After writing a 2 star review on this school based on my true and honest experience, I get a very…read moredisturbing phone call from their director Kapil M. He wanted me take down my review. He accused me of bullying his school with my Yelp Review. I am just telling the truth. Please look at my previous reviews where I gave them 4 star. I had all the excitement and hopes at this school and was shattered after realizing the lies that were fed to us. Right now I am enrolled at our school district. My intention for coming her and our attraction for attending this school is because my son loves science!!! After seeing how he replied on my review, it is a lie that they hired staff. They state that they hired staff...Nope staff was not hired and that's the reason why they couldn't give me an exact start date. When they sent their psychologist to my transitional IEP meeting, their representative flatly told my IEP team at my district that they will not be able to provide services at the level they are providing. My IEP is also recorded and was disclosed before the meeting started. All members in that meeting is 100% aware that they are being recorded. When a public charter school makes promises that they will fulfill services like a public school district, and at a recorded IEP meeting they say they will not??? It really questions the accountability and the process for kids with IEP. Sounds like they cherry pick, which special kids they will have enrolled. Or maybe we are sounding like a business.... Because Mr.Kapil told me take my review down because it is ruining his school reputation. Sir, it's a public school and this is my experience with the admission process... Yes, they have all the field trips to make their school look great and all the extra activities. How about accountability? Teacher experience? Ask the how they deal or prevent with bullying? You will notice they tend to dodge the question. When I asked about the teachers, I am told that they had alot of applicants that applied so therefore they have teachers that want to teach and they highlight that they get county retirement and benefits. But they don't tell you the experiences of their teachers. They look really young, which is fun and great but I think having experienced teachers at a school is also very important. Bullying question... They answer by telling us they hired private investigators and no bullying was done. So how about the prevention? If you go to other review sites, you will see accusations of bullying in this school. Overall the idea presented at this school is amazing! STEM based. Lots of activities. Large member of the PTA, which alot of them are their own employees. ;) Alot of attraction to come to this school and that is why we applied. Go to your local school district. Ask the question of STEM and activities before jumping to come here. There are many charter schools to choose from here in South OC such as Journey, Community Roots, Oxford. How are they run? How are they accounted for financially? Money laundering is very common for people who run charter schools. Do your homework? See what best fits your family. Unfortunately this school wasn't a good fit. And sadly we had promises that were made but on the record during the transitional IEP meeting with the school district, it was very clear, they will not provide the services....

I absolutely love this school, I love the fact that they are treat you like a family. They care so…read moremuch. We've been here since third grade , both of my kids are having a good experience, Kapil the founder care so much he just added a program from tillys organization helping kids communicate and learn how to handle stress I was so impressed and I really appreciate it so much .

Marina View School has been an amazing experience for our family. Ms. Reshma is an outstanding…read moreowner and leader who has built a truly special program with an incredible team of teachers and staff. The level of care, communication, structure, and positivity throughout the school is exceptional. The teachers are patient, attentive, and passionate about what they do, and the overall environment feels welcoming, safe, and supportive. It is clear that a lot of thought and heart goes into every part of the program. We highly recommend Marina View School to any parents looking for a place where their child will be encouraged, cared for, and thrive. Five stars!

We had such a wonderful experience with Marina View Preschool. My son attended for about 2.5 years,…read moreand leaving was genuinely emotional for our family when we moved away. From the very beginning, the staff created a warm, nurturing environment where he felt safe, supported, and excited to learn. He truly loved going to school every day which, as a parent, says everything. The program is thoughtfully structured with engaging activities that promote both learning and social development, and we consistently saw him grow in confidence, independence, and curiosity. The teachers clearly care deeply about the children and go above and beyond to create meaningful experiences. Communication was always strong, and we felt like true partners in our child's development. If we hadn't moved, we would have absolutely stayed. I highly recommend Marina View to any family looking for a caring, enriching preschool environment.

