The Good: - Nice…read moreCampus - Water Polo---World Class - Lacrosse- World Class (shout out to Coach Fox) - Football- Strong - Cross Country- Strong - Volleyball- Strong - IB Program- Strong - Counselors- Strong (shout out to John E) The Bad: - Some drug elements - Wrestling program gets zero love - Sharon Kendall of the Math Department has to be the worst, lowest EQ teacher I have ever experienced. When I told her I was going to seek outside tutoring she said and I quote: "You don't need any outside tutoring---all you need to do is pay better attention in my class." The problem? She did an abysmal job at explaining and teaching. Rude and totally out of touch.

IMPORTANT PSA - PLEASE READ!!!!!!!!!…read more Despite being local to where our family lives and being suburban (which is very peaceful for middle class people like us!) and being in the center of a supportive community, the school environment is just SO atrocious. I put both of my kids into this school: 9th grade son preparing for a medical education, and 11th grade daughter committing to MIT (so excited for her!). With construction happening around the school, incoming students should expect a very disruptive learning experience as they proceed through their education here. Even with new facilities and the renovated campus, the relationships between student and teacher hasn't been repaired at all. Ever since my son transferred into this school, his grades dropped from straight A's to high C's and low B's. I emailed one of his teachers inquiring about the drastic grade drop and his negative remarks regarding one his classes, and all I got was "Sorry, we can't really do anything now." What type of school disregards a student's education and future in such manner?!?!? The only classes my son has gotten A's from were from online summer classes at different schools!!! My daughter on the other hand, the valedictorian for her class, told me about her being bullied by her peers and heavily peer pressured into vaping within one of her clubs. She had also reported the teachers not putting any effort into giving their students an enjoyable learning experience, relying just on videos and telling the students to "just study on your own I guess." NOT TO MENTION - my children have gotten food poisoning on many occasions; I had to resort to packing lunch for them and making sure they are well fed. I have taken them out of this horrible school and transferred them to another school. PLEASE do your research prior sending your students here, you'll thank me later.

We've been at Fairmont North Tustin campus for 3 years. I thought it had a health office and health…read morestaff (I'm not even asking for an RN, just a health staff member), just like other schools. All Irvine public schools have health rooms and health staff on campus. Stupid me -- I assumed that at the very least this so-called private school would have such a fundamental facility and staff. But no. Today I found out there's no health office and no sick room where a child can at least lie down for a while until a parent arrives. I'm in shock. What kind of risky, scammy school have I put my child into for the past 3 years? This campus just spent a lot of money on expansion and also raised tuition fees. It's ridiculous to find out that behind all those price increases and fancy upgrades, no one seems to care about students' health -- and none of that money appears to have gone toward improving health support for the kids. No health office. Not even one health staff member. Not even a sick room for students to rest. -- In response to your reply: Thank you for reminding me -- although your non-medical staff determined (since there is no health clerk or school nurse on campus) that "it's better to remain in an upright position in a chair, while ensuring attentive care and comfort," when I arrived, my pale six-year-old child was kneeling on the ground, coloring on a piece of paper and using a wooden bench next to the reception desk as a flat surface. There is no health clerk. The temporary reception teacher was busy with her own duties. I did not see any "assured attentive care and comfort." Instead, I observed teachers who appeared reluctant to be involved, likely because without a designated health staff member, temporarily caring for a sick child simply adds to their already full workload. Where is the "bed" or the "attentive care and comfort" you mentioned? All I saw was a small, cold wooden bench near the reception area, with people walking around. Considering the level of tuition families pay, our children deserve more than this. Three different staff members confirmed to me yesterday that there is no bed available for a sick student. Therefore, the only way I was able to learn that such an option supposedly exists was through a Yelp review. Reality is reality. Parents, please do your research before sending your child to a so-called private school: * Is there a health room or a designated sick resting area -- like those available in Orange County public schools? * Is there a school health clerk available on campus -- as in Orange County public schools? * Do teachers even know whether the so-called "bed for sick students" actually exists? Despite the amount of money families invest in a private school that lacks even fundamental health support, it is worth considering whether the absence of a basic health office or a health clerk could place students at greater risk in certain situations.

