La Costa Canyon High School

This school has nothing to offer the student who is not college bound or a jock. Wikipedia states 97% of students at LCC are 'college bound'. A better statistic to know would be how many of those students graduate college. My point is THIS SCHOOL ASSUMES ALL STUDENTS ARE COLLEGE MATERIAL AND THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE FOR STUDENTS WHO WISH TO PURSUE A TRADE. There is a new business track, hopefully it will morph into something for trade school bound students. And yes, changing a class is a major undertaking if your student and the teacher are a poor fit. Not to mention, my student was being BULLIED by a couple of other students and they ended up in a class together. Fortunately I was able to get her class changed b/c she is special ed and I knew what to say. But good luck to others. Ugh. Can't wait til she graduates.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has a beautiful campus, but it ends there. The principal (Ruggles) is a bureacrat. He exercises no discretion and goes by the handbook. They should fire him and provide every family with a handbook to address all issues. A minor schedule change, at the very beginning of the school year, was a giant hassle. In my son's junior year I voiced a complaint about a teacher, and the principal didn't even ask what the problem was - just stated that they would not change his schedule. When I pointed this out, he suddenly wanted to know and then stated he hoped I'd found him responsive. I've encountered few impressive teachers here. This school has high test scores due to affluent families who invest in their kids. It's not due to the teachers, and certainly not the principal.
—Submitted by a parent

La Costa Canyon doesn't prepare your child for higher education. Teachers do not let opinions heard, nor do they give reasoning to grading. When a grade is challenged (positively or negatively) no explanation is given, teachers feel offended when grades or authority in any way are challenged. Teachers need to learn arguments from students need to be heard within in reason. Teenagers are tough, but teaching teenagers to debate properly is a good skill to learn on early in life. The way classes are held pamper students rather than challenging them for what lies ahead in college. Students need fewer assignments that are worth a higher percentage, less group work, and to be challenged more. College is important and La Costa Canyon focuses on sports. LCC needs to rethink what is important.

By far the best school I have had a child enrolled in.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had two of my three children graduate from LCC. The academic, community and social experience were tremenous in transitioning to both a UC and Cal Poly. They were far better prepared for challenging academics than many of the stduents from throughout the state from public and private schools. We found that the greater LCC community is very welcoming.
—Submitted by a parent

My Daughter had a wonderful experience and it fully prepared her for college. She just completed her first year of college and earned all A's...Thank you LCC
—Submitted by a parent

This is a tough school, but will prepare your child for college.
—Submitted by a parent

I've two children who currently attend LCC. Majority of the teachers are annoyed by the students, grading their work & care only about test scores. Watch out if you have a child who has their own mind & doesn't fit into that little box the teacher thinks in. aAdministration is a NIGHTMARE, unwilling to work with you if student & teacher are not a fit, they refuse to do whats best for students,they'd rather a student have no class then actually work with the student and get them in with another teacher. They would never want to offend there precious teachers egos. There are those few special teachers who excel & care about their students, better hope you're the lucky one to get them. We just need to demand that the students are the most important in this equation not theadults and that the administration & teachers realize this.
—Submitted by a parent

The campus is large and beautiful and there are a wide variety of kinds of kids who attend. Even so, a majority of the administration and a large chunk of the teachers obvioulsy hate their job and kids. They personally do not make the school enjoyable. It's up to the student body and the fewer truly amazing teachers to make going to school a good experience; otherwise the students feel like delinquents.
—Submitted by a student

I transferred from another school district in the area to San Dieguito High School District and I was very apprehensive about going. However, in these first couple months of my freshman year, I've seen a tremendous growth in my self confidence, grades, and I feel so much more encouraged than I did in Oceanside schools. I am very pleased woth the decision I made to change districts and I would recomend this school to anyone who wants a quality learning experience and a friendly atmosphere. The involvment is huge and kids are very friendly here. This school has truly made my high school experience amzing. Thank you LCC. Go Mavs!
—Submitted by a student

I'm very impressed with the educational opportunities at LCC. The school plays sports at the highest level.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school for sports. Lcc supports sports more than education. Beautiful campus (:
—Submitted by a student

Academically is very good but you have to make sure you get into the right classes. Some clicky groups but that's pretty normal. Very clean campus and a lot of good activities are planned
—Submitted by a parent

I loved my time at La Costa Canyon - from the administration to the teachers, I felt supported and challenged. Also has a fantastic sports department.
—Submitted by a former student

This appears to be a truly great learning institution. The campus is spectacular and the parents I've met are very motivated about getting a quality education for their children. My grandson, who we are raising, is playing freshman football and has found this to be a very gratifying experience.
—Submitted by Joel King, a parent

This is probably one of the best schools around.
—Submitted by a teacher

The housing around the school is so expensive that a huge percentage of families have both parents struggling to make house, car and other payments. As a result the kids are given fancy clothes, cars, parties and just about everything else. By the time these kids get to LCC they are spoiled and out of control. This is a problem that starts with the parents and the family environments at younger ages, but it explodes in a huge problem at LCC. Strongly encourage parents of younger kids to make changes to not repeat the same mistakes. And to carefully consider smaller school environments where there is a higher level of control.
—Submitted by a parent

Great just wonderful! I have been very pleased with the results I have encountered.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved from Sacaramento to this district and are very happy. The parents really do care about their childrens' education. The APIs are higher. My son loves the sports here.
—Submitted by a parent

As a student teacher of La Costa Canyon in the Chemistry department, I was extremely pleased with laboratories at this school. The students had access to huge labs and outstanding equipment. It was a great learning environment.
—Submitted by a teacher