Just another money grabbing racket, borderline devoid of any ethical thought process, that values…read moretheir own bottom line over that of regular families. Unfortunately, this seems to be the norm in 2023. I will never give this school a single dollar of my money, or support it in any single way as a result. They get taxes to fund them, but over zealous planners just see opportunity to get their hands on hard cash and are too greedy to consider the needs and effects this has on families. Attended the "Boo Blast" and the most shocking thing about this is that fact that it's $10 per activity, at least for the better ones, so that's $20 if you have 2 kids, or $30 if you have 3. And what might you get for these VERY overinflated prizes you might wonder? 3-4 mins on a climbing wall. Or 3 mins walking school rooms set up like a ghost house. What makes it completely obnoxious is the fact that young children often want their parents to walk through with them, and that ladies and gentlemen, costs another $20 on top. Forget protesting this, they genuinely couldn't care less. Within 1 hour at this awful event wrapped up in fake smiles, but with green dollar signs in their eyes, a family of 4 might have to spend $200 just to do a couple of activities that all last approximately 3 minutes. That's after you have lined up for 30 minutes to wait for the activity in the first place. They even have the audacity to ask parents to volunteer their free time to support this so that they can maximize profits. The real kick in the teeth is that when raising this to a member of staff, who turned out to be the treasurer, she then asked "Are you one of the low income families here at the school?", which I'm not. And even if I was, it's not the point. The point is that their pricing is totally unreasonable, and unjustified. To not realize that is to be totally devoid of reality altogether. However I can get involved in making changes to this, I will. Yes some parents can afford to waste the same amount of money as it costs to go to Disneyland on some fair games, but again, that's not the norm for everyone. I just had to leave my kids with my ex wife, on my weekend with the kids, as I could not stand to be around this endless money pit. Totally disgusted. I raised this with Mr Pedraza, the School Principle, that was stood marshaling traffic on the front gate. I might as well have been speaking to a block of concrete, as all I got was a blank stare and some vague repeating of some of the words I had just said. He honestly couldn't have cared less, or made it more obvious that he didn't care and just wanted me to slide away so he could watch the money rolling in. He already got his fill, he got slime tipped over him on the Thursday prior. Not for any particular reason, but because he wanted to. That's where the tax money goes huh?

The requirement for public schools to maintain neutrality regarding religion is a cornerstone of…read morefostering an inclusive educational environment. As stipulated by the California Department of Education, while educational discussions about religion are permissible, schools must not promote or endorse any particular religious beliefs or practices. This principle aims to respect the diverse religious backgrounds of all students. It is concerning when a school mandates that students sing religious songs. Such actions are far from representative of the diverse beliefs within the student population. Even with policies in place, students often have limited impact on curricular decisions. Compelling evidence suggests that "mandating participation in religious activities can make students feel uncomfortable or excluded, while inadvertently promoting a particular belief system over others." These practices provide substantial support for concerns about biased inclusivity but not for theories of equitable educational democracy. In times when global events highlight the sensitive nature of religious differences--where conflicts adversely affect people, including women and children, due to religious tensions--schools should be especially mindful of their role. Other studies have demonstrated that forcing participation in religious content can marginalize students of different faiths or secular backgrounds, their comfort and opinions overlooked by decision-makers. It is crucial for educational institutions to create a safe space where all students can learn without feeling pressured or marginalized because of religious content in mandatory activities.

