Pacific Rim Elementary School

I have had two kids in Pac Rim and I absolutely love this school. Mr Devich runs a tight ship and it works. When we first enrolled here I received a call from him after the first week, explaining that my son was not meeting the standard and spelled out to me exactly what the problems and issues were. I was so impressed and relieved to finally be in a school were the kids were so cared for. I have so appreciated our time here and am so grateful for amazing teachers and volunteers. I wish we had Mr. Devich all the way through 12th!
—Submitted by a parent

It was a very hard decision to pull our child from Pac Rim this year. Mr. Devich is a godsend to this school and our family has been most appreciative to him over the years. The teachers for the most part are very good, especially Miss Glassey and Miss. Blakely. However, there were some issues at the school that we were not satisfied with. The computer, science and music programs at Pac Rim are lacking compared to the private schools in the area. The GATE program is not very good either. I know it is due to a lack of funding, but I just feel that the education is too focused on the star testing here. Bullying seems to be a creeping issue here as well. Mr. Devich does a good job of keeping it under control, but he can only do so much, it says a lot about the type of parents of these kids that attend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is a special needs student and the staff at Pac Rim has done an amazing job with him. He has come up 2 grade levels in one year. The teachers, principal and Special Ed staff all work together to support him. Excellent teachers! Amazing principal knows every student and parent and provides strong leadership. They are teaching my child skills he will use for the rest of his life.
—Submitted by a parent

Teachers and the principal do not work well with special needs kids. They only blame the parent and do little or nothing to help. You will need a lawyer if want services required under law.
—Submitted by a parent

Pacific Rim is hands down the best school in San Diego County. I personally have taught at many schools throughout the county as a temp and I have never been so intrigued by a school, staff and definitely principal. The involvement and sense of community is beyond any I have seen. I felt like I should write a review because I read all of these and there were a few that really pinpointed kindergarten and looked down upon the class size and ratios. As a current kindergarten teacher (not at Pac Rim, unfortunately) I don't think parents understand that schools do not make these placements. It is directly correlated to the district and the state, depending on the budget level. We all know there are not funds to provide a decent amount of teachers to our schools. Pacific Rim is the best place for children and it's too bad they can't double the size so more students can attend. They do focus on test scores, but not solely. Their primary focus is the growth and wellbeing of the children... It's a plus that they can work so diligently that their test scores are on top. If you live in this community and are lucky enough to have your students attend, take the opportunity. It's amazing.
—Submitted by a teacher

This school is just wonderful! I have one daughter who goes to this school and I enrolled my other one (older) in a private Catholic school. While I am satisfied with the social environment of both schools, I see that the education in Pac Rim is superior than that of my other daughter's private school. I love the teachers here and the principal is very outgoing and friendly. Their homework policy is very strict. My daughter got detention when she didn't turn in her homework on time! they encourage parents to participate in school activities and I feel of all the public schools my daughter has been in, this is one school that does not constantly ask and pressure you for donations. Overall, I am happy with Pacific Rim!
—Submitted by a parent

This is our first year at Pac Rim and we could not be more pleased. The first t thing we noticed about the school was how happy the teachers were. It did not take long to see why...the principal is amazing...he is an incredible lleader, mentor and gives incredible support to his staff! Our kids were bored at their last school...at Pac Rim their teachers challenge them at all times. The academics are top notch but so are the life lessons taught...The Golden Rule is also part of their education.
—Submitted by a parent

We could not be more satisfied with a school, then we are with Pacific Rim Elementary. Best elementary school in the state of California! Hands down.
—Submitted by a parent

I struggle to rent a house just so my son can stay in this elementary school zone. He is about to enter 3rd grade, but has been since K. Mr. Devich is a involved, realistic and enthusiastic principal. I have never heard a poor work spoken of him. I also utilize the Kids Care (Before and After School on-site care program) services and am so thankful. As a single mom working in Orange County, I really rely on them and it is good knowing your child is on campus all day, and not having to be bussed to an outside facility. I have also had the honor of utilizing the Districts IEP program for speech therapy and it was a smooth, educating process. I hope to keep him in this school district for as long as I can.
—Submitted by a parent

We have very happy with our experience with Pac Rim. Our daughter just finished kindergarten this year, and although she's smart, she's very "high energy" and we were concerned about how that might play out in the classroom. Every time I volunteered I would open the door to a room of kids sitting quietly (including my own!) and listening intently. The children were encouraged to participate in class discussions, and the teacher always made sure to include and engage those who were on the shy side. Once they had completed their daily worksheets, children had at least four activity choices from art to reading and writing on their own. The teacher was firm, but warm and the children really responded to her. We feel lucky to have found such a great public school for our children!
—Submitted by a parent

With all the glowing reviews, I just wanted to share our experience - not as positive - even though we are positive-minded people! We just finished our first year at Pac Rim, Kindergarten - 31 kids with one FT teacher, one PT teacher, sometimes an aide, sometimes a parent volunteer. I think the teachers could be great, given a different situation. But working with that many 5 year-olds, they seem stuck doing a very monotonous and boring routine, just in order to keep the chaos to a minimum. Our child had minimal opportunity for self-expression, creativity, hands-on learning, friendship building, and many other skills that should have more focus than a repetitive worksheet and hand-puppet craft every week. It seemed it was all the teachers could do to help the students meet the minimum standards, I had hoped Kinder would set the stage for a love of learning to be instilled...NOT!
—Submitted by a parent

Pac Rim is #1! It couldn't be better even at a private school! the best teachers, staff and principle! Special Education services beyond expectations. Thank you!
—Submitted by a parent

High level of academics, the teachers, nice campus, principal, EVERYTHING!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Pacific Rim is somehow able to hire instructors and train teachers to extend the learning process to students. With fundraisers and creativity alone, children have access to music, art and physical education. They learn about the outside world through parent chaperoned field trips and classroom projects. This is in spite of all the monetary cuts that have been made in California schools.
—Submitted by a parent

From the outside looking in, Pacific Rim Elementary is a great school. Once on the inside, however, it is realized that the Principal's understanding, open-minded public persona gives way to little more than lip service and the desire to keep test scores high (at any cost) --- as if knowing when to answer 'None of the Above' to a grammar question will make or break true education, self-worth, caring, and contributions to our world at large! There are also a few other school/district adults poking around to watch out for as well; too wrapped up in their own sense of importance and superiority to give much of an honest fig about the individual needs and talents of a child and family.

Pacific Rim Elementary is an excellent school with a wonderful and dedicated Principal who knows his students and his parents. He is very diligent about teaching right from wrong, having kids follow the Golden Rule! We have been very happy with this school as well as the success of our two kids who attend here. The teachers are also amazing!
—Submitted by a parent

Great School.... Very involved teachers, staff and parents
—Submitted by a parent

The response before this one is very sad. This school makes every effort to give the students a great experience and education and does very well on testing and getting kids excited about learning. This school is on the right track with great teachers and a principal with a lot of character.

There are 31, 5 year olds in Kindergarten with only one Ft teacher. It is very overwhelming for the kids. Parent volunteers are not trained teachers and are really hit and miss. Pick up is chaos with everyone pushing to get their kids. Do not send your child here if they have any learning disabilities, staff and principal are not trained or understanding.
—Submitted by a parent

My Daughter has been attending Pacific Rim for the last three years. I am extremely pleased with the school programs, raising the academic standards for each student, teaching the 'Golden Rule' and keeping with motivated through a fun enviroment. The Principal Mr. Devich is wonderful very caring about his students, and the teachers are the best.
—Submitted by a parent