. This is the school we prayed for. And, our child loves going to school there. In fact, every day when we pick him up, we ask him a series of "how's your day" questions. One of them is, "what's one thing that happened that was good or that made you happy?" He always replies, "Everything! Everything at this school makes me happy." read more

After touring several schools we felt CLS was the right fit for us. The staff, teachers, and other students were all very welcoming, so we decided to give it a try. Our Son began Kindergarten and our Daughter began as young Blue Star. Our Son is now in 2nd grade and Daughter is now in Kindergarten and both kids have been thriving. The common theme that we noticed from transitioning from preschool to kindergarten is how much the teachers Love the kids. There are so many amazing experiences and examples I could mention, however, the greatest impact we have experienced thus far has been the growth in confidence. This ability has helped our Daughter quickly learn and progress with the fundamentals (math, reading, writing, communication, etc.). Additionally, interaction with other students and family participation has helped build strong relationships promoting a better understanding of respect, love, and appreciation for one another. We deeply feel blessed everyday knowing that when we drop off our Precious children they are going receive sincere love and care while enjoying their time at school. read more

We are so grateful for Christ Lutheran! CLS has educated and cared for our kids for 6 years and we feel so incredibly blessed! An incredible staff cultivating a learning community where kids thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Both kids are in summer camp right now and they are rushing out the door each day excited to see what magic Miss Mackie has in store for them! read more

This school is SPECIAL. Before I decided to have my kids attend CLS, I did a lot of research and checked out a lot of schools. CLS was miles in front of the other schools. From the Curriculum, to the teachers, to the all around cleanliness, nothing could be better. The teachers and staff welcomed me and my family with open arms and hearts and immediately made us feel like family. I couldn't have picked a better school for my kiddos! My kids have been attending CLS since early 2017! Time flies when your having fun! read more

Christ Lutheran Costa Mesa is an amazing school! Both or our boys attended this school and CLS had a profound impact on both of them. Academically they came out of the school ahead of their peers (at public school) and emotionally they have gained such a solid sense of self. The school environment is very warm and welcoming. The staff are so kind, professional & genuinely care about every child and family. We really felt like we were part of a large family community & the friendships built at CLS are lasting. IF you are looking for a school that will provide your child with a well rounded Christian education- I highly recommend this school. Some private schools are filled with families just looking for a "private" school- but at CLS it's not that way. It truly is a Christ-centered school and that is why it is so special. read more

Our daughter has been attending Christ Lutheran School/Church since Kinder and is now in 5th grade. We as a family, have had amazing experiences with each and every one of her teachers and the school/church staff going on 6 years now. If you are looking or a Christ centered school that has great academics, STEM, art, music, sports and great after school programs, you have come to the right place! I highly recommend taking a tour of the school and/or attending a Sunday worship service at 10:30 what Christ Lutheran is about. read more

First, I want to preface this review by saying that our first year at Christ Lutheran was wonderful. My son was in the pink stars classroom led by Ms. Kim who is kind, loving, warm and our family was blessed to have her in our lives. During this time, there was also a different Director. My son attended Christ Lutheran for 2 years starting at 18 mo, and it's as I look back (almost 6 months has passed and he's now attending an incredible school) that I'm still angered and saddened over how the director at this school ignores MAJOR issues. 1. This school is chaos. They advertise play-based but it's really kids running around on a dirty playground all day. They were constantly under-staffed and my son was injured on many occasions because of the lack of supervision. One time, a child was caught jumping up and down on his back right around pick up time which my nanny witnessed. The heard my son screaming on the playground, which is when a teacher ran outside to see what happened. My son was left with a large bruise on his back which stayed for days. 2. The red star teacher yells at the children. I've heard her do this on SEVERAL occasions. It made me sick to my stomach as I would never want my child spoken to like that. One time I walked by her classroom and she was yelling at a child to "stop crying! I'm going to tell your mommy you're crying! What would she say about that!" She then clapped loudly saying "LOOK at me!!" I was appalled and immediately went to the director who 'talked to her about it'. I'm not the only one who has gone to the director about the yelling, I'm also very friendly with another teacher who confirmed that she's brought it to the attention of the director and nothing is done about it. 3. My child's pants were pulled down on the playground and as he was being spanked on the bottom by another child. Because of the lack of supervision, this was only discovered while it was happening. My son was put in time out and brought to a different playground and shamed for pulling his pants down... which was not the case! He told me that the other child pulled them down and I KNOW he was telling the truth. Even so, anyone who has studied Child Development 101 knows you should Never shame a child. That was our last day at the school. Anyways, I hope this review is helpful to anyone considering this preschool, or anyone already in attendance who had doubts/concerns about their child's care. read more

