Most of the negative reviews reflect the chaos of school politics. It doesn't really reflect the teachers' hard work and students' lives in the past year. I don't really write Yelp reviews often, but I feel I need to share my point of view for my son's first year at this school. I don't want to see teachers' hard work and devotion to be erased by all these negative reviews. This new school does not have a lot of resources like Irvine Unified School District. The facilities at the campus are out of date and the campus is leased from IUSD. The faculty has been trying hard to maintain the school facilities, but it is very challenging. - 2 of 5 star I have been volunteering at my son's classes in the past two semesters, and both English and Mandarin teachers from the 2nd Grade are very passionate about teaching and helping our children. I have heard a similar compliment for all other teachers at different grades. The school only has one PE teacher, who is working hard and carrying a lot of responsibilities for all the kids at school- 4 of 5 star The communication channels between teachers and parents are very clear. Teachers will quickly respond and answer questions or concerns from the parents. - 5 of 5 star Before enrolling at IIA last year, my son has no knowledge about Chinese handwriting. As now, at the end of his 2nd semester, he can do both reading and writing more than 117 Chinese characters. For reference, attached are words he has learned so far. - 5 of 5 star Some parents have questions about the on-site after-school program. From my observation in the past two semesters, my son was able to complete his homework at school, attending enrichment class for music and art, and playing with his friends after school. My son always asked me to pick him up last so that he can spend more time at school. - 4 of 5 star To sum up, my wife and I feel very fortunate that our son has this opportunity to learn both English and Mandarin at the same time without sacrificing our weekend attending Chinese school. Everyday when we dropped our son to school, he always rolls his backpack with lightening speed and runs to the teacher. We can tell our son really enjoys his first year at IIA. This is a tuition free charter school, not a 5 star Private school. This school requires a lot of parents to involve and help. This is a new school starting with a bumpy start. We all hope one day the school board and parents can come to an agreement one day so the teachers/students in between will not be sacrificed. read more

Irvine International Academy - Chinese Characters my son has learned at the 2nd grade. - Elementary Schools Near Me - Irvine, California

Mastering the language is the best key to start learn a culture of country. We are so touched that the school and teachers have done so much to make our children happy every day. read more

Attention prospective parents: My child was enrolled the first whole year of this school and I volunteered during the school year. This is from a concerned parents perspective and questions you should be looking into. 1.) TEACHERS' CREDENTIALS/EXPERIENCE: Current teachers (English/Mandarin)- what are their credentials and experience? Do your job and compare to IUSD teachers. 2.) PRINCIPAL FIRED: Distinguished/Successful Principal Chuang has been fired. The only one that had experience in running a successful Mandarin Immersion Program is gone. Do you feel comfortable having NO ONE in admin/IIA board with the background in running a successful mandarin immersion school? 3.) TURNOVER RATE: Majority of mandarin teachers have resigned from IIA. Why is that? How were they treated for this mass exodus to occur? 4.) Approximately a few weeks left until school starts, how will this school find experienced, credentialed and good Mandarin teachers to fill in all the ones that have left and new positions? They need to find 6! 5.) SAFETY: Is this school safe with NO DOORS and no nurse currently? Does your neighborhood schools have the basics of doors to keep your kids safe? 6.) POLITICAL: Look into whom they have recently hired. 7.) OPTIONS: Consider all your options for your kid's education. Are there other well established mandarin immersion programs in neighboring cities? Can I enroll my child after school in the numerous mandarin schools nearby? 8.) MORE INFO: Information/documents can be found in FB group "Parents of IIA". Again PLEASE do your research before sending your children to this school. I wish I did. EDIT: 9.) CURRICULUM: Review the quality of the curriculum and who is on the committee. read more