This place is amazing you should go here everybody is so nice and friendly hope you can come hereread more

Nothing is often misunderstood. People treat it as absence, emptiness, a blank page waiting to be…read morestained with meaning. Yet nothing has a strange power over human life. We fear it, chase it, and occasionally worship it. Entire philosophies have been built around the idea that beneath all noise and motion lies a vast and silent nothingness. A room with nothing in it feels uncomfortable. Silence in a conversation feels heavy. An empty calendar can seem more frightening than an overfilled one. Humans are creatures addicted to occupation. We fill our lives with tasks, entertainment, and endless distractions because nothing gives us time to confront ourselves. In stillness, our thoughts become louder. In emptiness, we begin to ask questions we normally avoid. And yet, nothing is not always negative. Some of the most valuable experiences arise from it. Peace is a kind of nothing: no conflict, no urgency, no chaos. Rest is nothing happening to the body except recovery. Meditation asks a person to sit with nothing but breath and thought. Artists often begin with nothing before creating worlds from imagination. The blank canvas terrifies the painter, but it is also full of possibility. Science also wrestles with nothing. Physicists debate whether true emptiness can exist at all. Even the vacuum of space contains particles, energy, and invisible forces. Philosophers ask why there is something instead of nothing, a question so simple that it becomes almost impossible to answer. If there had once been absolute nothingness, how could existence ever emerge from it? Perhaps nothing is impossible. The moment we try to imagine it, we accidentally turn it into something. A dark void is still a picture. Silence is still an experience. Emptiness still occupies the mind. Nothing may be the one concept humans can describe but never truly understand. Ironically, this essay itself proves the point. To write about nothing is to transform it into words, ideas, and meaning. The moment nothing is discussed, it ceases to be nothing at all.Nothing is often misunderstood. People treat it as absence, emptiness, a blank page waiting to be stained with meaning. Yet nothing has a strange power over human life. We fear it, chase it, and occasionally worship it. Entire philosophies have been built around the idea that beneath all noise and motion lies a vast and silent nothingness. A room with nothing in it feels uncomfortable. Silence in a conversation feels heavy. An empty calendar can seem more frightening than an overfilled one. Humans are creatures addicted to occupation. We fill our lives with tasks, entertainment, and endless distractions because nothing gives us time to confront ourselves. In stillness, our thoughts become louder. In emptiness, we begin to ask questions we normally avoid. And yet, nothing is not always negative. Some of the most valuable experiences arise from it. Peace is a kind of nothing: no conflict, no urgency, no chaos. Rest is nothing happening to the body except recovery. Meditation asks a person to sit with nothing but breath and thought. Artists often begin with nothing before creating worlds from imagination. The blank canvas terrifies the painter, but it is also full of possibility. Science also wrestles with nothing. Physicists debate whether true emptiness can exist at all. Even the vacuum of space contains particles, energy, and invisible forces. Philosophers ask why there is something instead of nothing, a question so simple that it becomes almost impossible to answer. If there had once been absolute nothingness, how could existence ever emerge from it? Perhaps nothing is impossible. The moment we try to imagine it, we accidentally turn it into something. A dark void is still a picture. Silence is still an experience. Emptiness still occupies the mind. Nothing may be the one concept humans can describe but never truly understand. Ironically, this essay itself proves the point. To write about nothing is to transform it into words, ideas, and meaning. The moment nothing is discussed, it ceases to be nothing at all.Nothing is often misunderstood. People treat it as absence, emptiness, a blank page waiting to be stained with meaning. Yet nothing has a strange power over human life. We fear it, chase it, and occasionally worship it. Entire philosophies have been built around the idea that beneath all noise and motion lies a vast and silent nothingness. A room with nothing in it feels uncomfortable. Silence in a conversation feels heavy. An empty calendar can seem more frightening than an overfilled one. Humans are creatures addicted to occupation. We fill our lives with tasks, entertainment, and endless distractions because nothing gives us time to confront ourselves. In stillness, our thoughts become louder. In emptiness, we begin to ask questions we normally avoid. And yet, nothing is not always negative. Some of the most valuable experiences arise from it. Peace is a kind of nothing: no confli

The campus is unlocked allowing students to walk off campus…read more The principal De'rrco is very sneaky If you are the parent of a student who has a IEP You must take every step necessary to make sure your students are getting all their services

This amazing school receives HIGH MARKS...for everything. Caring, thoughtful, beehive of activity…read more The students I met are friendly, super helpful, I discovered when we attended registration, and this place FEELS like a private school, with the attitude of "We're all in this, together." The faculty and administration are clued in to their students in supportive strategies that work academically as well as inter-personally. Adults model what they're requiring re:students ' behavior. Love that this Charter School requires uniforms. Love that their cafeteria prepares fresh, locally sourced food to the students every single day. Genius! Loving that all this is coming from the once embattled OUSD-what a complete turnaround for the better, in the past 15-20 years. All the fundamentals are working together for the greater good at Santiago Charter Middle School. Grateful, grateful, grateful. AND...they still have room for new students.