Christ Lutheran is absolutely fantastic. Every staff member and teacher is kind and enthusiastic about working with kids. The academics are great--my first grader is now 99th percentile in reading and 95th percentile in math on the national standardized MAP test. She has had the opportunity to participate in music, art, field trips, and to make lots of friends. The community is very welcoming for new families. There are great family events throughout the year. Their summer camp (childcare all summer long) is also fantastic. Lots of different things are offered so the kids are never bored. There is always stellar communication from the office staff and teachers. We couldn't be more pleased with our Christ Lutheran experience. read more

Our children began this wonderful school this 2020/21 school year. We have been nothing but impressed by the admissions process, staff, safety protocols, and opportunities for our children. They have both grown immensely in their studies and I would highly recommended this school to anyone who wants a state-of-the-art, Christian-based education! read more

We initially found Christ Lutheran School when looking for local preschools for my son at age 2. What started as an amazing loving nurturing faith based preschool, soon became truly one of the best decisions we have made for our children. Both my kids still attend 6 years later, and absolutely LOVE their school, now in 2nd and Kinder. I am constantly blown away at the amazing community and experiences this school provides for the students and the families as well! What the kids experience in terms of a fun, loving supportive community, amazing attentive teachers, principal, pastors, staff and quality education is well worth the investment. The school is also constantly looking for ways to add and improve the educational programs to keep the kids challenged and engaged, this year has been amazing with the new music director and many other improvements. I love the CLS family and highly recommend! read more

Never a member but I have good friends that are members here. It's a very well organized chruch. Welcoming and friendly. If we lived closer, I would so become a member here. I've been to a couple of the Easter Play Days and Easter Services. We have always enjoyed their service. It's full of active kids as well!!! They were recently on the Daily Pilot! It was great seeing this church grow! My family always look forward to visiting and attending Sunday service. read more

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What a wonderful school! One daughter graduated and another is currently in the 5th grade, and this excellent school full of caring Christian men and women is instrumental in their development into fine young women. While small , it's very relational and permits our kids to receive so much more attention. Would recommend it to any family. Well with the commitment! read more

The CLS preschool has been a magical place for my children. I had my kids at a good preschool prior to CLS, and while they were well cared for, I see the difference of CLS's preschool. For the teachers, it's not just a job, it's about something bigger and it is tangible in the joy they bring to their classrooms. They treat these little people as the beautiful, growing human beings they are, and they are focused on meeting their developmental needs. There is a wonderful outdoor classroom for the kids once they are 3. It is a magical space for preschoolers where they not only can exercise and climb out on the play ground, but dance to music on a stage (if your kid is a mini performer), play in sensory tubs, explore a vegetable garden and fairy garden, play in a sand pit, build tunnels with tubes, create, paint, or even have calm space to read books. If I were a preschooler, that's where I would hang out. My older child went through the preschool and now attends the elementary school. During COVID, the continuity from the preschool to the elementary school was huge in helping to keep stability in my child's life during COVID. The school was meticulous about applying cleaning protocols, which brought me comfort as a parent in the worst of the pandemic. The teachers in the elementary school are sincerely invested in the kids' development, and I see the academic growth my oldest has been able to achieve within a caring environment. Now, I dislike overly positive reviews because they seem unrealistic. Every place has its strengths and its challenges. CLS is not perfect, and it may not be the right fit for every child or parent or family. For my family so far, it has been a really good fit, and if you are looking for a school, you should come and see if it would be a good fit for your kids. read more

I love this place. I am a lifelong member. Church: Pastor Gibson is the senior pastor and he is a wonderful and caring person. As a preacher he is smart and Bible focused with a very good real-world application of the faith. Pastor Shelton and Pastor Strubbe are also wonderful pastors who bring their skills and passion to round out the leadership. The church building is beautiful and has lots of room. There is a traditional service at 8am on Sundays and a contemporary service at 9:45am Sundays. The traditional service is usually packed with awesome hymns played on an organ and sung with gusto by an engaged congregation. The contemporary service is usually led by a band with Kris Huston as lead (who is an amazing singer and songwriter) and really rocks the house! School: The school is preschool through 8th grade. I attended the school in the 80's and early 90's. Some of the same amazing teachers are still teaching there. They are a dream team of educators who love their classes like they are their own children. The education they deliver is top notch. I attribute my love of learning, creativity, my reading habit and my confidence with public speaking to this school and this amazing gathering of teachers. I can't wait for my infant daughter to attend in a few short years! read more

This school has been such a blessing. We have had such a great experience with staff, fellow parents and our children's classmates. Both of my children have attended CLS since preschool. I have such peace of mind that they are always surrounded by a positive and loving community that has our children's best interest at heart. read more

My daughter goes to school and has been coming here since preschool and she loves it she is now in pre-K in her teacher Mrs. Rieki is amazing. Also her preschool teacher Mrs. Blancarte was amazing as well!! I am so happy we found this school in the midst of this horrible pandemic! We will definitely be keeping her here for as long as we can! It definitely would recommend! Five stars for sure! read more