Like many parents, I read the reviews before enrolling my son at St. Anne's, and I'll admit, I was…read morehesitant. Some of the concerns raised gave me pause. But as we near the end of our third year (currently finishing 4th grade), I feel compelled to share our experience because I'm genuinely glad we chose this school. No school is perfect, and yes, we've had our challenges here and there. But overall, St. Anne's does an outstanding job across many levels. My son is not only thriving academically, he's also genuinely happy. The school strikes a wonderful balance between being firm and structured, while maintaining a warm, positive environment where kids are encouraged and challenged to grow. One of the highlights for us has been the next-level extracurricular offerings and the way St. Anne's integrates experiential learning in every grade level. These hands-on experiences really resonate with the kids and make learning more fun and meaningful. Our first year was a bit rocky, while St. Anne's is a private school and doesn't follow public school IEP protocols, the principal at the time (Mrs. Bournazian) went above and beyond to work with his teacher and me to put support systems in place to help him suceed. When she became Head of School, I was a little nervous that our dynamic might shift, but the transition has been seamless and honestly, the school has continued to flourish under her leadership. We still feel incredibly supported by both the administration and teachers. Speaking of teachers, we've been very fortunate. Each year, my son has had passionate, caring educators who are truly invested in their students' growth. I've heard some concerns among parents about staff turnover, but having experienced two other schools (one public and another well-known private school in OC), I can say this is fairly typical. Teachers move on for all kinds of reasons, what matters more is the consistency of care, and we've always felt that here. With the exception of one long term sub that was not ideal, we've had outstanding teachers from 2nd to 4th grade. The music program is beyond impressive, Mr. Yaple works wonderfully with kids of all ages. Same for the arts program, the school puts on a more professional production than some theater houses in LA. This is a school that provides the opportunity for all kinds of kids to thrive. Socially, like many schools, St. Anne's can feel a bit cliquey at times, but we've also met some truly amazing families, and my son has built wonderful friendships. All in all, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend St. Anne's. I'm grateful we ignored the negative reviews and gave it a chance.

As a parent, I am extremely disappointed with our experience at St. Anne. I expected a school that…read morewould provide a supportive and positive environment for students, but instead I found poor communication, inconsistent treatment of students, and a lack of accountability when concerns were brought to the administration. Rather than working with families to resolve issues, it often felt like our concerns were dismissed. The school seems more focused on protecting its reputation than addressing real problems that affect students. Rules are not enforced fairly, and favoritism appears to play a role in how situations are handled. For the tuition families pay, I expected much better leadership, transparency, and care for students' well-being. I would not recommend this school to other parents unless meaningful changes are made. Every child deserves to feel supported, respected, and treated fairly, and unfortunately that was not our experience.

We've been part of the John Malcom community for the last 11 years. It's such an amazing school…read more The teachers are just phenomenal. They truly set a high bar for expectations moving forward. We are blessed to have such talent in our area. I know not everyone is as fortunate to have such amazing teachers that are able to provide our kids with such an great education. They did this pre pandemic. During the pandemic and post. Going above and beyond expectation. Not just the teachers but the amazing staff as well. The families here are so kind. We have made some great friends and our kids have enjoyed going to the school. Their volunteers are also amazing and we appreciate that our kids have grown up learning respect, love, kindness and generosity. Their garden is such a wonderful thing to have and we will enjoy the last few years here. Go Mariners!!!

Great great school ... very organized and focused on students... great job Team Malcomread more

Choosing a preschool is one of the biggest decisions you'll make as a parent, and after having two…read morechildren attend Pacific Preschool's San Elijo Hills campus, I can honestly say it has been one of the best decisions we've made. Our oldest started at Pacific during COVID, which was an especially stressful time to be a new parent. I was also pregnant with our second son, so finding a preschool where we felt completely comfortable and supported meant everything. Even during such an uncertain season, the staff created a warm, consistent, and loving environment that gave us so much peace of mind. We always felt that our son was safe, cared for, and genuinely known by his teachers. Fast forward a few years, and now our youngest is enrolled at the same school. It's been so special returning as a family and seeing familiar faces. There's something incredibly comforting about a school where the teachers remember your family and truly invest in your children's growth over the years. One thing I've always appreciated is how closely the teachers partner with parents. They've helped us navigate everything from separation anxiety to developmental milestones with kindness, patience, and great communication. As working parents, having dependable childcare is important, but what we've found at Pacific Preschool is so much more than that. It's a place where our boys have been encouraged, celebrated, and loved. I'd also like to give a special thank you to Jessica, the director. Her leadership has helped create a culture that feels welcoming, organized, and genuinely family-centered. You can tell she cares deeply about both the children and the staff, and it shows in the positive atmosphere throughout the school. Watching our oldest successfully transition into elementary school with confidence, and now seeing our youngest thrive in the same nurturing environment, has only reinforced how grateful we are that we chose Pacific Preschool. If you're looking for a preschool where your child will be cared for by people who truly love what they do, I highly recommend the San Elijo Hills location.