We had been given information about this school. It was funny because it's a new school, but there's not much information about it. Last year, they didn't even have any teachers.. and the buzz was this is a up and coming school. One year later,.. teachers are gone. Word on the street is that the administration is horrible and poorly funded. Regardless... My nephew went here. He had already done kindergarten from an accredited school but his age was borderline.. NOTE he had been tested and passed to go into kindergarten (they year before from the accredited school). A year later, he passed KINDERGARTE completely from that accredited school. When he got into Irvine International Academy, they requested he REDO kindergarten, because it would affect their accreditation I believe. WTH? You're making my nephew redo a grade.. because your school can't even do basic testing to verify his grade level? NOTE.. he had already completed kindergarten at an accredited school with an ESTABLISHED Mandarin program.. Why are you making him do kindergarten over again. And why can't you just use the academic records from the other school. That's a huge red flag. Last year.... my relatives were told after they applied that their kids were going to Irvine International Academy. Later on.. a letter/email was sent stating they were doing a lottery as indicated. Indicated where? Nowhere during the application process was there a mention of a lottery. No apology. No clarification. This school has HUGE red flags. It feels like damage control now a year later. YMMV... as a parent.. why send your school to a new school with no reputation for success? It just BLOWS my mind. There are so many GREAT schools in OC.. I think you're doing yourself a BIG disservice just going to this school because it has IRVINE name attached to it. Please do read the OC Register article on this school: https://www.ocregister.com/2022/06/24/new-irvine-charter-school-under-scrutiny-for-alleged-mismanagement/ read more

We are proud parents of 3 kids at Irvine International Academy. With the 2nd year well underway, we have witnessed tremendous unity and leadership of teachers, staff, and our new ED/Principal Dr. Bean. This school is truly a hidden gem, with staff and parents who genuinely care and pour TLC into our kids. And the kids are learning a ton more compared with the local Irvine public school that they came from in prior years. And it's not just academics, it's also the emphasis on discipline and character. Kudos to the staff and parents who are making year #2 of IIA a true turnaround success. read more

We had our girls in school here for two weeks and then withdrew... so many issues it's crazy - lack of funding, lack of materials, unqualified teachers, teachers without credentials, lack of proper supervision for students, disorganized, huge lack of transparency, etc. too much to list here. Principal seems like he is good fit, but it's a big dumpster fire here. Looking through the reviews here and on Google, so glad we pulled out quickly and didn't lose too much education time. read more

Unfortunately, all of the 1 star reviews are completely accurate. I don't need to add to it. It is beyond frustrating to try to help the school when they don't care about education or its students. Ironic huh? It's also extremely frustrating when the organization has an absolute disregard for rules and policies. In which case....violations don't mean anything to them and it's like talking to a wall. Truth be told, OCBE should have never approved this school to begin with. Please don't be fooled by "free mandarin". The true cost is so much more. read more

School has been through a lot of changes In the last two years, but I think most importantly my child is happy, the teachers are very loving, and she has good friends. Academically she's learning Chinese, and other topics she has grown a lot too (reading, math, etc...) The school is small so getting to know other students and families is fairly easy. It's a good community and we all have the kids best interest at heart! - father of first grader read more

We have been at the school since the beginning, when my daughter started kindergarten. The first year was admittedly rough. I would like to say that the problems were entirely political, they had nothing to do with the quality of classroom or education. The school has completely reformed itself since it's rocky start and created an exceptional community for both students and parents. The education continues to be excellent. We do not speak mandarin at home and my daughter has been able to excel in Mandarin as well as the standard subjects taught in elementary. Her teachers have all been enthusiastic, caring and knowledgeable. The new principal, Dr. Bean, tackles any issue head on. He hosts a monthly coffee with the principal meeting during which parents are encouraged to come to discuss any concerns. We are very happy to have the unique educational opportunity that is provided by IIA. read more

My kid is attending kindergarten here and he is loving it. He is learning a lot and his teachers are great. The principal is very passionate and his enthusiasm is infectious. My son also attends the after school program and they help with homework and teach him how to play chess and other games. I'm looking forward to having my daughter attend when she's a bit older! read more

In IIA's inaugural year last year (2021), my son was in 1st grade there. He would regularly ask us to put him in the afterschool program so he can stay at school longer. Almost on every Wednesday when I picked him up, he would say Wednesday was his least favorite day of the week because it was only a half day of school. Moreover, he packed his pencil case ready to go during the FIRST week of summer break as he couldn't wait for school to start again. There was never a single day last year that he woke up not looking forward to school. This is how much he loved IIA, and needless to say he was beyond happy when he returned as a 2nd grader last Thursday. We moved from the East Coast and he's had a few schools before IIA through Pre-K and K years, both public and private, and on both coasts. Though he liked all of them, he never said the same things about the other schools. As a parent, my child's opinion and experience matter as well among other factors when I evaluate a school. It's true IIA's first year was a difficult year, but through interacting with teachers, staff, management, the board, and of course parents, I can testify that most people from all sides have the children and their education at IIA as their best interest at heart, and have made decisions and done things out of good will and integrity (and those who don't are no longer here). Were there mistakes? Well yes, of course, but who doesn't experience growing pains and make mistakes in new things, either as an individual or an organization? A new superintendent and principal (two roles in one) has arrived this year in the name of Dr. Stefan Bean, and he had done so much already in four weeks it's amazing to witness (we finally have a competent principal). With the teachers incredibly dedicated as always, the staff energized, and the leadership transparent and competent, I have no doubt in IIA's bright future going forward. read more

