Canyon View Elementary School

We have also experienced our child being bullied at Canyon View Elementary in Irvine, it is a problem and agree with the 10/20/12 review. The responses to the 10/20/12 review about bullying have nothing to do with Canyon View Elementary in San Diego, CA as the other reviews from 11/9/12 and 1/10/13 suggest. To be certain, we called Canyon View Elementary in San Diego to ask them if they had a teacher that had moved classrooms, the answer was yes, for personal reasons. We asked if they could say why and they told us the teacher's husband had taken a job oversees and the teacher decided to leave so she could be with her husband. It was a personal family decision that prompted her to move, that was all. The reviews following the 10/20/12 review deflect attention away from the real issue that is happening at Canyon View in Irvine, bullying. To write a review and place blame on another school with the same name is convenient, unfortunately, they are inaccurate. These are facts that could be easily checked and indicates a staff member attempting to deflect attention away from the real issue, Canyon View Elementary has a bullying issue, it is a problem at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I believe that the review regarding the bullying issue belongs with Canyon View Elementary in San Diego, not this school, unless this school also had a teacher who moved from 1st to 4th grade for the 2nd half of the 2011-2012 school year.

To protect other children from these type of issues, you may want to consider writing a letter to the school board, if talking to the principal didn't help your situation.

- CVES has a bullying issue that even after talking with teachers and the principal, nothing is done, and it's eventually ignored and the victim is ostracized as a trouble-maker. - My son's 1st grade teacher left his class to move to the 4th grade and so both classrooms had a teacher change partway through the year. I don't think this is good for consistency for the kids. - Teachers are "too busy" to help a struggling student. - And according to the principal an IEP is for "exceptionally mentally handicapped and physically handicapped children". - Parent involvement is nowhere near as good as the schools I've had my kids in prior to this one. - The environment amongst the parents is clique-ish and unwelcoming to newcomers. - The PTA had very poor communication with parents. - I've moved my son to another school for this 2012/13 year, and we are all very happy.
—Submitted by a parent

Repeatedly my 1st grade daughter has complained that her teacher was mean, yelled at her, let other parents(helping in the classroom) yell at her. I think Christina Monroe is completely lacking compassion towards very young children who are sensitive to military bootcamp style instruction. My first impression on testing day was horrible and she basically made zero eye contact with me and said almost nothing when she whisked my daughter away and basically said "next" when she tossed my daughter out of the classroom! Maybe it's her horrible hispanic upbringing. I am finally changing teachers as I should have done sooner. My poor kid has hated her teacher since day one and my daughter likes most everyone! CDC teachers praise her and me, stating that she is remarkable, always happy and very compassionate to other children. It makes me mad that these teachers can be this way and be a teacher! Disgusting!!! --Submitted by a parent
—Submitted by a parent

This school is over rated by PTA's involvement and community. My son had a nice teacher last year, but PTA and principal is emphasizing too much of school events and donation. Instead of adcademic improvement, principal and staffs are spending most of their time for jogathon or family fun night events. There are 4 times or more of school events compare to Brywood or Santiago. It seems like principal is having too much power over class arrangement as well. Canyon view is only good for formal students, not for new students.
—Submitted by a parent

So happy with this school. My daughter had an amazing year in 2nd grade. Mrs. Horner is truly the best. Her style, love, care, and teaching method surely makes her a gem at Canyon View. And Dr Kemp the principal knows how to motivate the teachers, parents, and the students in so many ways! I have nothing negative to say about this school. It is better than any private schools. I love this school and grateful that my daughter attends CV!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Great school and great teachers. My son's first grade teacher always trys to use positive way to teach the kids. Even when the students need to have couple minutes of 'time out'. The teacher is very patient and soft voice to explain why they are been punished. The school give compliments to students that have achievement and it announce on very Monday's assembly. I think it is a good idea.
—Submitted by a parent