I have been part of the Pacific Preschool family for 3 years now. My son attended two years in the…read morepreschool program and my daughter is currently in her second year of the preschool program. I have always had the best experience with the school and all of the staff members. It truly feels like a family there. The staff are always so welcoming when I drop my kids off for the day and when I pick them up. I regularly get updates from my child's teachers, and have even had other staff share special interactions that they have had with my child on given days. My son struggled a bit with impulse control and transitions in the classroom and, his teacher was very patient and offered so much support. I often had meetings with the director and teacher on ways that we could all work together to help my son be the most successful. He is now moving on to first grade and I'm so grateful for his time at Pacific because it really helped prepare him for elementary school. His teacher often reminded me that raising children takes a village and she always felt like a major part of mine. My daughter loves school and going everyday but drop offs can sometimes be hard for her. Saying goodbye to Mommy/Daddy can be challenging for kids but all of the teachers out on the play yard offer so much support to help comfort my daughter and the other kids that may have a difficult time separating from their parents. I know my kids are safe and in great hands when I leave them for the day.

As parents, we all seek the best educational and developmental environments for our children…read more After 3 years in public school, we realized that both of our kids were getting lost in the large classes and needed a small school environment to thrive. We sought out a school that with small classes, stimulating curriculum, engaged teachers, and a supportive social environment. Vandamme Academy has exceeded on all levels - and we only wish we had enrolled sooner! The small classes and overall school environment are what first brought us to Vandamme. We love that each grade level has only one class with roughly 15 students. The homeroom/subject matter class structure makes a huge impact in that it allows students to form relationships with multiple adults (and role models) at school. As we approach the end of our first year at Vandamme, we have seen how much maturity and confidence our kids have gained through these relationships. It is also clear that the teachers truly get to know each student's learning style, personality, strengths, and areas of need. The rigorous academic program is thoughtfully designed by Ms. Vandamme and the teaching staff in a way that challenges and inspires students. We love that the teachers specialize in subjects that they are passionate about. In doing so, they pass on their interest onto the students, so that students become interested and engaged in each subject. Just last week, I was blown away when my fourth grader asked to go to the library for books on Shakespeare's works. Beyond academics, we love Vandamme's positive and inclusive social environment. Students seem to come from diverse backgrounds and neighborhoods throughout our county, and the school staff does a great job of modeling kindness, inclusion, and respect. I've had the privilege of volunteering at two school events and chaperoning one field trip this year. In all instances, I've been so impressed with how responsible and respectful all of the students are. The food is also wonderful! While we don't order hot lunch every day, my kids always look forward to Chef Faustino's healthy and delicious creations. We are so grateful to Ms. Vandamme and the entire staff for providing a learning environment that not only enables ours kids to excel academically, but also build character and confidence.

VDA is an absolute dream come true. We are going into our fourth year at VanDamme Academy, and our…read morefamily has continued to be impressed. Our two children have very different personalities. Our daughter went into Kindergarten at VDA from a Montessori preschool. Two years later, our son went into Kinder at VDA from a Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool. Very different preschools. They both transitioned smoothly into VanDamme, are both thriving, and are both genuinely excited to go to school in the mornings. Their progress in reading, math, vocabulary, critical thinking and problem solving from the beginning of the school year to the end is incredible. Miss Beach, the Kindergarten teacher, adjusts her teaching style to meet the individual child's needs. If we had a hard drop off, she would send a picture or two of our child letting us know they were doing better and settling in. If our son couldn't sit still for paper and pencil work at the desk, she would invite him to work with hands-on materials on the floor. She pays such close attention and gets to know each student so well, she identified that our daughter might need to have her vision checked... and it turned out, she needed glasses! That feeling of peace in my heart that our children are at the right school started in Kindergarten and has held steadfast. There is a melting pot of cultures and backgrounds here, which is a huge benefit. Other families here have become our friends. It's everything we hoped for and more. Our children developing a passion for learning, the curriculum, the community. If you are looking for the best education within K-8 in Orange County, welcome to VanDamme Academy.