Christ Lutheran School is wonderful! Our kids have gone to preschool and are now in day school. The teachers and staff are caring and kind. It feels like family here! I can leave my kids in their loving hands and know that they are safe and learning so much. They are nurtured and taught the best way for my individual child. I can't say enough about the teachers. they are informed, creative, caring, and interested in my children. My kids love going to school. We are blessed at Christ Lutheran! read more

This has been my church home since 1967. The pastors in these years have been wonderful. Over the years, we have seen people come and go but the friendships last forever and we do have great friends at our church home. God bless! read more

My wife and I have had both of our girls attend Christ Lutheran School and we absolutely love it there. The teaching and school administrators are awesome and do a great job teaching in providing our girls with a strong foundation. read more

Where do I begin? My kids have been attending CLS since preschool. (Miss Connie) she's where it all began. Never intended on them going to school here, just thought preschool was it. Boy oh boy was I wrong! My son graduated last year and my daughter has a few years to go before she graduates. I love the teachers and staff. My kids are in an environment where they are protected, loved, cared for and prayed over. It is such a blessing to know they are not only getting a top notch education, but also Bible based learning. Parents are encouraged to get involved. They are welcome on campus and made to feel like part of the family. The after school care program keeps kids safe and active with homework and play until parents can pick them up. Deep friendships and bonds are made with the children and families. The Church and school compliment each other. The Pastors are on campus greeting kids and supporting the families. The Church is one of the few Churches I have ever attended that actually does what a Church is called to do. They anticipate the needs of others and move to help those in need. As one Church body. I remember the first time I stepped on the grounds of the school and Church. I immediately felt a sense of peace and felt like I was home. That's a very cool thing! read more

The church and school are amazing. So loving and personable and my family and I are so grateful to have a school and church available in our own backyard. Where we are treated like family and not just another member. Where our children learn and are loved and enjoy learning about everything. The teachers are awesome and I cannot imagine my girls going anywhere else. read more

I absolutely love this Church and school. My son has been coming here for almost 2 years. He is so excited to go to school everyday and when I pick him up he is never ready to leave yet. The staff and teachers are kind, caring, are always smiling, & make you feel like family. Parents enjoy participating in activities with their child's classroom activities. Classroom size allows for more personalized attention. I cannot say enough wonderful things about Christ Lutheran Church and School! read more

Pastor Mike is an exceptional preacher. Pastor Glen is exceptionally personable. Kris is a truly gifted band and worship leader. The entire staff is competent, inviting, and God-focused. I wouldn't consider going anywhere else on Sunday morning. read more

My kids have attended this school from Preschool through 8th grade and I could not have asked for better. There is a holistic approach to growing up a child. I love this place and highly recommend it!! read more

I Went to school here through the 90's along with my brother and sister and we all loved it. If I didn't live in Mission Viejo this would be where my Daughter would be going. I have a lot of fond memories from my time at Christ Lutheran. read more

Christ Lutheran School is amazing! We have been attending the school for 5 years. The teacher's are amazing! Very well rounded school academically. Lot's of things to keep parent's engaged and the community and support is awesome. We became church members 3 years ago and to have the church support along with school has been a blessing to our family. Highly recommend! read more

My son started preschool at Christ Lutheran in September, as the year is coming to an end, I wanted to say how much my son (and me too!) loves this school. The teachers there are amazing, so much love and patience given to each and every child. The office staff are amazing, Lisa in enrollment is the sweetest most helpful woman I have ever met, the principle knows my son by name and the senior pastor of the church is almost always there in the office when I come to pick up my son and he always gives a very warm welcome to everyone he sees. I love the flexibility this school offers and I love how much my son has grown in his relationship with God in such a short time. We are so fortunate to have found such a great community! I cannot say enough great things about Christ Lutheran Preschool & School! read more

All I can say is that I LOVE the school! My older son attended Christ Lutheran and now my younger son is attending too. Everyone from the teachers to the staff are amazing! You can be sure you can feel your kids are in a safe environment. The class sizes are perfect as they are small and you can be sure your child will get the attention he/she needs. Lisa Olsen is amazing and will give you a tour of the school. As my older son graduates High School this year I'm so grateful that he went to Christ Lutheran and learned the importance of having God in our life's. read more

Both of my kids went to this school for their elementary education and now that they are in High School and beyond they still talk about their wonderful days at CLS! This is a great school, very family oriented and friendly. Every child gets personal attention and a great education and every teacher is the absolute best and cares about every single student at the school. Where else can you go to school and have the principal know the names of every student? There's art and music and sports and many things that public schools just cannot offer any longer and all at an affordable tuition. Even the after school care is great. The integration of church and school is very nice to have and they do it without sacrificing any educational quality at all and they never make those of a different faith feel unwelcome. I very highly recommend this school for any child, especially a child who prefers a small, friendly, family oriented environment. Kind of like homeschooling without the "home"!!! read more