For any parents looking into Irvine International Academy don't fall for all this hype about a lottery or wait-list, my child got in through the lottery but turns out everyone on the wait-list eventually gets in because there were so many people who withdrew their kids. I'm pretty sure the same will happen for this upcoming 2022-2023 school year. Recently there was a survey conducted of parents at the school and over 70% of parents said they're looking into other options and removing their child from the school if things don't change. It's a shame that a school with such great potential has been so poorly managed by the executive director Michael Scott along with a school board that does little to hold him accountable even though many parents and staff complaints has been acknowledged to be true and creditable. Funds mismanaged, staff/teachers are harassed if they don't fall inline (the qualified teachers with options will probably be gone next year) Michael Scott hires his unqualified friends and family to work at the school and linger around your kids. When complaints were made by well informed parents, one individual was dismissed to be on leave WITH PAID $10,000/per month to do nothing because Michael Scott apparently signed a contract to make sure that's the case and another was moved from a teacher assistant position to the after school program with the intent that the afternoon program falls outside of the school audit. My child is currently attending the school and I feel that's it's too late to pull her out for this school year. Many parents stuck around because we felt like it's just growing pains for a first year school but as a parent that had the time volunteer and be involved at the school I can inform you it's much more than that. The teachers and principal are all well intentioned but how long can they stick around in this hostile environment with little funding to the need of the students and curriculum. Many parents has left at the beginning of the year because they didn't want to gamble with their child's whole academic year at this school. read more

This is my second year with the school. I can see great improvement in my child from the Mandarin immersion program. The teachers and staffs are great and I have not felt any closer or more personal relationships with school than this. read more

My daughter who is 5 has grown to love learning mandarin just after 3 months of starting her school here. Her teachers are great and the school has done so much improvement to improve the school from last year. Safety campus managers were deployed and door always remained locked at all times unless the teachers opened them from the inside. Overall, my kid is super happy studying here. read more

I am EXTREMELY IMPRESSED with the school my child attends! It is not just a school, but a family of over 242 students, with GREAT teachers and staff. In just half a year of their program, my child has already learned to speak Mandarin and English from scratch, and has even gained the confidence to take the stage, something he had never done before. We have a friendly community of parents, where I feel connected and together. This school is FULL OF LOVE and care for children, and provides an individual approach to each student. They really care and strive to make the school even better, with augmented reality, Singaporean mathematics, music, and science, which my child loves! I could not be more pleased with the school my child attends. read more

Both of my kids have attended from the beginning of the start of IIA in 2021, and we were on the verge of leaving after the first year despite them getting a good education and learning mandarin. I was not happy when Principal Chuang was let go and the corruption with Mr. Scott and the board with nepotism and obvious money laundering. However since Dr. Bean has come in and Mr. Scott out, the school has taken a 180 and has been running like a dream. My kids love going to school and don't want me picking them up early. Staff and parents at the school are so much happier this year and there is no more in-fighting between the parents as they did last year. Thankfully the drama causing parents have left from both sides. It really feels like a family oriented school and everyone wants to help each other out and make the school succeed. If you're considering about moving your child to IIA to learn mandarin, I'd say give it a shot as the way the school is running now versus the first year mishap is completely different and it's turned around now for the better. The community at IIA is great, the education is excellent and your child will learn mandarin proficiently. There's no long term commitment, pull your child out anytime and best of all its free! read more