This 3rd grade has been our first year at Canyon View and after struggeling for so long with our son, we finally found the right place. He has made tremendous progress in just one year that I am still stunned. From the beginning both of our kids felt right at home and were welcomed by their teachers, who are fantastic, and by the other staff members. The principle is a nice and caring person and will do anything to make new parents feel at ease. Our boy is placed in a special education program and has moved from a C-D grade student to an A student in just one school year ... fantastic work. Like to thank everyone involved with his program right here!
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 kids at CV. This school has amazing parental involvement and great teachers for the most part. I find some of the teachers more difficult to work with - forgetting that they are dealing with very young children and not nurturing. But for the most part the teachers are dedicated and truly awesome. The only thing about CV that I find unsatisfactory is the new principal, Dr. Kemp. Unlike her predecessor, Mrs. Holmes, Dr. Kemp is not engaged with the kids, not visible, and most problematically, unresponsive to parents. She is not like a typical elementary principal where warmth and responsiveness are the predominant and valued characteristics. DIsinterested bureaucrat comes to mind when I think of the current leadership at CV. It's a shame for such an awesome school.
—Submitted by a parent

Canyonview is an amazing school!! It is like having the privilege of a private education in a public venue. We have 3 girls and 2 of them attend Canyonview with the 3rd attending in just a few short years. The calibur of teacher, administration and support staff is unsurpassed in my book. The parent and PTA involvement make all things possible during the intense budget cuts the state's education system is undergoing. Canyonview is a top performing school and we are thrilled to be part of such a great academic institution
—Submitted by a parent

Canyon View is a tremendous school! My child has excelled in this rigorous academic environment. The teachers are encouraging and the wonderful leadership of Dr Kemp has been felt throughout the school. The parent committee is very hands on and only seems to get better the longer we are with the school. You would be hard pressed to find a better school in Irvine.
—Submitted by a parent

A great school, a great place for education. I've just recently moved and currently having a hard time finding a school that half way equals to Canyon View. Parent involvement should be commended and the academic programs I think are great.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended Canyon View Elementary from Kindergarten till 6th Grade. Having come from a Montessori Program with low student teacher ratio, technologically advanced classrooms and enrichment programs in Foreign Language, Music, Art Appreciation Ballet etc all of which I signed her up for, I was looking for a school not just academically advanced but well-rounded with a creative learning environment that encourages individuality among students. Canyon View easily met my criteria. The school has a a distinctive culture of progressive thinking. The staff are very involved & Principals worked hard to integrate within the very cosmopolitian community of students. Parent involvement is very high and the PTA is active to facilitate participation by stdents in Music/Art/Reading and Science competitions on a District level. PTA funding is large and helps to pick up wherever the district falls short. I only wish they had a stronger sports/PE program.
—Submitted by a parent

My child attended Canyon View Elementary from Kindergarten through Sixth Grade. The teachers were enthusiastic and encouraging to my child. My child felt safe and comfortable in school. My child was encouraged to think, reason, and explore. Parents participate extensively at the school. For the most part my child had a positive grade school experience.
—Submitted by Georgette Simmonds, a parent

Overall, I am very pleased with the quality of this school. I have had one child (now in 2nd grade) in this school. I have been exceptionally pleased with most teachers, although I have found the first grade teachers as a group not to be quite as pleasant as the wonderful Kindergarten teachers! I am also very pleased with the amount of parent involvement.
—Submitted by a parent

Love this school. Academic Rating is quite high. Happy with teachers.
—Submitted by Monica Nagpal, a parent

This is a great school with a high parental involvement and a highly dedicated staff!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a 5th grader. She has been at Canyon View since kindergarten. I cannot say enough good things about this school. She has always had wonderful teachers, the principal is great, and the parent involvement in unparalleled. With the amount of money our PTA has raised to keep programs that have been cut by the state or to add programs like Art Masters, you would think we were a private school.
—Submitted by a parent

My two kids are currently attending Canyon View. It is an excellent school filled with excellent staff. Parent volunteer is very high. Class size reduction fundraising are very helpful to keep the classes from 1st through 3rd grade at a maximum of 20 per class. My children loves the after-school programs available such as art and basketball. Their art masters program is excelent. Parent involvement is the key of this school's success.
—Submitted by a parent