Santiago Charter Middle School is a fantastic school! I recommend Santiago to any parent without…read morehesitation or qualification. When you visit the campus, you will immediately notice the caring atmosphere because every staff member is amazing (shoutout to Dr. D and Mrs. Pedroza, co principals, for giving this school the big heart that it has)!! If you're on the fence, give them a chance by attending one of the campus events to hear what they have to offer and what sets them apart from other schools. For example, how many middle schools offer international travel opportunities? My daughter went on a 10+ day trip to Europe and made wonderful memories with her friends. Again, this school has it all (including pre-AP!) and so many parents I've talked to all agree it was amazing for each of their kids. No regrets!

Wow I didn't think my high school would come up on Yelp!!! I haven't really visited my old school…read morein many years. What memories, and how times has flown. It seems like just yesterday I was living with my sister surviving and going to school here. I will never forget the wonderful friends and memories I have had here! Thank you for being apart of my teenage years and life I will never forget you! I was in choir which was my favorite class, Mr. Fischer was my choir teacher, singing is apart of my life and soul, also the drama class was so much fun. I really loved my English teacher she was so fun and probably the nicest teacher I ever had in my life, I learned so much I really loved going to school here. I would definitely recommend this school for anyone that lives in Tustin! It's a really good school, the football team was great and so was the dance team. Be kind to everyone and yourselves, life can be hard but if you stay strong through it you can make it through I promise! Never give up on yourself, don't stop dreaming and dream big. You got this!! May you have a really beautiful day!

Went to football game last night, 2 adults and 2 kids. A woman and guy at entrance to field made…read moreus pay 10 00 each, 40 total. I asked even for 2 kids. He said yes. I had to pay because my son was playing. Perhaps we were Asians and they felt it was OK to rip us off. Horrible people. FYI, we never got any tickets, and he put cash in his pocket. ZERO star.

very bad school. un including students. lack of funding for anything other than the magnet or…read morerobotics things. Don't come here w.o an established friend group in elementary. Very shallow students. Would put 0 stars if i could.

Best school ever! I love coming here and will make my kids come here. Also the teachers are amazing…read moreespecially Ms.G she is the best her sassy attitude is amazing and funny she is very sweet and understanding also make sure to study for her vocab test's.

So happy for the winning Beckman baseball team! That pitcher…read moreRex is a fine young man and a very good student Beckman can churn out some good citizens and hard working young people. Thanks Beckman. Big credit to the young man who is giving his high school a good reputation -by earning high grades and wonderful win at Los Al yesterday with his awesome pitching. Rex!

Man, I went to this school for 1 year and man was 2023 fun. My favorite teacher was def Mr. Duong…read more This guy really knows how to teach. He also is really entertaining and makes learning fun. Truly an amazing teacher and genuine man. If he is reading this thank you Mr. Duong the goat for real.

The teachers are really rude and they lie about stuff, and the principals never help and they…read morealways believe the teachers and never the students, the food got me sick, they dress code the girls not the boys even though they wear the same thing, the principals/teachers will accuse you of something even though you didn't do it, teachers will mark you late even though you weren't , and teachers pick favorites and they treat students differently, Mrs.Goodbrand doesn't let you talk and only believes the teachers, also the teachers don't help you when you ask for help, and the top principal never does anything worst school i have ever been in.

Director Jennifer Ahn and teachers at Jen's learning center teach children with love…read more And they are sooooo kind! My son has been studying here for almost two years. During Pandemic, He had online classes, and I was very satisfied with the new workbooks. I already recommended this center to my friends p.s. Thank you Hannah ! Joon enjoys studying with you very much.

My kids have been attending this learning center for the past 2 years and my wife and I love it…read more The center recently went through rebranding and enhanced their curriculum. It is definitely more advanced but my kids are loving the new challenge. I really appreciate all your help for my kids. Thank you!

I'm happy my parents switched me over to McPherson for 3rd - 8th grade. As a shy little girl, the…read moresmaller environment was good for me, especially in middle school. I had a good experience with almost all of my teachers (though I had a couple distinguishably quirky ones). I feel that the technology and science aspects were very helpful (I don't know anyone else who used Blackboard before college!). I had a great experience going through the drama program 6th - 8th grade. I loved going to Catalina, Astro Camp, SeaWorld, and going on snowboard trips. The campus is beautiful now. You should've seen it when the school opened back up :) Overall, I appreciate the time and effort of the staff from 1997-2003. Thanks!