We came to the school tour and were quite impressed by this new school. Our daughter is not of age yet, and was a little fussy during the tour. Nonetheless, the teachers and staff did not skimp on the tour even though we probably could not enroll until 2 years from now. We were showed the music room, the science lab, the outdoor PE area. The Chinese classes were either writing Chinese, or singing in Chinese, or taking Chinese assessment tests on computers ( each student gets a computer for tests). And we learned that in English classes, Singapore math is being taught for all grades. I can tell the school is making a lot of effort, and it shows in its dynamic atmosphere. By the way, we live in Rancho and our child can still go to this school, as long as there's space left. I find it a little suspicious of the negativity of some of the posts here, they are often one-sided and seem to have an agenda. I look around Yelp, people who are unsatisfied with restaurants, salons or stores would swear they will never go there again, but they are far less likely to entreat others not to go there, let alone calling for the restaurants/salons/stores to "shut down"? Yet it happened to the reviews about this school! Hmmmm, makes you think, no? read more

Hi, I have two girls that go to IIA. One is in kindergarten and the other one is in 4th grade. We are the very first students since the beginning of school. We have experienced everything! We focus on our kids' happiness and education. Our kids have built up very good relationships with their peers! The most important thing is they are very happy! My little girl asked me twice during winter breaks:'' Mommy, when does school start?" that shows how much she loves her school, her teachers, and her friends! I am very fortunate to have my girls study in this brand-new emerging school in Irvine! I'd like to say "Thank you!!! You are amazing!!!" to all the IIA teachers and staff there in IIA. I wish all the best to the school in the year 2023! 兔年吉祥！ read more

My child came to this school in January 2023. I am very happy that my child likes it very much. His Chinese and English can be used in school very well. What I want to say is that this school is very caring For the consideration of parents, set up a good after-school class. The child likes his teacher very much. Although this school is a bit far from my home, it takes 30 minutes to drive, but so far I am very satisfied. Hope this school gets better and better. read more

There are many confusing facts on this school. I would concluded that my boy's 1 year experience was positive with all the hard work from volunteering parents & teachers & principal. Unfortunately the experience for the parents are painful- you have to blindfold your eyes to keep going knowing there are many biases, safety nepotism, financial problems with the school that involves lack of governance regarding Charter schools. The board appeared to be willing to hear voice of the parents but their real intent is to remove all the "roadblocks" that opposed the direction of the board. Eventually they got rid of a qualified principal who set up the school and want the board to slow down & focus on education. The mandarin teachers voiced their opinions & eventually all left. The original PTO all left except one who has ties with IIA via his wife as the Office manager. Someday, someone should make a documentary of the journey on how to set up a Charter school to make $$$ read more

They were at the great park today promoting it so hard. i had a parent come and talk to me about how much he loves the school. Because i look hispanic he assumed i dont live in irvine and went on to say you dont have live in irvine fo go to this school!!! I am so glad i read these revoews below, they should be shut down. read more

IIA has made huge improvements compared to last year. My daughter is in TK and she loves her teacher, Mrs. Kuan. Every child is provided a breakfast and a hot lunch everyday. The afterschool program is now run by a third party and they are so better organized than last year. Overall, I am extremely happy with the school. read more

The one thing keeping me here and having pulled my child out now is the principal and the teachers my child has now. But can't say the teachers or principal will be here much longer if Michael Scott is roaming the halls at IIA. The IIA Board does nothing at all to control the situation. I'm not sure when the IIA board will actually do something. Because now it's gotten to the point driving up to pickup my kindergarten child I see 4 POLICE cars!! Which parents wouldn't panic to see any police cars at their school. I'm praying everything is ok running to see what's going on and if kids are ok. Finding out later it's just Michael Scott trying to kick out parents from handing out survey results on the sidewalk. Seriously! Tk/kindergarten kids are about to be let out this around this time and the superintendent/director of the school feels the need to call cops it's ridiculous. This is just my breaking point. But much more has been going on that you can look at Facebook groups the IIA board meetings online. I just can't with this school anymore. Please do your research. Don't rob your child's school year with drama. read more

This school is amazing... its new director and principal is so inspiring and hard working! He's taking this school in the right direction and the stem program is revolutionary! This school will for sure be 1 of the top 10 elementaries in California! read more

My child and I both love IIA. the teachers have been great, the after school program is great with extra homework help. The new management team has done so much since the start of the school this year which has made me to believe in its great future. hoping that Dr.Bean will be able to open a middle school as well! read more