Woodbury Elementary School

I am a parent of a child who may attend Woodbury elementary. I would like to convey my appreciation for all of the good reviews, as well and the bad reviews. I would like to caution all of the "silence dissent" folks that seek to criticize negative reviews. Negative reviews are not cyber-bullying, and they give the administration of Woodbury elementary a chance to address these issues themselves - directly with prospective parents. I do wish there were more specific reviews of things like GATE, homework, class size ratios, differentiation for reading and writing levels. (I really could not care less about the PTA, and the other "parent social hours" that everyone has a tendency to pat themselves on the back for. I see enough of that fakery in all of the other extracurricular I am involved in with my children). For now, I'll just give 4-stars... so I don't impact the overall rating. Thanks again to everyone for their comments. It does help me evaluate what is best for my family.

This school is one of the lowest ranked schools in Irvine. I am so glad we were able to transfer out to another Irvine school before it was full. We moved to Irvine for the excellent schools and this one does not cut it. The school we are at now if night and day better over Woodbury.....and I have friends who are still at Woodbury and they an not happy. The front office is touch and go and the principal is poor and told a friend of mine (who toured the school) that Woodbury is not an academically focused school. REALLY!!! Bad Bad Bad......if you do not want you children to struggle try to get them into any other elementary school in Irvine. My kids are excelling and A students at our new Irvine school and are far ahead of their Woodbury counter parts I even send some of our homework to my Woodbury friends so they can work with their kids and make up for this lacking school. Woodbury is unsatisfactory!
--Submitted by a parent

If you want your children to have an experience that only focuses on s single aspect of education, then you can find that type of school. Woodbury isn't one of them. The creed of Woodbury Elementary is complex and thoughtful, striving to nurture considerate multi-faceted humans that are aware of themselves, their environment, and others around them. Academics are only one element of a larger system of humanity. There are numerous opportunities and a wonderful supportive community of parents that volunteer their time and resources, in pursuit of that goal. If that sounds compelling to you, then come join us.
--Submitted by a parent

Woodbury is a wonderful school! The prinicipal and teachers are very involved with the students. Always trying to make learning fun. Parent volunteers are also very involved and the PTA is great! The musical is the best program any elementary school could have....being taught and loved by a wonderful person who puts all their free time and energy into the production.
--Submitted by a parent

We are very happy with Woodbury and extremely thankful for the time that volunteers and PTA staff are giving to make this great school an even better place to learn. If you worry about your kids, you should go and talk to the staff involved and not trash talk them on a website like this one . I hope that these cyber bullies will be found soon and their remarks will be removed
--Submitted by a parent

I am very happy with this school and academics. We came from another school district and by far Woodbury combines academics with other programs for the kids to improve their self confidence & prepare them for middle school. My guess is the comments below are from former parents that are the bottom 2% of any school. Leaving an anonymous comment with unnecessary slander is the exact thing that you are complaining about, which is bullying. The negative comments below are about as immature as the kids in elementary school. But best you can do is post these messages and not leave your name. Nice part, is your posts can be tracked via your IP address to your HOME!! Can't wait for IUSD to find you. Slander is an offense by the way....Woodbury rocks!! Tim J.
--Submitted by a parent

This school does not focus on academics. They focus on having fun more. The award ceremony is based on the school values not on academic performance. Students attend the award ceremonies based on their birthday month. After our kids move to this school, they are very demotivated because the teachers don't care if the finish their homework. There are hardly any Hw to start with. Even the core curriculums are not being taught . Barely any science, language art, or social studies were taught at school. One to two pages of Math Hw per week. My kids used to be very advanced in their school work. Now, they not only lost their advancement, but their basic proficiency. I really worry for them.
--Submitted by a parent

My son was bullied a lot. When I told the principal about one kid saying that he could have chopped my son's head off, she did not say or do anything about it. As I found out later from other parents, the school does have a serious problem of bullies. I think the attitude of the principal has a lot to do with it. If your kid tends to be an easy target of bullies, this is definitely not the kind of school you want to send him to.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has been here for 2 years and we are very happy so far. Parents are very involved with plenty of volunteers. Teachers at the school and the on campus CDC center are caring with good experience. Fun environment. Great school. The teachers make it the awesome school.
--Submitted by a parent

Woodbury is an excellent school with excellent staff and a principal who is caring and nurturing to the students and the community. My children love going to school each day. We love everything about this school, education is top-notch, extracurricular activities are great and parental involvement is everywhere. I am proud to be a Woodbury mom and would tell this to everyone I meet.
--Submitted by a parent