One of the most important details I look for when interviewing schools in leadership stability and…read morestaff buy-in. Mission Viejo Elementary quickly became one of my favorite schools as it checked both of those boxes and more. The devotion and love for students is evident throughout the entire school. Mr Pearson's leadership, heart and commitment is represented in his length of service as well as the long term staff in the school. I appreciate the energy, openness and value he and team place on not only preparing our kids but helping them feel "seen." I'm so sad this will be our last year in Elementary.

We absolutely love all the staff at Mission Viejo Elementary. Everyone has been so welcoming to my…read moregranddaughter. The principal Mr Pearson there is the best.

I have grown up in Aurora - in fact I went to Indian Ridge!! HA! But I do have to say I am loving…read moreSagebrush every more each year. The principal is fabulous this year - I have seen him more this first semester than I ever did with Toliver. SOO happy we got a new one! My kiddo loves it and told me last night she never wants to change school. She is on an IEP and her supported therapist are so amazing. I have to say I am so happy we have stuck it out and LOVE it. It is such a cute neighborhood school! Oh and the PTO staff is amazing!!!

My girls have been going to this school for 2 years. Coming for Texas, we were not sure what to…read moreexpect. I am happy to say that I have been and continue to be impressed with the level of attention and instruction they receive. The school offers a variety of programs, many at no or low cost, for students both before and after school. This not only exposes the kids to something new (outside of the school day) but it excites them to go and participate during the day. While the teaching methods and curriculum took some getting used to, the girls were able to transition and excel in the new format. My only complaint with this is the grading. Instead of the alphanumeric scale (0-100 = A, B, C, etc) The students are graded on a 4 point scale with each number reflecting the areas the student has mastered.The teachers take a hands on approach, including keeping the lines of communication open to make sure the kids are getting the support they need. The principal, Mr. McDowell, is very friendly and always smiling. He is truly a positive force.

The biggest issue this school has is its staff's purposeful blind eye to the bullying that is…read morerampant. Teachers constantly blame bullying victims for being in the wrong place and tell them they need to just stay away. This is not a solution to several bullies ganging up on kids and chasing them down. My daughter has also had issues with boys touching and threatening her and the schools response was not to take her side or protect her, but rather to call me and say that she was just being dramatic. This school is overcrowded and the few teachers who do care and have the kids' safety in mind simply can't watch all of them in a class with 30 kids. I will be removing my children this year and discouraging anyone from enrolling their own kids

I am not the only one who is aware of the rampant bullying taking place at this school and the…read morerampant purposeful blind eye the school turns to when addressing the problem even when it happens in front of their face. Everything is recorded on camera yet they tell you in a condescending manner that no one saw anything and make you feel as if you are from Mars and have no idea what's going on. The assistant principal is about to retire, so it's too much work for her to do anything about this at this point in the year. But you lead by example and that is the same lack of leadership that the staff adopts when they see their higher ups acting towards taking action on the bullying, which you can tell it's oh such a monkey on their back. It's easier for them to instead turn the blame on you and act incredibly ignorant to the facts and the big deal this is. I know we aren't the only ones highlighting the bullying problem at this school. I wonder what the school will do when media starts to report on this issue at Dalton Elementary in Aurora Colorado.